This is a subtitle for your new post

13.10.2024  Brent Geese arriving via La Coupe two days ago, image with thanks to Richard Gillam

A dry day with high cloud and good visibility in an east-southeast wind and ideal for visible migration!


The Shore Lark was at the same location, by the Cutty Sark in St Ouen's Bay for a third day, but with much disturbance from man and dog as it was Sunday.

T

It was a bumper morning at Noirmont. Counts until lunch time included 2,692 Woodpigeons, 36 Stock Doves, 496 Swallows, 27 House Martins, 720 Meadow Pipits, 99 alba Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail,  a Ring Ouzel, a Mistle Thrush, 5 Redwings, 13 Song Thrushes, 5 Blackbirds, 860 Chaffinches, 502 Linnets, 326 Goldfinches, 7 Greenfinches, 3 Siskins, 2 Merlins, a migrating Peregrine plus a local one, 14 Skylarks, 64 Starlings, a late Whinchat, 6 Stonechats, 6 Robins, a Blue Tit, 6 Dartford Warblers- including a male still singing, a Grey Heron, 3 Sparrowhawks, a Cattle Egret, 2 Ravens and 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.


In Grouville Marsh this morning were late Reed Warbler and Garden Warbler, also 4 Blackcaps, 20 Chiffchaffs, 3 Firecrests, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Siskins, a Grey Wagtail, 3 Stonechats, 3 Bullfinches,  a Mistle Thrush, a Redwing, 5 Song Thrushes, 3 Short-toed Treecreepers, 60 Jackdaws, 2 Sparrowhawks, a Marsh Harrier, 35 Cattle Egrets, 38 Coot, 15 Water Rails, but with just a Swallow, 2 Chaffinches and 9 Meadow Pipits seen overhead.


At La Rocque were 6 Greenshanks, 8 Redshanks, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 57 Sanderlings, 62 Turnstones, 21 Grey Plovers and 52 Curlews and at La Sente were 15 Cattle Egrets, 15 Little Egrets, 7 Grey Herons, a Merlin, 5 Ravens and 45 Linnets. A Ring Ouzel was a welcome garden visitor in St Clement.


At Petit Port were 27 Curlews, 6 Little Egrets, a Kingfisher, 9 Turnstones, a Grey Heron, 24 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 229 Oystercatchers and 49 Black-headed Gulls. At St Aubin were 23 Redshanks and at La Haule were 52 Brent Geese, 97 Black-headed Gulls and 77 Crows. At Portelet were 3 Dartford Warblers and 2 Stonechats.


A pair of Chough were at L'Etacq and 4 Curlews plus a Grey Seal were at Le Pulec.


Evening update: In Vallee des Vaux this evening were 3 Redwings, 2 Firecrests, 7 Chiffchaffs, with a Grey Wagtail and 4 Ravens flying over. At the Cutty Sark were 9 Ringed Plovers and 2 Dunlin and on Portelet Common were 2 Stonechats, a Dartford Warbler and 2 Ravens.



