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08.08.2024 Whimbrel at Petit Port MD
A cloudy day with a south-southwest wind.
It was a bumper morning for shearwaters passing Corbiere and through the morning, 572 Manx Shearwaters and 202 Balearic Shearwaters passed northwards. Otherwise it was fairly quiet with counts of 1 Common Scoter, 46 Gannets, 6 Fulmars, 14 Cormorants, 14 Shags, a Kittiwake, 22 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Black-headed Gulls, 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 9 Sandwich Terns, 3 Ringed Plovers, a Whimbrel and 4 White Wagtails seen. A Grey Seal was also there. In Petit Port Bay were 89 Mediterranean Gulls, 25 Curlews, a Common Sandpiper, the family of 5 Shelduck, 10 Little Egrets and a Grey Seal.
At St Ouen's Pond, a quiet morning saw 15 Sedge Warblers, 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 15 Reed Warblers, a Water Rail, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Swifts, 2 Sand Martins, 50 Swallows, 2 Barn Owls and 3 Marsh Harriers, while at the Scrape were 2 Teal, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Grey Heron, a Skylark and 5 Swifts and on Mont Matthieu were 4 Little Grebes, a Willow Warbler and a Swift. A Wheatear was at Le Port in St Ouen's Bay.
Passing La Rocque this morning were 59 Balearic Shearwaters, 324 Sandwich Terns, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Turnstones and 3 Swallows and 14 Grey Herons were near the Happy Hens.
At Elizabeth Castle were 2 Swifts, 250 Oystercatchers, 32 Curlews, 11 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Little Egrets and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Yesterday evening at St Ouen's Pond were 3 Sedge Warblers, 5 Reed Warblers, 200 Swallows, 2 Sand Martins, a Grey Heron and a Water Rail.
20.12.2025 Our currently resident Snow Bunting was seen again today, still in the same area near Kempt Tower in St Ouen's Bay Thanks go to Mike Smith for this recent image of the bird. A fine but cold morning gave way to cloudy conditions this afternoon in a fresh southeast wind. Some seabird activity was seen off of Corbiere this morning, which included counts of 653 Razorbills , 10 Guillemots , 17 Gannets , 5 Brent Geese , 6 Cormorants , 181 Kittiwakes , 8 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Black-headed Gulls and 36 Great Black-backed Gulls . 18 Purple Sandpipers and 15 Turnstones were roosting nearby. In Grouville Bay were 350 Brent Geese, 220 Dunlin , 120 Sanderlings , 7 Curlews , 33 Grey Plovers , 47 Ringed Plovers , 2 Mediterranean Gull s, 11 Black - headed Gulls , a Grey Heron and 9 Little Egrets . On the south side of Grouville Marsh were 30 Redwings , 12 Song Thrushes , 15 Chiffchaffs , 2 Goldcrests , 4 Blackcaps , 18 Snipe , 4 Teal , 34 Curlews , a Greenshank , 5 Water Rails , 46 Coot , 2 Grey Herons , a Marsh Harrier , 80 Jackdaws and a Woodcock at Dusk. At Elizabeth Castle were 3 Little Egrets, 3 Curlews , a Cormorant and... a Wren . Seen from the Wetland Centre at St Ouen's Pond were 42 Teal , 7 Shovelers , a male Shelduck , a Little Grebe and a Water Rail , with 110 Brent Geese in the backfields there. Along the seawall near to Kempt Tower were the Snow Bunting , 2 Skylarks , 4 Stonechats and 6 Meadow Pipits , with a Grey Heron flying over. On St Ouen's Beach this afternoon were 41 Great Black-backed Gulls , 7 Mediterranean Gulls and a single Sanderling . A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming on Hydrangea Avenue in St Ouen. Very early on this morning ( 03:30), 2 Barn Owls were seen and heard, jousting over a garden on Rue du Pont in Trinity.
19.12.2025 A few Curlew passing Corbiere on their way to roost MD Seen at St Ouen's Pond this morning were 19 Lapwing , 11 Shoveler , 3 Little Grebe and a Kingfisher while near to Kempt Tower were the Snow Bunting and 2 Stonechat . Elsewhere 4 Mediterranean Gull were at St Catherine's and at Beaumont Marsh were 450 Brent Geese. On Mont a L'Abbe were 4 Cattle Egrets , and in Grouville Marsh were a Woodcock , 30 Reed Buntings , 15 Chiffchaffs , 2 Goldcrests , a Firecrest , 14 Long - tailed Tits, 2 Siskins , 125 Redwings , 3 Song Thrushes , 10 Blackcaps , 6 Cetti's Warblers , 4 Water Rails and a roost of 70 Jackdaws . In St Aubin's Bay were 450 Brent Geese, and in Beaumont Marsh were 4 Pied Wagtails , 3 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron . A Grey Wagtail was a garden visitor in Old St John's Road and in Bouley Bay were 9 Fulmar .
