17.08.2024  Not having been seen for two days now, the visiting Red-backed Shrike at Noirmont is now presumed to have left the Island, so a final chance for a picture of it on here. Saving the best for last, thanks to Romano for this fine image.    RdC


A fair day in a moderate west-northwest wind.


There was some good early movement past Corbiere this morning which included 48 Manx Shearwaters, 56 Balearic Shearwaters, a Guillemot, 12 Fulmars, 122 Gannets, 22 Cormorants, 24 Shags, 163 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 65 Great Black-backed Gulls, 32 Mediterranean Gulls, 14 Black-headed Gulls, 15 Sandwich Terns, a White Wagtail and 8 Swallows. A Willow Warbler was on the ground there and 2 Ravens were overhead. Seen from a boat offshore to the south of Corbiere were 1000+ Balearic Shearwaters and 200 Manx Shearwaters.


At Noirmont this morning were 6 Wheatears, a Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers and 15 Swallows, while at Beauport were a Stonechat and a Willow Warbler and at Gorselands, a Peregrine and 4 Choughs.  2 Wheatears were at Grosnez.


Around a quiet St Ouen's Pond were 8 Sedge Warblers, 5 Willow Warblers, 15 Reed Warblers, some with young still being fed, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 25 Swallows, 15 House Martins, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harriers, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper and 3 Grey Herons. On Mont Matthieu were a family of 4 Little Grebes and 50 Linnets.


A check of Grouville Marsh found 6 Reed Warblers, 5 Willow Warblers and a Kingfisher.


At Petit Port this evening were a Caspian Gull, 41 Mediterranean Gulls, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 34 Curlews. In St Ouen's Bay were 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and 60 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and a Peregrine flew over the Watersplash. One Swift was still at Elizabeth Castle and a Kingfisher was by the fuel berth at La Collette. 2 Sandwich Terns were seen at St Catherine's and 2 Buzzards plus a Kestrel were at Anneport.

