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08.04.2025 This beautiful (Common)Buzzard is a regular on the southwest of the Island and is seen here yesterday, over Ouaisne, where it roosts. MD
Another fine morning, but with high cloud spreading in this afternoon. Winds were light from the northeast.
It was a much quieter day for birds, in he settled conditions. Seen off Corbiere from sunrise were 4 Little Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 7 Kittiwakes, 19 Lesser black-backed Gulls, 28 Sandwich Terns, 3 Common Scoters, 5 Guillemots, 3 Razorbills, a Turnstone, 73 Gannets, 8 Fulmars, a Cormorant and 2 Bottle-nosed Dolphins. On the headland were singles of Willow Warbler, Wheatear and Black Redstart, with another or the same of the latter seen near the Radio Tower later in the day. 2 Brent Geese were in Petit Port Bay and another Wheatear was at La Rosiere along with a male Dartford Warbler. Just 2 Song Thrushes were left from yesterday's fall of thrushes on the Railway Walk nearby.
At Grouville Marsh were 2 Teal, 2 Snipe and 2 Grey Herons and in Grouville Bay were 2 Shelduck, 243 Brent Geese and a Curlew, while passing La Rocque were 3 Skylarks, 50 Linnets, 35 Meadow Pipits, a Yellow Wagtail and 3 Swallows. At La Sente were 2 Shelduck ( possibly the same birds seen in Grouville Bay) and a Cattle Egret. On Grouville Common were a Redwing, a Cirl Bunting, 8 Linnets and 4 Greenfinches. On Rozel Campsite were a pair of White Wagtails and a pair of Swallows back on their breeding site.
On St Ouen's Pond Scrape was a Common Sandpiper and to the north of the Pond were 2 Wheatears and a Sand Martin.
50 Brent Geese, 7 Turnstones and a Curlew were at St Aubin, 2 pairs of Dartford Warblers and a pair of Swallows were at Noirmont. A Firecrest was in song again in Vallee des Vaux.
Acouple of extras: Yesterday, a Redshank was in the Sandpits and on Sunday a Black Redstart was at a property near to Sorel, where it is regular at the moment.
Below: Corbiere Lighthouse on a fine Spring morning - spot the Peregrines.
16.04.2025 Hoopoe on Grouville Common, image courtesy of Romano RDC A cold but mainly bright day in a fresh southwest wind. Yesterday's Hoopoe was still present this morning, near the ice cream van at the north end of Grouville Common and 2 Cattle Egrets were by Grouville Church. a Wheatear was at La Sente. Passing Grosnez this morning were 3 Manx Shearwaters , 6 Guillemots , a Red-throated Diver , 42 Fulmars , 40 Gannets , 5 Cormorants , 18 Kittiwakes , 2 Sandwich Terns and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Heading off over Grosnez were 23 Swallows and a White Wagtail, while at Les Landes were 2 Wheatears , 4 Stonechats , 3 Dartford Warblers , 20+ Linnets , 30 Meadow Pipits , 2 Choughs , a Sparrowhawk and 2 Marsh Harriers . In St Ouen's Bay, 45 Oystercatchers and 14 Little Egrets were at La Pulec and a Snipe was at the Wetland Centre. On the Scrape were 9 Teal , 2 Oystercatchers , 6 Lapwings , 3 Wheatears, a Reed Warbler and 3 Yellow Wagtails while feeding overhead were 10 Sand Martins , a House Martin and 2 Swallows . 80 Linnets and a White Wagtail were on the seaside of the Wetland Centre too. On Kempt Tower pools were 7 Tufted Ducks , a pair of Shoveler and 4 Little Grebes . Also singing there were a Reed Warbler , a Blackcap and a Skylark . 80 pale-belled Brent Geese were at La Haule.
