18.09.2026 Linnets are starting to migrate through the Island now, this one being pictured near Kempt Tower recently. Image: MD
A mainly cloudy day, feeling much cooler in a fresh Westerly wind.
Large numbers of seabirds were feeding close in off of Corbiere Lighthouse this morning, including 640 Balearic Shearwaters, 16 Manx Shearwaters, an Arctic Skua, 120 Mediterranean Gulls and hundreds of large gulls, with a Purple Sandpiper and 5 Turnstones also seen. At Petit Port were 29 Sandwich Terns, 32 Curlews, 8 Mediterranean Gulls and 10 Little Egrets.
At St Ouen's Pond through the day were 15 Sedge Warblers, 6 Reed Warblers, 20 Cetti's Warblers, a Willow Warbler, 15 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, a Water Rail, 11 Teal, 16 Shovelers, a Pochard, a Little Grebe, a Sparrowhawk, a Hobby hunting over the reedbed, a pale-phased Buzzard, 6 Marsh Harriers and a Kingfisher. Flying over were 3 Yellow Wagtails, an alba Wagtail, 16 Meadow Pipits, 8 Linnets, 2 House Martins and 15 Swallows.
In St Ouen's Bay were 62 Great Black-backed Gulls, 18 Sandwich Terns, 53 Black-headed Gulls and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, with 43 Ringed Plovers near the Cutty Sark and at Le Pulec were 12 Curlew, 130 Oystercatchers, 12 Little Egrets, 28 Shags, 6 Cormorants and 10 Rock Pipits. On Mont Matthieu were 220 Linnets, 25 Swallows and 30 Meadow Pipits.
At Noirmont this morning were a Spotted Flycatcher ( probably the same bird which has been present for a week), a Wheatear, 4 Stonechats, a Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff, 104 Swallows, 19 House Martins, a Sand Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 alba Wagtails, 130 Meadow Pipits, 65 Linnets, 4 Chaffinches, a Jay, 2 Ravens, a Grey Heron, 2 Ravens, 8 Black-headed Gulls, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 7 Great Black-backed Gulls and 7 Gannets.
At Les Landes were 2 Kestrels, a Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, 12 Meadow Pipits, a Chiffchaff and a Wheatear. A Cattle Egret was in a field with horses nearby. At the Windmill in St Mary were 20 House Martins and at Grands Vaux were 2 Teal, a Common Sandpiper and a Grey Heron.
Around La Rocque were 23 Sandwich Terns, 6 Curlews, 10 Turnstones, 3 Grey Plovers, a Wheatear and a Grey Seal. A Clouded Yellow butterfly was seen in Millennium Park
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.
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.
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.
19.09.2026 Two Yellow-legged Gulls at Petit Port this morning. MD A cool feeling cloudy morning, clearing this afternoon but remaining cool in a fresh west-southwest wind Off Noirmont this morning, were 124 Balearic Shearwaters , a Manx Shearwater, 55 Gannets , 85 Sandwich Terns , 7 Mediterranean Gulls , a Black - headed Gull, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , and 13 Great Black-backed Gulls. Very little was moving overhead at Noirmont, with 26 Swallows and 14 Meadow Pipits the most of it. At Petit Port on the neap tide were 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls , 11 Mediterranean Gulls , 6 Great Black-backed Gulls , 11 Little Egrets, a Common Sandpiper , 2 Turnstones and 2 Curlews . 8 Choughs flew overhead there too. At St Aubin were 13 Sandwich Terns and 22 Black-headed Gulls and elsewhere, 8 Cattle Egrets were at Fauvic, a single Wheatear was at Sorel. On and over Beauport Common were 30 Swallows , 3 House Martins , 19 Yellow Wagtails , 5 Stonechats , a Dartford Warbler and a singing Chiffchaff . Also seen at Beauport two days ago, was a newly fledged Collared Dove . In St Ouen's Bay late this afternoon were 13 Sandwich Terns, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 60 Great Black-backed Gulls , 6 Mediterranean Gulls and 9 Ringed Plovers.