by Michael Dryden 12 September 2026
12.09.2026 What an image! Today's Wryneck , the second of the week, ringed at St Ouen's Pond. Thanks go to David Buxton for the picture. A fair, becoming fine day and warm at 22c in a light westerly wind. On the Northside of St Ouen's Pond, from Dawn till Noon this morning, were a Wryneck , 25 Sedge Warblers , 20 Reed Warblers , 7 Willow Warblers , 5 Chiffchaffs , 15 Blackcaps , 15 Cetti's Warblers and 12 Robins . On the Pond were 12 Shovelers , 4 Teal , a Little Grebe , a Green Sandpiper , 8 Yellow Wagtails , 3 Water Rails , a Kingfisher , a pale-phase Buzzard , 4 Marsh Harriers , 60 Swallows , 10 Sand Martins and a Barn Owl . Flying over were 3 Meadow Pipits, 4 Cattle Egrets, and 15 House Martins . Further Barn Owls were seen this morning at St John's Manor and the Windmill in St Mary. Migrants at or passing Noirmont on a quiet day included a Spotted Flycatcher , a Common Redstart , 8 Wheatears , a Stonechat , 16 Sand Martins , 232 Swallows , 12 Yellow Wagtails , 8 alba Wagtails , 17 Meadow Pipits, 29 Linnets , 2 Robins , 2 Little Egrets and 10 Grey Herons . Also there were 4 Dartford Warblers , a Sparrowhawk , 2 Kestrels , 4 Buzzards , 2 Ravens and a Chough . Offshore, feeding at Tuna boils, were 83 Balearic Shearwaters , 510 Sandwich Terns , 39 Gannets , 20 Great Black-backed Gulls and 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . In Petit Port Bay were 55 Mediterranean Gulls and 145 Sandwich Terns . At Beauport and Les Creux were a Whitethroat , 2 Blackcaps , 16 Robins and 2 Dartford Warblers and at Gorselands were 7 Stonechats , a Whinchat , a Whitethroat , a Willow Warbler , 4 Dartford Warblers and 9 Robins . At Grands Vaux reservoir were 2 Teal , 2 Common Sandpipers , 2 Kingfishers and a Grey Heron . On Mont es Neaux was a Wheatear and in Grouville Bay late afternoon were 180 Sandwich Terns , with Swallows moving through at c 160 an hour, also 15 Sand Martins and a House Martin . Yesterday, at Grands Vaux reservoir were a Common Sandpiper , 2 Teal , and a Grey Heron , and in the evening at St Ouen's Pond were 2 Water Rails , a Kingfisher , 60 Swallows , 10 Sand Martins and 6 Marsh Harriers .
by Michael Dryden 11 September 2026
11.09.2026 Common Redstart at Noirmont today. MD An overcast morning with showers, gradually clearing to a fine afternoon in a light west-northwest wind. (20c) Passing La Rocque over this morning's eleven metre tide were 653 Balearic Shearwaters , an Arctic Skua, 55 Gannets , 1,225 Sandwich Terns , a Black Tern , 2 Common Terns , 24 Mediterranean Gulls , 56 Black-headed Gulls , 34 Turnstones , 16 Grey Plovers , 2 Ringed Plovers , 23 Sanderlings and 2 Swallows . At La Rocque were 7 Grey Herons and 4 Wheatears . At Le Bourg were 3 Bar-tailed Godwits , 2 Ringed Plovers , 10 Turnstones and 2 Sanderlings . Noirmont was quiet, with a notable lack of visible migrants. Seen there, were a Balearic Shearwater , 24 Sandwich Terns , 3 Gannets , a Grey Heron , a Snipe , 6 Wheatears , a Common Redstart , 6 Blackbirds , 6 Dartford Warblers , a Yellow Wagtail , an alba Wagtail , 21 Swallows , 10 House Martins , a Buzzard and also 4 Bottle-nosed Dolphins . Seen at Grosnez were 3 Wheatears , 3 Stonechats , 2 Meadow Pipits and a flock of 20 Linnets .
by Michael Dryden 10 September 2026
10.09.2026 Juvenile Caspian Gull in St Ouen's Bay, image courtesy of Romano. RdC A cloudy day, becoming fair with high cloud in a cool feeling southwest wind. A long list from the north side of St Ouen's Pond this morning included 220 Swallows , 15 Sand Martins , 45 Sedge Warblers, 18 Reed Warblers , a Garden Warbler , 20 Willow Warblers , 8 Chiffchaffs , 3 Whitethroats , 4 Blackcaps , 20 Cetti's Warblers , 28 Yellow Wagtails, 18 House Martins , 2 Wheatears , 40 Starlings , a mixed flock of 150 Linnets and Goldfinches , a Water Rail , 2 Little Grebes , 4 Teal , 3 Shovelers , 8 Marsh Harriers , a Sparrowhawk , 2 Kestrels , a Green Sandpiper , a Common Sandpiper , and flying over, 5 Meadow Pipits , a Greenshank , 5 Snipe , a Dunlin , a Ringed Plover , 2 Ravens , 4 Choughs and 4 Buzzards . On Mont Matthieu was a Wheatear . and a Willow Warbler . At Noirmont this morning were 2 Spotted Flycatchers , 7 Wheatears , 4 Stonechats , 3 Whitethroats , 3 Chiffchaffs , and flying over were 14 Meadow Pipits , 8 Swallows , a Yellow Wagtail , a White Wagtail , a Sparrowhawk , 2 Kestrels , 3 Buzzards and 2 Ravens . Offshore were 35 Balearic Shearwaters , 39 Gannets , 160 Sandwich Terns , a Kittiwake and a Ringed Plover . At La Mare were 14 Sandwich Terns and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits . Yesterday evening at St Ouen's Pond were 220 Swallows , 15 Sand Martins , 19 Yellow Wagtails , 2 White Wagtails , a Sedge Warbler , 2 Reed Warblers , a Willow Warbler , a Blackcap , a Water Rail, 10 Shovelers and 6 Teal .
