09.04.2024  A nice male Gadwall on the Scrape today   MD


A stormy night and morning today with squally showers in a westerly F7 gusting to F9, improving later with a slightly reduced wind


Observers and birds were popping in and out of La Sente  through the day and combined totals of birds seen included 130 Brent Geese, a pair of Shelduck, 6 Cattle Egrets, 5 Little Egrets, a Little Ringed Plover, 19 Curlews, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Black-headed Gull, 2 Blue-headed Wagtails, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 15 alba Wagtails including at least three White Wagtails,  and a good selection of hirundines including at least 20 Swallows and 9 Sand Martins. 2 Shelduck were seen in Grouville Bay this afternoon, perhaps the La Sente birds and at Le Saie in St Martin were 3 Sandwich Terns and 25 Oystercatchers.


The latest Hoopoe report was of one in a garden at Handois. In St Catherine's Woods were numbers of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, unusually, a Cetti's Warbler and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker.


Seabirds were in short supply at a stormy Corbiere this morning, counts there including 35 Gannets, 20 Fulmars, 13 Guillemots, a Razorbill, 4 Cormorants, 5 Kittiwakes, 31 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, also 2 Peregrines.


Seen from the Scrape Hide at St Ouen's Pond were a male Wigeon, a male Gadwall, a pair of Shelduck, 4 Brent Geese, 5 Great Black-backed Gulls, 21 Sand Martins, 3 Swallows and 30 Linnets. At Beaumont Marsh were 6 Brent Geese, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 Pied Wagtails and another Peregrine. A Linnet was in song by the Steam Clock in St Helier.


Evening update: At Grands Vaux reservoir were 13 House Martins, a Sand Martin, 3 Swallows and 2 Ravens and 3 House Martins had returned to their breeding site at Le Fevevre this afternoon.

A moody Corbiere this morning  MD

by Michael Dryden 18 September 2025
18.09.2025 One of yesterday's Curlew Sandpipers in Grouville Bay, image courtesy of Jo Bramley A day with lighter winds and mainly cloudy conditions. Waders in Grouville Bay included 5 Curlew Sandpipers , 112 Ringed Plovers , 76 Sanderlings, 42 Dunlin , 20 Grey Plovers , 34 Curlews , 2 Greenshanks , a Redshank , 85 Turnstones and a Bar-tailed Godwit and also seen there were a Great Crested Grebe , 95 Sandwich Terns , 5 Yellow Wagtails and 4 Wheatears . 12 Cattle Egrets were at Grouville Mill and 5 Grey Plovers were at Webber's Lane. Seen from Noirmont this morning were a juvenile Honey Buzzard , 6 Common Buzzards including a pale-phase bird, a Peregrine , 2 Sparrowhawks , 2 Kestrels , 97 Swallows , 93 House Martins, a Yellow Wagtail , a Whinchat , 3 Wheatears , 2 Stonechats , 4 Chiffchaffs and 2 Choughs , while passing offshore were 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 35 Gannets , 4 Sandwich Terns and 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Around St Ouen's Pond from first light were a ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 18 Marsh Harriers out of roost, a Snipe , 18 Shovelers , 100 Swallows , 20 House Martins, 40 Linnets , 7 Yellow Wagtails , a Reed Warbler , 8 Chiffchaffs , 5 Wheatears , 34 Meadow Pipits and on the Scrape, a Common Sandpiper . In St Ouen's Bay were 107 Great Black-backed Gulls , 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 31 Mediterranean Gulls and 11 Sandwich Terns . At Beauport and Les Creux were a Peregrine , a Wheatear and 8 Robins , while at Gorselands were another Peregrine , a Stonechat , 9 Meadow Pipits and 9 overflying Swallows . In Petit Port Bay were 2 Common Sandpipers , 31 Curlews , 65 Oystercatchers , 24 Great Black-backed Gulls and 7 Mediterranean Gulls and on Ouaisne Common were a Cetti's Warbler , 15 Chiffchaffs , a few House Martins and a bunting sp which disappeared before it could be identified and was not re-found. At the St Aubin's end of St Aubin's Bay were 5 Sandwich Terns , 9 Mediterranean Gulls, 13 Black-headed Gulls , 11 Redshanks and a Turnstone . Below : A Curlew Sandpiper on the move in Grouville Bay, video also courtesy of Jo Bramley.
