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09.10.2024   Grey Heron on the Scrape this morning   MD

Rain and drizzle through this morning, especially on the South coast, gave way to isolated showers this afternoon,

in a light southwest, becoming fresh northwest wind


Two Great White Egrets were seen today, one standing on a grass verge alongside La Villais in St Ouen, the other near the top cark park at Queen's Valley reservoir.


Around the south-east corner of the Island, at La Rocque, were 250 Oystercatchers, 9 Curlews, 4 Redshanks, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 16 Turnstones and 22 Grey Plovers, while in Robin Bay were a Wheatear, 38  Oystercatchers, 17 Grey Plovers and 10 Sanderlings. At Pontac were a Grey Heron, 3 Sandwich Terns, 150 Oystercatchers, a Grey Wagtail and 2 Swallows. Close by, at Le Hocq, were 213 Oystercatchers, 16 Little Egrets, 6 Turnstones, 38 Curlews, 5 Grey Plovers a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Pied Wagtails. At La Sente were 7 Grey Herons, 7 Little Egrets and 48 Black-headed Gulls and 22 Cattle Egrets were at Holme Grown.  At St Catherine's were 76 Brent Geese. and in Grouville Bay were a further 217 Brent Geese and a Great Crested Grebe.  By Green Island were 6 Wheatears and 3 House Martins.  At Grouville Marsh late this afternoon were 40 Swallows and 7 Cattle Egrets.


Around St Aubin's Bay, a Wheatear was at the Ferry Terminal, 21 Redshanks were roosting at St Aubin and in a currently flooded Beaumont Marsh were 57 Mallards!  On the North coast, at Sorel, were 12 Swallows, 40 Linnets, 15 Meadow Pipits, 3 Stonechats, 2 Ravens and 2 Kestrels.


On the West side of the Island, very little was moving over Noirmont with just 229 Meadow Pipits, a Grey Wagtail, an alba Wagtail, 4 Linnets, 2 Choughs and a Sparrowhawk seen in flight over 90 minutes. 7 Stonechats were on the ground there.


In St Ouen's Bay, 63 Ringed Plovers, 3 Dunlin and a Sanderling were seen near Sands, 3 Wheatears, 6 Stonechats, a Little Grebe, a Teal, and a Snipe were at Kempt Tower, while at the Pond and Wetland centre were 13 Snipe, 17 Shovelers, 2 Grey Herons, a Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler. On the Scrape were 2 Grey Herons, a Snipe, a Skylark, a Water Rail and 2 Choughs.  10 Little Egrets were roosting in Le Pulec and at Petit Port were 29 Turnstones, 34 Curlews and another 6 Little Egrets.


Around Les Landes were 5 Swallows, 70 Linnets and a Stonechat, and at Mont Matthieu was a Firecrest.



In maize fields near St Saviour's Hospital this evening were 300 Swallows, 25 Linnets, a Pied Wagtail and 6 Song Thrushes.

