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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 Michael Dryden 12 June 2026
12.06.2026 A male Stonechat , one of a pair currently looking after a juvenile bird on the north side of St Ouen's Pond MD An overcast day in a mild west-southwest wind. Some brisk early morning passage past Corbiere involved an Arctic Skua , 438 Balearic Shearwaters , 24 Manx Shearwaters , 4 Shelducks , 14 Guillemots , 21 Gannets , 33 Shags , a Kittiwake , 32 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 31 Great Black-backed Gulls . 4 Ravens and a Marsh Harrier also visited the headland. Seen on and around st Ouen's Pond Scrape were the 2 Black-winged Stilts, 3 Shovelers including a female with 5 chicks, 2 Oystercatchers mating, 2 Little Egrets , 3 Lapwings and a Grey Heron . On the north side of St Ouen's Pond were a pair of Stonechats , 3 Linnets , a Skylark , a Swift , a few Sand Martins and Swallows and a flock of Long-tailed Tits in the willows there. At Kempt Tower pools were a female Tufted Duck with a single chick, a Marsh Harrier , a Chiffchaff and a few Reed Warblers and a Coot with one chick. At St Aubin were 2 Shelducks and 2 Swifts and at St Catherine's breakwater were 3 Swifts . Singing birds in a garden in Vallee des Vaux included Firecrest , Goldcrest and Chiffchaff . Evening update: In addition to the shearwaters passing Corbiere this morning, were another 194 seen passing La Coupe. Below : Two distant images of this morning's Arctic Skua , seen passing Corbiere in the gloom. MD
by Michael Dryden 11 June 2026
11.06.2026 Female Tufted Duck with one of her two surviving offspring at Kempt Tower pools yesterday. MD It was another cold-feeling day with overcast skies and some light rain, in a fresh west-southwest wind. On the best day, so far this year, for shearwaters, 428 Balearic Shearwaters and 82 Manx Shearwaters passed Corbiere during this morning. Also seen there, were 12 Guillemots , 3 Razorbills , 12 Gannets , 4 Fulmars , 4 Cormorants , a Kittiwake and a Bottle-nosed Dolphin , with 4 Ravens in the area. 2 Shelduck were at Petit Port and a Hobby was seen at Les landes. The 2 Black-winged Stilts continued their vigil at St Ouen's Pond and also on the Pond were 5 Tufted Ducks , a Lapwing and an adult Little Grebe . 5 Swifts , 30 Sand Martins and a House Martin were feeding overhead there. On the Scrape and surrounding fields were 2 male Shovelers , a male Tufted Duck and 8 Lapwings . At St Aubin were 2 Shelduck again, a Grey Heron and a little Egret . On Grands Vaux reservoir were 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 4 Tufted Ducks and at Le Don Wheeler was a juvenile Grey Heron . 3 young Kestrels are about to fledge at a private site by Longueville Manor Extras for yesterday , at Le Pulec, included 6 Little Egrets , 11 Cormorants , a Shelduck and 2 Stonechats .
by Michael Dryden 10 June 2026
10.06.2026 One of our recently fledged Lapwings in the Scrape field this morning. Image: MD More heavy showers this morning.becoming dry but cool and cloudy this afternoon in a fresh westerly wind. A Marsh Warbler was singing occasionally at the back of St Ouen's Pond this morning, and another was heard at Rue des Pres in St Clement. Seen at St Ouen's Pond this morning, as well, were the 2 Black-winged Stilts , Sedge Warblers collecting food, 30 Swifts , 13 House Martins , 25 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows , while at the Scrape and field were at least 8 Lapwings , a pair of Tufted Duck , 2 male Shovelers and a family of 5 Coot . AT Kempt Tower pools were 2 adult Little Grebes with a full grown juvenile nearby, 3 Tufted Ducks , 2 Marsh Harriers and a Whitethroat , with another Little Grebe seen on Mont Matthieu . A Stonechat was gathering nest material at Le Pulec and 2 Whitethroats were seen near to Les Landes. In the Sandpits at Le Braye were 60 Swifts , 60 Sand Martins , 6 Tufted Ducks , 82 Coot , a Whitethroat , a Cetti's Warbler and Reed Warblers, all feeding young. A brief seawatch at Corbiere, saw 20 Balearic Shearwaters , 11 Manx Shearwaters , 12 Guillemots , 15 Gannets , 2 Fulmars , 4 Kittiwakes , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 2 Swallows and 4 Ravens . 2 Shelduck were at St Aubin. At Rue des Pres were 6 singing Reed Warblers and 2 singing male Cetti's Warbler as well as a female and fledged young in a nearby garden and 3 young Kestrels were at Le Hocq. Several further reports for yesterday include 40 Swifts and 5 Tufted Ducks at Grands Vaux, 2 pairs of Shelducks at Petit Port, at least 8 hatched House Martins at a private site in St Clement, fledged Goldcrests being fed in Coronation Park, 200+ Crows at Trinity Manor as well as 3 Buzzards , and a fly-over Gadwall at St Ouen's Pond.