by Michael Dryden 17 September 2025
17.09.2025 Turnstone at Corbiere this afternoon Image: MD A cloudy day in a fresh southwest wind, feeling warm at 20c Curlew Sandpipers featured in Grouville Bay today, with a flock of 15 seen flying South and another 5 feeding on the tideline near the Golf Course. Also seen were 94 Ringed Plovers , 20 Grey Plovers, 12 Sanderlings , 16 Dunlin , 2 Turnstones and 17 Curlews , while at La Rocque Harbour were 96 Sandwich Terns , 16 Sanderlings , 6 Grey Plovers and 141 Oystercatchers . At Grouville Marsh were 2 Cattle Egrets and 12 Chiffchaffs, whill up at Victoria Tower were 3 Firecrests , 15 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap . A few birds passing Corbiere included 9 Balearic Shearwaters , 3 Razorbills , 17 Gannets , 5 Cormorants , 88 Sandwich Terns , 23 Mediterranean Gulls , 15 Black-headed Gulls , 32 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 10 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Dunlin , 8 Meadow Pipits and 3 Bottle-nosed Dolphins . 2 Wheatears were on the headland and 10 Turnstones were roosting there this afternoon, while at the Desalination Plant were 4 Wheatears and 5 Jackdaws and a single Wheatear was at Beauport. Birds at Petit Port included 29 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 23 Curlews , 20 Sanderlings and 7 Little Egrets . In St Ouen's Bay, firstly at the Scrape, were a Common Sandpiper , 2 Stonechats , 2 Chiffchaffs , a Willow Warbler , 12 Linnets , a Grey Heron and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. In the Sandpits were 22 Little Grebes , a Great Crested Grebe and 4 Tufted Duck . On Mont Matthieu were a pale-phase Buzzard and a singing Chiffchaff , on Chemin de l'Ouziere were 40 Goldfinches and at Sands was a Wheatear . At Noirmont were 6 Wheatears , a Whinchat , 2 Stonechats , 25 Meadow Pipits and 11 Swallows . Elsewhere, a juvenile Marsh Harrier , 7 Stonechats and 11 Linnets were at Les Landes, 8 Sandwich Terns and a female Black Redstart were at St Aubin's Fort and in Vallee des Vaux were 2 Firecrests and a Chiffchaff with a Grey Wagtail seen flying over. Evening update: At the North end of Grouville Bay this evening were 2 Curlew Sandpipers , 126 Ringed Plovers , 36 Sanderlings , 44 Dunlin and a a Bar - tailed Godwit.
