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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.
18.05.2026 . As many as five pairs of Shelduck may be present on the West coast at the moment. The male on the left of this image is seen being escorted off the premises by one of the occupying pair, after a brief visit to the Scrape this morning. MD Showery rain today mainly missed the Island again, leaving a mainly cloudy day in an increasing west, becoming southerly wind There was a better level of movement past Corbiere first thing this morning with 6 Great Northern Divers , 110 Manx Shearwaters , 14 Guillemots , 2 Fulmars , 9 Gannets , 5 Cormorants , 19 Shags , 3 Kittiwakes , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 62 Great Black-backed Gulls passing in two hours. 3 Ravens and a Peregrine were also seen. In Grouville Bay, as seen from Seymour, were 24 Ringed Plovers , 22 Dunlin , 2 Sanderlings , 2 Turnstones and a Curlew . At St Ouen's Pond were 4 Tufted Ducks , a Shoveler , a pair of Stonechat and varying numbers of Swallows and Sand Martins through the morning. Shelduck were to the fore elswhere with a pair on the Scrape joined briefly by a second pair, a pair In Petit Port Bay and another one at La Pulente. Around the Scrape were 4 Lapwings , the pair of Oystercatcher , several Marsh Harriers , and a Tufted Duck on the South Canal. At Sorel this afternoon were 2 singing Garden Warblers , a singing Willow Warbler, 3 pairs of Whitethroats , a singing Stonechat , , a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap while flying over were 13 Swifts , 8 Swallows and a female Marsh Harrier . 2 Tufted Ducks were at Handois Extras from yesterday include 4 Sedge Warblers and 2 Ravens at Grouville Marsh and a singing Firecrest in Vallee des Vaux.
17.05.2026 Good numbers of Reed Warblers are present now in St Ouen's Bay, including this one, pictured at Kempt Tower pools MD A cloudy day with a moderate west-northwest wind and still below average temperatures. In and around St Ouen's Bay today, starting with the Scrape at the Pond, were a male Shelduck , the Barnacle Goose and Pink-footed Goose combo, 2 Lapwings , a pair of Oystercatchers , 2 Swifts , 20+ Sand Martins , an adult Grey Heron , several singing Reed Warblers and 4 Tufted Duck , on the South Canal. At Kempt Tower were a Little Grebe , 2 male Tufted Ducks and several more Reed Warblers . A Garden Warbler was singing in Les Ormes Valley and 6 Swifts were at the Sandpits. Early morning movement past Corbiere included a Manx Shearwater , 13 Guillemots , a Fulmar , 20 Gannets , 24 Shags , a Cormorant , a Peregrine and 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , with 4 juvenile Ravens , a female Marsh Harrier on the headland. A male Shelduck and 3 Little Egrets were in Petit Port Bay. Another 6 Swifts were seen at St Aubin's Harbour. An extra for yesterday was a White Wagtail collecting food at the Farmer's Cricket Ground in St Martin.
16.05.2026 Wren at the Scrape Image: MD A mainly dry day, but still cool for the time of year under a blanket of cloud in a moderate westerly wind. Passing Corbiere in the first two hours of light this morning were a Great Northern Diver , a Red-throated Diver , 7 Guillemots , 3 Manx Shearwaters , 3 Fulmars , 9 Gannets , 2 Kittiwakes , 34 Great Black-backed Gulls , a female Marsh Harrier and a single Swallow . A single Shelduck was in Petit Port Bay, hopefully the other is sitting nearby. At Plemont were 9 Razorbills , 2 Swifts , 4 Swallows , a Buzzard , a Marsh Harrier, 2 Choughs , 12 Linnets , 3 Goldfinches , 2 Ravens and a Kestrel . Up to 9 Bottle-nosed Dolphins moved East offshore. In Les Ormes Valley this morning were a Garden Warbler , a Cetti's Warbler , 4 Blackcaps , 8 Chiffchaffs , a Bullfinch , 2 Marsh Harriers and 2 Buzzards . In the Sandpits, were 16 Tufted Ducks , a singing Reed Warbler , 20+ Sand Martins and 3 Marsh Harriers . Seen from Seymour in Grouville Bay were 26 Dunlin , 7 Ringed Plovers , 2 Grey Plovers and a Curlew . White Wagtails were feeding fledged young in the Parade in St Helier and in the East, a male Cirl Bunting was in song on Grouville Common. Evening update : On Les Ecrehous today were a Purple Sandpiper , a Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstones , 4 Little Egrets and c 100 Common Terns with 2 Sandwich Terns seen there yesterday. Below : Thanks again to Jo Bramley for this short video of a cunning Great Spotted Woodpecker in a garden at St Ouen'