15.04.2025 Fulmar at Grosnez MD An increasingly stormy day, but with most rain missing the Island to the West. Winds veered from southeast to southwest with force 6 in gusts. Some visible migration via Les Landes and Grosnez before the winds increased too much, included the first Hobby of the year, 166 Swallows , 40 Sand Martins , 3 Yellow Wagtail , 9 White Wagtails , 122 Linnets , 5 Goldfinches , a Greenfinch , a Chaffinch , 87 Meadow Pipits and 45 Woodpigeons . A few birds passing offshore included 12 Common Scoters , a Manx Shearwater , a Guillemot , 20 Fulmars , 23 Gannets , 9 Sandwich Terns and 31 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . 2 Wheatears and a pair of Stonechats were on the ground there and also seen were 2 Peregrines , a Kestrel , 2 Marsh Harriers and 2 Ravens . On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were 6 Teal , Lapwings mating and a Wheatear and in the Sandpits were 30 Sand Martins , 14 Tufted Ducks , a pair of Shelduck , 5 Great Black-backed Gulls and 17 Herring Gulls , and a Stonechat , with Oystercatchers seen mating there, with a second female close by! What was presumably the resident Whooper Swan there was seen heading high to the East shortly after Sunrise. 32 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at the Gunsite in St Aubin's Bay, with another 11 pale-bellied Brent and 3 Curlews seen at St Aubin. A Hoopoe was seen this afternoon at the north end of Grouville Golf Course, near to the ice cream van parking area. Also there, was a Whitethroat and on the very windy beach were 61 Oystercatchers and 5 Brent Geese.
14.04.2025 Despite their dubious credentials, our currently resident odd couple still make a pleasing sight. Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose on the Scrape MD A cool and mostly cloudy day in a fresh southerly wind. A second day when new birds were at a premium. Seen at the Scrape this morning were 8 Teal , 2 Shovelers , a male Reed Bunting, 2 Reed Warblers , 6 Yellow Wagtails, a White Wagtail, a Peregrine , 20+ Swallows , 6 House Martins and 3 Sand Martins , the pair of Oystercatchers and 5 Lapwings , also a Swallowtail butterfly. A Snipe was at the Wetland Centre and north of St Ouen's Pond were 6 Reed Warblers , a Sedge Warbler and a Wheatear . Another Wheatear was near Kempt Tower and a further one was at Grosnez. In the Sandpits were 2 Shelduck , 24 Tufted Duck and a selection of hirundines in small numbers. A male Stonechat was on the sea side of the road at La Pulente. A brief visitation to Corbiere saw 2 Manx Shearwaters , 10 Gannets , 2 Fulmars , 4 Sandwich Terns and an immature Kittiwake and a Bullfinch was in song at Les Creux. On Ouaisne Common were a Little Grebe , a Cetti's Warbler , 3 Dartford Warblers and several Chiffchaffs . 67 pale-bellied Brent Geese were seen in Ruelle es Ruaux again. Evening update: A Ring Ouzel was in a garden at Vinchelez, St Ouen and to the north of St Ouen's Pond were 2 Sedge Warblers , 5 Reed Warblers, a Blackcap , 2 Water Rails , 2 Shovelers , 3 Snipe , 40 Sand Martins and 25 Swallows . On Les Ecrehous were 9 Purple Sandpipers , 2 Whimbrels and Little Egret and 2 Crows . A visit to Les Ecrehous yesterday saw a Sandwich Tern, 3 Gannets , 100 Oystercatchers , 25 Turnstones , a Crow and a ringed Rock Pipit .
13.04.2025 Purple Sandpiper at Corbiere, image courtesy of Romano RDC. A dry but cloudy day with winds now firmly back in the West. The shift of wind direction into the West looks to have resulted in most migrant birds disappearing. Passing Grosnez this morning were 4 Common Scoters , 3 Guillemots , a Razorbill , 32 Fulmars , 18 Gannets , 3 Cormorants , 19 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 2 Greylag Geese heading North. At Les Landes were a Wheatear , a Peregrine , a Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtails and 2 Swallows . 17 Razorbill were off Plemont. At the Wetland Centre were 2 Snipe and 2 Reed Warblers while on the Scrape were another Snipe , 2 Oystercatchers , just a single Teal , the Pink - footed Goose and Barnacle Goose , 4 Lapwings , a Reed Warbler , 30 Linnets and 2 overflying Whimbrels . 15 Purple Sandpipers were still at Corbiere, with a Wheatear and a Sparrowhawk also seen there and in Petit Port Bay were 2 Shelduck , 3 Little Egrets and 115 Oystercatchers . On the Farmer's Cricket Ground in St Martin were 5 White Wagtails and 6 Meadow Pipits and at Cowley Farm were 5 Cattle Egrets. 3 Tufted Duck were on Grands Vaux reservoir. On Ouaisne Common were a pair of Little Grebe, a singing Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaffs , Blackcaps and a Willow Warbler . A pair of Swallows is back at Warren Farm and in Vallee des Vaux were a pair of Firecrest , a pair of Goldcrest , a pair of Blackcap and a Sparrowhawk .
