10.08.2024 A young Grey Heron at Corbiere recently MD
A fair to fine day, becoming warm at 24c in a west-southwest wind
A selection of birds, seen from the north side of St Ouen's Pond included a large martin sp, possibly a Crag Martin, which was flying with 80 Swifts, but could not be relocated to confirm the identity. Others seen included 50 Swallows, 15 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins, 3 Sedge Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 20 Reed Warblers including recently fledged young, Cetti's Warblers feeding fledged young, a Water Rail, a Green Sandpiper, 5 Choughs and 3 Marsh Harriers. Seen at Mont Matthieu was the family of 4 Little Grebes, 25 Swifts, 40 House Martins, 20 Swallows and 80 Linnets. Around St Ouen's Pond later morning were 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Black-headed Gulls, a Peregrine, just a few Swallows and 10 Buzzards soaring on the ridge. 6 Little Grebes and a Common Sandpiper were in the Sandpits.
Seen offshore between Jersey and Guernsey, also Sark, were 1500+ Balearic Shearwaters and 6 Common Terns, with 4 Common Scoters and 16 Mediterranean Gulls off St Ouen's Bay. Roosting at Petit Port were 47 Mediterranean Gulls, a Whimbrel, 22 Curlews, 150 Oystercatchers, a Kingfisher, and 2 Sandwich Terns. A Grey Seal was in the Bay and a female Marsh Harrier was disturbing the roosting birds.
Passing Noirmont were 42 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Manx Shearwaters, a Balearic Shearwater, a Grey Heron, 34 Gannets, a Sandwich Tern and 16 Great Black-backed Gulls. 2 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were bow riding the inbound Condor ferry. On the ground at Noirmont were a Sparrowhawk, 4 Stonechats, 2 Willow Warblers and a singing Dartford Warbler but there was no significant visible migration of passerines.
At La Rocque were 140 Sandwich Terns, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, a Balearic Shearwater, 4 Grey Plovers and 6 Grey Herons.
Yesterday, 4 Common Sandpipers were at Le Pulec.
22.12.2025 A winter-plumaged Turnstone at Corbiere. image: MD A fair day with varying amounts of cloud in a fresh to strong southeast wind, feeling cold at 10c A slow but steady trickle of seabirds passing Corbiere this morning, resulted in counts of 8 Brent Geese , 516 Razorbills , 3 Guillemots , 23 Gannets , 34 Shags , 6 Cormorants , 242 Kittiwakes , 14 Mediterranean Gulls , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (already on their way back?), 51 Great Black-backed Gulls , and a Common Gull, but still no diver movement. Another 37 Mediterranean Gulls were roosting in Petit Port on the falling tide. A selection of species seen from the Wetland Centre this morning included a Bittern , a Shelduck , 2 Wigeon , 3 Shoveler , 29 Teal , 2 Little Grebes , 16 Lapwings , a Water Pipit and 2 Stonechats . In St Ouen's Bay sandpits were 10 Pochard, only one a female, 33 Tufted Duck , a Shelduck , 3 Shoveler , 6 Little Grebes , 2 Grey Herons , a male Marsh Harrier and a Chiffchaff . In Vallee des Vaux this afternoon were 26 Redwings , a Goldcrest , 2 Blackcaps and 4 Woodcock which flew over at Dusk.
21.12.2025 Purple Sandpiper near Corbiere. Image: MD Morning rain cleared to a cloudy day in a fresh southeast wind. (10c) Co-ordinated counts of Brent Geese took place this morning, with results to follow soon on the Resources page. Seen, early morning, around the southeast coast included 3 Great Northern Divers , 9 Red-breasted Mergansers , a Slavonian Grebe and a Peregrine at La Rocque and a Black-necked Grebe, a Sandwich Tern , and a Common Gull in Grouville Bay. Among waders counted there were 34 Ringed Plovers , 219 Grey Plovers 4 Greenshanks and a Bar-tailed Godwit . 10 Cattle Egrets and 5 Little Egrets were at Fauvic M and a further 7 Cattle Egrets were at La Sente. At St Ouen's Pond, as seen from the Wetland centre were a Bittern , 17 Lapwings , 23 Teal , 18 Shoveler , 4 Stonechats and a Water Pipit . 39 Ringed Plovers were near Sands and the Snow Bunting remained near Kempt Tower. In Petit Port Bay were 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 17 Curlews and 12 Brent Geese and a Peregrine was near to Grosnez. Back to yesterday when both Song Thrushes and Redwings were seen and heard at La Pouquelaye.
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.
