This is a subtitle for your new post

16.02.2025  Wigeon over St Ouen's Pond today   MD


A better day with good amounts of sunshine, but still cold at a maximum 6c in an easterly wind.


At St Ouen's Pond this morning were 289 Brent Geese, 15 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 5 Pochard, a Tufted Duck, 3 Shovelers, 3 Grey Herons, 12 Snipe, 67 Lapwings, 14 Mediterranean Gulls, 6 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 40 Starlings.


Seen passing Corbiere first thing were a Red-throated Diver, a single Brent Goose, 8 Razorbills, 70 Gannets, 11 Fulmars, 16 Cormorants, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Kittiwakes, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 48 Curlews, with 25 Purple Sandpipers roosting there.  In Petit Port Bay were 37 Curlews, 12 Turnstones, 32 Mediterranean Gulls and 6 Little Egrets.


At Crabbe were a male and  a ring-tailed Hen Harrier, also a Merlin.


Counts for La Sente this morning included c500 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 86 Redshanks, 5 Greenshanks, 11 Grey Herons, 17 Little Egrets, a Cattle Egret and 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls  while at Grouville Marsh was a Mistle Thrush.  Among waders at  La Rocque were 120 Dunlin, 340 Sanderlings, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, a Common Gull and a Black Redstart.


In Beaumont Marsh were 400 Brent Geese, 3 Shovelers, a Peregrine and a Water Rail,  while at St Aubin were 32 Redshanks, 9 Turnstones and 9 adult pale-bellied Brent Geese.


A gathering of birds in Rue de la Garenne in Trinity involved a Grey Heron, a Buzzard, 2 Ravens, several Redwings, 6 Long-tailed Tits and a selection of finches including Chaffinches, Goldfinches and Greenfinches. At Cowley Farm were 2 Cattle Egrets.


Garden birds in Vallee des Vaux included 4 Bullfinches, 2 Firecrests, 2 Blackcaps also 52 Redwings, 2 Ravens and 5 Woodcock at Dusk.


Yesterday, in Rue de la Croiserie were 74 Redwings and 4 Song Thrushes.


Below: A mass arrival of Brent Geese at St Ouen's Pond, spot the only juvenile !   MD