by Michael Dryden 16 September 2025
16.09.2025 A Grey Plover in Grouville Bay recently, image courtesy of Romano. RDC The stormy conditions continued overnight, with slightly less strong winds from the West today, but also showers. Most migrants seem to have been blown away at the moment, even the seabirds. A short seawatch from Corbiere saw just 2 Balearic Shearwaters , a Fulmar , 11 Gannets , a Razorbill , 18 Great Black-backed Gulls , 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 5 Mediterranean Gulls , 5 Sandwich Terns and a Curlew , with one Wheatear still on the headland. In Petit Port Bay were 17 Curlews , a Whimbrel , 22 Great Black-backed Gulls and 5 Little Egrets . 3 Curlew Sandpipers were in Grouville Bay this afternoon, a Common Sandpiper was at Queen's Valley and at La Rocque Harbour were 58 Sandwich Terns , 62 Oystercatchers , 5 Grey Plovers , a Grey Heron , and another 58 Oystercatchers were on the Eastern Reef. At Noirmont were 5 Wheatears , 3 Stonechats , 13 Swallows , 11 Meadow Pipits and a Marsh Harrier , while at Les Landes were 12 Stonechats , 2 Dartford Warblers , 42 Linnets , 35 Meadow Pipits, 2 Ravens and 6 Choughs . A Common Sandpiper was at Bel Croute. A Grey Heron was on the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond and 40+ Swallows were feeding over the back fields there. In St Brelade's Bay were 6 Sandwich Terns and a Grey Heron and at St Aubin were 18 Redshanks . c 450 Black-headed Gulls were in the shelter of the New North Quay in St Helier. Evening update : At Anneport were a Common Sandpiper and a Grey Heron and in Queen's Valley this evening were a Kingfisher , a Grey Wagtail, a Teal , 16 Tufted Duck , 2 Common Sandpipers , 6 Greenshanks , 10 Chiffchaffs , 3 Goldcrests and a Firecrest . In Grouville Bay were 2 Greenshanks , a Redshank , 7 Dunlin , 6 Curlews , 25 Ringed Plovers, 5 Grey Plovers , 16 Sanderlings , 50 Turnstones , 80 Sandwich Terns, a Grey Heron , 10 Little Egrets and the Curlew Sandpiper, with a possible second one seen. Yesterday evening, 8 Cattle Egrets were with heifers opposite to Holme Grown , in Grouville. At L'Etacq were 22 Ringed lovers and a Common Sandpiper.
by Michael Dryden 15 September 2025
15.09.2025 A juvenile Arctic Skua , pictured at sea off Jersey recently, image courtesy of John Ovenden JO A wild day with scattered showers in a strong to gale west-southwest wind. Seen from Corbiere this morning were 2 distant Sooty Shearwaters , 81 Balearic Shearwaters , 21 Manx Shearwaters , 62 Gannets , 2 Razorbills , 6 auk sp , 151 Sandwich Terns , 72 Great Black-backed Gulls , 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 8 Mediterranean Gulls , 6 Black-headed Gulls , a Kittiwake and c 10 Bottle-nosed Dolphins and on the headland, 2 Ravens and one Wheatear . In Petit Port Bay were 19 Curlews , 52 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 4 Black-headed Gulls . At St Ouen's Pond were 2 Grey Herons , a Little Grebe , 2 Tufted Duck , 5 Swallows and 50 House Martins , and near the Cutty Sark were 12 Ringed Plovers and 2 Wheatears . In the relative calm of Grouville Bay were a Curlew Sandpiper , 28 Sanderlings , 13 Dunlin , 18 Turnstones , a Bar-tailed Godwit , 16 Grey Plovers , 76 Ringed Plovers , 3 Curlews , 3 Little Egrets , 85 Sandwich Terns , 3 Common Terns , 45 Linnets and a Wheatear . At La Sente were 23 Grey Herons , 2 Little Egrets and a Marsh Harrier , while in Grouville Marsh were 16 Cattle Egrets, 30 House Martins and 30 Swallows . At St Catherine's were 6 Turnstones , 6 Sandwich Terns , 2 Gannets , 15 Chiffchaffs , a Firecrest , 2 Goldcrests and 2 Short-toed Treecreepers . In Beaumont Marsh were 25 Yellow Wagtails , a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 65 Herring Gulls . On Grouville Common yesterday were 5 juvenile Cirl Buntings and at St Catherine's on Saturday were 13 Wheatears, 20 Linnets and 2 Chiffchaffs .