18.12.2025 A beautiful close up of the Bittern at St Ouen's Photo, thanks to Dave Warncken. Seen roosting at Petit Port today were 170 Oystercatcher , 26 Curlew , 4 Great Black-backed Gull , 2 Little Egret and 4 Shag . Yesterday evening 2 Wigeon , 3 Woodcock and 12 Snipe were at St Ouens Pond and 2 Snipe were at Grantez.
17.12.2025 A recent Fulmar passing Grosnez taken by Mick. Some are now returning to the cliffs along the north coast. At Crabbe from dawn were 120 Chaffinch , a Brambling , 25 Reed Bunting , 30 Goldfinch , 3 Skylark , a Stonechat , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Marsh Harrier and 2 Raven . In St Ouens Bay the Snow Bunting was still near Kempt Tower, 20 Rock Pipit were at Le Pulec, a Bittern flew over the Scrape and at the Pond were 20 Shoveler , 24 Brent Geese , a Water Pipit , 2 Little Grebe, 2 Stonechat and 50 Stock Doves in the back fields. Passing Corbiere were 1,370 Razorbill , 4 Guillemot , 47 Gannet , a Fulmar , 9 Cormorant , 328 Kittiwake , 3 Mediterranean Gull , a Common Gull , 29 Great Black-backed Gull and 5 Bottle-nosed Dolphin while at Petit Port this evening were 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 65 Oystercatcher and 2 Little Egret . Near to Grouville Church were 35 Cattle Egret and 6 Pied Wagtail, 7 Fulmar were on cliffs near Bouley Bay and 26 Redshank were at St Aubin. In St Catherine's Woods were a Firecrest , 2 Goldcrest , a Blackcap and 4 Moorhen while in the bay were 102 Black-headed Gull, 27 Brent Geese , 2 Chiffchaff and 4 Goldcrest .
16.12.2025 . A Peregrine Falcon near Grosnez this morning. Image: MD. A dry but cloudy day with the wind fresh from the northwest. Off Grosnez this morning were 2 Harbour Porpoises which were attracting a lot of attention from passing Gannets . Counts from the light included 38 Gannets , a Red-throated Diver , 168 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 12 Fulmars , 53 Kittiwakes , a Mediterranean Gull , a Common Gull , a Raven and a Peregrine . In St Ouen's Bay, a Bittern was at the Scrape also 3 Stonechats , while on St Ouen's Pond were 35 Shovelers , 2 Little Grebes , 2 Snipe , a Grey Heron , 2 Water Pipits , 6 Meadow Pipits, 2 Stonechats and 2 Chiffchaffs . In the backfields were 24 Brent Geese . The Snow Bunting was again near to Kempt Tower and at La Pulente were a Shelduck , 11 dark-bellied Brent Geese and a Curlew . At La Rocque were a Shelduck , 13 Red-breasted Mergansers , a Great Crested Grebe , 66 Ringed Plovers and a Black Redstart. 26 Cattle Egrets were at Maufant and a Kingfisher was in Queen's Valley. Seen at La Coupe were 11 Common Gulls , a Kingfisher , 2 Firecrests , a Goldcrest , 18 Redwings and a Song Thrush in song. Another Kingfisher was near the RNLI Station in St Helier Marina and at Beaumont Marsh were 170 Brent Geese, 3 Snipe , 3 Little Egrets and in St Brelade's Bay were a Great crested Grebe and a Marsh Harrier . Another Song Thrush was singing at Les Creux with a Firecrest also seen there. Extra for yesterday were 56 Cattle Egrets in a field near Holme grown at Fauvic.
