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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.

20.04.2026

20 April 2026
20.04.2026 A pair of Shoveler at St Ouen's Pond TP. Another sunny day but with a fresh easterly wind. A few more records from yesterday Cuckoos were seen at Portinfer and Bouley Bay also 11 Wheatears at Les Landes. A male White Wagtail was found at Chateau Clairval Farm, probably a breeding bird. Plenty of Wheatears were around today mainly along the south coast with 8 at Corbiere, 3 at La Rosiere, a single at Beauport, 5 at Noirmont and a single on Beauport Common, where a male Stonechat was also present. At St Ouen's Pond a pair of Shovelers, 4 Tufted Ducks, a pair of Coot with young, a single drake Pochard, 3 Marsh Harriers, a little Grebe, 3 Snipe, up to 10 Swifts plus a steady movement of Swallows, Sand Martins and a few House Martins. A flock of 10 Whimbrels were also seen this morning and a Sedge Warbler was song flighting north of the Pond. At La Sente just 2 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 10 White and 2 Yellow Wagtails.

19.08.2022

19 April 2026
19.04.2026 A whitethroat near Kempt Tower taken last week by Romano. A sunny day with a light north-east wind. The first Swifts of the spring were seen this morning at the Elizabeth Ferry Terminal along with a few Swallows moving through and a pair of White Wagtails on the roof. At La Sente 3 Brent Geese , 4 Yellow Wagtails and 2 White Wagtails. The Woodchat Shrike was still at Noirmont this morning along with 11 Wheatears, a Swift, 2 Sand Martins, a Tree Pipit and 5 Whitethroats. Two Willow Warblers were in Les Creux Country Park and another near Trinity Manor. In St Ouen's Bay 7 Snipe and 2 Shovelers were seen from the Wetland Centre and on the Scrape 13 Yellow Wagtails, 9 Wheatears, the White-fronted Goose and 2 Lapwings. Near Kempt Tower Ponds 2 very vocal Little Grebes, 4 Tufted Ducks, 3 Reed Warblers and a Cetti's Warbler. Near the Francis Le Sueur Centre 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Greenfinch, a Firecrest and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Finally On Grouville Golf Course 2 Cirl Buntings, a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker and on Rue du Pont 4 Wheatears.

18.04.2026

by Romano da Costa • 18 April 2026
18.04.2026 Bird of the year, so far, was this handsome Woodchat Shrike that was seen at Noirmont today. The first record of this species in the Island since 2019 RdC Also seen at Noirmont alongside the Woodchat Shrike were 6 Wheatear , a Whitethroat , 2 Chiffchaff and 5 Swallow . Passing Corbiere were 2 Manx Shearwater , a Great Northern Diver , 3 Guillemot , 2 Fulmar , 2 Gannet , 2 Swallow and a Wheatear . Seen at St Ouen's Pond from dawn were 25 Sedge Warbler , 15 Reed Warbler , 3 Willow Warbler , 5 Chiffchaff , 3 Blackcap , a Whitethroat , 6 Wheatear , 2 Reed Bunting , 25 Swallow , 40 Sand Martin , a Yellow Wagtail , 3 Whimbrel , a Curlew and a Sandwich Tern . At La Sente were 2 Little Ringed Plover , 3 Brent Geese , 2 Little Egret , 2 Swallow , a Wheatear and 2 White Wagtail while at Le Hocq were 2 Wheatear , 8 Curlew , 58 Oystercatcher , 6 Little Egret and 5 Brent Geese . 4 Swallow and a Grey Heron were at Beaumont Marsh and 2 House Martin were at La Hougie Bie. Yesterday, a Cuckoo was heard calling in the woods of Les Creux country park, the first reported this spring. Below, another view of the Woodchat Shrike thanks to Jo Bramley.

17.04.2026

by Romano da Costa • 17 April 2026
17.04.2026 An often tricky species to photograph, this Cetti's Warbler sat in the open for Alan Gicquel this morning. Around St Ouen's Pond were 2 Shelduck , 4 Shoveler , 2 Snipe , 2 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , 7 Reed Warbler , a Sedge Warbler , a Reed Bunting and 6 Wheatear . Whitethroat were heard singing along Les Vaux Cuissin and Ville au Bas in St Ouen and 2 Wheatear and a Cetti's Warbler were along Rue a L'Eau. At Noirmont were 4 Wheatear , a Stonechat and a Dartford Warbler , at Gorselands 3 Wheatear and at Sorel 6 Wheatear , 4 Swallow and a Stonechat . A Swallow , a Wheatear and 2 Kestrel were at Grosnez and 9 Fulmar were on cliffs near Bouley Bay.

16.04.2026

by Romano da Costa • 16 April 2026
16.04.2026 A recent Little Ringed Plover at a very muddy La Sente RdC Around St Ouen's Pond this morning were 8 Reed Warbler , 2 Sedge Warbler , 8 Chiffchaff , a Blackcap , 10 Swallow , 5 Sand Martin , 2 Wheatear , a Snipe and 2 Stonechat while in the Sandpits were 2 Shelduck and 40 Sand Martin . At Le Mielle de Morville were 2 Whitethroat , a Willow Warbler and 3 Cetti's Warbler , with another Cetti's Warbler on Mont Matthieu and at Le Pulec 2 Shelduck and 2 Stonechat . At Les Landes were 3 Wheatear and 3 Stonechat and at Beauport were 2 Wheatear . Seen at La Sente were a Little Ringed Plover , a Grey Wagtail , 7 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Brent Geese while at Queen's Valley was a Common Sandpiper and 2 Shelduck were near Gorey. In a garden at La Pouquelaye were 2 Bullfinch , 2 Blackcap , 3 Goldcrest and a Sparrowhawk .