12.04.2025 Just one Wigeon is left on the Scrape, from the wintering flock of c15, seen here yesterday and still there today MD The promisied rain for the Islands this afternoon, decided to avoid us with winds remain light in the southeast for one more day. A fair selection of species were seen at Grosnez and Les Landes, despite a general lack of migrants being seen. A Short-eared Ow l was near Grosnez Castle at sunrise, 3 Ring Ouzels were on the cliffs south of the Castle, a male Stonechat was on the racecourse and at least 15 Wheatears visited through the morning. In the air there, were 2 Yellow Wagtails and 4 Swallows , plus a few Linnets , Goldfinches and Meadow Pipits , as well as 2 Peregrines , while passing offshore were 73 dark-bellied Brent Geese in three flocks, a Black-throated Diver , a Common Scoter , a Sandwich Tern and 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . There was a report of a Cuckoo to the southwest of St John's Village, the first of the season and at Grands Vaux were 9 Tufted Duck and a singing Firecrest . In Grouville Marsh through this morning were a Grasshopper Warbler , heard reeling twice, 4 Reed Warblers, 25 Blackcaps , 10 Willow Warblers , 25 Chiffchaffs , 6 singing Cetti's Warblers , a Bullfinch , 2 Water Rails , a Green Sandpiper , 3 Snipe , 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Grey Heron , 4 Swallows , 16 Jackdaws flying out of a roost, 2 Kestrels , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Marsh Harriers and 6 Buzzards . A Barn Owl was seen at Le Catillon. On the Scrape were 18 Teal , a Wigeon , and Oystercatcher , 4 Lapwings , 2 Wheatears and 2 Cetti's Warblers and at the Wetland Centre were 14 Shovelers , 3 Tufted Ducks , a Snipe and a Little Egret . 4 Wheatears were seen on Beauport Common. In Beaumont Marsh were 2 Swallows , a White Wagtail , 3 Blackcaps and 2 Long-tailed Tits and in Ruelle es Ruaux were 75 pale-bellied Brent Geese . Below : This morning's Short-eared Owl at Grosnez. MD
11.04.2025 A Little Ringed Plover which was feeding on the grass area opposite the Wetland Centre this morning MD A fine start to the day was followed by sea fog on the north and east coasts, becoming fine again this after noon in an easterly wind. On the ground at Les Landes this morning were 2 Ring Ouzels , 3 Yellow Wagtails and at least 20 Wheatears , while passing offshore prior to the fog arriving were 3 Little Gulls , 7 Kittiwakes , 3 Black-headed Gulls , 36 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 41 Sandwich Terns, 11 Guillemots , 5 Razorbills , 22 Fulmars , 18 Gannets , and flying over there were 2 House Martins , 4 Sand Martins , 4 Swallows , 78 Linnets , 15 Goldfinches , 3 Chaffinches and 41 Meadow Pipits . At Kempt Tower pools were 7 Tufted Duck, 4 Shovelers , 4 Little Grebes and 2 Marsh Harriers and at the Wetland Centre were a Snipe and 2 Shovelers . plus a Little Ringed Plover feeding on the grass on the sea side of the road. On the Scrape were a Wigeon , 21 Teal , a Common Sandpiper , a Little Ringed Plover ( possibly the same one as above), 2 Oystercatchers , a Snipe , 3 Wheatears , 20 Sand Martins , 5 Swallows , also a Shelduck seen flying through St Ouen's Bay. Shovelers with 5 young were seen on the South Canal. In the Sandpits were 34 Tufted Ducks , a Little Grebe, 2 Grey Herons , 10 Coot , a pair of Shelduck , a pair of Marsh Harriers , a Wheatear 5 Swallows and 18 Sand Martins visiting nest holes. La Sente held 7 Brent Geese and a Lesser Black-backed Gull and at the Happy Hens were 8 Cattle Egrets. On a foggy Grouville Common were 12 Linnets , 2 Greenfinches , 2 Blackcaps , 6 Chiffchaffs and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker. 6 Turnstones were at the end of St Catherine's Breakwater. Another 10 Cattle Egrets were at Cowley Farm. At Gorselands were an adult Grey Heron , 2 Peregrines , a Common Redstart, a Black Redstart and 5 Wheatears and seen from Plemont were 2 Razorbills , 8 Fulmars and 5 Wheatears . Another Wheatear was on Beauport Common this evening.
