This is a subtitle for your new post

23.09.2024  A nice Sanderling, image courtesy of Romano   RdC


It was mainly cloudy to overcast today with some light rain this afternoon. Winds were light from the South- west


A very quiet day given the date, with little significant visible migration tsking place, especially at Noirmont, where just 50 Meadow Pipits, 7 Swallows, 40 Linnets, 2 Chaffinches, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Peregrine, and a Grey Heron seen in flight in an hour.


In the Sandpits of St Ouen's Bay were 2 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Grey Herons, 25 Little Grebes and 2 Great Crested Grebes, plus 17 Cormorants. On the Scrape were 11 Teal, a Shoveler, 3 Kingfishers, and a surprising Great Spotted Woodpecker. At Sands Slip in St Ouen's Bay were 58 Ringed Plovers, a Sanderling and 2 Pied Wagtails, until disturbed by people on the beach.


In Petit Port Bay were 44 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 9 Great Black-backed Gulls, a Whimbrel and 31 Curlews, also a Stonechat.


A Chough and a Raven were seen flying over the Steamclock in Town.


Over the weekend, 120 Brent Geese were seen at Seymour, as their return picks up pace.

by Michael Dryden • 12 October 2026
12.10.2026 Thanks go to Tony Morin for this nice image of a Spoonbill at La Rocque today A day of early rain, then overcast conditions in a gusty southerly wind (15c) Gulls found today's conditions to their liking. Counts from Corbiere included 201 Great Black-backed Gulls , 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 175 Mediterranean Gulls , 78 Mediterranean Gulls and a Common Gull , plus c100 Herring Gulls . Also passing Corbiere were 19 Balearic Shearwaters, 22 Razorbills , 5 Guillemots , 6 auk sp , 2 Common Scoters , 68 Gannets , 28 Shags , 2 Grey Herons , 3 Purple Sandpipers and 20 Turnstones . In Petit Port Bay were another 31 Great Black-backed Gulls and 60 Mediterranean Gulls . At the Gunsite, in St Aubin's Bay were 178 Brent Geese , 55 of them pale-bellied Brent, 65 Black-headed Gulls , 15 Oystercatchers . 3 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Pied Wagtails and a Little Egret . A Spoonbill was seen and photographed at La Rocque ( above). There was no visible migration over Noirmont, but in the large field were 52 Meadow Pipits , 6 Stonechats , a Chiffchaff and 2 Dartford Warbler . At St Ouen's Pond were 21 Teal , 3 Shovelers and a Grey Heron and on the Scrape were a Stonechat and a Snipe . In St Ouen's Bay this afternoon were 88 Great Black-backed Gulls , 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 54 Mediterranean Gulls , and a Wheatear was by the Cutty Sark. At Grands Vaux were 7 Teal , and at Grouville Marsh were 13 Cattle Egrets .
by Michael Dryden • 11 October 2026
11.10.2026 Buzzard over Noirmont MD A cloudy day with good visibility and a far lighter wind that of late, from the southwest. Visible migration over Victoria Tower included a Ring Ouzel , 14 Song Thrushes , 3 Swallows , 103 Chaffinches , 10 Greenfinches , 61 Linnets , 28 Goldfinches , 6 Siskins , 21 Meadow Pipits , 8 Pied Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail and 75 Woodpigeons . In a similar vein, passing over Noirmont were a Merlin , 4 Swallows , 2 Skylarks , 705 Meadow Pipits , 20 alba Wagtails , 208 Woodpigeons , 2 Stock Doves , 640 Linnets , 78 Chaffinches , 12 Greenfinches , 53 Goldfinches , 2 Starlings , a Grey Heron , a Marsh Harrier , 4 Buzzards , a Sparrowhawk , 2 Ravens and 2 Choughs , while on the ground were 8 Stonechats , 3 Chiffchaffs , 18 Long-tailed Tits , 7 Blue Tits and 3 Dartford Warblers . Offshore were 53 Razorbills/Guillemots , 6 Gannets , 13 Black-headed Gulls , a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . In Grouville Marsh this morning were 20 Chiffchaffs , 20 Blackcaps , 4 Firecrests , 4 Siskins , 12 Cetti's Warblers , 6 Stonechats , 4 Blackbirds , 8 Song Thrushes , 20 Long-tailed Tits , good numbers of both Great Tits and Blue Tits , 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers , 2 Bullfinches , 90 Jackdaws , 8 Water Rails , a Sparrowhawk , 2 Marsh Harriers , and flying over there, were 25 Swallows , 2 Skylarks , 8 Chaffinches , 15 Meadow Pipits and a Grey Heron . In Grouville Bay and at La Rocque were a Golden Plover , 31 Grey Plovers , 19 Ringed Plovers , 10 Bar-tailed Godwits , a Knot , 77 Turnstones , 32 Dunlin , 120 Sanderlings , 13 Redshanks , 16 Grey Herons , 18 Little Egrets including a regular Welsh colour-ringed bird, a Common Gull , 5 Sandwich Terns , 250 Black-headed Gulls , 170 Brent Geese , two of them pale-bellied Brent, and 2 Grey Seals . At Rue des Fonds were 38 Cattle Egrets . Good numbers of Balearic Shearwaters and auks were passing Corbiere early on, while in St Aubin's Bay were 73 Brent Geese , 30 of them pale - bellied Brent, 3 Grey Herons , 3 Curlews , and 15 Redshanks plus 4 Turnstones at the St Aubin roost. At Grands Vaux were a Grey Heron , 2 Teal and 2 Bullfinches . Up at Les Landes were 2 Marsh Harriers , a Buzzard , a Peregrine , a Kestrel , 42 Meadow Pipits , 15 Goldfinches , 2 Greenfinches , 2 Stonechats and 2 Ravens . Yesterday , in Grouville Marsh were 2 Swallows , 90 Jackdaws , 10 Chiffchaffs , 4 Water Rails , 2 Marsh Harriers , and at Grands Vaux were 7 Teal .
by Michael Dryden • 10 October 2026
10.10.2026 A Song Thrush at Noirmont this morning. MD Another cold-feeling day in a fresh west-northwest wind, cloudy but mainly dry. Firstly, the death of Roger Long has been announced today. He has been a leading light in the Societe Jersiaise, and in the Ornithology Section in particular for over sixty years, and his expertise and knowledge in the field of Natural History in Jersey were second to none. We will all miss him dearly. Rest in peace Roger, I hope my punctuation is all correct!! In Grouville Bay were 13 Bar-tailed Godwits , a Knot , 168 Sanderlings , 16 Dunlin , 11 Grey Plovers , 5 Curlews , 73 Oystercatchers , 175 Brent Geese , 7 Little Egrets , 2 Sandwich Terns , 7 Black-headed Gulls and 4 Great Black-backed Gulls. At La Rocque today were a Golden Plover , 35 Grey Plovers , 3 Redshanks , 230 Oystercatchers , 23 Ringed Plovers , 7 Dunlin , 11 Turnstones , 9 Grey Herons , 19 Little Egrets and 2 Sandwich Terns and in Robin Bay were a Knot , 7 Turnstones , 3 Grey Plovers and 36 Oystercatchers . Offshore from Noirmont this morning were a Brent Goose , 21 Balearic Shearwaters , 36 Black-headed Gulls , 15 Mediterranean Gulls , 17 Gannets , 4 Guillemots , 6 Razorbills and a Lesser Black-backed Gull . Passing over Noirmont were 3 Song Thrushes , 70 Meadow Pipits , 4 alba Wagtails , 61 Linnets , 13 Chaffinches , 10 Greenfinches , 10 Goldfinches and 53 Woodpigeons . Also seen were a Peregrine , a Marsh Harrier , 9 Stonechats , a Chiffchaff , 2 Dartford Warblers , a Raven and 2 Choughs . At St Ouen's Pond were a Grey Heron , 10 Shovelers , 12 Teal , a Marsh Harrier and 8 Goldfinches . In St Ouen's bay on the low tide were 39 Great Black-backed Gulls . At Petit Port this evening were 29 Curlews, 27 Great Black-backed Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 6 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and Rock Pipit. In Rue des Raises were 13 Cattle Egrets and 2 Grey Herons were at Quetivel Mill.