by Michael Dryden 14 September 2025
14.09.2025 A juvenile Common Gull, at sea recently, a beautiful image taken by John Ovenden JO An overcast day with a lighter south-southeast wind which allowed a little more by way of visible migration. Seen through the morning at Noirmont were 105 Swallows , 140 Meadow Pipits , 52 Yellow Wagtails , 4 alba Wagtails , 312 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 4 Black-headed Gulls , 12 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Whinchat , 4 Wheatears , 2 Stonechats , a Whitethroat , 2 Dartford Warblers , a Grey Heron , an immature Peregrine (chasing a Sparrowhawk ), 3 Choughs and 2 Marsh Harriers . At Beauport Common were 2 Wheatears , 4 Chiffchaffs and 10 Meadow Pipits . A further 6 Wheatears were at Grosnez. On the rocks at Corbiere were 18 Turnstones and the first returning Purple Sandpiper of the Autumn. At the now flooded Scrape were 5 Yellow Wagtails , 60 Swallows , 40 House Martins and 5 Sand Martins , while in the Sandpits were a Grey Heron , 2 Little Egrets , 22 Little Grebes , 2 Pochard , 36 Tufted Duck , a Common Sandpiper , 10+ House Martins , 10 Swallows and a Kestrel . In St Ouen's Bay were 71 Sandwich Terns , 9 Mediterranean Gulls , 26 Great Black-backed Gulls and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . 39 Ringed Plovers were near Sands. At Petit Port were 31 Curlews , a Common Sandpiper , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls with a further 78 flying over, a Yellow-legged Gull and 12 Little Egrets . In Beaumont Marsh were 23 Yellow Wagtails , 5 Swallows and a Sparrowhawk . Seen from La Rocque were 35 Sandwich Terns , 28 Curlews , 20 Sanderlings , 12 Grey Plovers , 43 Turnstones and 6 Swallows moving South. In the fields behind La Rocque were a Tree Pipit , 14 Meadow Pipits , 35 Yellow Wagtails , a Willow Warbler , 5 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap . At La Sente were 17 Grey Herons , 6 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Yellow Wagtails , 6 Long-tailed Tits , 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Marsh Harriers . At Pontac were a Grey Heron , 2 Little Egrets , 2 Swallows , 5 Sandwich Terns , 200+ Oystercatchers and 2 alba Wagtails . At the Les Pres end of Grouville Marsh were 9 Cattle Egrets , a Yellow Wagtail , a Grey Wagtail , a Reed Warbler , a Willow Warbler , 50+ Chiffchaffs , 20 Blackcaps , 4 Cetti's Warblers , 30 Swallows , 30 House Martins , a Raven and a Marsh Harrier . Near to Holme Grown in Grouville were 3 Cattle Egrets and a further 5 Cattle Egrets were at Five Oaks.
by Michael Dryden 13 September 2025
13.09.2025 This Wheatear has taken up temporary residence at Corbiere, being there for nearly a week, presumably awaiting better weather. Image: MD Yet another day of showers and bright spells in a strong southwest wind. Less was moving past Corbiere this morning with counts there including 23 Balearic Shearwaters, 10 Manx Shearwaters , a Great Crested Grebe , 11 Cormorants , 85 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls , 11 Mediterranean Gulls , 8 Sandwich Terns , a Common Tern , a Curlew and the Wheatear again. In Petit Port Bay were 29 Black-headed Gulls , 20 Curlews and 19 Great Black-backed Gulls . At St Ouen's Pond and Scrape were 50 Swallows , 2 House Martins , 2 Sand Martins, a Kingfisher , a Grey Heron , 16 Meadow Pipits , 5 Chiffchaffs , 3 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Marsh Harriers , 2 Buzzards , 8 Linnets and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. Seen at Les Landes were 2 Marsh Harriers , 2 Kestrels , 16 Linnets , 3 Wheatears , a Stonechat and 2 Ravens . Cattle Egret numbers had risen to 29 at Grouville Marsh, with another 8 Cattle Egrets in Rue Malo. At La Sente were 3 Grey Herons and 5 Cattle Egrets . Pied Flycatchers had risen to 2 in Vallee des Vaux where 3 Firecrests . a Goldcrest , 2 Blackcaps , 2 Chiffchaffs and 9 Greenfinches were also present with a Sparrowhawk and 15 Swallows flying over. A Wheatear was at St Catherine's and 2 Grey Herons were at Rozel. Extra reports for yesterday : In Grouville Bay were 45 Ringed Plovers , a Sanderling , a Dunlin and a Wheatear and at Sorel were 3 House Martins and 5 Linnets . At Beaumont Marsh were 20 Yellow Wagtails .