by Romano da Costa 1 March 2026
01.03.2026 A Little Egret performing a fly past recently MD Seen around St Ouen's Pond this morning were the long-staying White-fronted Goose , 41 Shoveler , 14 Teal , 5 Tufted Duck , a Pochard , 3 Lapwing , 2 Snipe and 55 Brent Geese while at Petit Port were 42 Turnstone , 12 Grey Plover , a Purple Sandpiper , 13 Curlew and a Red-breasted Merganser . At Le Pulec were a pair of Shelduck and 9 Little Egret . 4 Cattle Egret were seen near St Ouen's Village and on the Airport football pitch were 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 4 Mediterranean Gull . At Beaumont Marsh were 400 Brent Geese , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 3 Little Egret , 18 Pied Wagtail , 60 Meadow Pipit and 3 Chough while 25 Redshank and 4 Turnstone were at St Aubins. Out east at La Sente were 2 Shelduck , 2 Shoveler , the Wigeon , 24 Cattle Egret , 2 Grey Heron , 110 Black-headed Gull , 2 Mediterranean Gull , 2 Common Gull , 67 Redshank and 7 Greenshank . Great Crested Grebe numbers are up to 16 in St Catherine's Bay. In Trinity Orchard were 2 Redwing , 4 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest , 2 more Redwing and 2 Firecrest were at Handois, 6 Woodcock were in Vallee des Vaux and at Grands Vaux were 6 Chiffchaff .
by Romano da Costa 28 February 2026
28.02.2026 An adult and juvenile Brent Geese , taking off from St Ouen's Pond MD Seen at St Ouen's Pond this morning were 140 Brent Geese , 23 Shoveler , 3 Pochard and 3 Snipe . Roosting at Petit Port were 3 Purple Sandpiper , 12 Curlew , 18 Turnstone , 8 Grey Plover and 4 Brent Geese and up at Gorselands were 4 Dartford Warbler . At La Sente were 5 Greenshank , 55 Redshank , 2 Shelduck , 2 Shoveler , a Wigeon , 24 Cattle Egret , 18 Little Egret , 104 Black-headed Gull , 3 Mediterranean Gull , 36 Pied Wagtail , a White Wagtail and a Cetti's Warbler while at La Rocque this evening were a Knot , 460 Dunlin , 45 Sanderling , 144 Grey Plover , 19 Ringed Plover , 2 Greenshank , 19 Redshank , 6 Curlew and a Great Northern Diver . Beaumont Marsh held 150 Brent Geese and 2 Little Egret . In St Catherine's Bay were 2 Common Gull , 2 Mediterranean Gull , 80 Black-headed Gull and 5 Brent Geese while in the nearby woods were 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker , a Firecrest , 3 Moorhen and a Buzzard . 6 Fulmar and a Dartford Warbler were near Bouley Bay. At Queen's Valley were 3 Redwing , 2 Siskin , 5 Firecrest , a Goldcrest , 10 Chiffchaff , a Blackcap , 9 Tufted Duck , 90 Black-headed Gull and a Grey Wagtail while 6 Chiffchaff were at Grands Vaux Reservoir. In Vallee des Vaux were 2 Siskin , 2 Blackcap , a Firecrest , a Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff .
by Romano da Costa 27 February 2026
27.02.2026 A recent Goldcrest at Pont Marquet, taken by Mick. Passing Corbiere this morning were a Red-throated Diver , 12 Razorbill , 6 Guillemot , 5 Gannet , 31 Shag , 2 Cormorant , 2 Brent Geese , 58 Great Black-backed Gull , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull , a Mediterranean Gull and 7 Purple Sandpiper while nearby in Petit Port were 2 Shelduck , 14 Brent Geese , 5 Purple Sandpiper , 36 Turnstone , 13 Grey Plover and 7 Curlew . Seen at St Ouens Pond were 20 Shoveler , 4 Tufted Duck , 3 Pochard , 4 Lapwing , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 84 Stock Dove and a Stonechat while on the Scrape were 180 Brent Geese , 2 Shelduck , 5 Wigeon , 21 Teal and a Chiffchaff . At La Sente were 2 Shelduck , 2 Shoveler , the female Wigeon , 66 Cattle Egret , 8 Little Egret , 41 Redshank , a Snipe , 15 Black-headed Gull , a Common Gull , 19 Pied Wagtail and 4 Redwing while the Kingfisher was again at Queens Valley. 21 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were in St Brelades Bay with another 29 at St Aubins. Beaumont Marsh held 330 Brent Geese , 4 Little Egret , a Curlew , 9 Pied Wagtail and Grey Wagtail , 17 Cattle Egret were at Cowley Farm and 8 Great Crested Grebe were at St Catherine's. 75 Chaffinch , 30 Linnet , 40 Stock Dove and 2 Raven were along Rue des Ifs, 17 Fieldfare , 3 Redwing , a Firecrest and a singing Chiffchaff were on Rue du Moulin de Bas, 2 Redwing , 4 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest were in the Jersey Cider Orchard and in Vallee des Vaux were 2 Siskin and a Firecrest . 272 Pied Wagtail were roosting in the Marina.
by Michael Dryden 26 February 2026
