12.03.2025   A Skylark between song bursts, by the Scrape car park this morning   MD


Another cold day (7c) in mostly cloudy conditions and a light to moderate northeast wind.


After yesterday's first arrival of Wheatears, today saw even more today with 11 north of St Ouen's Pond, 3 near the Scrape, 6 at Crabbe and 3 at Plemont.


At La Sente there were 3 Little Ringed Plovers  as well as 2 Shelduck, 16 Redshanks, a Greenshank,  9 alba Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail  . 13 Little Egrets were at Fauvic, 9 Tufted Ducks, a Grey Wagtail and 8 Chiffchaffs were by the upper pond at Queen's Valley with 2 Firecrests singing there, and another Chiffchaff, 4 Greenfinches and 6 Linnets were on Grouville Common.  In Grouville Bay were 24 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Black-headed Gulls, 6 Common Gulls and 350 Brent Geese.  A Grey Heron was at Grouville Marsh.


Passing Corbiere in two hours this morning were 35 Common Scoters, a Red-throated Diver, 2 Shelduck, 28 dark-bellied Brent Geese and a single pale-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Guillemots, 2 Razorbills, 3 Fulmars, 32 Gannets, 4 Cormorants, a Kittiwake, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 26 Crows heading West, an alba Wagtail and 11 Bottle-nosed Dolphins, with a Peregrine hunting there too.  31 Razorbills were at Plemont, where a male Black Redstart was seen yesterday,  and in Petit Port Bay were 12 Curlews and 26 Brent Geese.


The first Swallow of the year was over St Ouen's Pond this morning along with 18 Sand Martins. On the Pond were 19 Shovelers, 6 Teal, a Pochard, a Tufted Duck  and 3 Little Grebes with 2 Reed Buntings, a Water Pipit, 2 Skylarks and a Stonechat also there. Marsh Harriers were in display mode there too.  On the Scrape were 45 Brent Geese, 22 Teal, 10 Wigeon, an immature Grey Heron, 2 Oystercatchers, a Redshank, 6 Lapwings, a Water Rail a Chiffchaff and 3 overflying alba  Wagtails. North of the Pond were 2 Stonechats and 2 Chiffchaffs.  On Kempt Tower pools were 8 Shovelers, 3 Little Grebes and further Chiffchaffs.


In Rue de la Hauter in Trinity, were 6 Redwings, a Song Thrush, Goldfinches and Chaffinches, also a Sparrowhawk nearby. At a very chilly Les Landes were 6 Choughs, 3 Marsh Harriers, a Grey Heron and a flight of 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  6 Tufted Ducks  were on Grands Vaux reservoir.


Yesterday evening, 8 Woodcock flew over Vallee des Vaux, where a Barn Owl was calling.