by Michael Dryden • 29 September 2026
29.09.2026 A Whinchat at Noirmont this week Image: MD A day of high cloud in a strong southeast wind, becoming warm at 23c A Red Kite was seen in flight, being mobbed by Crows , at Beauport this afternoon. At or passing Noirmont in this morning's blustery conditions,were 4 Hobbies , a Peregrine , 4 Wheatears , 2 Skylarks , 2 Song Thrushes , 6 Yellow Wagtails , 5 alba Wagtails , 462 Meadow Pipits , 4 Swallows , 6 House Martins , 2 Ringed Plovers , a Grey Heron , 2 Cormorants , 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 2 Blackcaps , 45 Linnets , 5 Greenfinches , 3 Chaffinches , 6 Great Tits , 3 Blue Tits , a Sparrowhawk , 4 Buzzards , 2 Choughs and 3 Ravens . At La Rocque later this morning were 112 Oystercatchers , 4 Ringed Plovers , a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Seymour and in Grouville Bay were a Great Crested Grebe , 16 Brent Geese , 250 Black-headed Gulls , 5 Sandwich Terns , 16 Curlews , 65 Sanderlings , 21 Ringed Plovers , 3 Grey Plovers, a Greenshank and a Grey Seal. 10 Grey Herons were at La Sente and 5 Blackcaps visited a garden in St Clement. 6 Brent Geese were in St Aubin's Bay, near First Tower, this morning. Seen flying over Grantez this morning were 45 Swallows. Elsewhere, a Grey Wagtail and a Swallow were in Vallee des Vaux, another Grey Wagtail was in the Parade in St Helier and 2 Common Sandpipers were at Grands Vaux. A round up of birds around St Ouen's Pond, yesterday evening included 100 Meadow Pipits moving South, also 18 Swallows , 10 alba Wagtails , 2 Yellow Wagtails , roosting in the reed bed, a Stonechat , 14 Teal , 12 Shovelers and 3 Water Rails . Below : The full Moon two days ago, as viewed from Noirmont.
by Michael Dryden • 28 September 2026
28.09.2026 Wheatear at Noirmont MD A warm front to the East of the Island brought morning-long rain th the Cotentin, but left Jersey dry through the day. Wins were moderate from the northeast. Cattle Egrets are back on the Island in numbers, with 17 at St John's Manor, 25 at La Sente, 12 at Rue du Parcq and 4 at Mont a l'Abbe. Also at La Sente were 27 Little Egrets , 20 Grey Herons , 49 Black-headed Gulls , 25 Wood Pigeons , 6 Chiffchaffs , 20+ Meadow Pipits , 2 Ravens , a Robin and a Buzzard . At or passing over Noirmont through this morning were 131 Swallows , a House Martin , 119 Meadow Pipits, a Yellow Wagtail , 2 alba Wagtails , 49 Linnets , 12 Chaffinches , 4 Wheatears , 2 Stonechats , 5 Robins , a Chiffchaff , 5 Dartford Warblers, 3 Grey Herons , a Little Egret , a Marsh Harrier , 3 Buzzards and 3 Ravens , also a Clouded Yellow butterfly, while offshore were 70 Balearic Shearwaters , 6 Manx Shearwaters , 2 Gannets , 14 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Sandwich Tern . At St Ouen's Pond this morning were a Grey Heron , a Marsh Harrier , 3 Pochard , 6 Tufted Ducks , 5 Shovelers , 3 Teal and a Little Grebe , also 30 Ringed Plovers were at Sands. On Beauport Common were 3 Stonechats , 3 Dartford Warblers , 3 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap and an overflying Skylark .
by Michael Dryden • 27 September 2026
27.09.2026 Sandwich Tern by John Ovenden. A fair but wind start to the day, with rain arriving through the morning, drying up later this afternoon, in a gusty southerly wind. Passing Noirmont offshore, were 242 Balearic Shearwaters , 23 Manx Shearwaters , a Sooty Shearwater , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls , 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 28 Great Black-backed Gulls , and 3 Gannets . It was too windy for most visible migrants there, with 98 Swallows , 16 House Martins , a Sand Martin , 3 Yellow Wagtails , 2 Grey Wagtails , an alba Wagtail , 221 Meadow Pipits , and a Chaffinch , while on the ground there, were 6 Wheatears , 2 Stonechats and 2 Chiffchaffs , plus 3 Ravens and 2 Choughs . Passing Corbiere were 103 Balearic Shearwaters , 3 Manx Shearwaters , 85 Mediterranean Gulls , 70 Black-headed Gulls, 19 Turnstones and, at Petit Port were 108 Mediterranean Gulls and a Common Sandpiper . At Grouville Marsh from Dawn were 30 Swallows and 90 Jackdaws out of a roost, 5 Water Rails , 2 Teal , a Sedge Warbler , a Whitethroat , 15 Blackcaps , 20 Chiffchaffs , a Firecrest , 