10.04.2025 One of today's Ring Ouzels at Les Landes MD A cloudy and cold-feeling morning turned into a clear afternoon in moderate easterly winds. At least 4 Ring Ouzels were along the cliffs south of Grosnez Point at Les Landes this morning, where 7 Wheatears were also present and 6 Swallows plus a Hawfinch flew over, the latter a rarity here in the Spring. Seabirds passing Corbiere early morning included a Great Skua , 3 Manx Shearwaters , 42 Guillemots , a Shelduck , 2 Fulmars , 35 Gannets , 2 Sandwich Terns , 8 Kittiwakes , 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 2 Cormorants . Also seen were 2 Peregrines , 4 Swallows and a White Wagtail with 3 Wheatears feeding on the headland. 2 Shelduck were in Petit Port Bay and a Stonechat was near La Pulente car park. At Le Pulec this afternoon were 8 Little Egrets , 2 Wheatears and 2 Stonechats . On or over the Scrape were 12 Teal , a female Wigeon , a Grey Heron , the Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose , 20+ Sand Martins , 5 Swallows , 5 Lapwings , a singing Skylark , 2 Yellow Wagtails, and a Reed Warbler on the South Canal. In fields at La Rocque this morning were a Common Redstart , 3 Yellow Wagtails , 60 Meadow Pipits , 80 Linnets , 2 Skylarks , 2 Swallows , 3 Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff . Seen from Le Hurel in Grouville Bay were 306 Brent Geese, 6 Curlews , a Black-headed Gull and a Common Gull and at La Sente were 2 Cattle Egrets . At Beaumont Marsh this afternoon were a Grey Heron and a Swallow . Below : Another view of a male Ring Ouzel at Les Landes this morning MD
09.04.2025 A Wheatear at Corbiere yesterday. Most of the Wheatears passing through the Island at the moment are of the larger and more brightly-coloured Greenland race leucorhoa MD The fine and clear conditions continued today, but with a stronger and distinctly cool northeast wind. Passing offshore at Grosnez this morning were a Red-throated Diver , 208 Razorbills , 65 Guillemots , 2 Common Scoters , 93 Fulmars , 56 Gannets , 44 Sandwich Terns , 42 Kittiwakes , 12 Black-headed Gulls , 36 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 28 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Cormorants . Others seen there included a Peregrine , 2 Ravens , a Wheatear , 2 White Wagtails , 13 Linnets and 10 Meadow Pipits . On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were a Little Ringed Plover, a single Wigeon , 21 Teal , 3 Shovelers , the Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose , 5 Lapwings , 3 Wheatears , a Yellow Wagtail , 22 Sand Martins , a Swallow and a Little Egret , while on the Pond were 24 Shovelers , 15 Swallows and 20 Sand Martins . To the north of the Pond were 5 Wheatears , with a further 9 Wheatears by the Jersey Pearl and another Wheatear plus a Sand Martin on Mont Matthieu. A single Swallow was seen at Corbiere. Evening update : A turn over in the birds at the Scrape since this morning, saw 2 Shelduck , 100 Swallows , 10 Sand Martins, 7 Wheatears , 3 Yellow Wagtails , 2 Snipe , 2 Oystercatchers and a Common Sandpiper there later this afternoon. At the Farmer's Cricket ground in St Martin were 5 White Wagtails with 2 Cattle Egrets in a field nearby. In Grouville Bay were 39 Sanderlings and a Wheatear, while at Grouville Marsh were a Willow Warbler, 15 Swallows , 10 Sand Martins and 6 Meadow Pipits . At Grands Vaux were 2 Teal and 10 Tufted Duck .
