This is a subtitle for your new post

22.09.2024  This great image of a Gannet with black eyes was taken locally by John Ovenden. The eye colour is an indication that this bird is a survivor of Avian Flu    ( see the article from the RSPB, at the bottom of this report, for more information )  JO


A cloudy day following overnight showers, winds were light from the South


20 Little Egrets flew East over Pontac Co-op this morning with a Spoonbill for company, heading for Le Hocq.


Today's visible migrants at Noirmont included a late Swift, a Sand Martin, 523 Swallows, 8 House Martins, 141 Meadow Pipits, 3 alba Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail. On the ground, or dropping in through the morning, were a Song Thrush, a Wheatear, 3 Stonechats, 6 Whitethroats, 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Dartford Warblers, a Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Robins, a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, 2 Ravens and 2 Choughs. Passing offshore were a Mediterranean Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Sandwich Tern, a Grey Heron and 10 Bottle-nosed Dolphins.


On the Scrape this morning were 13 Teal, 4 Shovelers. 3 Snipe, a Redshank, a Marsh Harrier and a Cetti's Warbler.


At Petit Port were 62 Mediterranean Gulls, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 65 Great Black-backed Gulls, a Whimbrel and 22 Curlews.


3 Song Thrushes flew over Vallee des Vaux at height this morning where a Firecrest and 5 Chiffchaffs were also seen.


Evening update: In St Ouen's Bay were 17 Ringed Plovers, a Sanderling, 158 Great Black-backed Gulls and 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and at Corbiere were 3 Wheatears, 25 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Ravens and 2 Choughs.

At the Farmer's Cricket Ground in St Martin were 3 Yellow Wagtails, 5 alba Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail and 2 Swallows.

6 Cattle Egrets were at Grouville Marsh, 15 Redshanks were at St Aubin and 57 Brent Geese were at Bel Royal.

Black eyes in seabirds indicates bird flu survival

Scientists have discovered evidence that Northern Gannets can recover from bird flu and that unusual black iris coloration is linked to a previous HPAIV infection

Ness Amaral-Rogers

Posted 

Thu 4th May 2023

5 min read

  • The study also assessed the impact of HPAI on adult gannet survival at the largest gannet colony in the world - the Bass Rock, UK
  • The team found that at Bass Rock, adult survival between 2021 and 2022 was 42% lower than the average over the previous 10 years.

A new study has discovered evidence that Northern Gannets can recover from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, with black irises, an indicator of a previous infection.


Scientists from multiple organisations investigated outbreak timings at colonies across their North Atlantic range. At their largest colony, Bass Rock, UK, a detailed study was conducted to estimate the impact of the virus on colony size, breeding success, adult survival, and whether Gannets were potentially able to recover from an infection.

Black irises – instead of the usual pale blue – were first seen in Gannets breeding on the Bass Rock in June 2022 with colour varying from completely black to mottled. The team took blood samples from 18 apparently healthy adult Gannets with both normal and black irises, which were tested for bird flu antibodies by APHA to determine whether the birds had been previously infected. Eight tested positive, of which seven had black irises.

Dr Jude Lane, RSPB Conservation Scientist and lead author of the study: “This has been a fascinating development and the discovery may prove a useful non-invasive diagnostic tool. The next steps are to understand its efficacy, if it applies to any other species and whether there are any detrimental impacts to the birds’ vision. Ophthalmology exams will also be needed to determine what is causing the black colouration.”

High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV) has negatively impacted wild and domestic bird populations globally for decades. However, the current strain (HPAIV H5N1) has seen shifts in both the timings of outbreaks and species affected - including seabirds. Northern Gannets appeared especially severely impacted, but there was limited understanding of how their populations were affected.

High numbers of dead gannets were seen in Iceland during April last year followed by outbreaks in many Scottish colonies, Canada, Germany and Norway. By the end of June, outbreaks had occurred in five Canadian colonies and in the Channel Islands. Outbreaks in 12 UK and Ireland colonies followed in a clockwise pattern with the last infected colonies recorded in September. Unusually high mortality was recorded at all but one of the 41 monitored colonies (75 % of the 53 North Atlantic colonies), and sampling data was available for 58% of these, all with dead birds testing positive.