by Michael Dryden 12 September 2025
12.09.2025 A juvenile Great Black-backed Gull in fine condition on St Ouen's Bay beach on Monday, ringed in the Netherlands in June ( see below) Image: Romano RDC. Another very unsettled day with showers and a very strong and blustery west-southwest wind. It was seabirds to the fore again, unsurprisingly. Seen passing Corbiere this morning were 169 Balearic Shearwaters, 20 Manx Shearwaters , 159 Gannets , a Guillemot , 180 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 46 Great Black-backed Gulls , 5 Mediterranean Gulls , a Black-headed Hull, a Common Gull , 12 Common Terns , 146 Sandwich Terns, as well as 2 Wheatears and 2 White Wagtails . Seen from the San Malo ferry at the north-east Minquiers buoy were single Manx and Balearic Shearwaters . On St Ouen's Beach were 102 Great Black-backed Gulls , 40 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 3 Yellow-legged Gulls and 6 Sandwich Terns and by Sands were 80 Starlings . At Le Pulec were 250 Oystercatchers , 19 Curlews , 15 Cormorants , 10 Little Egrets and a Kestrel . At Grosnez was a pale-phase Buzzard , 3 Marsh Harriers , 200 Linnets and a Peregrine . The Pied Flycatcher spent another day in a garden in Vallee des Vaux along with 3 Firecrests , a Sparrowhawk was seen by Beaumont Marsh and at La Sente were 3 Cattle Egrets , 2 Grey Herons and 4 Swallows . .... and not in such great shape back in June as it is being ringed as a chick in Grevelingen, the Netherlands. Image with thanks to the Dutch ringing team there.
by Michael Dryden 11 September 2025
1 1.09.2025 This Ringed Plover received it's extra rings on Gull Island in Hampshire this June and is pictured here in Grouville Bay recently. Image thanks to Romano RDC A mainly dry and fair day, with just an odd shower, but in a strong and gusty west-southwest wind (F6). A good morning-long passage of shearwaters past Corbiere saw a total of 652 Balearic Shearwaters and 57 Manx Shearwaters counted. Also passing were 93 Gannets , a Fulmar , 3 Great Crested Grebes together, a Razorbill , 38 Sandwich Terns , 128 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 6 Mediterranean Gulls , a Common Gull, 3 Black-headed Gulls and 57 Great Black-backed Gulls with another 70 roosting on the cliffs there, also 36 Curlews , 3 Choughs , 4 Ravens , a Wheatear and 2 Peregrines . Seen at the Gunsite, before today's air display got underway were 370 Black-headed Gulls , 30 Mediterranean Gulls , 100 Sandwich Terns , a White Wagtail and a Kestrel A Pied Flycatcher spent a third day in Vallee des Vaux with 2 Firecrests , a Goldcrest , a Chiffchaff , 5 House Martins and a Sparrowhawk also seen, and a Hobby was seen in flight over the Zoo. Just a handful of Swallows were seen over Red Houses this afternoon, with the current run of weather severely disrupting what should be one of the busiest weeks of the year for the species, as they pass through Jersey on their way South. In St Ouen's Bay were 123 Great Black-backed Gulls , 47 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Yellow-legged Gull and 10 Sandwich Terns .