by Michael Dryden 9 June 2026
09.06.2026 The male Shelduck from the Scrape chasing away an intruding female. MD There were a few heavy showers passing the Island this morning, becoming dry this afternoon, but with a fresh and gusty west-southwest wind. It was another good morning for shearwaters passing Corbiere and in three hours, 367 Balearic Shearwaters and 86 Manx Shearwaters were seen. Also passing were 15 Guillemots , 2 Fulmars , 18 Gannets , 3 Kittiwakes , 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 17 Great Black-backed Gulls. In Petit Port Bay were 2 pairs of Shelduck , and at Le Pulec was another pair of Shelduck , although their last 2 chicks look to have disappeared now. A Whitethroat and a pair of Buzzard were at the south end of Les Landes. On St Ouen's Pond, the pair of Black-winged Stilt were still in situ, while overhead were 6 Swifts , 2 House Martins , 10 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows . At the Scrape were the pair Of Shelduck , 2 male Shovelers and a female Shoveler , still with 7 fast-growing chicks in tow. On the north side of the Pond were a male and a juvenile Stonechat , also a Skylark still singing. Elsewhere, 2 Curlews were at St Aubin and 2 pairs of Moorhens , both with 3 young, were seen in Waterworks Valley mud pond and Dannemarche reservoir. A pair of Cirl Bunting was seen with a juvenile, on Grouville Common.
by Michael Dryden 8 June 2026
08.06.2026 Whitethroat in the rain, image courtesy of Romano RDC Rain through the morning gave way to a clear afternoon with a fresh northwest wind. Firstly, back to yesterday evening, when a Pectoral Sandpiper was seen on St Ouen's Pond, but has not been reported so far today. Also seen were a Snipe , 3 Grey Herons , the Savi's Warbler, 8 Lapwings , 10 Swifts and 40 Swallows . Today at St Ouen's Pond, the 2 Black-winged Stilts were still present, but the Savi's Warbler has not been heard so far today. Also at the Pond were 6 Tufted Ducks , 2 Oystercatchers , 2 Swifts , 3 Sand Martins , 11 House Martins and 20 Swallows , while in the Scrape field were 4 and probably 5 juvenile Lapwings with their parents. In Le Braye Sandpits were a Grey Heron , 5 Tufted Ducks , 72 Coot , 3 Little Egrets , 3 Oystercatchers , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 31 Great Black-backed Gulls , with 12 Swifts , 30 Sand Martins and a House Martin feeding in the shelter provided by the sand banks. Early passage at Corbiere, ahead of the rain arriving, involved 112 Manx Shearwaters , 57 Balearic Shearwaters , 15 Guillemots , 3 Fulmars , 31 Gannets , 3 Cormorants , 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 29 Great Black-backed Gulls, and 7 Swallows heading off southwest. At La Rocque were 7 Curlews , a Whimbrel , a small unidentified wader sp , 16 Little Egrets and 3 Sandwich Terns .
by Michael Dryden 7 June 2026
07.06.2026 A Peregrine on the hunt today. MD A dry but cloudy day, with a moderate southwest wind. A check around St Ouen's Pond this morning found the Savi's Warbler still singing to the north of the Pond, with a male Stonechat and a singing Skylark also there. The 2 Black-winged Stilts were still present of St Ouen's Pond, also 6 Tufted Duck and feeding overhead were 2 Swifts , 30+ Sand Martins and 5 House Martins . Swallows were feeding two fledged young near to Sands. Reed Warblers were feeding fledged young at Kempt Tower On and around the Scrape were 4 pairs of Shovelers , two of which had 13 chicks between them, 3 Tufted Ducks , the pair of Shelduck , at least 8 Lapwings (4 juveniles seen), 2 Oystercatchers , 2 young Cetti's Warblers and a family of 5 Great Tits . A Peregrine was seen flying past La Pulente. A quieter morning at Corbiere saw 36 Manx Shearwaters , 10 Balearic Shearwaters , 17 Guillemots , a Fulmar . 21 Gannets , a Shelduck , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine pass by in two hours from Sunrise. At La Rocque mid-morning, were 10 Curlews , 35 Oystercatchers and 3 Little Egrets .
by Michael Dryden 6 June 2026
06.06.2026 The female Shelduck of the Le Pulec pair, seen here with her two surviving chicks, as of yesterday, image courtesy of Romano RDC Showery rain and a violent southwest wind (F6 gusting F8 ) restricted the number of reports available here, but the seabirds were still going about their business past Corbiere this morning! Through the morning, at Corbiere, counts included 195 Manx Shearwaters, 191 Balearic Shearwaters , 114 Gannets , 6 Fulmars , 10 Guillemots , 46 Shags , 2 Cormorants , 55 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 33 Great Black-backed Gulls , 5 Kittiwakes , a Mediterranean Gull, several hundreds of Herring Gulls , also a single House Martin , a Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine . A Grey Heron was seen in flight over Rozel.