To better understand the impacts of HPAI, the team further investigated Bass Rock in the UK. Bass Rock is the world’s largest Gannet colony, home to over 150,000 birds at their peak. The team calculated that adult survival between 2021 and 2022 was 42% lower than the preceding 10-year average. The full extent of how many birds died during that period won’t be confirmed until the birds come back this breeding season.

The study was a collaboration between the RSPB, the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh, Heriot Watt University and the Animal Plant Health Agency in partnership with the Scottish Seabird Centre.

Susan Davies, CEO of the Scottish Seabird Centre said: “Like many northern gannet colonies across the North Atlantic the Bass Rock was severely impacted in 2022 by highly pathogenic avian influenza. Due to the long running research effort on the Bass Rock, it was possible to gain important insights into the changes taking place in the colony with a strong link emerging between virus infection and the changing iris colour in these striking seabirds and the high level of nest failure within the study area.”

Seabirds are amongst the most threatened group of birds, out of the 25 species breeding here in the UK, 24 are Red or Amber on the UK list of Birds of Conservation Concern. The 2022 bird flu outbreak has provided another significant stressor to those already faced by our rapidly declining seabird populations. Quantifying and perhaps even mitigating its impact is therefore crucial if we hope to restore our seabird populations.


by Michael Dryden 18 January 2026
18.01.2026 The pale-bellied Brent Goose which is currently on the East coast, seen here at La Sente, image taken by Romano RDC A cold and mainly overcast day in a southeast wind. The Snow Bunting continues to delight by Kempt Tower and in addition today, a Bittern was in the pools there too. On St Ouen's Pond this morning were 65 Teal, 53 Shoveler, 11 Pochard ( just one a female), 2 Little Grebes , a Grey Heron , 2 Stonechats , a Water Pipit and 3 Meadow Pipit and in the backfields were 80 Lapwings , 112 Brent Geese and c200 Stock Doves . On the Scrape were a Bittern , 3 Wigeon , 2 Shelduck , a Lapwing , a Black-headed Gulls , 5 Song Thrushes and another Stonechat . Seen from Le Pulec were 2 Black-throated Divers , 19 Brent Geese , 35 Gannets , 4 Razorbills , 82 Shags , 9 Cormorants , 11 Kittiwakes , a Mediterranean Gull , 2 Black-headed Gulls , 34 Great Black-backed Gulls , 286 Herring Gulls , 12 Curlews , 7 Little Egrets , 2 Pied Wagtails and 79 Rock Pipits flying out of a roost there. At La Sente this morning were 41 Redshanks , 42 Cattle Egrets, a Marsh Harrier , 16 Little Egrets, the wild Greylag , 100 Black-headed Gulls, 26 Common Gulls and 3 Mediterranean Gulls. In Grouville Bay were 640 Brent Geese including the pale-bellied Brent and 10 Common Gulls . At La Rocque were 3 Black-necked Grebes , 2 Slavonian Grebes, 3 Great Crested Grebes , a Great Northern Diver and 9 Red-breasted Mergansers . On Grouville Common were a Grey Heron , 2 Firecrests , 12 Redwings , a Song Thrush , 2 Chiffchaffs and 3 Blackcaps . A further 25 Cattle Egrets were at Cowley Farm. c500 Brent Geese were seen in flight over St Aubin's Bay.
by Michael Dryden 17 January 2026
17.01.2026 A touch of colour. A Mediterranean Gull in St Ouen's Bay, image courtesy of Romano RDC A dry day with overcast skies and a cold feel in the south-southeast wind (9c) In St Ouen's Bay today: Along the beach between La Braye and Kempt Tower were 49 Great Black-backed Gulls , 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 27 Mediterranean Gulls, 11 Black-headed Gulls and 11 Brent Geese . On St Ouen's Pond were a White-fronted Goose , 57 Teal , 33 Shovelers , 4 Pochard , 5 Tufted Ducks , 2 Little Grebes , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Grey Herons and in the backfields were 250 Lapwings . A Bittern was on the Scrape