17.09.2026 A beautiful view of an Arctic Skua , taken this week by John Ovenden A morning of overcast conditions with some heavy rain as a cold front passed through, becoming fair in a strong west-northwest wind. It was seabirds to the fore at Noirmont this morning. Birds seen included 276 Balearic Shearwaters , 5 Manx Shearwaters , 2 Arctic Skuas , 59 Sandwich Terns , 54 Black-headed Gulls , 16 Mediterranean Gulls , 28 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 12 Great Black-backed Gulls , 58 Gannets , and 2 Cormorants . A few birds seen on or over the headland included 15 Swallows , 15 Meadow Pipits , a Peregrine , 2 Buzzards , a Sparrowhawk , a Blackcap , a Dartford Warbler and a Chiffchaff . In the more sheltered Sandpits at Le Braye were 4 Grey Herons , 50 Swallows , 32 Great Black-backed Gulls , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 18 Little Grebes , a Great Crested Grebe , 56 Tufted Ducks , a male Pochard , c 350 Coot , a Common Sandpiper and a White Wagtail . At Petit Port were 21 Curlews, 2 Sandwich Terns , 13 Great Black-backed Gulls , c 200 Oystercatchers , 28 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Common Sandpipers , while at St Aubin were 16 Redshanks , a Turnstone , 5 Grey Herons and 4 Little Egrets roosting in trees behind the Yacht Club. At La Rocque were 22 Sandwich Terns , 16 Sanderlings , a Grey Plover , 27 Turnstones , and at Le Hurel were 2 Great Crested Grebes , 3 Sandwich Terns , 13 Sanderlings , 8 Turnstones , 11 Ringed Plovers and at La Sente were a Common Gull , 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 17 Grey Herons . Yesterday evening, at St Ouen's Pond were 9 Shovelers , 5 Teal , a Water Rail, a Common Sandpiper , a Sedge Warbler , 8 Marsh Harriers and just 2 Swallows .
16.09.2026 A Wheatear at Noirmont today MD A fair to cloudy day in a moderate west-northwest wind. There was some visible migration today, past Noirmont which included 542 Swallows , 22 House Martins , 2 Sand Martins , 17 Yellow Wagtails , 4 alba Wagtails , 212 Meadow Pipits , a flock of 12 Grey Herons , 3 Chaffinches and 38 Linnets , also a Clouded Yellow butterfly. On the ground at Noirmont were a Spotted Flycatcher , 4 Wheatears , 3 Stonechats , 6 Robins and 2 Dartford Warblers . Raptors seen included a Sparrowhawk , a Kestrel and 3 Buzzards . Passing offshore were 7 Balearic Shearwaters , 448 Sandwich Terns , 52 Black-headed Gulls , 25 Mediterranean Gulls , 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 56 Gannets . Off of Corbiere were 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 30+ Black-headed Gulls and 2 commic Terns and in Petit Port Bay were 25 Curlews , 24 Mediterranean Gulls and a Yellow-legged Gull . In St Ouen's Bay, 32 Ringed Plovers were at Le Tour Carre, on St Ouen's Beach were a Yellow-legged Gull , 307 Great Black-backed Gulls and 97 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, near Kempt Tower were a Grey Heron , and a Little Grebe , at Le Pulec was a Common Sandpiper , while at Les Landes were 2 Peregrines , a Kestrel and a Wheatear . At Les Platons, on the North coast, were 24 Ravens , 2 Buzzards , 2 Dartford Warblers , a Stonechat and a Jay . A male Cirl Bunting was on Grouville Common and 2 Peregrines were chasing Turnstones at Le Bourg. Evening update: At Grands Vaux reservoir were 2 Teal , a Common Sandpiper , and a Grey Heron and on Mont Matthieu was a Wheatear . 2 Cattle Egrets were in fields by Manor Farm and between 35 and 40 Ravens were in the air at Les Platons.
15.09.2026 Long-tailed Tit at Noirmont MD Another overcast morning, with a weak cold front clearing through to leave a fair to cloudy afternoon in a fresh and gusty west-northwest wind. It was a busy morning for seabirds off Corbiere and in four hours there, counts included a Pomarine Skua , 3 Arctic Skuas , 2 Sooty Shearwaters , 673 Balearic Shearwaters , 3 Manx Shearwaters , 2 Guillemots , 67 Gannets , 16 Cormorants , 19 Shags , 231 Sandwich Terns , 94 Mediterranean Gulls, 96 Black-headed Gulls , 24 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Yellow Wagtails , 3 alba Wagtails , 2 Common Sandpipers and a Raven . In Petit Port Bay were 132 Mediterranean Gulls , 20 Great Black-backed Gulls , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 33 Curlews and 28 Sandwich Terns . In a breezy St Ouen's Bay, in the Sandpits were 17 Little Grebes , a Great Crested Grebe and 2 Pochard . On St Ouen's Pond were 16 Shovelers , 2 Tufted Ducks , 2 Teal , a Grey Heron , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , a Sand Martin and 5 Swallows . 9 White Wagtails were on the Scrape and 30 Ringed Plovers were near Sands. At Grouville Marsh this morning were a Reed Warbler , 2 Willow Warblers , 20 Blackcaps , 25 Chiffchaffs , 12 Cetti's Warblers , 10 Robins , 3 Water Rails , 2 Teal , and a Marsh Harrier , while passing overhead were a Grey Wagtail , a Yellow Wagtail , 3 House Martins and 4 Swallows . At Le Hocq were 14 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons , 60 Sandwich Terns , 23 Curlews and 165 Oystercatchers , and in Robin Bay, at La Rocque, were 270 Oystercatchers and 13 Little Egrets . Evening update: In Grouville Bay were 118 Sanderlings , a Bar-tailed Godwit , 5 Ringed Plovers, 84 Sandwich Tern s and a commic Tern, and in Queen's Valley were a Common Sandpiper , a Kingfisher , 7 Tufted Ducks and at Grouville Marsh were 3 Cattle Egrets . In St Ouen's Bay were 3 Yellow-legged Gulls , 220 Great Black-backed Gulls , 68 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 37 Mediterranean Gulls, 47 Black-headed Gulls and 7 Herring Gulls .