07.04.2025 One of today's Black Redstarts at Corbiere MD The fine weather continued today, still with a cool easterly wind. There was a small arrival of thrushes and chats on the south-west corner of the Island today, with 2 Mistle Thrushes , a Fieldfare and 15 Song Thrushes in fields by the Railway Walk at Corbiere and 5 Black Redstarts plus 2 Wheatears on Corbiere headland and another 3 Wheatears at Gorselands. Also seen from Corbiere were a Manx Shearwater, 13 Guillemots , 4 Razorbills , 54 Gannets , 6 Fulmars , 34 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 4 Kittiwakes , a Common Gull, 9 Sandwich Terns , a White Wagtail , 2 Peregrines a Swallow , a Willow Warble r and several Chiffchaffs . 3 Skylarks and a Dartford Warbler were seen at La Rosiere At St Ouen's Pond were 29 Shoveler , a Tufted Duck , a Yellow Wagtail and a Peregrine while on the Scrape were 2 Little Ringed Plovers , a Common Sandpiper , 2 Wigeon , a female Reed Bunting and a singing Reed Warbler . 2 Shelduck , 28 Tufted Duck, a Little Grebe, a male Wigeon and 2 singing Cetti's Warblers were in the Sandpits and 10 Wheatears were scattered through St Ouen's Bay. To the north of St Ouen's Pond were 3 Wheatears and a singing Reed Warbler and up at Grantez were 2 Swallows and a Sand Martin . Another Wheatear was on the Airport football pitch at Les Quennevais, 63 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at St Aubin and another 6 pale-bellied Brent were in St Brelade's Bay. Up at Les Landes were a Wheatear and 12 Swallows . A Grey Heron and a pale-phase Buzzard were in flight over Ouaisne, where a Bullfinch and 10+ Chiffchaffs were also present. 2 Swallows and a Grey Heron were at Beaumont Marsh. The Purple Heron was seen again at Grouville Marsh, a Green Sandpiper was at Grands Vaux reservoir, 6 Tufted Duck were at Avranche Manor. 14 Ravens and 2 Swallows were seen at Egypt. Seen yesterday at Grantez were a Sparrowhawk and a Wheatear and Swallows were back at their breeding site near the St John's Parish Hall. In Vallee des Vaux yesterday evening were a Firecrest , a Goldcrest , 2 Bullfinches and 2 Grey Herons .
06.04.2025 The first Whitethroat of the Spring was ringed and released at Grouville Marsh this morning, image courtesy of David Buxton DB A fine day, but still feeling cool in an annoying east-northeast wind Another busy day for reports started early at Grouville Marsh where the first Sedge Warblers (2) and Whitethroat of the year were recorded. Also there was a Purple Heron, 2 Grey Herons , 4 Water Rails , a Cirl Bunting , 50 Chiffchaffs , 6 Cetti's Warblers in song, 2 Bullfinches , 3 Redwings , 3 Song Thrushes , a Shoveler , 2 Teal , 2 Snipe , a Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks , and flying over, 4 Cattle Egrets , 13 Skylarks , 28 Meadow Pipits , 12 Linnets , a Sand Martin and a Raven . 300 Brent Geese were at La Rocque and another 52 at Seymour, also 22 Curlews were seen flying to an offshore rock at the former. A Hoopoe was seen in a garden in the north of St Helier parish, from where it flew off towards Victoria Village, and another Hoopoe was seen yesterday near to Overdale. At Sorel, early visible migration included 467 Woodpigeons , 241 Meadow Pipits, 123 Linnets , 2 alba Wagtails , a Skylark , 9 Swallows, 4 Chaffinches , 75 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls and 26 Gannets . 2 Wheatears and 2 Song Thrushes were on the ground there, but yesterday's birds seemed to have moved on. 2 Peregrines were seen flying together and a Dartford Warbler was in song. On the southwest coast, 2 Skylarks , 5 Wheatears , 2 Yellow Wagtails , 5 Chaffinches , 8 Linnets and 2 Swallows were seen at Noirmont, 4 Wheatears were at Gorselands, and a Ring Ouzel , a Serin , 3 Swallows , a White Wagtail and a pair of Dartford Warbler were seen at La Rosiere. On St Ouen's Pond were 34 Shovelers , a Pochard , a Grey Heron, 12 Sand Martins and a pair of Stonechat, whileat the Scrape were a Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 2 7 Teal , the Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose , 6 Lapwings , 2 Oystercatchers , 6 Sand Martins , 2 Swallows and 2 Skylarks . To the north of the Pond were 2 Wheatears , 2 Skylarks , a pair of Stonechat and 44 Linnets and at Kempt Tower and pools were 3 Little Grebes , 13 Tufted Duck , 9 Shovelers , 6 Wheatears , 2 Sand Martins , 2 Swallows , a pair of Skylark , 2 Willow Warblers and 6 Chiffchaffs . 2 Wheatears and 4 White Wagtails were by the Cutty Sark. In Grands Vaux valley were 8 Tufted Duck, a Green Sandpiper , a Willow Warbler and 8 Chiffchaffs . This evening, 2 Shelduck were at Le Hocq. An extra for yesterday was from Francheville Farm, where both Swallows and House Martins had returned to their breeding sites. Below : One of today's Sedge Warblers at Grouville Marsh, thanks again to David Buxton for the image DB