once again. At Petit Port were 32 Curlews , 12 Grey Plovers , 20 Turnstones and a Purple Sandpiper . In St Aubin's Bay, 16 Redshanks and 2 Turnstones were at St Aubin, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 286 Brent Geese , 2 Curlews and a Little Egret were between the Gunsite and La Haule. In Beaumont Marsh were a Cattle Egret , 2 Little Egrets , 40 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Grey Herons and 2 Pied Wagtails . Off Grosnez were 3 Red-throated Divers , 155 Gannets, 103 Fulmars , 61 Razorbills , 27 Shags , 67 Kittiwakes , a Common Gull, a Mediterranean Gull , 182 Herring Gulls arriving from the North, a Peregrine and 2 Ravens . Also seen were a Harbour Porpoise and a pod of at least 10 Bottle-nosed Dolphins . At La Sente were 473 Brent Geese , a Greylag Goose, 4 Teal , a Wigeon , 55 Cattle Egrets , 2 Snipe , a Grey Heron , 5 Mediterranean Gulls , a Redshank , 27 Redwings , 3 Song Thrushes and 9 Pied Wagtails . A further 7 Grey Herons were at La Blinerie and a Black Redstart plus a Grey Wagtail were at Le Bourg. Around La Rocque were 48 Redshanks , a Great Crested Grebe , a Black-necked Grebe , 32 Ringed Plovers , 7 Turnstones , 5 Dunlin and in Robin Bay were 2 Black Redstarts
by Michael Dryden 16 January 2026
16.01.2026 Waders roosting on the beach at La Rocque, with 2 Knot among the Sanderling, Dunlin and Turnstone . Image thanks to Romano RDC A clear day with some good sunny periods, before rain arrived after dark this evening. Winds were from the south-southwest and moderate Seabirds passing Grosnez this morning included 6 Red-throated Divers , 88 Razorbills , 19 Guillemots , 23 unidentified (distant) auks , 89 Gannets , 35 Fulmars , 34 Shags , 68 Kittiwakes , 33 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Common Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull . A Peregrine and a Raven also passed by. A Harbour Porpoise moved West mid-morning. At Le Pulec were 4 Curlews , 3 Little Egrets and 4 Pied Wagtails . Seen from the Wetland Centre this morning were 71 Teal , 37 Shoveler , 4 Tufted Ducks , 2 Little Grebes , 170 Lapwings , a Water Pipit and 2 Stonechats . A Bittern was seen from the Scrape Hide ( three are believed to be present at the moment ), and the Snow Bunting was showing well at Kempt Tower and at the Pools there, were a Chiffchaff , a Cetti's Warbler, a Marsh Harrier and a Grey Heron . In St Ouen's Bay were 39 Mediterranean Gulls , 47 Great Black-backed Gulls and 3 Black-headed Gulls . 40 Mediterranean Gulls which were roosting on the football pitch at the Airport at first light may be the same as above. At Sands were 39 Ringed Plovers , 17 Dunlin and 3 Sanderling . At Petit Port and Le Grouet were 24 Curlews , a Shelduck , 11 Brent Geese , 12 Grey Plovers , 2 Purple Sandpipers , 40 Turnstones , 6 Little Egrets and 4 Great Black-backed Gulls . In Vert Rue on the St Ouen/St Peter bounderies was fields with hundreds of Chaffinches , a Sparrowhawk , c 250 Stock Doves and 2 Choughs which flew over. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming at Les Creux Manor and a Stonechat was on Beauport Common. In Beaumont Marsh were 24 Black-headed Gulls, a Cattle Egret, 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron , 15 Meadow Pipits and 3 Pied Wagtails . On the East of the Island, at La Sente, were 250 Brent Geese , the Greylag Goose , 2 Teal , 27 Grey Herons , 41 Cattle Egrets , 5 Little Egrets , 4 Common Gulls , 3 Mediterranean Gulls and 30 Redwings . A Kingfisher was in Queen's Valley and another Kingfisher was seen in the Old Harbour in St Helier.
by Michael Dryden 15 January 2026
15.01.2026 A very suitable bird for the day, a Water Pipit at the Wetland Centre this morning! Image: MD
by Michael Dryden 14 January 2026