20 April 2026
20.04.2026 A pair of Shoveler at St Ouen's Pond TP. Another sunny day but with a fresh easterly wind. A few more records from yesterday Cuckoos were seen at Portinfer and Bouley Bay also 11 Wheatears at Les Landes. A male White Wagtail was found at Chateau Clairval Farm, probably a breeding bird. Plenty of Wheatears were around today mainly along the south coast with 8 at Corbiere, 3 at La Rosiere, a single at Beauport, 5 at Noirmont and a single on Beauport Common, where a male Stonechat was also present. At St Ouen's Pond a pair of Shovelers, 4 Tufted Ducks, a pair of Coot with young, a single drake Pochard, 3 Marsh Harriers, a little Grebe, 3 Snipe, up to 10 Swifts plus a steady movement of Swallows, Sand Martins and a few House Martins. A flock of 10 Whimbrels were also seen this morning and a Sedge Warbler was song flighting north of the Pond. At La Sente just 2 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 10 White and 2 Yellow Wagtails.
19 April 2026
19.04.2026 A whitethroat near Kempt Tower taken last week by Romano. A sunny day with a light north-east wind. The first Swifts of the spring were seen this morning at the Elizabeth Ferry Terminal along with a few Swallows moving through and a pair of White Wagtails on the roof. At La Sente 3 Brent Geese , 4 Yellow Wagtails and 2 White Wagtails. The Woodchat Shrike was still at Noirmont this morning along with 11 Wheatears, a Swift, 2 Sand Martins, a Tree Pipit and 5 Whitethroats. Two Willow Warblers were in Les Creux Country Park and another near Trinity Manor. In St Ouen's Bay 7 Snipe and 2 Shovelers were seen from the Wetland Centre and on the Scrape 13 Yellow Wagtails, 9 Wheatears, the White-fronted Goose and 2 Lapwings. Near Kempt Tower Ponds 2 very vocal Little Grebes, 4 Tufted Ducks, 3 Reed Warblers and a Cetti's Warbler. Near the Francis Le Sueur Centre 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Greenfinch, a Firecrest and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Finally On Grouville Golf Course 2 Cirl Buntings, a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker and on Rue du Pont 4 Wheatears.
by Romano da Costa 18 April 2026
18.04.2026 Bird of the year, so far, was this handsome Woodchat Shrike that was seen at Noirmont today. The first record of this species in the Island since 2019 RdC Also seen at Noirmont alongside the Woodchat Shrike were 6 Wheatear , a Whitethroat , 2 Chiffchaff and 5 Swallow . Passing Corbiere were 2 Manx Shearwater , a Great Northern Diver , 3 Guillemot , 2 Fulmar , 2 Gannet , 2 Swallow and a Wheatear . Seen at St Ouen's Pond from dawn were 25 Sedge Warbler , 15 Reed Warbler , 3 Willow Warbler , 5 Chiffchaff , 3 Blackcap , a Whitethroat , 6 Wheatear , 2 Reed Bunting , 25 Swallow , 40 Sand Martin , a Yellow Wagtail , 3 Whimbrel , a Curlew and a Sandwich Tern . At La Sente were 2 Little Ringed Plover , 3 Brent Geese , 2 Little Egret , 2 Swallow , a Wheatear and 2 White Wagtail while at Le Hocq were 2 Wheatear , 8 Curlew , 58 Oystercatcher , 6 Little Egret and 5 Brent Geese . 4 Swallow and a Grey Heron were at Beaumont Marsh and 2 House Martin were at La Hougie Bie. Yesterday, a Cuckoo was heard calling in the woods of Les Creux country park, the first reported this spring. Below, another view of the Woodchat Shrike thanks to Jo Bramley.
by Romano da Costa 17 April 2026
17.04.2026 An often tricky species to photograph, this Cetti's Warbler sat in the open for Alan Gicquel this morning. Around St Ouen's Pond were 2 Shelduck , 4 Shoveler , 2 Snipe , 2 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , 7 Reed Warbler , a Sedge Warbler , a Reed Bunting and 6 Wheatear . Whitethroat were heard singing along Les Vaux Cuissin and Ville au Bas in St Ouen and 2 Wheatear and a Cetti's Warbler were along Rue a L'Eau. At Noirmont were 4 Wheatear , a Stonechat and a Dartford Warbler , at Gorselands 3 Wheatear and at Sorel 6 Wheatear , 4 Swallow and a Stonechat . A Swallow , a Wheatear and 2 Kestrel were at Grosnez and 9 Fulmar were on cliffs near Bouley Bay.
by Romano da Costa 16 April 2026
16.04.2026 A recent Little Ringed Plover at a very muddy La Sente RdC Around St Ouen's Pond this morning were 8 Reed Warbler , 2 Sedge Warbler , 8 Chiffchaff , a Blackcap , 10 Swallow , 5 Sand Martin , 2 Wheatear , a Snipe and 2 Stonechat while in the Sandpits were 2 Shelduck and 40 Sand Martin . At Le Mielle de Morville were 2 Whitethroat , a Willow Warbler and 3 Cetti's Warbler , with another Cetti's Warbler on Mont Matthieu and at Le Pulec 2 Shelduck and 2 Stonechat . At Les Landes were 3 Wheatear and 3 Stonechat and at Beauport were 2 Wheatear . Seen at La Sente were a Little Ringed Plover , a Grey Wagtail , 7 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Brent Geese while at Queen's Valley was a Common Sandpiper and 2 Shelduck were near Gorey. In a garden at La Pouquelaye were 2 Bullfinch , 2 Blackcap , 3 Goldcrest and a Sparrowhawk .