by Michael Dryden 5 June 2026
05.06.2026 Black-winged Stilts continue to fend off passing predators from their chosen spot on St Ouen's Pond MD A cold and often cloudy day in a fresh westerly wind. A bird survey of St Ouen's Pond and surrounds today found a good range of species on offer, including 2 Black-winged Stilts , a singing Marsh Warbler , a singing Savi's Warbler , a Sedge Warbler , Reed Warblers and Cetti's Warblers feeding young, a Whitethroat , Blackcap , Chiffchaffs , 10 Tufted Ducks , 2 male Shovelers , pairs of Stonechats North of the Pond and in the backfields ( with young) also a Skylark . Over the Pond were 12 Swifts , 4 House Martins, 10 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows . On the Scrape, the Shoveler pair were down to 7 young today while in the Scrape field were 9 Lapwings (5 young) and 2 Oystercatchers plus a Curlew in the backfields and another singing Skylark . In the Sandpits were 100 Swifts , 45 Sand Martins including fledged young, 15 House Martins , a Grey Heron , 62 Coot , 8 Tufted Ducks , Stonechats with 3 young, 2 pairs of Whitethroats , 3 pairs of Cetti's Warblers , Reed Warblers , 2 juvenile White Wagtails and 2 Choughs . A quiet start to the day at Corbiere saw 6 Manx Shearwaters , 5 Balearic Shearwaters , 5 Common Scoters , 15 Guillemots , 38 Gannets , 4 Fulmars , 2 Kittiwakes , 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a Raven and a Marsh Harrier , in two hours. 3 Shelduck were at Petit Port again. Passing Grosnez were 2 Barnacle Geese , (probably those seen at the Pond recently), 2 Shelducks , several Guillemots , 2 Razorbills , Gannets , 4 Swifts , 2 Ravens and a Marsh Harrier , while at Plemont were a Swift , 5 Swallows , 6 Fulmars , 4 Oystercatchers and 3 Jackdaws . At Le Pulec were Shelducks , still with 2 young, 4 Little Egrets, 18 Oystercatchers , 4 Curlews , a Peregrine and a Raven . 2 summer-plumaged Cattle Egrets were at Beaumont Marsh, also a Buzzard, and at Le Hocq were 3 Kestrels . This evening, a flock of 35 Cattle Egrets was seen migrating north over St Ouen's Bay.
by Michael Dryden 4 June 2026
04.06.2026 An adult Gannet enjoying the wind strength today at Corbiere. MD A day of blustery showers and a strong and gusty (F6) west-southwest wind. On the Pond today were the 2 Black-winged Stilts , and at the Scrape were the 9 Lapwings ( 5 juveniles), 2 Shelduck and the 2 Oystercatchers which are trying again. Overhead were 15 Swifts , 10 House Martins , 20 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows . Passing Corbiere this morning were 165 Balearic Shearwaters , 88 Manx Shearwaters , 7 Fulmars , 72 Gannets , 15 Guillemots , 41 Shag , 4 Kittiwakes , 36 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , mainly heading off to the West, 58 Great Black-backed Gulls , 5 Swallows , 4 Ravens and a Peregrine . 3 Shelduck were in Petit Port Bay, hopefully with a 4th bird sitting tight. At the other end of St Ouen's Bay, Shelduck with just 2 young were at Le Pulec, also a Curlew , while offshore were 40 Manx Shearwaters , 12 Balearic Shearwaters , 50 Guillemots and 45 Gannets . Extras for yesterday were singing Cetti's Warbler and Reed Warbler in a small reed bed near St Saviour's Hospital and a Grey Heron , 4 Tufted Ducks and 2 Swifts at Grands Vaux reservoir.
by Michael Dryden 3 June 2026
03.06.2026 A proud female Shoveler with her brood, on the Scrape today MD Another disturbed day, with periods of rain and strong southwest winds, feeling cold at a maximum 18c Despite the conditions, the Savi's Warbler was in song again this morning on the north side of St Ouen's Pond, where a Whitethroat , a singing Skylark , and 3 Stonechats were also present. On St Ouen's Pond were the 2 Black-winged Stilts , 3 male Shovelers , 14 Tufted Ducks , a Little Grebe , and feeding in the unpleasant conditions were 15 Swifts , 10 House Martins , 10 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows . At and around the Scrape were one of the Black-winged Stilts feeding, 4 Shelducks , a family of Shovelers which included 8 chicks, 5 juvenile Lapwings , two of which were fledged plus 4 adult Lapwings paying close attention them, 2 Oystercatchers , but with no sign of their two chicks, a Grey Heron and another singing Skylark . Corbiere was much less busy than in recent days and in two hours, 30 Manx Shearwaters , 21 Balearic Shearwaters . 7 Guillemots , 14 Gannets , a Fulmar and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew by. A pair of Shelduck was in Petit Port Bay, also 65 Oystercatchers .
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