14.01.2026 A spectacular looking Sparrowhawk in front of the Wetland Centre this morning. Image: MD A mixed day with low cloud, hill fog at times, and some sunny intervals. Mild at 11c in a southerly wind. There was a fresh arrival of birds at St Ouen's Pond, with counts of 68 Teal , 35 Shoveler , 5 Tufted Ducks , a Shelduck , 90 Brent Geese , 376 Lapwings , 3 Grey Herons , 16 Snipe , 2 Little Grebes and 30 Black-headed Gulls . Also seen were a Pink-footed Goose, a Barnacle Goose, a Sparrowhawk , 4 Marsh Harriers , 200 Stock Doves , a Water Pipit , 2 Stonechats and a Chiffchaff . By El Tico in St Ouen's Bay were 70 Great Black-backed Gulls and 14 Mediterranean Gulls and at La Saline were a Red-breasted Merganser and 25 Pied Wagtails . The Snow Bunting was by Kempt Tower again. Flying past Grosnez this morning were a Red-throated Diver , 119 Guillemots , 44 Razorbills , 38 auk sp , 31 Gannets , 78 Shags , 7 Cormorants , 42 Kittiwakes , a Common Gull , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 29 Great Black-backed Gulls . At Petit Port were 19 Grey Plovers , 22 Turnstones , 2 Purple Sandpipers , 6 Brent Geese and a Shelduck . In Grouville Marsh were a White-fronted Goose , 3 Common Gulls and 10 Redwings , and at La Sente were the Greylag Goose , 200 Brent Geese , 2 Teal , 19 Redshanks , 4 Common Gulls and 6 Grey Herons . At least 80 Cattle Egrets were seen between La Sente and Grouville Marsh and another 2 Cattle Egrets were on Mont a L'Abbe. A Grey Wagtail was seen in St Helier Harbour. Below : An unusual sight at St Ouen's Pond late this morning - blue sky! Image MD
by Michael Dryden 13 January 2026
13.01.2026 An adult Kittiwake on St Ouen's beach this week, image courtesy of Romano RDC. The mild conditions have returned, for now at least, with a fresh southerly wind and overcast skies plus rain on ad off today (11c) It seems that many of our recent hard weather visitors have headed off again now, notably the 1000+ Lapwings behind St Ouen's Pond with just 3 seen today! On St Ouen's Pond this morning were 20 Shovelers , a Gadwall , 9 Teal , 118 Mallard , 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Reed Buntings, a Chiffchaff and 2 Stonechats , with 120 Brent Geese and 220 Stock Doves in the fields behind the Pond. In the Sandpits were 33 Tufted Ducks , 11 Pochard , 4 Little Grebes , 27 Great Black-backed Gulls , 8 Mediterranean Gulls and 3 Oystercatchers . Passing Le Pulec this morning were 3 Common Scoters , 5 Guillemots , 3 Razorbills , 40 auk sp, 47 Gannets , 143 Shags , 10 Cormorants , 6 Kittiwakes , 4 Black-headed Gulls , 260 Herring Gulls , 35 Great Black-backed Gulls , 5 Curlews , 2 Turnstones . 5 Pied Wagtails and 60+ Rock Pipits were in the Stinky Bay area. In Petit Port Bay were 5 Curlews , 7 Brent Geese , a Shelduck and 5 Great Black-backed Gulls, and in St Brelade's Bay were 11 Ravens . In Waterworks Valley were 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, 2 Redwings and 2 Grey Wagtails , while at Dannemarche Reservoir were 10 Cormorants , a Kingfisher , and 3 Tufted Ducks . 12+ Redwings were in Rue de Bas. Further Grey Wagtails were seen ar Greve de Lecq and on Mont Rossignol and On Mont au Pretre were a Cattle Egret , 10 Redwings and a Raven .
by Michael Dryden 12 January 2026
12.01.2026 A Ringed Plover on Sand's slip, image courtesy of Romano. RDC Overcast skies and rain through the morning, with a fresh southwest wind, mild at 11c. Seen through the morning from the Wetland Centre, were a White-fronted Goose , a Shelduck , 7 Wigeon , c60 Shovelers , 19 Teal , 2 Tufted Ducks , 2 Little Grebes , the odd couple of Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose, 118 Brent Geese, a Water Rail , a Caspian Gull , 19 Black-headed Gulls , 13 Mediterranean Gulls , 9 Great Black-backed Gulls , c1000 Lapwings , a Water Pipit, 3 Stonechats and 3 Meadow Pipits . The Snow Bunting was seen again near Kempt Tower, with a Stonechat also there, and on Sand's Slipway were 62 Sanderlings , 44 Ringed Plovers and 25 Dunlin . Very little was moving off the West coast in the rain and seen from Le Pulec were 26 Gannets , 2 Brent Geese , 63 Shags , 9 Cormorants , 46 Great Black-backed Gulls , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull , 23 Black-headed Gulls , 200+ Herring Gulls, 7 Curlews , a Turnstone , a Grey Wagtail , 2 Pied Wagtails and 40+ Rock Pipits . The Iceland Gull has not been seen today. In Beaumont Marsh were 490 Brent Geese , 55 Black-headed Gulls , 8 Redwings , 2 Pied Wagtails , 4 Little Egrets , Cattle Egret and a Grey Heron . 