by Romano da Costa 7 April 2026
07.04.2026 The first Yellow Wagtails finally arrived today. Here is a record shot of a Blue-headed variant at La Sente, thanks to Alan Gicquel. Seen at La Sente were a Blue-headed Wagtail , a Yellow Wagtail , 5 White Wagtail , 2 Shelduck , a Whimbrel , a Bl ack-headed Gull , a Grey Heron and 5 Little Egret . Up at Les Landes were 3 Redstart, a Blue-headed Wagtail , 8 Wheatear , 2 Willow Warbler , 20 Chiffchaff including one Siberian Chiffchaff , 2 Blackcap , 5 Sand Martin and 4 Swallow . At Sorel were 2 Wheatear , 8 Swallow , 14 Meadow Pipit , a Marsh Harrier and a Razorbill . Around St Ouen's Pond were the first Whitethroat , Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel of the year, a Gadwall , a Grey Heron , a Yellow Wagtail , 12 Wheatear , a Reed Bunting , 10 Blackcap , a Reed Warbler , a Sedge Warbler , 6 Chiffchaff , 2 Willow Warbler , 4 Cetti's Warbler , 5 Snipe and a House Martin . In the Sandpits were 2 Shelduck , 15 Tufted Duck , 4 Oystercatcher and 50 Sand Martin . 15 Sandwich Tern and 4 Wheatear were in St Ouen's Bay, 2 Little Grebe were at kempt Tower, a Wheatear and 2 Kestrel were at Beauport and 2 Skylark were near the Splash. A Great Northern Diver was still in the Harbour. A Ring Ouzel was still visiting a garden in Grouville and 2 Swallow were in St Martin. 55 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 3 Brent Geese were at Beaumont Marsh this evening.
by Romano da Costa 6 April 2026
06.04.2026 The First Reed Warbler of the year was caught at St Ouen's Pond this morning, thanks to Dave Buxton for the photo. Around St Ouen's Pond alongside the Reed Warbler , were the first Sedge Warbler of the spring, 2 Willow Warbler , 10 Chiffchaff , 6 Cetti's Warbler , 4 Blackcap , 2 Reed Bunting , 3 Wheatear , 2 Water Rail , 3 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , 3 Snipe , 2 Grey Heron , 14 Shoveler , 17 Teal , 7 Tufted Duck , a Wigeon , a Little Grebe , a Little Egret , 4 Swallow and 2 Sand Martin while in the Sandpits were 30 Sand Martin . 3 Wheatear were near to Sands with another 3 at Kempt Tower and on Mont Matthieu a Willow Warbler , 2 Tufted Duck and a Little Grebe . Up at Les Landes were a Serin , 8 Wheatear , 10 Swallow , 2 Sand Martin , 32 Linnet , 46 Meadow Pipit , 3 Stonechat , a Song Thrush and a Bullfinch heading off at Grosnez! At Plemont were 31 Razorbill , a Guillemot , 2 Sandwich Tern and a Peregrine and at Le Pulec were 47 Oystercatcher , 9 Little Egret , 15 Shag , 11 Cormorant , 6 White Wagtail , a Peregrine and 2 Raven . La Sente held 2 Little Ringed Plover , 19 Brent Geese , 2 Shelduck , 5 Little Egret , a Cattle Egret , a Common Gull , 3 White Wagtail and a Swallow while at Grouville Marsh were 2 Swallow , a Grey Heron and a Coot with 2 young. 68 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 3 Brent Geese were at Beaumont Marsh. Below, the First Sedge Warbler was also caught at St Ouen's Pond this morning, thanks to Dave Buxton.
by Romano da Costa 5 April 2026
05.04.2026 One of the last remaining Brent Geese at La Sente, feeding up before it's long journey ahead RdC Seen on the Scrape this morning were a male Gadwall , a Brent Goose , 4 Barnacle Geese , 2 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , a Grey Heron , 12 Swallow , 7 Sand Martin and a Wheatear while in the Sandpits were 2 Shelduck and 12 Tufted Duck . At Le Pulec were 2 Wheatear , 9 White Wagtail , 2 Shelduck , 10 Little Egret , 220 Herring Gull and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull with another Wheatear at Les Landes and 12 Razorbill , 4 Gannet and a Swallow at Plemont. 15 Purple Sandpiper were at Corbiere, a Swallow flew over Beauport and 2 Peregrine and a Swallow were at Grosnez. In St Brelade's Bay were 66 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Brent Geese while 5 more Pale-bellied Brent Geese , a Redshank and 13 Turnstone were at St Aubin. At La Sente were 2 Little Ringed Plover , 2 Shelduck , 6 Brent Geese , 3 Cattle Egret , 9 Little Egret , a Common Gull , a Black-headed Gull , 2 Swallow , a Sand Martin , 9 White Wagtail and a Cetti's Warbler . In Vallee des Vaux were a Grey Wagtail and a Firecrest .
by Romano da Costa 4 April 2026
04.04.2026 A Redshank feeding along the muddy edges of La Sente RdC Seen at La Sente were 3 Little Ringed Plover , 2 Redshank , 2 Shelduck , a Grey Heron , a Cattle Egret , 5 Little Egret , 65 Brent Geese , 2 Common Gull , a Black-headed Gull and 2 White Wagtail . Around St Ouen's Pond were a singing Reed Bunting , 4 Swallow , 8 Sand Martin , the White-fronted Goose , 12 Shoveler , 19 Teal , a Grey Heron , 2 Little Grebe , a Redshank , 2 Snipe , 4 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , a Water Pipit , a Skylark , a Willow Warbler , 50 Linnet and a White Wagtail while in the Sandpits were 18 Tufted Duck , 15 Sand Martin and a Cetti's Warbler . Opposite Jersey Pearl was a Willow Warbler , 10 Little Egret were at Le Pulec and on Mont Matthieu were 3 Willow Warbler , 2 Shoveler and 2 Tufted Duck . At Les Landes were 5 Wheatear , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 2 Marsh Harrier .
by Romano da Costa 3 April 2026
