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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.

12.03.2026

by Romano da Costa • 12 March 2026
12.03.2026 A fly past from a Cattle Egret MD Seen at La Sente today were 330 Brent Geese , 4 Shoveler , 2 Shelduck , 28 Little Egret , 22 Cattle Egret , 24 Redshank , 2 Greenshank , a Common Gull , 4 Black-headed Gull and a Cetti's Warbler . On the Scrape were 28 Brent Geese , 24 Teal , 4 Lapwing and 2 Oystercatcher while in the Sandpits were 22 Tufted Duck , 4 Oystercatcher , 4 Chough and a Cetti's Warbler . Roosting at Petit Port were 2 Shelduck and 8 Curlew and at St Aubins were 36 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 12 Redshank . 11 Tufted Duck were at Grands Vaux and a Siskin and 2 Blackcap were in Vallee des Vaux.

11.03.2026

by Romano da Costa • 11 March 2026
11.03.2026 This Little Egret , colour-ringed in Llanon, Wales back in April 2022, is now on its third visit to Jersey. Usually seen in the first week of May on its previous two visits, its a few weeks earlier this year and coincides with an increase of Little Egret numbers at La Sente RdC Seen at La Sente this morning were 52 Little Egret , 26 Cattle Egret , 5 Common Gull , 21 Black-headed Gull , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 4 Shoveler , 2 Shelduck , 60 Brent Geese , 6 Greenshank , 55 Redshank and 10 Pied Wagtail while at Queens Valley were a Little Grebe , a flyover Cattle Egret , a Kingfisher , a Grey Wagtail and 2 Teal . At St Aubins were a Great Crested Grebe , 5 Black-headed Gull and 31 Pale-bellied Brent Geese with another 12 in St Brelades Bay. Out west at St Ouens Pond were 30 Teal , a Pochard , 10 Shoveler , 5 Tufted Duck , 2 Little Grebe , 40 Brent Geese , 4 Lapwing and 3 Marsh Harrier while at Petit Port were 4 Brent Geese and 4 Curlew . Yesterday evening at La Haule were a Grey Plover , 180 Sanderling and 8 Dunlin .

10.03.2026

by Romano da Costa • 10 March 2026
10.03.2026 A handsome drake Shoveler at La Sente RdC Seen at La Rocque this morning were 2 Knot , 85 Grey Plover , 100 Oystercatcher , a Common Gull, 230 Brent Geese and a Black Redstart with 2 Wheatear at Le Bourg. In Grouville Bay later on were 54 Grey Plover , 27 Dunlin , 32 Sanderling , a Great Crested Grebe , 5 Black-headed Gull and 6 Raven . Around La Sente were 4 Shoveler , 2 Shelduck , 80 Brent Geese , 7 Greenshank , 28 Redshank , 19 Cattle Egret , 22 Little Egret , 2 Common Gull , a Black-headed Gull , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 27 Pied Wagtail while a Mallard with 7 ducklings was seen at Grouville Marsh. At St Ouens Pond were 44 Shoveler , 8 Tufted Duck , 4 Teal , a Wigeon , a Little Grebe and a Snipe while 2 Stonechat were at Beauport. Elsewhere, 3 Fieldfare were in Trinity Cider Orchard, 16 Black-headed Gull and 2 Tufted Duck were at Grands Vaux, a Kingfisher was at Queen's Valley, a Grey Wagtail was on La Rue du Moulin de Bas and 2 Turnstone were in the Marina.

