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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 Romano da Costa 24 July 2026
24.07.2026 A Dutch colour-ringed Great Black-backed Gull in St Ouen's Bay, this bird was ringed as a chick near Grevelingen in the Netherlands in June 2025 RdC Seen at St Ouen's Pond today were 3 Grasshopper Warbler , 3 Willow Warbler , 12 Sedge Warbler , 30 Reed Warbler , 100 Sand Martin , 40 Swallow , 30 Starling , 2 Chough and 3 Marsh Harrier while on the Scrape were a Little Ringed Plover , a Green Sandpiper , 2 Common Sandpiper , 3 Lapwing , a Willow Warbler and 2 Stonechat . At St Aubin were 56 Mediterranean Gull , 80 Black-headed Gull and 4 Little Egret . In Grouville Bay this evening were 180 Sandwich Tern , 55 Mediterranean Gull , 260 Black-headed Gull , a Ringed Plover and 4 Whimbrel .
by Romano da Costa 23 July 2026
23.07.2026 The German ringed Caspian Gull in St Ouen's Bay yesterday, thanks to Jo Bramley for the photo. Seen in St Ouen's Bay throughout the day were 2 Caspian Gull (one colour-ringed in Germany), 5 Yellow-legged Gull , 66 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 73 Great Black-backed Gull , 64 Herring Gull , 31 Black-headed Gull and 13 Mediterranean Gull while on the Scrape were 3 Lapwing , 2 Dunlin , a Green Sandpiper , a Common Sandpiper , 2 Teal , 2 Stonechat , 3 Swift and a Peregrine . A recently fledged Black Redstart was seen at Le Pulec along with 42 Curlew and a good number of Gulls and Balearic Shearwaters passing offshore. Out east, a Greenshank was at Queen's Valley, 54 Sandwich Tern were at La Rocque and in Grouville Bay were 159 Sandwich Tern , 53 Mediterranean Gull , 19 Black-headed Gull and 29 Oystercatcher . 5 Curlew were at St Aubin. Back to yesterday when in St Ouen's Bay were the first juvenile Caspian Gull of the autumn, 6 Yellow-legged Gull , 97 Great Black-backed Gull , 101 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 14 Mediterranean Gull . On the Ecrehous were 150 Common Tern , 100 Sandwich Tern , a Purple Sandpiper , 11 Sanderling , a Dunlin , a Ringed Plover , 12 Turnstone and a Willow Warbler .
by Romano da Costa 22 July 2026
22.07.2026 Yesterday's Grasshopper Warbler which was ringed at St Ouen's Pond, thanks to Dave Buxton for the photo. Seen in the St Ouens Bay Sandpits this morning were 2 Gadwall , 2 Pochard , 2 Common Sandpiper , a Yellow-legged Gull , a Lapwing and 12 White Wagtail . Around the Scrape at St Ouens Pond were 2 Teal , 4 Green Sandpiper , a Greenshank , 2 Oystercatcher , 2 Lapwing , a Grey Heron , 2 Peregrine , a Whitethroat and a Reed Warbler feeding young. Near the Gunsite at St Aubin were 63 Black-headed Gull , 3 Mediterranean Gull and 3 Great Black-backed Gull . Up at Crabbe were 7 Swift , 2 Peregrine , 4 Buzzard , 2 Kestrel , 2 Chough , 5 Raven , a Dartford Warbler , a Blackcap and a Goldfinch with young. Below, it's not often that Sedge Warblers choose to bred here, so it was good confirmation they have this summer with this recently fledged juvenile ringed at St Ouens Pond yeaterday.
