13.02.2025 Lesser Black-backed Gulls are trickling back into the Island, laying claim to being our first Spring migrants! MD
A calm but cold and mainly cloudy day , with the Easterly wind still holding sway
Not much is changing on a daily basis at the moment, so 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls arriving at Corbiere this morning were a welcome sight. Other birds passing Corbiere included 5 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, 2 Common Scoters, a Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Razorbills, a Guillemot, 6 Fulmars, 31 Gannets, 45 Shags, 7 Kittiwakes, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 45 Great Black-backed Gulls, 45 Curlews flying in to roost in Petit Port Bay and 20 Purple Sandpipers plus 9 Turnstones were roosting near to Corbiere too. 2 Peregrines were in the vicinity again, plus a Raven.
In Petit Port Bay were 30 Mediterranean Gulls, 25 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Shelduck, 11 Brent Geese and 8 Turnstones.
At St Ouen's Pond were 15 Wigeon, 10 Shovelers, 7 Pochard, 75 Lapwings, 11 Snipe, a Little Grebe, a Chiffchaff and a massive 570 Brent Geese.
In Beaumont Marsh were a male Shoveler, a Teal, 6 Siskins, a Stonechat, a Grey Wagtail and a Sparrowhawk.
Along the North coast, 2 Brent Geese were at Roxel Harbour with 6 Cattle Egrets at Rozel Manor, a further 2 Cattle Egrets were on Route des Augerez, a Fulmar, a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk were at Bouley Bay, a male and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier were at Crabbe and 2 Fulmars plus 2 Ravens were at Greve de Lecq.
A Kingfisher was seen at Queen's Valley and 3 Tufted Duck plus 2 Grey Wagtails were at Grands Vaux reservoir.
Yesterday evening, a Short-eared Owl was at Egypt.
Mick Dryden
Romano da Costa
Tony Paintin