by Michael Dryden 9 September 2026
09.09.2026 A Wheatear on the bunker at Noirmont MD A drier day than yesterday, with just an odd shower, feeling cooler in a moderate west-northwest wind. Migration has slowed noticeably in the westerly airflow. Seen at Noirmont this morning were 14 Wheatears, a Whinchat, 2 Whitethroats and 4 Chiffchaffs, but passing overhead were just 7 Yellow Wagtails, 4 alba Wagtails, a Meadow Pipit, 5 Linnets, 52 Swallows and 9 House Martins. Offshore things were more lively, with 19 Balearic Shearwaters, a Manx Shearwater, 118 Gannets, 220 Sandwich Terns, a Little Tern, a Grey Heron, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, and 9 Great Black-backed Gulls, with 5 Bottle-nosed Dolphins also seen. 6 Common Terns were seen passing Corbiere. In St Ouen's Bay were 113 Sandwich Terns, 55 Great Black-backed Gulls, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 Common Sandpipers, 5 Turnstones and 13 Redshanks, and at Petit Port were 35 Mediterranean Gulls. In the Sandpits at La Braye were 15 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Common Sandpipers. A Snipe was on the Scrape . 4 Sandwich Terns were at St Aubin where a Yellow Wagtail flew over. At Les Sente des Fonds in Grouville were 150 Herring Gulls , 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 9 Great Black-backed Gulls and 4 Cattle Egrets . At Crabbe, on the North coast were 19 Ravens , a Peregrine , 2 Swallows , 2 Stonechats and a Buzzard . Evening update: On Les Landes this evening were 22 White Wagtails plus a possible Pied Wagtail , 12 Wheatears , 5 Stonechats , 8 Meadow Pipits , 4 Dartford Warblers , 3 Marsh Harriers, and a Kestrel . 2 Wheatears were by St Ouen's Pond and another Wheatear was at Beauport. Yesterday evening, at Petit Port, were 2 Caspian Gulls , 3 Yellow-legged Gulls , 68 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Common Gull , 87 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Sandwich Terns , 34 Curlews , 2 Whimbrels and 3 Turnstones .
by Michael Dryden 8 September 2026
08.09.2026 A great image of a Swallow at rest, taken by Romano at La Rocque. RDC A morning of continual rain, in various amounts, with a fresh southerly wind, clearing to fair this afternoon and winds increasing to F5/6 Despite the rain there was a good amount of seabird passage past Noirmont this morning. A variety of species included 2 Spoonbills , a Sooty Shearwater , 81 Balearic Shearwaters , 8 Manx Shearwaters , 4 Common Scoters , an Arctic Skua , 112 Gannets , 174 Sandwich Terns , 18 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 13 Swallows . A Hoopoe was in a garden in St Clement this afternoon, but flew off. At La Mielle de Morville in St Ouen's Bay were 120 Goldfinches , 40 Swallows , 3 Stonechats and 2 Willow Warblers , while 2 Wheatears were at St Ouen's Pond and a Green Sandpiper was on the Scrape. Another 2 Wheatears were on the seawall by Grouville Common. At Grands Vaux reservoir were 2 Teal , a Green Sandpiper and 3 Common Sandpipers . In far better conditions yesterday evening around St Ouen's Pond were 2 Reed Warblers , a Green Sandpiper , a Snipe , 6 Shovelers , 3 Teal and 130 Swallows plus 25 Sand Martins came in to roost there at Dusk. On Mont Matthieu was a Barn Owl , with another Barn Owl at Handois and a third in Vallee des Vaux.
by Michael Dryden 7 September 2026