12 Cetti's Warblers , 3 Sparrowhawks , 2 Kestrels , 6 Buzzards including one pale-phased bird, 38 Ravens and flying over, a Grey Wagtail and 40 Meadow Pipits . On Grands Vaux reservoir were a Grey Wagtail , a Common Sandpiper and a Tufted Duck . In St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were 2 first winter Caspian Gulls , 4 Yellow-legged Gulls , 49 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 88 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Sandwich Terns , 63 Mediterranean Gulls , 90 Black-headed Gulls and 12 Ringed Plovers . At La Rocque were a Knot , 27 Turnstones , 19 Grey Plovers , 5 Redshanks , 2 Bar-tailed Godwits , 2 Sanderlings , 3 Dunlin and 205 Oystercatchers . Below : Thanks to Jo Bramley for her video of today's Knot at La Rocque
by Michael Dryden • 26 September 2026
26.09.2026 A nice image of a Whinchat , taken by Tony Paintin at Beauport . TP High cloud was the order of the day, becoming warm (22c) in a light northerly wind. It was a gentle day at Noirmont, with a good list of species by the end of the morning. This included a Wheatear , 2 Whinchats , 7 Stonechats , 8+ Robins , 2 Whitethroats , 6 Chiffchaffs , 2 Jays , 41 Crows and 5 Ravens on the ground, while visible migrants overhead included a Skylark , 262 Swallows , 6 House Martins , 13 alba Wagtails , 286 Meadow Pipits , 56 Linnets , a Greenfinch , 11 Chaffinches and 7 Goldfinches . Offshore were a Grey Heron , 3 Balearic Shearwaters , 20 Gannets , 30 Black-headed Gulls , 3 Mediterranean Gulls , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 4 Sandwich Terns , with a Marsh Harrier , a Sparrowhawk , 7 Buzzards , a Kestrel and 2 Clouded Yellow butterflies also seen. On Beauport Common were 2 Stonechats , a Whinchat , 40+ Linnets and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, also 10 House Martins in flight. Seen in St Ouen's Bay through the day were 2 Yellow-legged Gulls , a Caspian Gull , 59 Great Black-backed Gulls , 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 273 Black-headed Gulls, 97 Mediterranean Gulls , and 16 Sandwich Terns . At Petit Port were 274 Oystercatchers, 31 Curlews and a Common Sandpiper . A flock of 50 Linnets flew over a garden at St Ouen. On the East of the Island, at Grouville Marsh, were 9 Cattle Egrets , at Grands Vaux reservoir were 7 Teal , a Common Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail while on Queen's Valley reservoir were 2 Teal , a Grey Heron , 15 Tufted Ducks and a Kingfisher . An extra for yesterday, was a flock of 5 Turnstones at St Aubin.
by Michael Dryden • 25 September 2026
25.09.2026 Today's Short-eared Owl over Noirmont MD Hill fog spoiled the visibility this morning, slowly clearing to fair by the afternoon, winds moving to the north-west. Fog delayed today's visible migration until late morning. Seen around the north side of St Ouen's Pond from Dawn were 300 Swallows , 4 Sand Martins , 30 Goldfinches , 15 Linnets , 25 Meadow Pipits , 2 Sedge Warblers , 2 Reed Warblers , a Willow Warbler , 12 Chiffchaffs , 15 Cetti's Warblers , 3 Water Rails , 2 Stonechats , a Wheatear , 3 Teal , 6 Shovelers , 2 Grey Herons , a pale-phased Buzzard , 8 Marsh Harriers and a Sparrowhawk , while passing overhead there were 8 Yellow Wagtails , 5 alba Wagtails and 5 Snipe . On Mont Matthieu were a Tree Pipit , 70 Meadow Pipit s, 80 Linnets and 2 Marsh Harriers . In St Ouen's Bay were 24 Ringed Plovers , 347 Great Black-backed Gulls , 125 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , c 350 Black-headed Gulls , 12 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Sandwich Terns . A Barn Owl was seen at St John's Maor. Seen at Noirmont were a Short-eared Owl, a Snipe , 2 Whinchats , 2 Wheatears , 4 Stonechats , 4 Robins , a party of birds which included 21 Long-tailed Tits , 10 Blue Tits , 3 Great Tits and 2 Chiffchaffs , also 4 Dartford Warblers , a Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard . Flying over as conditions improved were 70 Swallows , a House Martin , 153 Meadow Pipits , an alba Wagtail and 2 Goldfinches , while offshore were a Great Skua , 19 Gannets , 21 Great Black-backed Gulls , 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 12 Black-headed Gulls and 14 Sandwich Terns . At Beauport were 3 Stonechats , a Whinchat , a Common Redstart , 2 Yellow Wagtails and a passage of Swallows passing over post 11:00. At St Aubin's Harbour were 14 Redshanks and 2 Little Egrets , while at St Aubin's Fort were 2 Grey Herons , 2 Little Egrets , 6 Linnets , 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Sandwich Tern . At Seymour Slip on the rising tide were 2 Bar-tailed Godwits , a Curlew and 13 Little Egrets .  Evening update: At Petit Port were 2 Common Sandpipers and in St Helier Marina were a Kingfisher and another Common Sandpiper .
