22.11.2024 One of a handful of Lapwing at St Ouens Pond, so far the snow on the continent hasn't brought us anymore. Thanks to Tony Paintin  for the image


A much improved day, cloudy with sunny spells and plenty of showers.

Seen passing Victoria Tower this morning were 55 Fieldfare, 73 Redwing, 18 Song Thrush, 7 Blackbird, a Skylark, 89 Chaffinch, a Brambling and 8 Greenfinch.


At La Rocque were 266 Oystercatcher which included an Icelandic ringed individual, 140 Sanderling, 80 Dunlin, 35 Redshank and 2 Greenshank while at a freshly flooded La Sente were 3 Greenshank, 28 Grey Heron, 27 Little Egret, a Cattle Egret and a White Wagtail.


Passing Corbiere early on were 12 Kittiwake, 7 Black-headed Gull, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gull and 13 Gannet with 12 Brent Geese at Petit Port.


Around St Ouens Pond were 26 Lapwing, 10 Snipe, 15 Shoveler, a Teal, 5 Cormorant, a Water Pipit and 2 Stonechat.

by Michael Dryden 29 July 2026
29.07.2026 A juvenile Sandwich Tern arriving on the rocks at Petit Port today MD A near perfect Summer's day at 25c, with clear skies and a light easterly wind. Migrants are starting to show up now, albeit only a few at a time so far. On Les Ecrehous today was a Melodious Warbler and also seen there were 3 Grey Plovers , 97 Turnstones , 100 Oystercatchers , a Whimbrel , 100+ Common Terns , 10 Sandwich Terns , a Little Egret and 6 Rock Pipits . A Crossbill was seen at Victoria Tower, 2 Swifts were over St Catherine's and Noirmont's contribution was the first autumn Wheatear , 4 Sand Martins and 12 Swallows . On Queen's Valley reservoir were a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper and at Rozel was a Whimbrel . At La Rocque was a Roseate Tern resting on rocks there, 100 Sandwich Terns , 50 Mediterranean Gulls , a Turnstone , 5 Common Sandpipers , a Whimbrel and a second year Caspian Gull . A quiet morning in the light winds at Corbiere, saw 66 Balearic Shearwaters , 8 Manx Shearwaters , 50 Gannets , 13 Cormorants , 2 Grey Herons heading West, 4 Little Egrets, 10 Sandwich Terns , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Black-headed Gulls and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in two hours, while in Petit Port Bay were 33 Curlews , 3 Whimbrels , 19 Mediterranean Gulls , 6 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Sandwich Terns and 7 Little Egrets and a few Tuna were feeding west of the Lighthouse. At Le Pulec were a first winter Caspian Gull, 57 Curlews , 9 Little Egrets and a Stonechat . The Scrape at St Ouen's Pond is now nearly dry, unsurprisingly, but on it were an Oystercatchers , 3 Lapwings , a Dunlin , a Common Sandpiper , a Grey Heron , and good numbers of Reed Warblers and a Blackcap . A Skylark was still singing there and in the tamarisks on the path to the hide were a Sedge Warbler , 3 Reed Warblers , a Willow Warbler , 4 Chiffchaffs and 4 Goldfinches , with a first winter Yellow-legged Gull and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls roosting in the field there. On St Ouen's Beach were 2 Yellow-legged Gulls , 41 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 102 Great Black-backed Gulls and 15 Mediterranean Gulls . A Peregrine was reported from the north of St Peter. At Ouaisne were a Common Sandpiper , a Sedge Warbler and a Reed Warbler. At the Gunsite in St Aubin's Bay were 22 Mediterranean Gulls , 145 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and over Elizabeth Castle were 5 Swifts . At Grands Vaux reservoir and pond were 2 Common Sandpipers , a Grey Heron and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and yesterday evening, a Black-crowned Night Heron was reported from the same location. Below : the Scene at Corbiere this morning. MD
by Romano da Costa 28 July 2026
28.07.2026 Head to head with a Barn Owl in St Ouen's Bay RdC Passing Corbiere this morning were 263 Balearic Shearwater , 119 Manx Shearwater , 1 Shoveler , 3 Common Scoter , 3 Guillemot , 138 Gannet , 3 Fulmar , 4 Cormorant , 125 Sandwich Tern , 17 Mediterranean Gull , a Kittiwake , a Common Gull , a Sparrowhawk and 2 Linnet . Roosting at Petit Port were 36 Mediterranean Gull , 19 Curlew , a Whimbrel and 4 Sandwich Tern . On the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond were 2 Lapwing , 2 Common Sandpiper , a Dunlin and 2 White Wagtail while around the north side were 50 Reed Warbler , 30 Sedge Warbler , 5 Willow Warbler , 15 Cetti's Warbler , 10 Chiffchaff , 2 Whitethroat , 18 Blackbird , a Shoveler , 8 Swift , 25 House Martin , a Common Sandpiper , a Green Sandpiper , 50 Sand Martin and 60 Swallow . Yesterday evening at La Rocque were a Roseate Tern , a Common Tern , 250 Sandwich Tern , 38 Mediterranean Gull , 2 Ringed Plover and 25 House Martin .
by Romano da Costa 27 July 2026
27.06.2026 A nice adult Yellow-legged Gull in St Ouen's Bay recently RdC Seen at Grouville Marsh from dawn were 30 Reed Warbler , 6 Sedge Warbler , 4 Willow Warbler , 6 Blackcap , 10 Chiffchaff , 8 Cetti's Warbler , 5 Bullfinch and 2 Water Rail while flying over were a Green Sandpiper , a Greenshank , 20 House Martin , 15 Swallow and 4 Buzzard . Around St Ouen's Pond were 3 Lapwing , a Dunlin , 2 Grey Heron , 20 Tufted Duck , 18 Swift , 20 Sand Martin , 2 Swallow , a Little Grebe and 22 Black-headed Gull . On the beach nearby were 2 Yellow-legged Gull , 63 Great Black-backed Gull , 16 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 9 Mediterranean Gull and 2 Ringed Plover.
by Romano da Costa 26 July 2026
26.07.2026 A fly past from one of the many juvenile Sandwich Terns feeding in Grouville Bay, being followed by one of the many juvenile Mediterranean Gulls which are also passing through RdC Seen in Grouville Bay this evening were at least 750 Sandwich Tern , 2 Common Tern , 75 Mediterranean Gull , 280 Black-headed Gull , 4 Ringed Plover , 3 Greenshank , a Turnstone , a Sanderling , 5 Whimbrel and 20 Curlew . A Quail was heard calling this evening and yesterday afternoon, from a field near the Farmers Cricket field in St Martin. The third record this year, there could be more about so keep your ears open! At Le Pulec was a male Black Redstart , 11 Little Egret , 12 Cormorant , 6 Gannet and 3 Rock Pipit while at Petit Port were 6 Mediterranean Gull , a Common Gull , a Whimbrel and 21 Curlew .
by Romano da Costa 25 July 2026
25.07.2026 One of the many juvenile Mediterranean Gulls passing through at the moment RdC Seen on the Scrape today were 2 Teal , 3 Lapwing , a Green Sandpiper , 2 Common Sandpiper , 2 Swift and a Willow Warbler . On the beach in St Ouen's were a Yellow-legged Gull , 26 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 39 Great Black-backed Gull and a Common Gull . Elsewhere, just a single Manx Shearwater passed Corbiere this morning, 83 Sandwich Tern were at La Rocque and 3 Greenshank were at Queen's Valley. Below, a juvenile Black-headed Gull for comparison RdC
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.
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