15.05.2026 A fine pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Grosnez. MD Temperatures remained well below the norm for May, not helped by cloudy conditions and a northerly wind. Migrants are thin on the ground at the moment, but a Cuckoo was calling at Greve de Lecq, near the Prince of Wales and 2 Great Egrets flew over Mont les Vaux in St Aubin. Seen from a chilly Grosnez were a Manx Shearwater , 11 Common Terns , 2 Sandwich Terns , 8 Guillemots , 48 Gannets , just 6 Fulmars , 6 Cormorants , 5 Kittiwakes , 50 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 15 Great Black-backed Gulls , 42 Swallows , 19 House Martins , a male Stonechat , a pair of Marsh Harriers , a pair of Buzzards and 2 Ravens . Around St Ouen's Pond from first light till mid-morning were 2 Sedge Warblers , a Whitethroat , 4 Wheatears , 12 Swifts , 25 Swallows , 16 House Martins , a singing Reed Bunting , a Stonechat , a female Shoveler , a Sparrowhawk , and a Peregrine . In Les Ormes Valley were a Garden Warbler , 2 Chiffchaffs , 2 Peregrines and 3 Marsh Harriers and a Whitethroat was singing on Chemin du Moulin in St Ouen. A pair of Shelduck was at Petit Port as usual, while at Gorselands were 6 Whitethroats , 2 Dartford Warblers , 3 Greenfinches , a Chough , 30+ Painted Lady Butterflies and a Small Tortoiseshell . At Kempt Tower pools were a male Shoveler , a Tufted Duck and another Whitethroat . On the North coast, at Les Platons were up to 12 Ravens , 5 Dartford Warblers , 7 Swallows , 3 House Martins, 5 Swifts , 3 Linnets , a Blackcap , a Kestrel and a Buzzard , plus a Swallowtail butterfly. Seen at Seymour were 26 Ringed Plovers , 8 Dunlin and a Bar-tailed Godwit . At Elizabeth Castle were 2 Whimbrels , a Wheatear , 20+ Linnets , 2 Little Egrets, 4 Swifts , a Blackbird and a Raven .
14.05.2026 This male is one of the Marsh Harriers currently breeding at St Ouen's Pond. MD A cold and blustery day with occasional showers in a strong northwest wind. A few birds passing Corbiere in the unpleasant conditions, prior to 8 am, included 4 Manx Shearwaters , 24 Guillemots , 5 Fulmars , 21 Gannets , a Sandwich Tern , 3 Kittiwakes , 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Whimbrel . At St Ouen's Pond were 15 Swifts , 8 House Martins , 20+ Sand Martins, a few Swallows , 2 male Shovelers and 5 Tufted Ducks . On the Scrape were the pair of Shelduck and the Barnacle Goose / Pink-footed Goose combo. A few waders at La Rocque included 5 Curlews and 6 Whimbrels . Evening update: At Seymour this evening were 45 Ringed Plovers , 12 Sanderlings , 23 Dunlin , 7 Little Egrets and a Lesser Black-backed Gull , while at Francheville Farm was a Cetti's Warbler singing in Little Valley and at Grouville Marsh were 12 Swifts , 20 Swallows , 25 House Martins and a Sparrowhawk .
13.05.2026 Jackdaws over La Rosiere. MD An unsettled day, with blustery showers and brighter periods and a strong westerly wind, cold for May at 14c. A Turtle Dove was seen walking along Rue des Maltieres in Grouville this afternoon, before flying off towards the allotments there. In the shelter of the Sandpits at La Braye this morning, were 35 Swifts , 40 Sand Martins , 35 Swallows , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 16 Tufted Ducks , 54 Coot , 3 Ravens , and 2 Choughs checking out the Sand Martin colony. At St Ouen's Pond were an immature Mediterranean Gull , up to 90 Sand Martins , 80 Swallows , 20 House Martins , 4 Swifts , a Sparrowhawk , 2 male Shovelers and 7 Tufted Ducks . Passing Corbiere first thing were 3 Manx Shearwaters , 14 Guillemots , 17 Gannets , a Fulmar , 3 Kittiwakes , 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 74 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Cormorants and 3 Ravens . At Seymour this afternoon were 43 Sanderlings , 13 Dunlin , 28 Ringed Plovers, a Turnstone , and 2 Swifts , while in Grouville Marsh were30 Swallows and 8 House Martins and at Grands Vaux reservoir were 30 House Martins , a Sand Martin and 15 Swallows . Below : Today's out of season Mediterranean Gull over St Ouen's Pond against a grey sky.
12.05.2026 Great Black-backed Gulls , part of a group of nine birds, up and at it in today's beautiful conditions, at Grosnez. Image: MD A mostly fine day, with pristine visibility but a chilly northwest wind. On a relatively quiet day for the date, a Cuckoo heard calling near St John's Village was very welcome. At or passing Grosnez this morning were 55 Gannets , 3 Guillemots , 6 Cormorants , 3 Kittiwakes , 40+ Great Black-backed Gulls, 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a flock of 22 Sanderlings , a Whimbrel , 82 Swallows , 13 House Martins , a migrant Kestrel heading North, a Peregrine , 2 Buzzards , 2 Marsh Harriers , 2 Wheatears , 5 Choughs and 2 Ravens . At Gorselands were 2 Dartford Warblers , a Whitethroat , 6 Painted Lady butterflies and one Swallowtail . On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were the Shelduck pair, an Oystercatcher on eggs, and 4 Lapwings . A Whitethroat was near the GaP Hide at the Sandpits. At Grouville Marsh early on were 2 Sedge Warblers , 20 Reed Warblers , 5 pairs of Cetti's Warblers , a pair of Bullfinches and a Sparrowhawk . On La Rue du Moulin de Bas was a singing Garden Warbler and a pair of Bullfinches . In St Catherine's Woods were another Bullfinch , 3 Firecrests , 2 Short-toed Treecreepers , good numbers of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs , and a Long-tailed Tit .