by Michael Dryden 21 July 2026
21.07.2026 After weeks of concern (by Us) the Lapwing chick is airborne, although some feathers are yet to open fully by the looks of it! So that is six young raised by two pairs, the best for some while. Image: MD Another dry day, with clear skies and a cooler northeast wind. A good ringing session on the north side of St Ouen's Pond this morning recorded 200 Swallows , 120 Sand Martins out of a roost, a Grasshopper Warbler , a Willow Warbler , 25 Reed Warblers including some fledged young, 4 Sedge Warblers with one fledged young, a Stonechat , a juvenile Marsh Harrier , and overhead, a Green Sandpiper, a Grey Heron , 15 House Martins and 8 Swifts . Later morning, 15 Swifts were feeding over St Ouen's Pond. On the Scrape were 2 Green Sandpipers , 2 Snipe , 2 Oystercatchers , 3 Lapwings including the now fledged juvenile, and overhead, a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , a Mediterranean Gull , 4 Black-headed Gulls . In the backfields were 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . Seen from Le Pulec were 536 Balearic Shearwaters moving north, another 600+ Balearic Shearwaters rafting offshore, 2 Manx Shearwaters , a Guillemot , 3 Common Scoters , 52 Gannets, 9 Fulmars , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 8 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Grey Herons , a Peregrine , 4 Curlews , a Whimbrel , 2 White Wagtails , a Sand Martin , 20+ Swallows and 5 House Martins . At La Saline, in St Ouen's Bay were a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff , 3 Redshanks , 10 Little Egrets , 2 House Martins and a Peregrine sitting on a rock offshore. 4 Swifts and a Swallowtail butterfly were at Les Landes and a juvenile Cuckoo was pictured near to Val de la Mare. At St Aubin were 105 Black-headed Gulls , 27 Mediterranean Gulls and 10 Redshanks and at Petit Port were another 10 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Black - headed Gulls , a Whimbrel and 25 Curlews . Below : A view of the upper wing of the young Lapwing at the Scrape. MD
by Michael Dryden 20 July 2026
20.07.2026 A beautiful image of a Gannet , taken off the west coast recently by John Ovenden JO A fair to fine day in a moderate east-northeast wind. 452 Balearic Shearwaters passed L'Etacq in twenty minutes this morning, heading north-east, while seen from Corbiere were 578 Balearic Shearwaters (different birds, based on timing). Also seen passing Corbiere were 2 Roseate Terns , 15 Manx Shearwaters , 36 Gannets , 14 Guillemots , a Razorbill , 5 Cormorants , 3 Grey Herons from the West, 3 Kittiwakes , 28 Mediterranean Gulls , 27 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Whimbrel , a Curlew , a Redshank , a Dunlin , 9 distant waders , probably also Dunlin, a female Marsh Harrier and a Grey Seal tackling a large fish. At Petit Port were 23 Curlews , a Redshank , 96 Oystercatchers , 5 Little Egrets , 10 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Black-headed Gulls . Around the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond were 3 Green Sandpipers , the pair of Oystercatchers , no longer sitting, and 4 adult with one juvenile Lapwings . On St Ouen's Pond were 5 Grey Herons , 11 Tufted Ducks , 2 Teal , 2 Reed Warblers , c20 Starlings , 20 House Martins , 8 Sand Martins and 2 Swifts . Another 2 Swifts were seen at St Catherine's.
by Michael Dryden 19 July 2026
19.07.2026 A Balearic Shearwater off Jersey's West coast, with thanks to John Ovenden for the fine image. JO A clear day with some high cloud and a moderate east-northeast wind. A massive feeding party to the West of Le Pulec this morning included 3,500 Balearic Shearwaters and 60 Manx Shearwaters . Also seen there were 36 Curlews , 2 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Cormorants , a Peregrine , 2 Buzzards and 3 Grey Seals . Counts from Corbiere involved 362 Balearic Shearwaters , 7 Manx Shearwaters , 73 Gannets , a Guillemot , 16 Cormorants , 18 Shags , a Kittiwake , 62 Mediterranean Gulls, 46 Black-headed Gulls , 54 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 70 Great Black-backed Gulls , 19 Sandwich Terns and 6 Swallows . At Petit Port were 53 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Black-headed Gulls , 13 Curlews and a Whimbrel . On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were 2 Teal , 2 Lapwings with a juvenile, a pair of Oystercatcher and 3 Swifts and at Gorselands were 4 Dartford Warblers and a Peregrine . There were early signs of autumn migration at Grouville Marsh and seen from Dawn onwards were 3 Sedge Warblers caught and ringed among 50 Other birds of 13 species. These included fledged Reed Warblers , a Blackcap , Chiffchaff and Cetti's Warbler. Also there were 11 Swallows , 2 Bullfinches , 2 Marsh Harriers , a Greenshank and 2 Grey Herons flying over and a Water Rail calling. In Rue du Pont in Grouville were 84 Mediterranean Gulls , 147 Black-headed Gulls and 9 Great Black-backed Gulls . At La Rocque were 60 Sandwich Terns and 9 Little Egrets . Yesterday , 4 Swifts were seen over the War Tunnels. Below : and thanks again to John, for this distant image of a Great Skua , seen harassing gulls following a trawler yesterday.
by Michael Dryden 18 July 2026
18.07.2026 Mediterranean Gulls are returning to the Island in ever increasing numbers. This beautiful adult bird was at Petit Port yesterday MD A warm day with mainly sunny skies in a light west-northwest wind At St Ouen's Pond and mainly at the Scrape were 3 Teal , 3 adult Lapwings and one juvenile, 2 Oystercatchers , a Snipe , a Grey Heron , a Swift , 10+ Sand Martins and 10 Swallows . 2 Common Sandpipers were at Le Pulec. Morning passage past Corbiere was subdued today, but did include 516 Balearic Shearwaters, 8 Manx Shearwaters , a Fulmar , 37 Gannets , 7 Guillemots , a Common Scoter , 11 Cormorants , 6 Mediterranean Gulls , 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 26 Great Black-backed Gulls , also 2 Bottle - nosed Dolphins heading East close in. At Petit Port were 26 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Black-headed Gulls , a Common Sandpiper , 19 Curlews , and 2 Whimbrels . Swallows are being seen sitting on wires around the Island as they start to contemplate their next moves.14 Swallows were at La Rocque today, also 4 Sandwich Terns .