A handsome male Stonechat on the seawall near Kempt Tower yesterday. Image: MD A dry but mainly overcast day in a fresh south-southeast wind. A quiet day for birds, but still with some points of interest. In St Ouen's Bay, a Bittern was seen again on the Scrape while on St Ouen's Pond were 25 Shoveler , a Little Grebe , a Snipe , a Water Pipit and 2 Stonechats . In the backfields behind the Pond were 28 dark-bellied Brent Geese and along the seawall near Kempt Tower were the Snow Bunting and 2 Stonechats . Off of Corbiere first thing were 37 Razorbills , a Guillemot , 16 Gannets , 32 Shag , 5 Cormorants , 48 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Kittiwake , a Mediterranean Gull , 3 Black-headed Gulls , a Grey Heron and a Purple Sandpiper , with a Peregrine and a Raven also seen. Later morning, seen from Grosnez were 63 Razorbills , 85 Fulmars which included a raft of 68 birds, 33 Gannets , 52 Kittiwakes , 6 Great Black-backed Gulls , also a single Harbour Porpoise . At Petit Port late morning were 28 Curlews , 20 Sanderlings , 86 Oystercatchers , 2 Cormorants , 4 Ravens and 8 Long-tailed Tits . 12 Cattle Egrets were at Cowley Farm. In the St Helier Marina this evening was a roost of 250 alba Wagtails , also a Kingfisher . One report from yesterday was a Black Redstart near the Blue Note in St Helier which disappeared when the Christmas band struck up!
14.12.2025 A Skylark , preening near Kempt Tower in today's sunshine. Image: MD A fair to fine day in a fresh southerly wind, but cool at 12c. At the Wetland centre in St Ouen's Bay were 22 Shoveler, 14 Teal, a Water Rail. a Water Pipit, 4 Stonechats and a Brent Goose, which along the seawall between Sands and Kempt Tower, were 41 Ringed Plovers , the Snow Bunting , 3 Skylarks , 3 Stonechats and 4 Pied Wagtails . Another busy morning at Corbiere saw a Black-throated Diver , 6 Red-throated Divers , a late Manx Shearwater , 1,330 Razorbills , 9 Guillemots , 23 Gannets , a Shelduck , a Brent Goose , 8 Cormorants , 150+ Kittiwakes , 13 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 61 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Common Gulls and a Peregrine , in three hours. At St Aubin were 16 pale-bellied Brent Geese . At La Rocque were 469 Dunlin, 378 Sanderlings , 65 Ringed Plovers, 109 Grey Plovers , 49 Redshanks , 2 Greenshanks , 37 Curlews , 88 Turnstones , 340 Oystercatchers , a Shelduck , 285 Brent Geese , 10 Red-breasted Mergansers , 2 Great Crested Grebes , a Slavonian Grebe and a Mediterranean Gull and behind Seymour were 7 Little Egrets. At La Sente were 9 Grey Herons , 5 Cattle Egrets and 7 Little Egrets . A further 2 Little Egrets were at Fauvic Marsh. At Haie Fleurie in St Martin were 16 Cattle Egrets and at nearby Fliquet was a pale-phase Buzzard . 2 Peregrines were at La Crete. In St Catherine's Woods were a Grey Heron , a Grey Wagtail , 3 Goldcrests and a Sparrowhawk . A Dartford Warbler was seen at Beauport and in Les Creux Country Park were 13 Long-tailed Tits . In Beaumont Marsh were 450 Brent Geese , a Grey Wagtail and a Raven . Back to yesterday evening and Redwings were calling over Gorey.
13.12.2025 Long-tailed Tit at Kempt Tower. Image: MD A decent day for a change, with mainly clear skies in a light east-southeast wind and a temperature of 12c A nice surprise today was the reappearance of the Snow Bunting in St Ouen's Bay, still near to Kempt Tower. Also in the area were 3 Stonechats . On St Ouen's Pond was a Bittern and a Water Pipit . A decent amount of movement offshore at Corbiere, in the light winds, included a Great Skua , a late Balearic Shearwater, 16 Common Scoters , 5 Fulmars , 19 Gannets , 280 Razorbills , 10 Guillemots , 28 Cormorants , 2 Brent Geese , 147 Kittiwakes , 54 Mediterranan Gulls , 5 Common Gulls , 25 Black-headed Gulls , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 26 Great Black-backed Gulls , and 47 Curlews . a Black Redstart was also present and a Peregrine was hunting the area. At Petit Port were 28 Turnstones , 4 Brent Geese and 4 Little Egrets . Another Peregrine was seen at grosnez. Around La Rocque were a Slavonian Grebe , 2 Great Crested Grebes , 275 Sanderlings , c 300 Dunlin , 73 Turnstones , 37 Grey Plovers , 41 Redshanks , 87 Brent Geese , 8 Red-breasted Mergansers , 13 Grey Herons , 11 Little Egrets and 120 Oystercatchers . At Seymour were 280 Brent Geese , 17 Ringed Plovers and 7 Pied Wagtails . 420 Brent Geese were in Beaumont Marsh and 2 Cattle Egrets were on Mont a l'Abbe. At the Orchard near Trinity Church were 13 Fieldfares , 23 Redwings , 3 Song Thrushes , 8 Blackcaps , 3 Firecrests , 2 Goldcrests , 2 Siskins , 2 Woodcocks , a Sparrowhawk and 6 Raven which flew overhead. 320 Herring Gulls were in a field on Rue de Brabant in Trinity and a Chough was seen on a roof at Les Hamonnets in St John.