by Michael Dryden • 24 September 2026
24.09.2026 Yellow Wagtail at Noirmont this morning MD A mainly fine day, becoming warm at 23c in a south-east wind. Pick of the migrants seen at Noirmont this morning was a fine male Ring Ouzel , the first of this Autumn. Others seen there included 535+ Swallows ( with passage continuing strongly after the end of the count), 5 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins, a Skylark, 3 alba Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 561 Meadow Pipits , 91 Linnets , 6 Greenfinches , a Chaffinch , a Goldfinch , a Willow Warbler , 4 Chiffchaffs , 4 Wheatears , 5 Robins , 5 Stonechats , 3 Grey Herons and offshore, 82 Balearic Shearwaters , 23 Gannets , 30 Sandwich Terns , 11 Mediterranean Gulls , 13 Black-headed Gulls and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Also seen were 6 Dartford Warblers , a Marsh Harrier , a pale-phased Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk . 22 Brent Geese were in St Aubin's Bay and an earlier report of 20 Brent Geese was from Les Pres in Grouville last Sunday. In St Ouen's Bay today were 3 Yellow-legged Gulls , 55 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 211 Great Black-backed Gulls , 44 Mediterranean Gulls , 384 Black - headed Gulls and 11 Sandwich Terns . On Beauport Common this morning were 40+ Linnets , 3 Stonechats , a Whinchat , 2 Blackcaps , a Yellow Wagtail and 4 Dartford Warblers . A Caspian Gull was at Petit Port this afternoon and at St Aubin were 16 Redshanks and a Turnstone . On Queen's Valley reservoir were a Kingfisher , a Grey Wagtail and a Cetti's Warbler and in or over Vallee des Vaux were 56 Swallows and 6 Meadow Pipits . Yesterday evening, a trip to Les Ecrehous saw 6 Grey Herons , 8 Little Egrets , c100 Oystercatchers , 57 Turnstones , 30 Grey Plovers , 33 Ringed Plovers , a Wheatear , a Chiffchaff , a Whitethroat , a Wren and 10 Swallows flying at sea after sunset. A Barn Owl was on Rozel Hill. Also yesterday evening, there was a steady stream of Swallows moving over Grantez, with c 700 an hour counted there late in the day.
by Michael Dryden • 23 September 2026
23.09.2026 Willow Warbler at Noirmont this morning MD Another fine day with some high cloud and warm at 22c in a light west-northwest. The first Brent Geese of the Autumn were seen this morning with a single in Grouville Bay and a flock of 8 passing Noirmont. Good passage at Noirmont this morning also included a juvenile Hen Harrier , 2,314 Swallows , 123 House Martins , a Yellow Wagtail , 3 Tree Pipits , 131 Meadow Pipits , 123 Linnets , 2 Goldfinches , 4 Greenfinches , while offshore were 336 Balearic Shearwaters , 2 Common Scoters , 5 Grey Herons , 35 Sandwich Terns , a Mediterranean Gull, 5 Black-headed Gulls, 26 Gannets and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. On the ground there, were 6 Robins, a Stonechat, a Willow Warbler , a Blackcap , 3 Dartford Warblers , and 2 Chiffchaffs . Local birds there included 6 Buzzards , 2 Marsh Harriers, a Sparrowhawk , 2 Kestrels and 2 Ravens . At Beauport were 40+ Linnets , 2 Whinchats , 4 Stonechats and 3 Yellow Wagtails . A Grey Wagtail was in Winston Churchill Park in St Brelade. Seen at St Ouen's Pond this morning were 2 Reed Warblers, a Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcaps, 10 Chiffchaffs, 15 Cetti's Warblers, a Firecrest, 3 Wheatears, 4 Water Rails, a Snipe, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Teal , 3 Little Grebes , a Peregrine , 6 Marsh Harriers and, flying over, 2 Grey Wagtails , a Yellow Wagtail , 6 Chaffinches , 25 Meadow Pipits and 10 Swallows . 18 Sandwich Terns were near to Sands. A stream of Swallows was passing over Mont Matthieu this morning, also 10 House Martins and 2 Yellow Wagtails . Later today, at Petit Port, were a juvenile Caspian Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls , 46 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 47 Sandwich Terns , 23 Mediterranean Gulls , 21 Curlews and a Common Sandpiper . At Grands Vaux reservoir were 2 Teal , 8 Swallows and 6 Meadow Pipits . Swallows were also passing over St Helier in good numbers, with 200 seen in 40 minutes. Early on in the day, a Barn Owl was at the top of Mont Matthieu.