11.05.2026 The Osprey over Corbiere this morning. Image: MD A mostly fine day, but feeling cool in a fresh northeast wind. A quiet morning at Corbiere was brightened up by the arrival of an Osprey from the southwest, with usual entourage of gulls and an ambitious Oystercatcher . Also seen at Corbiere were 10 Manx Shearwaters , 13 Guillemots , 6 Fulmars , 28 Gannets , 3 Cormorants , 7 Kittiwakes , 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 44 Great Black-backed Gulls , 4 Curlews , 3 Sanderlings , a Swallow and 2 Swifts . In Petit Port Bay were a Shelduck , a Curlew , 2 Marsh Harriers and the usual Oystercatchers . Seen at St Ouen's Pond were 2 Shovelers , 2 Tufted Ducks , 11 Swifts , 4 House Martins, 3 Swallows and a Grey Heron . An Osprey seen briefly, high over the ridge behind the Pond was, presumably, the same bird seen at Corbiere earlier. On the Scrape was the pair of Shelduck , with 20+ Swifts , 10 Swallows , 20 Sand Martins , 4 House Martins, a Whitethroat and 2 Blackcaps also reported. A White Wagtail was at Charing Cross in St Helier. Over Vallee des Vaux were 13 Swifts and at Grouville Marsh were 6 Swifts , 8 House Martins , 15 Swallows , 2 Sedge Warblers and 15 Reed Warblers . At Dusk, 120+ House Martins , 40 Swallows and 4 Sedge Warblers were at Grouville Marsh.
10.05.2026 A Jay flying over La Rosiere, at Corbiere. Image: MD Yet another day of dodging rain, mainly dry with high cloud and a strong and gusty east-northeast wind. There was a better selection of birds to be seen from Corbiere than of late, and these included 28 Manx Shearwaters , 3 Common Scoters , 5 Guillemots , 4 Fulmars , 40 Gannets , 5 Cormorants , 4 Kittiwakes , 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 56 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Dunlin , 8 Swifts and 18 Swallows in four hours. A Dartford Warbler was seen on the headland between Petit Port and La Pulente. On and around the Scrape were the pair of Shelduck , the male Shoveler , a pair of Oystercatchers , a Lapwing , a Common Sandpiper , 20 Swallows , 2 Reed Warblers , a pair of Stonechat , and 2 Swifts , while on St Ouen's Pond were hundreds of Swallows and Sand Martins, a Grey Heron, 4 Tufted Duck and 4 Great Black-backed Gulls . At Le Hurel were 123 Sanderlings , 16 Dunlin , a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Curlew . 17 Jackdaws were in a ploughed field at Rue de la Genestiere in St Martin. Thanks as always go to Jo Bramley for this video clip of the Common Sandpiper on the Scrape.
09.05.2026 This Barn Owl, which was ringed as an owlet at Greve de Lecq in 2023, was retrapped and released at St Ouen's Pond yesterday. Image courtesy of David Buxton. Rain to the south of the Island never quite reached Jersey, leaving a dry day of high cloud and sunnier periods in a fresh southeast wind. Beauport Common was a popular spot today with birds seen there including a Cuckoo , a Wheatear , 2 Stonechats , 2 Firecrests , a Goldcrest , a Blackcap and 9 Jackdaws , as well as at least 24 Painted Lady butterflies. 6 Whitethroats were seen an Noirmont. Seen at, or passing Grosnez this morning were a Yellow-legged Gull , 27 Lesser black-backed Gulls , a Guillemot , 14 Gannets , 2 Little Egrets far offshore, 9 Swifts , 17 Swallows , a Tree Pipit , 2 Yellow Wagtails , 2 Wheatears , a male Stonechat , and also 5 Bottle-nosed Dolphins . At St Ouen's Pond Scrape were a Redshank , a Dunlin , a Common Sandpiper, the Shelduck pair, the Oystercatcher pair and 3 Swifts . Waders at La Rocque included 3 Whimbrels , 2 Greenshanks and 12 Dunlin . Evening update : In Grouville Bay this evening were 22 Sanderlings , 6 Dunlin , a Bar-tailed Godwit , 2 Curlews , 46 Oystercatchers and 2 Shelduck . Yesterday evening, at Noirmont, were 3 Whitethroats , 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers , 2 Greenfinches , 11 Swallows and a Jackdaw .