by Michael Dryden 17 July 2026
17.07.2026 Oystercatchers at play over Petit Port MD A warm and mainly clear day in a light northeast wind. At St Ouen's Pond and Scrape this morning were 3 Green Sandpipers , a Common Sandpiper , 2 Oystercatchers still sitting and 3 Lapwings plus the juvenile bird. In Le Braye Sandpits were 5 Common Sandpipers , 3 White Wagtails , a Yellow-legged Gull, 40 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , a Gadwall , and 5 Grey Herons . On St Ouen's Beach were 20 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Common Gulls , 51 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 36 Great Black-backed Gulls . Seabirds passing Corbiere included 2,235 Balearic Shearwaters , 31 Manx Shearwaters , a Guillemot , 28 Gannets , 28 Shags , 4 Cormorants , 34 Mediterranean Gulls , 14 Black-head Gulls , 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 23 Great Black-backed Gulls , 7 Sandwich Terns and a Common Sandpiper , while in Petit Port were a Whimbrel , 18 Curlews , 44 Mediterranean Gull s, 3 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Sandwich Terns . On the ground at Beauport were a Whitethroat , 2 Dartford Warblers with a juvenile, a male Stonechat with onr juvenile and overhead, 10 Swifts . This afternoon, over Red Houses were a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard being hassled by a Lesser Black-backed Gull .e On Grands Vaux reservoir were 2 Teal , a Grey Heron , a Bullfinch and 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and in Vallee des Vaux was a singing Firecrest . 9 Swifts were seen over Gorey Castle and at Icho Tower were a Curlew , a Whimbrel , a Redshank , a Turnstone and 4 Little Egrets . Evening update: In Grouville Bay this evening were 260 Black-headed Gulls, 15 Sandwich Terns and 12 Swifts . Yesterday evening, a Barn Owl was seen near Cowley Farm.
by Michael Dryden 16 July 2026
16.07.2026 A Green Sandpiper about to take a bath at the Scrape this morning. MD A warm and sultry day with high cloud this morning and isolated heavy showers this afternoon, winds lighter but still from the east-northeast. Yesterday's heavy showers had partly refilled the Scrape and new to there were a Green Sandpiper , possibly two, and a Common Sandpiper. Also around were 4 adult Lapwings , with the fast growing juvenile still present and 2 Oystercatchers . Feeding overhead were 20+ Swifts , 10 Sand Martins , 4 Swallows , 4 Mediterranean Gulls , 5 Black-headed Gulls , a singing Skylark and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. Some early morning passage past Corbiere included 620 Balearic Shearwaters , 21 Manx Shearwaters , 2 Guillemots , 2 Fulmars , 19 Gannets , a Kittiwake , a juvenile Mediterranean Gull and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . In Petit Port Bay were 42 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Black-headed Gulls , 21 Curlews , a Whimbrel , a Common Sandpiper and a Redshank . In St Ouen's Bay were 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 37 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 25 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Common Gulls , 185 Black-headed Gulls and 5 Mediterranean Gulls . At La Rocque were 160 Sandwich Terns , 75 Mediterranean Gulls , 240 Black-headed Gulls , 2 Common Gulls and 2 Whimbrels . Among birds in care at the JSPCA at the moment are a juvenile Cuckoo , found near Sandybrook with a damaged wing, also a Peregrine in a similar condition.
by Michael Dryden 15 July 2026
15.07.2026 A Bar-tailed Godwit in Summer plumage on St Ouen's Beach yesterday, image courtesy of Jo Bramley A mainly dry day, despite the Island being surrounded by hefty showers, winds still in the east-northeast but a little les windy than yesterday The shearwaters still haven't deserted us and seen passing Corbiere this morning were 2,652 Balearic Shearwaters and 19 Manx Shearwaters . Also seen were 4 Common Scoters , 7 Guillemots , 2 Fulmars , 55 Gannets , 5 Little Egrets arriving from the southwest, 2 Grey Herons doing likewise, 2 Whimbrels , a Kittiwake , 30 Mediterranean Gulls , 22 Black-headed Gulls , 40 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 33 Great Black-backed Gulls, 11 Sandwich Terns , 3 Swifts and a White Wagtail . In Petit Port Bay were 32 Mediterranean Gulls , 16 Curlews , a Redshank and 3 Little Egrets . On St Ouen's Beach this afternoon were an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Common Gulls , 15 Great Black-backed Gulls , 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 Sandwich Terns , a Common Sandpiper , 2 Turnstones and 37 Mediterranean Gulls . 10 Shags and 4 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were offshore. In Le Braye Sandpits were 2 Common Sandpipers , a Teal , 3 Lapwings , 2 Grey Herons , 6 Little Egrets , 5 Little Grebes , 15 Black-headed Gulls , a Stonechat , a Cetti's Warbler , 15 Sand Martins and 4 juvenile Oystercatchers . At St Aubin were 8 Redshanks . Evening update : On Les Ecrehous today were a Purple Sandpiper , 70 Sandwich Terns and a Willow Warble r.
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