15.04.2026

by Romano da Costa • 15 April 2026
15.04.2026 A pair of Mallard enjoy what little water is left at La Sente RdC Seen at Grouville Marsh this morning were a Grasshopper Warbler , 2 Sedge Warbler , 5 Reed Warbler , 10 Chiffchaff , 8 Blackcap , 6 Cetti's Warbler , 2 Bullfinch , a Teal and a Snipe . 30 Brent Geese were at La Rocque while 6 more were at La Sente and on Grands Vaux were 16 Tufted Duck . In the Sandpits were 2 Whimbrel , 6 Oystercatcher and 2 Shelduck while on the Scrape were 2 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , a Reed Warbler , a Skylark and a Wheatear with 20 Sand Martin , 2 Reed Warbler and 2 Snipe at the Pond. On the Blanches Banques were a Whitethroat and 7 Swallow while at Petit Port were 4 Great Black-backed Gull , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 2 Shelduck and a Whimbrel Up at Les Landes were 2 Whitethroat and 3 Wheatear and at Gorselands were 4 Dartford Warbler and a Peregrine .

14.04.2026

by Romano da Costa • 14 April 2026
14.04.2026 A White Wagtail still enjoying the mud at La Sente RdC Seen at Grouville Marsh today were 6 Swallow , a Grey Wagtail , a White Wagtail , 2 Snipe , a Teal , 2 Reed Warbler , 6 Cetti's Warbler , 4 Bullfinch , 2 Grey Heron , and 2 Raven while in Grouville Bay were 2 Shelduck, 24 Brent Geese , 7 Curlew and a Gannet. At La Sente were 3 Brent Geese , 5 White Wagtail and a Peregrine . Up at Les Landes were 52 Linnet , a Dartford Warbler and 3 Marsh Harrier. On St Ouen's Pond were 8 Shoveler , 7 Tufted Duck , 2 Snipe , 2 Reed Warbler , 3 Swallow , 25 Sand Martin and 18 Great Black-backed Gull while the White-fronted Goose , 4 Lapwing and 2 Wheatear were on the Scrape. In St Catherine's woods were a Bullfinch , a Grey Heron , a Firecrest and a Raven with many Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing. At West Park were 27 Great Black-backed Gull and a Little Egret while 8 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were near St Aubin.

13.04.2026

by Romano da Costa • 13 April 2026
13.04.2026 A recently arrived Whitethroat , singing away RdC Around St Ouen's Pond this morning were 5 Reed Warbler , 3 Blackcap , 6 Chiffchaff , a Snipe , 30 Swallow , a House Martin , 10 Sand Martin , 12 Tufted Duck , a Shoveler and 4 Barnacle Geese , possibly 6 flying in. In the Sandpit were 2 Shelduck , 6 Tufted Duck , a Grey Heron , 2 Stonechat and 40 Sand Martin . At Ouaisne were 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a Dartford Warbler with another Dartford Warbler at Portelet. A Wheatear , a Dartford Warbler and 3 Swallow were at La Rosiere and roosting at Petit Port were a Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Shelduck . La Sente were a Little Ringed Plover , 2 Brent Geese , the Blue-headed Wagtail , 4 White Wagtail , 2 Swallow and a Peregrine . Yesterday evening at St Ouen's Pond were 2 Sedge Warbler , 2 Reed Warbler , a Willow Warbler , 20 Swallow , 20 Sand Martin , 2 House Martin , a Reed Bunting , 4 Snipe , a Grey Heron and a Wigeon .

12.04.2026

by Romano da Costa • 12 April 2026
12.04.2026 The handsome Blue-headed Wagtail at La Sente, thanks to Stuart Matthews for the photo Seen from Plemont this morning were 36 Swallow , 14 House Martin , a Peregrine , 16 Razorbill , 12 Fulmar and 2 Dartford Warbler . On the Scrape were the White-fronted Goose , 3 Lapwing , 2 Wheatear and 10 Swallow with another 6 Swallow on Mont Matthieu and at Kempt Tower were 2 Shoveler , a Cetti's Warbler and a Reed Warbler . Seen at La Sente were the Blue-headed Wagtail , a Yellow Wagtail , 5 White Wagtail , a Little Egret , 2 Brent Geese and 4 Little Ringed Plover . At St Aubin were 43 Pale-bellied Brent Geese , 2 Curlew and 11 Oystercatcher while at Beaumont Marsh were 3 Brent Geese , a Swallow and a Grey Heron . Below, a short video of the Blue-headed Wagtail , thanks to Jo Bramley

11.04.2026

by Romano da Costa • 11 April 2026
11.04.2026 The female Shelduck at La Sente recently RdC Seen at St Ouen's Pond this morning were the 4 Barnacle Geese , 2 Shelduck , 15 Teal , 5 Shoveler , 3 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , 100 Sand Martin , 2 House Martin and 3 Swallow . Roosting at Petit Port were 74 Oystercatcher , 3 Curlew , a Brent Goose and 2 Shelduck . At St Aubin were 24 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Curlew while at Beaumont Marsh were 12 Pale-bellied Brent , 4 Brent Geese and a Grey Heron . At La Sente were 2 Shelduck , 2 Brent Geese , 2 Little Ringed Plover , a Cattle Egret and a Black-headed Gull while on Rue du Pont were 4 Cattle Egret and 30 Swallow . 3 Gannet were seen from Rozel. Extras at La Sente this evening where Little Ringed Plover were up to 4, also a Blue-headed Wagtail , a Yellow Wagtail , 10 White Wagtail , 4 Brent Geese , 2 Cattle Egret and 2 Swallow with 5 House Martin nearby. at Grouville Marsh were 26 Swallow , 2 House Martin , a Sand Martin , 2 Tufted Duck and a Sparrowhawk .
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