03.04.2026 A newly arrived White Wagtail at La Sente RdC Seen at La Sente were 2 Little Ringed Plover , 3 Redshank , 150 Brent Geese , 2 Shelduck , 6 Little Egret , 2 Cattle Egret , 2 Common Gull , a Black-headed Gull , 8 White Wagtail and a Cetti's Warbler . A Grey Heron and a White Wagtail were at Grouville Marsh and at Grands Vaux were 4 Teal , 9 Tufted Duck , 2 Swallow and 5 Sand Martin . At St Ouen's Pond, apart from the usual Shovelers and Teal were 5 Swallow , 15 Sand Martin , 3 Snipe and a Reed Bunting while at Petit Port were 2 Shelduck .
by Romano da Costa 2 April 2026
02.04.2026 One of our locally bred Marsh Harriers enjoying a feast of Goose, thanks to Tony Paintin for the photo. A walk around La Rosiere this morning produced a fly over Serin , while at Corbiere were 24 Purple Sandpiper and a Turnstone and nearby at Petit Port were 128 Oystercatcher and 2 Shelduck . Around St Ouen's Pond were a Water Pipit , 12 Sand Martin , 32 Shoveler , 28 Teal , 7 Tufted Duck , a Little Grebe , 2 Oystercatcher , 4 Lapwing , 2 Snipe and a Wheatear . On the Blanches Banques were 6 Wheatear and 4 Skylark and around Les Ormes were a Swallow , Willow Warbler , a Dartford Warbler and a Cetti's Warbler . Up at Les Landes were a Swallow , 3 Stonechat , 24 Linnet , 4 Marsh Harrier , 3 Raven and 7 Chough . Out east at La Sente were a Little Ringed Plover , 4 Redshank , 2 Shelduck , a Cattle Egret , a Grey Heron and 8 White Wagtail while at Grouville Marsh were a Grey Heron , 4 Cetti's Warbler , 4 Bullfinch , 2 Blackcap , a Snipe , a Water Rail and 2 Chough . At Grands Vaux were 4 Teal and a Grey Heron .
by Romano da Costa 1 April 2026
01.04.2026 A Sparrowhawk on the lookout for a meal in a St Clement garden, thanks to Alan Gicquel for the photo. Seen in the Sandpits were 9 Swallow , 4 Sand Martin , 16 Tufted Duck , 2 Shelduck , a Stonechat and a Cetti's Warbler while around St Ouen's Pond were the White-fronted Goose , 4 Barnacle Geese , 2 Shelduck , 33 Shoveler , 24 Teal , a Wigeon , 8 Tufted Duck , 2 Little Grebe , 42 Sand Martin , 10 Swallow , 50 Linnet and a Reed Bunting . A Willow Warbler and 4 Song Thrush were opposite Jersey Pearl and 2 Shelduck and a Brent Goose were at Petit Port. At La Sente were 3 Redshank and 3 Common Gull while 6 Greenshank were at Queen's Valley. Beaumont Marsh held 15 Pale-bellied Brent Geese , 5 Brent Geese and a Grey Heron . Elsewhere, 2 Sand Martin were at Handois, 6 Tufted Duck were on Grands Vaux and 2 Chough were at the Harbour.
by Romano da Costa 31 March 2026
31.03.2026 A small migrant flock of Barnacle Geese that arrived on the Scrape this morning and spent the day resting and feeding. Thanks to Tony Paintin for the photo In Grouville Bay were 576 Brent Geese , 2 Shelduck and a Common Gull while at La Sente were a Little Ringed Plover , 9 Redshank , 3 Cattle Egret and a Cetti's Warbler . At Grouville Marsh were 3 Snipe , 2 Teal , 4 Water Rail , 5 Cetti's Warbler , a Bullfinch , a Sparrowhawk , a Mallard with 13 ducklings and 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull with another 9 at Five Oaks. At La Rocque this evening were 5 Greenshank , 7 Grey Plover , 19 Turnstone and a Curlew . Grands Vaux reservoir held 4 Tufted Duck , 3 Teal , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull , a Willow Warbler and a Firecrest and 2 Swallow over Victoria Village. A Grey Wagtail was again in Vallee des Vaux. On St Ouen's Pond were the White-fronted Goose , 30 Shoveler , 7 Tufted Duck , 7 Teal , 2 Little Grebe , 3 Snipe , a Grey Heron , 2 Cetti's Warbler , a Water Pipit and 4 Marsh Harrier while on the Scrape were the 4 Barnacle Geese , 2 Shelduck , 2 Shoveler and 14 Teal .
by Romano da Costa 30 March 2026
30.03.2026 One of the last remaining Redshank at La Sente, as most are on their way to their breeding grounds now. Thanks to Alan Gicquel for the photo. Seen at La Sente today were a Little Ringed Plover , a Greenshank , 9 Redshank , 6 Little Egret , 3 Cattle Egret , a Common Gull , a Black-headed Gull , 4 White Wagtail and a Cetti's Warbler while at La Rocque were 3 Greenshank and just 6 Brent Geese . At La Hocq were 63 Brent Geese and at Grands Vaux were 4 Teal , 4 Tufted Duck and a Black-headed Gull . On the Scrape were 2 Shelduck , 37 Teal , 2 Oystercatcher and 3 Lapwing while on the Pond were 26 Shoveler , a Wigeon and 6 Sand Martin . In St Brelade's Bay were just 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and at Petit Port 2 Shelduck and a Brent Goose .
by Romano da Costa 29 March 2026
29.03.2026 A Raven making some noise in St Ouen's Bay RdC Seen at La Sente were 3 Black-headed Gull , 8 Redshank , 2 Shelduck , 2 Cattle Egret and 4 White Wagtail while at Grands Vaux were a House Martin , 28 Sand Martin , 3 Swallow and 2 Teal . Around St Ouen's Pond were the White-fronted Goose , 32 Teal , 23 Shoveler , 2 Shelduck , 2 Oystercatcher , 5 Lapwing , 2 Snipe , 2 Stonechat , 10 Swallow , 6 Sand Martin and 45 Linnet . A Barn Owl was on Mont Matthieu. At Ouaisne were 9 Chiffchaff , 4 Song Thrush , 4 Greenfinch , a Snipe , a Great Crested Grebe and 28 Pale-bellied Brent Geese with another 22 at St Aubin along with a Kingfisher , 5 Redshank and 4 Turnstone . At Beaumont Marsh were a Brent Goose , 4 Snipe , a Little Egret and a Grey Heron .
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