14.09.2026 Sooty Shearwater off Corbiere two days ago, image courtesy of John Ovenden. A dull and overcast morning, clearing to fine this afternoon, in a light west-southwest wind, and warm at 22c Migration continues to be very patchy, despite the suitable conditions.On the north side of St Ouen's Pond from Dawn, were a Sedge Warbler , 4 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs , 15 Cetti's Warblers , 2 Blackcaps , 2 Water Rails , 6 Yellow Wagtails , a White Wagtail, 2 Stonechats , 4 Shovelers , 2 Teal , a Grey Heron, 6 Buzzards including 2 pale-phased bird, 5 Marsh Harrier , a Peregrine casing Swallows , as 40 flew out of a roost. 6 Meadow Pipits flew over, but no Reed Warblers were seen for the first time this Autumn. A Common Redstart was at Sorel. Offshore at Noirmont were 64 Balearic Shearwaters , 4 Common Scoters , 52 Gannets , 218 Sandwich Terns , 10 Mediterranean Gulls, 30 Black-headed Gulls , 27 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 9 Great Black-backed Gulls , 5 Cormorants and a Grey Heron , while little was moving overhead - just 7 Swallows , 12 Linnets , 16 Long-tailed Tits , 3 Great Tits , 3 Robins , a Dartford Warbler , a Peregrine and 2 Buzzards . At Petit Port on the falling tide were 32 Curlews , a Turnstone , 91 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Black-headed Gulls , 65 Sandwich Terns , an adult Yellow-legged Gull , a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 2 Choughs . At Le Pulec were 16 Black-headed Gulls , 188 Herring Gulls , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 4 Great Black-backed Gulls , 12 Little Egrets , 38 Curlews , 130 Oystercatchers , 30 Shags , 8 Cormorants , a Peregrine , a Kestrel and a Common Sandpiper . 2 Common Sandpipers at 2 Little Egrets were at Bel Croute. Near the Millennium Cross in St John were a Peregrine , 3 Buzzards , a Raven and a Little Egret . Jays appear to be on the move at the moment, with several over the Zoo and up to 6 at Grouville Marsh.
13.09.2026 Another fine view of yesterday's Wryneck at St Ouen's Pond, with thanks again to David Buxton. A fair to fine day with a moderate west-southwest wind (21c) A Hoopoe was pictured near to Pontac, likely to be the same bird seen in that area two days ago. In Grouville Marsh this morning were a Reed Warbler , 6 Willow Warblers , 25 Chiffchaffs , 20 Blackcaps , 12 Cetti's Warblers , a Yellow Wagtail , a Cattle Egret , 3 Water Rails , 10 Robins , 3 Bullfinches and, flying over, a Green Sandpiper , 2 Meadow Pipits and 2 Ravens . At La Rocque were 217 Oystercatchers , 17 Sandwich Terns , 5 Turnstones , 4 Curlews , and at La Sente were 23 Grey Herons , 29 Black-headed Gulls and 57 Crows . A Willow Warbler was in a garden in St Clement. A second quiet day at Noirmont, given the date saw just 6 Swallows , a House Martin , a Meadow Pipit and 7 Linnets fly over, with a single Wheatear , 2 Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff and 4 Dartford Warblers on the ground. Local birds included 2 Kestrels , 4 Buzzards , 2 Choughs and 2 Ravens . It was busier offshore there, with 252 Balearic Shearwaters , an Arctic Skua , 350 Sandwich Terns , 34 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 55 Gannets attending feeding Tunas . 4 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were also seen. At Petit Port on the falling tide were 35 Curlews , a Common Sandpiper , a Turnstone , 16 Black-headed Gulls , 12 Little Egrets , 56 Mediterranean Gulls , 112 Sandwich Terns , 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Herring Gull again, which was colour-ringed 28 years ago, at Noirmont. In St Ouen's Bay were a Ringed Plover , 9 Sanderlings , 2 Little Egrets and 2 Choughs and at Le Pulec were a Curlew , 16 Black-headed Gulls and a Chough .
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 . This evening, seen from the Ferry near the North-east Minquiers buoy were 3 Manx Shearwaters , 3 Balearic Shearwaters and a Guillemot . 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 .