36 Redshanks were at St Aubin. In St Brelade's Bay at lunchtime were 11 Brent Geese , and at Petit Port were 25 Curlews , 8 Great Black-backed Gulls , 18 Turnstones and 8 Brent Geese . In La Sente today were a Greylag Goose , 275 Brent Geese , 8 Grey Herons , 17 Cattle Egrets , 44 Redshanks , 3 Greenshanks , 17 Curlews , 4 Snipe , 14 Pied Wagtails and 25 Chaffinches and at Le Catillon were 30 Common Gulls, a Fieldfare and 10 Redwings . Seen from La Rocque were 200 Oystercatchers , 8 Curlews , 6 Redshanks, a Grey Plover and 20 Turnstones . An oddity on the North coast was a Black-necked Grebe at White Rock.
by Michael Dryden 11 January 2026
11.01.2026 The first winter Iceland Gull from yesterday was keeping a low profile, but was seen briefly in Stinky Bay at Le Pulec around noon today, before flying off towards the Pinnacle. Thanks go to Stuart Matthews for this super image, taken there yesterday SM A cold day, but mainly dry in overcast conditions, with a fresh and gusty south-southeast wind (8c) Most eyes were trained on the northwest of the Island, despite the uncomfortable conditions. Seen from Le Pulec morning long were a Great Northern Diver , 3 Black-throated Divers , 7 Red-throated Divers , 3 unidentified diver sp , 5 Razorbills , 2 Guillemots , 26 auk sp, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers , 7 Brent Geese , 149 Shags , 15 Cormorants , 5 Little Egrets , 51 Curlews , 7 Golden Plovers , 4 Turnstones , a Dunlin , 61 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 25 Mediterranean Gulls , 96 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Common Gulls , 5 Kittiwakes and 3 Pied Wagtails . The Iceland Gull visited Stinky Bay briefly. Around St Ouen's Pond were a Bittern, a first winter Caspian Gull , 1,300+ Lapwings , a Golden Plover , the Pink-footed Goose , 3 Dunlin and a Water Pipit . In St Ouen's Bay were 340 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Yellow-legged Gulls , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 40 Mediterranean Gulls and 30 Sanderlings . On the Golf Course were 45 Mediterranean Gulls and in the Sandpits were 15 Pochard , 26 Tufted Duck , 3 Little Grebes , 5 Oystercatchers , 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 55 Great Black-backed Gulls . At Petit Port were a Shelduck , 27 Curlews , 11 Grey Plovers , 13 Turnstones , 5 Purple Sandpipers , 65 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull and a Kingfisher . In St Aubin's Harbour were 35 Redshanks and a Turnstone and at Beaumont Marsh were 480 Brent Geese . At La Sente were a Gadwall , a Teal , 11 Grey Herons , 2 Curlews , 2 Redshanks , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 13 Black-headed Gulls , 3 Common Gulls and a Redwing . Grey Wagtails were seen in gardens in St Peter's Village and Old St John's Road, St Helier and at Cowley Farm were 4 Cattle Egrets and another Grey Wagtail . Below : The Iceland Gull taking a rest. Image courtesy of Stuart Matthews.
by Michael Dryden 10 January 2026