07.09.2026 A juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull in St Ouen's Bay, ringed near Oslo, Norway, in June Image. RDC. An overcast start to the day, with some hill fog and drizzle, clearing to a fine and warm afternoon, in a westerly wind. In the murk of this morning, seabirds passing Corbiere included an excellent 2,074 Balearic Shearwaters , 8 Manx Shearwaters , 2 Common Scoters , 4 Arctic Skuas, 405 Sandwich Terns , 31 Common Terns , 18 Black-headed Gulls , 29 Mediterranean Gulls , 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Greenshank , with a Grey Seal there too. In Petit Port Bay this afternoon were 3 Caspian Gulls , 5 Yellow-legged Gulls , 36 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 61 Great Black-backed Gulls , 57 Mediterranean Gulls , a Common Tern , 145 Sandwich Terns and a Common Sandpiper . At St Ouen's Pond this morning were 7 Grey Herons , 2 Teal , a Little Grebe , a Common Sandpiper , 50 Swallows , 30 Starlings , a Yellow Wagtail and an overflying Redshank . In the Sandpits were 4 Grey Herons , 16 Little Grebes , 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Common Sandpipers . In St Ouen's Bay, near to Sands, were 112 Great Black-backed Gulls , 25 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 59 Sandwich Terns , 129 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Mediterranean Gulls . Later morning, as the skies cleared, 167 Swallows , 16 House Martins , 5 Sand Martins , a Yellow Wagtail , a Grey Heron , a Marsh Harrier and on the ground, a Whinchat , a Wheatear , and several Dartford Warblers . At Grands Vaux this afternoon were 3 Teal , a Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpipers .
by Michael Dryden 6 September 2026
06.09.2026 Two juvenile Mute Swans over Noirmont this morning MD A fair start, then showers as a front moved north, becoming fair again and very warm at 28c in a south-southeast wind. A different selection of species was on offer today as time moves on. Seen at Noirmont were 2 juvenile Mute Swans arriving high from the East, 4 Pintails , a flock of 16 high flying Herons , a Snipe , 108 Yellow Wagtails , 4 White Wagtails , 52 House Martins , 42 Swallows , a Whinchat , 3 Wheatears , a Stonechat , 2 Willow Warblers , 6 Dartford Warblers, 2 Blackcaps , 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Peregrine , 2 Kestrels , a Sparrowhawk , 2 juvenile Marsh Harriers , 3 Buzzards , 2 Ravens , 3 Jackdaws and offshore, 13 Sandwich Terns , 4 Mediterranean Gulls and 17 Gannets . At Beauport this evening were 3 Swifts . With widescale reports of large numbers of Purple Herons moving over the low countries, this morning's flock off Noirmont, another V of 19 Herons over St Catherine's and a single bird over Samares today, may well have involved some Purple Herons amongst them, but too far away to be sure. A wide list from St Ouen's Pond this morning, included 70 Swallows , 3 Sand Martins , 3 Willow Warblers , 3 Blackcaps , 8 Chiffchaffs , a Firecrest , 4 Water Rails , 2 Grey Herons , a Snipe , 5 Green Sandpipers , 4 Common Sandpipers , 6 Shovelers , 8 Teal , 2 Kestrels , a Whinchat , a Wheatear and a Cattle Egret . Another 3 Cattle Egrets flew over St Helier, also 37 House Martins and a Sparrowhawk . In St Ouen's Bay were a Juvenile Caspian Gull , a Yellow-legged Gull, 19 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 22 Great Black-backed Gulls . 54 Sandwich Terns were at Le Port this evening. At Trinity Manor this morning was a Barn Owl and at Grands Vaux this afternoon were 2 Green Sandpipers , 4 Common Sandpipers , 3 Teal , a Kingfisher and a Grey Heron . A Bullfinch was in song at Samares this morning.
by Michael Dryden 5 September 2026
05.09.2026 Wrynecks have been very scarce so far this Autumn, so this beauty was very welcome at St Ouen's Pond this morning. Image courtesy of David Buxton. A fine and clear day, becoming warm this afternoon in moderate north-westerly winds. On the north side of St Ouen's Pond from Dawn this morning were the Wryneck , 15 Reed Warblers , 20 Sedge Warblers , 8 Willow Warblers , 8 Chiffchaffs , 6 Blackcaps , 8 Yellow Wagtails , 2 Water Rails , 6 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Sandpipers , 6 Shovelers , and a Grey Heron . A possible Caspian Gull was on the Pond, also 2 Little Grebes , a Common Sandpiper , and overhead, 30 Swallows , 15 House Martin s, 2 Sand Martins and 2 Choughs . Feeding in the backfields there later, were 100+ Swallows and 10 Chaffinches . At the Scrape were a Whinchat , a Wheatear , a family of 4 Stonechats , 7 Linnets , 5 Stock Doves and 2 Meadow Pipits . On Mont Matthieu were a Whinchat and a Willow Warbler . Some signs of visible migration via Noirmont this morning included 404 Swallows , 40 Sand Martins , 6 House Martins , 6 Yellow Wagtails, 3 White Wagtails , a Meadow Pipit , and passing through were 35 Wheatears , 4 Whitethroats and a Swallowtail butterfly. Offshore passage involved 447 Sandwich Terns , 18 Mediterranean Gulls , 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 10 Balearic Shearwaters , 2 Manx Shearwaters and 45 Gannets . Local birds at Noirmont included a Marsh Harrier , a Sparrowhawk , 7 Buzzards and 5 Dartford Warblers . On Beauport Common were 5 Wheatears and 2 Stonechats . At Les Landes were 2 Wheatears , 150 Linnets , 45 Swallows and 8 Stonechats . At Grands Vaux reservoir were 3 Green Sandpipers , 6 Common Sandpipers and a Teal , with another Wheatear seen at Augres, Trinity.