by Romano da Costa • 22 September 2026
22.09.2026 One of the recent Bar-tailed Godwit in Grouville Bay, thanks to Mike Holt for the photo. Passing Noirmont this morning were 10 Grey Heron , 18 Raven , 20 Swallow , 3 House Martin , 9 Meadow Pipit , 6 Chaffinch , 54 Linnet , a Skylark , a Yellow Wagtail , a Whinchat , 2 Wheatear , 2 Chiffchaff and the resident 6 Dartford Warbler . Roosting at Petit Port were 98 Sandwich Tern , 31 Mediterranean Gull , 11 Great Black-backed Gull and 26 Curlew . Seen at Grouville Marsh were 40 Blackcap , 35 Chiffchaff , 10 Cetti's Warbler , 15 Robin , 3 Bullfinch , a Song Thrush , 2 Water Rail , 3 Cattle Egret , 2 Grey Wagtail , a Sparrowhawk and 2 Marsh Harrier while at Grands Vaux were a Kingfisher and a Common Sandpiper . In La Blinerie were a Grasshopper Warbler , 2 Cetti's Warbler , 4 Chiffchaff , 3 Reed Warbler , 2 Stonechat , 2 Water Rail and 3 Jay . A White Wagtail was seen in Garden Lane and a Little Egret was in the old Harbour.
by Romano da Costa • 21 September 2026
21.09.2026 A second year Caspian Gull taking flight from St Ouen's Bay RdC Seen at Noirmont this morning were 105 Swallow , 62 Meadow Pipit , a Tree Pipit , 53 Linnet , 11 Chaffinch , a Skylark , 2 Yellow Wagtail , 5 Wheatear , 2 Stonechat , a Peregrine and 2 Buzzard . A Wheatear was at Beauport. Around St Ouen's Pond were 135 Swallow , 2 Sand Martin , a House Martin , 4 Reed Warbler , a Whitethroat , 3 Blackcap , 6 Chiffchaff , a Willow Warbler , 15 Cetti's Warbler , 2 Stonechat , 5 Water Rail , 2 Grey Heron , a Snipe , a pale Buzzard , 5 Shoveler , 6 Teal , a Little Grebe , 30 Goldfinch , 2 Chough , 3 Jackdaw , 8 Yellow Wagtail , a Grey Wagtail , 6 Chaffinch , 5 Linnet , 3 Skylark and 70 Meadow Pipit . In St Ouen's Bay this evening were 2 Yellow-legged Gull , 28 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 116 Great Black-backed Gull , 56 Mediterranean Gull , 64 Black-headed Gull , 26 Sandwich Tern , 7 Ringed Plover and 2 Sanderling . Up at Les Landes were 10 Stonechat and 2 Wheatear. At La Rocque were 32 Sandwich Tern , 7 Grey Plover , 5 Redshank , 6 Greenshank , 10 Turnstone , 124 Oystercatcher , 6 Little Egret , 100 Swallow and 40 House Martin while at Seymour were 4 Bar-tailed Godwit , a Redshank , a Mediterranean Gull and 67 Black-headed Gull . 3 Wheatear were at La Hocq. A Kingfisher was at Queen's Valley, 11 Cattle Egret were at Cowley Farm and up at Les Platons were 26 Raven and a Dartford Warbler.
by Romano da Costa • 20 September 2026
20.09.2026 This juvenile Yellow-legged Gull , seen in St Ouen's Bay in early August was ringed as a chick in the Camargue in May RdC Passing Corbiere this morning were an Arctic Skua , 482 Balearic Shearwater , 2 Manx Shearwater , 2 Guillemot , 220 Sandwich Tern , 55 Mediterranean Gull , 70 Black-headed Gull and 30 Gannet while roosting at Petit Port were a Yellow-legged Gull , 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 28 Great Black-backed Gull , 9 Mediterranean Gull , 19 Sandwich Tern and 35 Curlew . In St Ouen's Bay were a Yellow-legged Gull , 38 Great Black-backed Gull , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 28 Mediterranean Gull , 17 Sandwich Tern and 9 Ringed Plover . At Noirmont were 6 Swallow , 2 Meadow Pipit , 2 Dartford Warbler , 5 Stonechat and offshore, 27 Balearic Shearwater , a Sandwich Tern and 6 Gannet . Seen at La Rocque were 4 Greenshank , 4 Redshank , 200 Oystercatcher , 11 Turnstone , 17 Little Egret , 12 Sandwich Tern and 9 Swallow . At Grands Vaux were 3 Teal and at Farmers Cricket field were a Yellow Wagtail and 13 White Wagtail . Up at Sorel were a Wheatear , 45 Meadow Pipit , 2 Stonechat , 20 Linnet , a Swallow , a Peregrine and 2 Raven with another 26 Raven at Les Platons.
More posts