10.01.2026 An oiled Kittiwake passing Corbiere. Image: MD. A fair day in a moderate northwest wind, milder at 9c. A first winter Iceland Gull was found in Stinky Bay, at Le Pulec this morning, probably the individual seen passing Corbiere yesterday. Also there were 3 Yellow-legged Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull and 12 Little Egrets, and 6 Mediterranean Gulls were at La Saline. Also in St Ouen's Bay, 28 Ringed Plovers and 11 Dunlin were at La Tour Carre and 60 Sanderlings , 5 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plovers and a Turnstone were at Sand's Slip. On St Ouen's Pond were 5 Tufted Ducks, 30+ Shovelers , a Little Grebe , 2 Grey Herons , 2 Water Pipits , a Meadow Pipit, 3 Stonechats , 90 Brent Geese , and in the backfields were 100+ Lapwings and a large mixed flock of gulls . Another busy morning for seabirds passing Corbiere, included counts of a Red-necked Grebe in company with 2 Slavonian Grebes , a Great Northern Diver , a Brent Goose , a Common Scoter , 64 Gannets , 216 Razorbills , 147 Guillemots , 113 Shags , 25 Cormorants , 740 Kittiwakes , 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 121 Great Black-backed Gulls , 29 Mediterranean Gulls , 10 Common Gulls, 4 Black-headed Gulls , a Yellow-legged Gull and 7 Purple Sandpipers . In Petit port Bay were 40 Curlews , 2 Shelduck and 3 Little Egrets . At La Sente were 3 Little Egrets , 7 Cattle Egrets , 16 Grey Herons , a Greylag , 3 Common Gulls , 4 Meadow Pipits , 4 Teal , 242 Brent Geese and 6 Ravens . A White-fronted Goose was at Grouville Marsh again. A Peregrine was seen near La Crete. In Rozel Harbour were a Little Egret and a Grey Wagtail with another Grey Wagtail seen inflight over Red Houses this afternoon. At Beaumont Marsh were 435 Brent Geese, 2 Cattle Egrets , 2 Little Egrets , a Curlew and a Grey Heron . Evening update : The Snow Bunting was seen again near to Kempt Tower and in St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were 1000+ Lapwings , 100 Brent Geese , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Choughs and 2 Stonechats . 3 Red-breasted Mergansers were near Faulkner's Fisheries at Le'Etacq. A Wigeon was at La Sente and in Grouville Bay this afternoon were 340 Brent Geese, a Common Gull , 65 Sanderlings , 29 Black-headed Gulls , 17 Curlews , 2 Sandwich Terns and 7 Grey Plovers .
by Michael Dryden 9 January 2026
09.01.2026 Today's first winter Iceland Gull as it passes Corbiere. Image: MD Storm Goretti duly passed over the Island with wind gusts of up to 94 mph, which had dropped back to a west-northwest F7 by this morning. Seawatching was popular this morning and was rewarded by an Iceland Gull which passed Corbiere, but not ,so far, seen again. Maybe tomorrow? Among the many gulls passing there were a Caspian Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull, 293 Great Black-backed Gulls , 21 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 25 Kittiwakes , a Mediterranean Gull, a Common Gull , 100+ Herring Gulls and 2 Black-headed Gulls . Also seen were 96 Gannets , 5 Fulmars , 133 Razorbills , 122 Guillemots , another 68 unidentified auks , a Brent Goose , 2 Lapwings , a Curlew , 158 Shags and 13 Cormorants . Roosting on the rocks were 9 Turnstones and a Purple Sandpiper . At Petit Port were 41 Curlews , 2 Shelduck and 5 Mediterranean Gulls . Seen from Le Pulec were 3 Yellow-legged Gulls , 320 Herring Gulls , a Mediterranean Gulls , 90 Black-headed Gulls and 12 Little Egrets . In St Ouen's Bay were another Yellow-legged Gull and 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . At St Ouen's Pond were a Bittern and a Water Pipit , with 1000+ Lapwings and 4 Golden Plovers in the fields behind the Pond. In the Sandpits were a male Gadwall , 15 Pochard , a Greenshank , a Dunlin and a Yellow-legged Gull . At La Sente were 166 Brent Geese , the single Greylag , a Wigeon , a Teal , 21 Grey Herons, 10 Little Egrets , 12 Cattle Egrets , 11 Lapwings , 16 Redshanks , 17 Black-headed Gulls , 12 Common Gulls and a Buzzard . The White-fronted Goose remained at Grouville Marsh and 6 Redwings were seen over Vallee des Vaux. In Beaumont Marsh were 24 Brent Geese , 53 Black-headed Gulls , a Curlew , a Cattle Egret , 2 Little Egrets and 3 Snipe . The results of November's and December's counts of Brent Geese and Waders are now available on this website, and can be downloaded from the Resources page free of charge.
More posts