26.02.2026 Male Stonechat in front of the Wetland Centre this morning. MD A cloudy morning and a clear afternoon, mild at 14c in a fresh southerly wind. 5 Sand Martins were feeding at St Ouen's Pond this morning, an exceptionally early date for the species. On the Pond were 22 Shoveler , 2 Pochard , 4 Tufted Duck , 5 Wigeon , 5 Teal , 38 Brent Geese , 2 Oystercatchers , 4 Lapwings , 3 Snipe , 2 Grey Herons , a Water Pipit and a Stonechat . A Bittern was seen yesterday on the Scrape, and 190 Brent Geese were feeding there today. A male Gadwall was in a field at the bottom of Jubilee Hill while on Mont Matthieu were 6 Shovelers , 3 Marsh Harriers , a pale-phase Buzzard and 13 Ravens . 3 Ringed Plovers were near Sands. Early this evening, another 2 Sand Martins were seen in the Sandpits and 2 Shelduck were on the Scrape. In the Sandpits were a pair of Shelduck , 31 Tufted Ducks , 3 Little Grebes , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Chiffchaff , a Cetti's Warbler , 2 White Wagtails , 3 Pied Wagtails , a Stonechat and 2 Choughs and both Skylark and Meadow Pipi t were singing at Le Braye, with another Skylark in song flight north of St Ouen's Pond too. Just a few birds were seen passing Grosnez first thing, which included 5 Razorbills , 28 Fulmars , 19 Gannets , 3 Cormorants , 12 Shags , 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 7 Great Black-backed Gulls . 80 Herring Gulls and a Peregrine . 2 Marsh Harriers were hunting at the Racecourse. In Beaumont Marsh were 420 Brent Geese and 4 Little Egrets and at St Aubin were 30 pale-bellied Brent Geese . By the pier in St Brelade's Bay were 21 pale-bellied Brent Geese and on Ouaisne Common were 2 Teal , 2 Snipe , 3 Redwings and 3 Chiffchaffs . 2 Shelduck were on the beach in Petit Port. At La Rocque were 3 Great Northern Divers , a Black-necked Grebe and 17 Ringed Plovers and in La Sente were 240 Brent Geese, 16 Cattle Egrets , 37 Little Egrets, 11 Grey Herons , 8 Common Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 7 Greenshanks , 77 Redshanks , 2 Shoveler , a Wigeon and 2 Shelduck . Another 60 Cattle Egrets were at Grouville Marsh. In Rue des Ifs in Trinity were 80 Chaffinches. Yesterday, at Gorey Harbour, were a Common Sandpiper , 3 Grey Plovers , 25 Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plovers. Below: A record shot of one of today's Sand Martins, feeding at St Ouen's Pond.
by Michael Dryden 25 February 2026
25.02.2026 Sparrowhawk at St Ouen's Pond today. MD A find and warm day (15c) for February in a fresh south-southeasterly wind. There were a few hints of visible migration past Grosnez this morning with 56 Woodpigeons in two flocks, 21 Meadow Pipits , 19 Goldfinches , 6 Chaffinches and 24 Linnets .On the ground there were 2 Stonechats and several more Meadow Pipits in display flights. Offshore were 38 Gannets , 70 Fulmars with 8 more sitting on ledges, a Razorbill , 4 Kittiwakes , 36 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 20 Great Black-backed Gulls , 212 Herring Gulls , 4 Ravens and a Peregrine . At Le Pulec were 13 Little Egrets . Duck numbers seem to be reducing at St Ouen's Pond now, with 22 Shoveler , 12 Teal, a pair of Shelduck, 5 Pochard and 8 Tufted Duck the most of it and also seen there were a 2 Water Rails , Little Grebe , 3 Grey Herons , 4 Lapwings , 2 Oystercatchers , a Sparrowhawk , 60 Stock Doves and a Chiffchaff . Around Kempt Tower and pools were 2 Water Rails , a Little Grebe, 9 Coot and 4 Tufted Duck . In Beaumont Marsh were 92 Brent Geese , 5 Little Egrets , 21 Black-headed Gulls , 16 Pied Wagtails , 7 Redwings , 2 Song Thrushes and 3 Buzzards and a Stonechat was on Beauport Common. At La Sente were 10 Little Egrets , 9 Cattle Egrets , 7 Greenshanks , 59 Redshanks , 4 Grey Herons , a pair of Shelduck , a pair of Shoveler , a Wigeon , 22 Brent Geese and 3 Ravens . In a field off of Rue de Hocq were hundreds of Black-headed Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls following a plough. 200 Chaffinches were still in Rue des Ifs, Trinity and another 75 Chaffinches were at Augres. In Grouville Marsh late yesterday afternoon and evening were 12 Reed Buntings , 5 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , a Firecrest , 2 Song Thrushes , 4 Redwings , 4 Cetti's Warblers , 4 Water Rails , a Grey Wagtail and at Dusk, 90 Jackdaws , 13 Woodcock and 3 Marsh Harriers . Redwings were heard moving over Trinity last night.
by Michael Dryden 24 February 2026