12.12.2025 Thanks go to Romano for this great image of a Pied Wagtail which was at Le Pulec this week, wearing a colour ring from the Isle of Man . Early rain soon cleared to a cloudy day with a fresh westerly wind. A Bittern was seen again at St Ouen's Pond this morning, where 3 Snipe and a pair of Stonechat were also present. 45 Brent Geese were in the fields behind the Pond too. This morning's counts from Corbiere included 615 Razorbills , 63 Guillemots , a Red-throated Diver , 3 Fulmars , 52 Gannets , 48 Kittiwakes , 9 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls and 76 Great Black-backed Gulls , with a Grey Seal also there. At St Aubin were 33 Redshanks , 18 Turnstones and 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese while in Beaumont Marsh were a Siberian Chiffchaff , 40 Chiffchaffs , 12 Goldcrests , 8 Firecrests , 4 Blackcaps , 2 Siskins , 2 Redwings , a singing Song Thrush , a Grey Heron and 8 Snipe . Seen between Seymour and La Rocque were 17 Redshanks , 2 Greenshanks , 8 Ringed Plovers, 130 Grey Plovers , 11 Grey Herons , 7 Little Egrets , 80 Sanderlings , 45 Turnstones and 250 dark-bellied Brent Geese . 13 Cattle Egrets were at La Sente and in French Harbour were 3 Brent Geese . Around Beauport and Les Creux were 7 Redwings , a Firecrest , 2 Goldcrests , a Dartford Warbler , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 6 Long - tailed Tits .
11.12.2025 A first-winter Common Gull at Corbiere Image: MD There was feel of Winter about today's weather, with overcast skies and some hill fog, feeling cooler in a fresh south-southest wind Auks were seen in greater numbers than of late at Corbiere this morning, with 1,048 Razorbills and 30 Guillemots counted in three hours. Also passing Corbiere were a Great Northern Diver , a Red-throated Diver , a Fulmar , 45 Gannets , 4 Brent Geese , 81 Shags , 9 Cormorants , 171 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 61 Kittiwakes , 3 Common Gulls , 33 Mediterranean Gulls , 9 Black-headed Gulls and 150 Herring Gulls . At La Rocque were 2 Great Northern Divers , a Great Crested Grebe , 366 Dunlin , 260 Sanderlings , 159 Grey Plovers , 22 Ringed Plovers , a Bar-tailed Godwit , 44 Redshanks , 84 Turnstones , a Red-breasted Merganser , a Sandwich Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and a Black Redstart . 32 Cattle Egrets were by Holme Grown at Fauvic, 12 Grey Herons were at La Sente and on Grouville Common were 45 Redwings , 4 Chiffchaffs , 2 Goldcrests and 3 Stonechats . A further 16 Cattle Egrets were at Maufant while at Le Catillon were 36 Common Gulls and one Mediterranean Gull . In St Ouen's Bay, 50 Brent Geese , 53 Shovelers , a Wigeon , 2 Teal , a Little Grebe , 16 Lapwings , a Water Pipit and a Chiffchaff were seen from the Wetland Centre and 2 Bitterns were reported from the Scrape. At Le Pulec were 11 Little Egrets , 250 Oystercatchers , 9 Curlews , 7 Great Black-backed Gulls , 40 Cormorants and 14 Shags . In Beaumont Marsh were 320 Brent Geese, a Little Egret , a Grey Heron , 3 Snipe , a Grey Wagtail and 6 Meadow Pipits . Elsewhere, 22 Fieldfares , 10 Redwings , 2 Woodcock , 2 Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff were at an orchard near to Trinity Church, a Bullfinch visited a garden at Rue de Huquet in St Martin and in Rue des Jutize at Grouville were 250 Chaffinches , 14 Reed Buntings and 60 Redwings . In Vallee des Vaux were 14 Redwings , 2 Goldcrests , a singing Song Thrush and 2 Woodcock . A late report for St Ouen's Pond yesterday evening with a roost of 24 Marsh Harriers there, also 15 Reed Buntings , 6 Chiffchaffs , 10 Cetti's Warblers , 3 Stonechats , a Firecrest , a Snipe and 6 Water Rails seen and heard there. Below : Thanks go to George Louis for this short video of Brent Geese arriving into Goose Green ( Beaumont Marsh) today.