by Romano da Costa 15 April 2026
15.04.2026 A pair of Mallard enjoy what little water is left at La Sente RdC Seen at Grouville Marsh this morning were a Grasshopper Warbler , 2 Sedge Warbler , 5 Reed Warbler , 10 Chiffchaff , 8 Blackcap , 6 Cetti's Warbler , 2 Bullfinch , a Teal and a Snipe . 30 Brent Geese were at La Rocque while 6 more were at La Sente and on Grands Vaux were 16 Tufted Duck . In the Sandpits were 2 Whimbrel , 6 Oystercatcher and 2 Shelduck while on the Scrape were 2 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , a Reed Warbler , a Skylark and a Wheatear with 20 Sand Martin , 2 Reed Warbler and 2 Snipe at the Pond. On the Blanches Banques were a Whitethroat and 7 Swallow while at Petit Port were 4 Great Black-backed Gull , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 2 Shelduck and a Whimbrel Up at Les Landes were 2 Whitethroat and 3 Wheatear and at Gorselands were 4 Dartford Warbler and a Peregrine .
by Romano da Costa 14 April 2026
14.04.2026 A White Wagtail still enjoying the mud at La Sente RdC Seen at Grouville Marsh today were 6 Swallow , a Grey Wagtail , a White Wagtail , 2 Snipe , a Teal , 2 Reed Warbler , 6 Cetti's Warbler , 4 Bullfinch , 2 Grey Heron , and 2 Raven while in Grouville Bay were 2 Shelduck, 24 Brent Geese , 7 Curlew and a Gannet. At La Sente were 3 Brent Geese , 5 White Wagtail and a Peregrine . Up at Les Landes were 52 Linnet , a Dartford Warbler and 3 Marsh Harrier. On St Ouen's Pond were 8 Shoveler , 7 Tufted Duck , 2 Snipe , 2 Reed Warbler , 3 Swallow , 25 Sand Martin and 18 Great Black-backed Gull while the White-fronted Goose , 4 Lapwing and 2 Wheatear were on the Scrape. In St Catherine's woods were a Bullfinch , a Grey Heron , a Firecrest and a Raven with many Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing. At West Park were 27 Great Black-backed Gull and a Little Egret while 8 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were near St Aubin.
by Romano da Costa 13 April 2026
13.04.2026 A recently arrived Whitethroat , singing away RdC Around St Ouen's Pond this morning were 5 Reed Warbler , 3 Blackcap , 6 Chiffchaff , a Snipe , 30 Swallow , a House Martin , 10 Sand Martin , 12 Tufted Duck , a Shoveler and 4 Barnacle Geese , possibly 6 flying in. In the Sandpit were 2 Shelduck , 6 Tufted Duck , a Grey Heron , 2 Stonechat and 40 Sand Martin . At Ouaisne were 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a Dartford Warbler with another Dartford Warbler at Portelet. A Wheatear , a Dartford Warbler and 3 Swallow were at La Rosiere and roosting at Petit Port were a Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Shelduck . La Sente were a Little Ringed Plover , 2 Brent Geese , the Blue-headed Wagtail , 4 White Wagtail , 2 Swallow and a Peregrine . Yesterday evening at St Ouen's Pond were 2 Sedge Warbler , 2 Reed Warbler , a Willow Warbler , 20 Swallow , 20 Sand Martin , 2 House Martin , a Reed Bunting , 4 Snipe , a Grey Heron and a Wigeon .
by Romano da Costa 12 April 2026
12.04.2026 The handsome Blue-headed Wagtail at La Sente, thanks to Stuart Matthews for the photo Seen from Plemont this morning were 36 Swallow , 14 House Martin , a Peregrine , 16 Razorbill , 12 Fulmar and 2 Dartford Warbler . On the Scrape were the White-fronted Goose , 3 Lapwing , 2 Wheatear and 10 Swallow with another 6 Swallow on Mont Matthieu and at Kempt Tower were 2 Shoveler , a Cetti's Warbler and a Reed Warbler . Seen at La Sente were the Blue-headed Wagtail , a Yellow Wagtail , 5 White Wagtail , a Little Egret , 2 Brent Geese and 4 Little Ringed Plover . At St Aubin were 43 Pale-bellied Brent Geese , 2 Curlew and 11 Oystercatcher while at Beaumont Marsh were 3 Brent Geese , a Swallow and a Grey Heron . Below, a short video of the Blue-headed Wagtail , thanks to Jo Bramley
by Romano da Costa 11 April 2026
11.04.2026 The female Shelduck at La Sente recently RdC Seen at St Ouen's Pond this morning were the 4 Barnacle Geese , 2 Shelduck , 15 Teal , 5 Shoveler , 3 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , 100 Sand Martin , 2 House Martin and 3 Swallow . Roosting at Petit Port were 74 Oystercatcher , 3 Curlew , a Brent Goose and 2 Shelduck . At St Aubin were 24 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Curlew while at Beaumont Marsh were 12 Pale-bellied Brent , 4 Brent Geese and a Grey Heron . At La Sente were 2 Shelduck , 2 Brent Geese , 2 Little Ringed Plover , a Cattle Egret and a Black-headed Gull while on Rue du Pont were 4 Cattle Egret and 30 Swallow . 3 Gannet were seen from Rozel. Extras at La Sente this evening where Little Ringed Plover were up to 4, also a Blue-headed Wagtail , a Yellow Wagtail , 10 White Wagtail , 4 Brent Geese , 2 Cattle Egret and 2 Swallow with 5 House Martin nearby. at Grouville Marsh were 26 Swallow , 2 House Martin , a Sand Martin , 2 Tufted Duck and a Sparrowhawk .
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