09.03.2026

by Romano da Costa • 9 March 2026
09.03.2026 One of three Knot that have spent the winter in Grouville Bay RdC At La Sente this morning were 36 Brent Geese , 2 Shoveler , 2 Shelduck , the Wigeon , 10 Little Egret , a Cattle Egret , 36 Redshank , 4 Greenshank and 12 Black-headed Gull . In St Aubins were a Great Crested Grebe , 12 Redshank and 29 Pale-bellied Brent Geese while at Beaumont Marsh were 123 Brent Geese , 13 Pale-bellied Brent Geese , 30 Meadow Pipit and 3 Little Egret with another 10 Pale-bellied Brent Geese in St Brelades Bay. Along La Rue du Moulin de Bas were 13 Fieldfare , 5 Redwing , 2 Blackcap and a Firecrest while in the Trinity Cider Orchard were 5 Chiffchaff . A male Wheatear was at Sorel along with 3 Stonechat and 2 Song Thrush and at Les Platons were 4 Dartford Warbler . On the north side of St Ouens Pond were 3 Reed Bunting and 10 Chiffchaff with 32 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Teal , a Snipe and 2 Sand Martin on the Pond while at Kempt Tower were 2 Shoveler , 2 Little Grebe and 6 Raven . At Petit Port were 10 Mediterranean Gull . A Grey Wagtail was in St Peters Valley and a Siskin and 2 Blackcap were in Vallee des Vaux.

08.03.2026

by Romano da Costa • 8 March 2026
08.03.2026 A female Stonechat coming into land, brilliantly captured by Susan Renouf. Seen at La Sente this morning were 7 Common Gull , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 2 Shelduck , 2 Shoveler , the Wigeon , 70 Brent Geese , 28 Cattle Egret , 9 Little Egret , 6 Greenshank , 50 Redshank , 2 Raven and 30 Pied Wagtail while nearby at La Rocque were a Great Northern Diver , a Black-necked Grebe and 2 Red-breasted Merganser . At Petit Port were 15 Mediterranean Gull , 11 Curlew , 85 Oystercatcher and 6 Brent Geese and a Puffin was seen from a boat five miles west of L'Etacq. On the Scrape were 21 Teal , 2 Lapwing and 2 Oystercatchers while a pair of Little Grebe were at Kempt Tower and 14 Pied Wagtail and 2 Skylark were by Cutty Sark. Beaumont Marsh held 190 Brent Geese , 27 Meadow Pipit , 3 Little Egret and a Grey Heron and at St Aubins were 13 Redshank and a Pied Wagtail .

07.03.2026

by Romano da Costa • 7 March 2026
07.03.2026 Mediterranean Gulls are starting to get a bit thin on the ground now as most are already back on their breeding grounds throughout Europe MD Seen at Petit Port this morning were 17 Mediterranean Gull and 6 Brent Geese while nearby at Ouaisne were 2 Little Grebe , 3 Snipe , 15 Chiffchaff , 2 Firecrest , a Goldcrest and a Siskin . At St Aubin were 33 Pale-bellied Brent Geese , 14 Redshank and 10 Turnstone while 130 Brent Geese were by the Gunsite. Around La Sente were 2 Shelduck , 2 Shoveler , the Wigeon , 24 Cattle Egret , 19 Little Egret , 3 Mediterranean Gull , 65 Black-headed Gull , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 6 Greenshank , 52 Redshank and 36 Pied Wagtail . 6 Brent Geese were in Rozel Harbour.

06.03.2026

by Romano da Costa • 6 March 2026
06.03.2026 A flock of Pale-bellied Brent Geese at St Aubins recently MD Seen at La Sente this morning were 2 Shelduck , 2 Shoveler , the Wigeon , 3 Greenshank , 18 Redshank , 2 Little Egret and 8 Pied Wagtail . 31 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at St Aubin while at Beaumont Marsh were 350 Brent Geese , a Curlew and 3 Pied Wagtail . In the Sandpits were 28 Tufted Duck , a Little Grebe , 2 Stonechat and a Cetti's Warbler and at St Ouen's Pond were 42 Shoveler , 11 Teal , a Pochard , 14 Tufted Duck , 5 Lapwing and a Sparrowhawk . On Mont Matthieu were a Cetti's Warbler and a Tufted Duck . Roosting at Petit Port were 17 Mediterranean Gull . Yesterday a Wheatear was seen on the north side of St Ouen's Pond.