by Michael Dryden 10 September 2025
10.09.2025 A recently taken image of a juvenile Glossy Ibis in Grouville Bay, with thanks to Romano for the picture. RDC A poor day for weather, with rain through a good part of it, and a blustery southwest wind not helping. A few birds passing Corbiere before the rain set in, included 27 Balearic Shearwaters , 8 Manx Shearwaters , 17 Gannets , 87 Great Black-backed Gulls , 9 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Black-headed Gulls , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . 16 Shags and 3 Sandwich Terns . 165 Oystercatchers were roosting on the north side of Petit Port Bay this morning over the high (11.5 metre) tide. Very little was moving past Noirmont, with just 4 Swallows , 6 House Martins and a juvenile Peregrine seen during a brief watch there. One House Martin nest was still active on a house in Rosedale Avenue at Beaumont, with adults seen feeding young there today. A Pied Flycatcher was present for a second day in a garden at Vallee des Vaux, another Pied Flycatcher was near Bayview Court on Mont Matthieu and a third was at Grouville Marsh, by the stream on the road to les Pres Manor. 17 Cattle Egrets were also in the same vicinity. This evening in Vallee des Vaux were 3 Firecrests , 2 Blackcaps , a Water Rail, also the Pied Flycatchers still present. A Kingfisher wa sat on a gate post at Green Island earlier and 2 Wigeon plus 3 Green Sandpipers were on the Scrape. At the Gunsite were 20 Sandwich Terns, 98 Black-headed Gulls and 4 White Wagtails . An update for yesterday at Noirmont was, on review of images taken, 2 Ospreys passed, not one as stated yesterday.
by Michael Dryden 9 September 2025
09.09.2025 A beautiful image of a juvenile Little Tern in Grouville Bay recently, image courtesy of Romano RDC. Todays threatened rain failed to materialise during daylight hours, leaving a pleasant day with high cloud and a fresh southerly wind. Another Osprey appeared at Noirmont this morning, being seen three times in an hour mid-morning, before it headed East over St Aubin's Bay. A quiet day for passage there saw 105 Swallows , 7 Sand Martins , 6 House Martins , 41 Yellow Wagtails , 8 Tree Pipits , a Meadow Pipit , 6 White Wagtails , 17 Wheatears , 5 Whinchats , a Redstart , 2 Stonechats , 3 Whitethroats , a Willow Warbler , 3 Chiffchaffs , 29 Linnets , 2 Grey Herons , a male Marsh Harrier , 6 Buzzards , 2 Sparrowhawks and 2 Peregrines there. Offshore were at least 35 Manx Shearwaters , 25 Balearic Shearwaters , 80 Sandwich Tern s, 17 Mediterranean Gulls , 24 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 69 Gannets . At St Ouen's Pond and Scrape were an overflying Spotted Redshank, a Barn Owl, 20 Sedge Warblers , 12 Reed Warblers , a Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaffs , 15 Cetti's Warblers , 2 Blackcaps , a Sand Martin , 50 House Martins , 60 Swallows , 8 Yellow Wagtails , 2 Water Rails , 60 Goldfinches , a Snipe and a hunting Hobby . Seen at the Sandpits were 275 Coot , 4 Grey Herons , 23 Little Grebes and 3 male Pochard . In St Ouen's Bay were a Yellow- l egged Gull , 96 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 81 Great Black-backed Gulls , 48 Mediterranean Gulls, 31 Black-headed Gulls , 11 Sandwich Terns and 2 Wheatears . At Les Landes were 3 Wheatears , a Whinchat , a Willow Warbler , 8 Stonechats , 2 Dartford Warblers , 30 Linnets , 2 House Martins , 20 Swallows , a Ringed Plover and a Marsh Harrier . In Petit Port Bay were 69 Mediterranean Gulls and 3 Sandwich Terns . In Grouville Bay, as seen from Seymour, were 113 Sandwich Terns , 12 Little Egrets , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , an alba Wagtail , 8 Turnstones , 270 Oystercatchers , a Grey Plover, 2 Grey Herons , hundreds of Black-headed Gulls and 3 Swallows . 2 Wheatears were on the seawall at Fauvic. Near to the Co-op at Fauvic were 16 Cattle Egrets, a Yellow Wagtail and 30 Linnets . In Vallee des Vaux were a Pied Flycatcher and 3 Firecrests and at Bouley Bay were a Wheatear and 3 Buzzards . At Beaumont Marsh were 20 Yellow Wagtails and at St Aubin were 300 Black-headed Gulls .
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