by Michael Dryden 4 September 2026
04.09.2026 Among the many gulls with colour-rings on at the moment, is this locally ringed Herring Gull , in St Ouen's Bay. It was ringed as a nestling at Noirmont in 1998 by the late Bob Burrow. Although the plastic ring is now delaminated, the metal one is faring well. 28 years old ! Thanks to Romano for the picture, probably the last survivor of Bob's birds. An overcast to cloudy day in a fresh to strong south-southwest wind, still very mild at 22c. Although very little visible migration was taking place at Noirmont today, seabirds were passing there in good numbers. Seen through this morning were 4 Arctic Skuas, 288 Balearic Shearwaters , 7 Manx Shearwaters, 84 Gannets , 44 Sandwich Terns, a Mediterranean Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 10 Great Black-backed Gulls . 5 Swallows , a Wheatear and 3 Robins were also seen. In St Ouen's Bay were 2 juvenile Caspian Gulls, a Yellow-legged Gull , 155 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 130 Great Black-backed Gulls , 25 Mediterranean Gulls and 60 Sandwich Terns . On St Ouen's Pond were a Little Grebe and a Common Sandpiper and roosting infields behind the Pond were 105 Great Black-backed Gulls . On the Scrape, which is rapidly drying out again, were 13 Stock Doves, a Stonechat and 8 Swallows flying overhead. At Petit Port were 34 Curlews , a Whimbrel , 3 Common Sandpipers , 20 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Sandwich Tern s, 39 Great Black-backe d Gulls , a Yellow-legged Gull , 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Grey Seal . In St Aubin's Bay, 150+ Oystercatchers , a Grey Heron and 16 Curlews were at Elizabeth Castle, a Little Egret was in La Collette Marina and a Gannet was fishing in the Bay. A Jay , scarce of late, was seen on Mont Millais. Seen from Seymour, in Grouville Bay, were 19 Sanderlings , 4 Dunlin , 6 Turnstones , 17 Ringed Plovers , 2 Sandwich Terns , and a Peregrine chasing the waders, while at Grouville Marsh were 4 Cattle Egrets and a Raven . At La Sente were 22 Grey Herons and at Grands Vaux reservoir, also low on water now, were 3 Green Sandpipers , 4 Common Sandpipers and 2 Teal .
by Michael Dryden 3 September 2026
03.09.2026 Another colour-ringed bird, this time Mediterranean Gull white 3FJ8, one of our regular wintering birds at Petit Port. MD An overcast but dry day in a fresh west-southwest wind. A bumper day for seabirds, passing Corbiere, included 342 Balearic Shearwaters , 12 Manx Shearwaters , 205 Gannets , 3 Fulmars , 515 Sandwich Terns , 53 Mediterranean Gulls , 140 Lesser Blackbacked Gulls , 120 Great Black-backed Gulls , 13 Black-headed Gulls , 20 Shag , 10 Cormorants , 145 Herring Gulls , also 2 Turnstones , a Peregrine , 4 Wheatears and 7 Swallows . In Petit Port Bay were 103 Sandwich Terns , 26 Curlews , 55 Mediterranean Gulls , a Common Sandpiper and a Turnstone . At St Ouen's Pond were a Hobby chasing dragonflies, 6 Teal , 2 Shovelers , a Green Sandpiper , 6 Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear . In St Ouen's Bay were 6 Caspian Gulls , 12 Yellow-legged Gulls , 288 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 117 Great Black-backed Gulls , 67 Mediterranean Gulls , a Common Sandpiper , and 32 Sandwich Terns . Near La Tour Carre were 14 Ringed Plovers , with a Wheatear seen at Le Pulec. At Grouville Marsh from Dawn were 4 Cattle Egrets , a Common Gull, 12 Willow Warblers , 10 Chiffchaffs , 5 Blackcaps and 2 Reed Warblers . At Grands Vaux reservoir were 2 Green Sandpipers , and 5 Common Sandpipers . At St Aubin were 13 Redshanks and 5 Little Egrets and on Mont Millais were 7 Swallows and 10 Long-tailed Tits .
More posts