24.02.2026 A male Marsh Harrier enjoying today's sun at St Ouen's Pond MD At last, a dry and even sunny day, feeling very mild (13c) in the clear skies. Winds were moderate from the south-southeast. Seen in two hours passing Corbiere, were a Common Scoter , 174 Razorbills , 36 Guillemots , 4 Fulmars , 16 Gannets , 8 Cormorants , 31 Shags , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull , 30 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Kittiwakes and 9 Curlews , while in Petit Port Bay were 4 Brent Geese , 2 Purple Sandpipers , 57 Turnstones , 14 Grey Plovers , 140 Oystercatchers and 9 Mediterranean Gulls . At St Ouen's Pond were 35 Shoveler , 8 Pochard , 4 Tufted Duck , a Little Grebe , 3 Grey Herons , a single Lapwing , 6 Marsh Harriers and 2 Buzzards . In the backfields there, were 150 Brent Geese and 120 Stock Dove s. Around Kempt Tower and pools were the Snow Bunting, a singing Skylark , a Little Grebe , 4 Tufted Duck , a pair of Marsh Harrier , a flock of 22 Goldfinches and a Peacock butterfly . In Beaumont Marsh were 380 Brent Geese, a Curlew , 3 Little Egrets and 9 Pied Wagtails , while at St Aubin were 30 pale-bellied Brent Geese , one dark-bellied Brent, and 20 Redshanks . Another 8 pale-bellied Brent Geese were on the beach in St Brelade's Bay. At La sente were 2 Shelduck , 2 Shoveler , 10 Grey Herons , 12 Little Egrets , 41 Cattle Egrets , 19 Common Gulls , 55 Black-headed Gulls , 64 Redshanks and 6 Greenshanks . At La Ferme farm were 21 Redwings , 5 Song Thrushes , 56 Chaffinches , 2 Grey Wagtails , a Pied Wagtai l, a singing Firecrest , a singing Chiffchaff , a Jackdaw and a Raven . also another Peacock butterfly. In the cider orchard near Trinity Church were 7 Fieldfares , 2 Redwings , 5 Chiffchaffs , 2 Goldcrests and a Firecrest and on Rue du Moulin de Bas were 4 Redwings , a Fieldfare , 3 Chiffchaffs , a Goldcrest , a singing Firecrest and another Peacock butterfly. At Les Augerez in St Peter was a flock of 150 Starlings and in St Peter's Technical Park was a Grey Wagtail. Another singing Firecrest and 3 Blackcaps were in Vallee des Vaux. Extras for yesterday : a Dartford Warbler was at Archirondel and a Kingfisher was in Queen's Valley.
by Michael Dryden 23 February 2026
23.02.2026 A pair of pale-bellied Brent Geese at St Aubin this morning. MD A dry but cloudy to overcast day, mild at 13c in a southwest wind. Firstly, a significant record from a garden in Gorey, which a Common Rosefinch has been visiting for the last few days, this only the fifth record of the species for Jersey. St Aubin's Bay was popular today, with birds reported from there including 20 Great Crested Grebes, 77 Black-headed Gulls and 11 Great Black-backed Gulls, and around the St Aubin end of the bay, 19 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Mediterranean Gulls, 30 Black-headed Gulls, 29 Redshanks and 6 Turnstones . In Beaumont Marsh were 370 Brent Geese , 190 Black-headed Gulls , 17 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 5 Little Egrets , 25 Pied Wagtails, a Grey Heron , a Curlew , 17 Jackdaws and 2 Buzzards . Near the ferry ramps at the Elizabeth Harbour was a female Black Redstart . In La Rocque Harbour first thing were 2 Great Northern Divers , 2 Black-necked Grebes , a Great Crested Grebe , 6 Red-breasted Mergansers , 55 Curlews and several hundreds of Sanderlings and Grey Plovers . Another 3 Red-breasted Mergansers were near Le Hurel Slip. At La Sente were 210 Brent Geese , 7 Greenshanks , 55 Redshanks , 41 Cattle Egrets, 6 Little Egrets, 21 Common Gulls , 255 Black-headed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull , a Wigeon and 2 Shovelers . The Snow Bunting was still present near Kempt Tower today and on St Ouen's Pond were 189 Brent Geese , 21 Lapwings , 2 Little Grebes , 3 Grey Heron s, 3 Tufted Duck , 26 Shovelers and the usual Marsh Harriers . 31 Great Black-backed Gulls were in St Ouen's Bay. Buzzards were seen cleaning out a former nest near St John's Village and in Vallee des Vaux were 3 Siskins , 3 Blackcaps and a singing Firecrest .
by Michael Dryden 22 February 2026
22.02.2026 A great image of a Black-throated Diver at La Rocque courtesy of Romano RDC
by Michael Dryden 21 February 2026
21.02.2026 Lesser Black-backed Gulls are returning in numbers now, with 52 passing Grosnez this morning. Image: One in company with a Herring Gull today. MD
by Michael Dryden 20 February 2026
20.02.2026 Common Gulls are often anything but common in Jersey, but good numbers are around, mainly off the East coast, at the moment. This winter plumaged adult is seen here flying over Grouville Bay today. Image: MD
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