05.03.2026

by Romano da Costa • 5 March 2026
05.03.2026 At least one male Black Redstart is still residing at La Rocque RdC Seen in Grouville Bay on the falling tide were 3 Knot , a Bar-tailed Godwit , 214 Grey Plover , 448 Sanderling , 342 Dunlin , 7 Greenshank , 3 Redshank , 46 Oystercatcher , 6 Curlew and 410 Brent Geese with a Great Northern Diver , 2 Black-necked Grebe , 8 Red-breasted Merganser and a Black Redstart at La Rocque. Nearby at la Sente were 56 Redshank , 2 Shelduck , 2 Shoveler , the Wigeon , 2 Common Gull , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 11 Little Egret and 5 Cattle Egret . At Queens Valley were a Kingfisher , 3 Siskin , 10 Chiffchaff , 2 Teal and a Water Rail while in Vallee des Vaux were 4 Woodcock , a Brambling and 2 Blackcap . Along Rue du Moulin de Bas were 2 Fieldfare , a Redwing , 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Water Rail while a pale Buzzard was at Haute Croix and 4 Chiffchaff at Grands Vaux. Around St Ouen's Pond were 150 Brent Geese , 28 Teal , 23 Shoveler , a Pochard , 4 Lapwing , 2 Oystercatcher , 3 Snipe and a Sparrowhawk while in the Sandpits were 2 Little Grebe and 4 Mediterranean Gull with 6 more on the beach. Beaumont Marsh held 300 Brent Geese , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , a Little Egret and a Grey Heron .

04.03.2026

by Romano da Costa • 4 March 2026
04.03.2026 This evenings Little Bunting , caught and ringed at Grouville Marsh, the first since 2024. Thanks to Dave Buxton for the photo. At La Sente this morning were 2 Shelduck , 2 Shoveler , the Wigeon , 17 Little Egret , 14 Cattle Egret , 68 Redshank , 7 Greenshank , a Snipe and 11 Pied Wagtail while at 32 Cattle Egret were along La Rue des Fonds and at Grands Vaux were 13 Black-headed Gull , 2 Raven and 4 Chiffchaff . Around St Ouen's Pond were the White-fronted Goose , 95 Brent Geese , 21 Teal , 28 Shoveler , 9 Tufted Duck , a Pochard , a Snipe , 7 Lapwing , a Little Grebe , a Water Rail and 3 Grey Heron while at Kempt Tower were 4 Little Grebe , a Shoveler and a Water Rail . On the Ecrehous were a Purple Sandpiper , 2 Ringed Plover , 111 Grey Plover and 8 Brent Geese . A Black Redstart was at La Rocque and 21 Redshank , a Turnstone and 26 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at St Aubin. Up at Crabbe were a Peregrine , a Marsh Harrier , 12 Meadow Pipit , a Pied Wagtail , 3 Song Thrush and 3 Chiffchaff. Elsewhere, 2 Dartford Warbler and 4 Stonechat were at Noirmont, 4 Stonechat , 3 Greenfinch , and 2 Raven were at Beauport, a Stonechat was at Sorel and a Dartford Warbler was at Corbiere.

03.03.2026

by Romano da Costa • 3 March 2026
03.03.2026 The long-staying Russian White-fronted Goose at St Ouen's Pond on Sunday RdC Seen at Petit Port were 18 Mediterranean Gull , 6 Little Egret were at La Pulente and 14 Buzzards , including 2 Pale birds were over St Brelades Bay. Around St Ouen's Pond were 34 Shoveler , 2 Pochard , 4 Tufted Duck , 6 Teal , a Little Grebe , 4 Lapwing , a Water Rail , 2 Chiffchaff , a pair of Stonechat and 2 Chough with a Ringed Plovers on Sands slip. On the Minquiers were 4 Sand Martin , 3 Chiffchaff , a Stonechat and a Wren while on the Ecrehous were 200 Turnstone , 5 Grey Plover , 4 Redshank , a Kestrel and a Carrion Crow . At La Sente were 2 Shoveler , the Wigeon , 2 Shelduck , 33 Cattle Egret , 6 Little Egret , 2 Greenshank and a Snipe . In the Jersey Cider Orchard were 4 Fieldfare , 3 Redwing , 2 Song Thrush and 2 Chiffchaff . 2 Cattle Egret were near Catherine Best and 18 Meadow Pipit flew over Sorel. Yesterday evening, 270 Alba Wagtail were roosting at the Marina.
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