by Michael Dryden • 9 October 2026
09.10.2026 Thanks go to Dave Warncken for this fine head-on shot of a male Sparrowhawk at St Ouen's Pond on a brighter day than today. A poor day for weather, with overcast skies and occasional rain in a near-gale westerly wind, but mild at least at 18c. Today's poor conditions did not deter seabirds this morning, with some good counts from Corbiere, which included 727 Balearic Shearwaters , 3 Manx Shearwaters , 382 Guillemots , 89 Razorbills , 54 Gannets , 44 Black-headed Gulls , 13 Mediterranean Gulls , 4 Kittiwakes , 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 18 Great Black-backed Gulls , a Sandwich Tern , 14 Shags and 3 Cormorants , also a single Swallow, 4 Ravens and 2 Choughs . This afternoon, in Petit Port Bay were 21 Curlews , 11 Mediterranean Gulls , 18 Turnstones and 6 Great Black-backed Gulls . In the shelter of the Sandpits at Le Braye were 37 Cormorants , 2 Great Crested Grebes , 2 Little Grebes , 175 Coot , 64 Tufted Ducks , 8 male Pochard , 2 Grey Herons and a Cetti's Warbler . On St Ouen's Beach this afternoon were 19 Great Black-backed Gulls and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls . In St Aubin's Bay were 145 Brent Geese , 2 Curlews and a Grey Heron , with 30 Meadow Pipits at Beaumont Marsh. 6 Cattle Egrets were at Mont a l'Abbe and at Grands Vaux reservoir were 6 Teal and 2 Grey Wagtails . Around La Rocque early this evening were 54 Ringed Plovers , 19 Grey Plovers , 6 Redshanks , 65 Sanderlings , 110 Dunlin , 22 Turnstones , 6 Curlew , 270 Oystercatchers , 3 Sandwich Terns , a Common Gull, 5 Little Egrets, 7 Grey Herons ,6 Brent Geese , 4 alba Wagtails and 2 Rock Pipits . Yesterday evening at St Aubin were 18 Redshanks and at Grands Vaux was a Barn Owl .
by Michael Dryden • 8 October 2026
08.10.2026 Skylark in flight over Noirmont MD A cold-feeling day at 15c in a gusty northwest wind and occasional showers. A good mix of species seen at, or passing Noirmont this morning included 2 Golden Plovers , a Ring Ouzel , 12 Song Thrushes , 9 Skylarks , a Reed Bunting , 93 Swallows , 4 House Martins , 189 Meadow Pipits , 49 alba Wagtails , 5 Siskins , 213 Linnets , 15 Chaffinches , 16 Goldfinches , 6 Cormorants , 16 Woodpigeons , 24 Stonechats , 4 Wheatears , 4 Chiffchaffs , a pale-phased Buzzard , a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk , 2 Ravens and 2 Choughs , while offshore were 61 Gannets , 19 Razorbills , 2 Guillemots , 14 Black-headed Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull . A flock of 70+ Woodpigeons was seen in flight over Mont Les Vaux. On Beauport Common were a Wheatear , a Stonechat , a Dartford Warbler , and 100 Linnets , while passing overhead were a Skylark , a Grey Wagtail and an alba Wagtail . At St Ouen's Pond were 29 Teal , 4 Shovelers , a Snipe , 3 Grey Herons and 2 Marsh Harriers and on the Scrape were 17 Teal , a Grey Heron and a pair of Stonechat . At Petit Port this evening were 18 Curlews , 37 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 7 Little Egrets and a Kingfisher . Seen over Victoria Tower in one hour from first light were 4 Song Thrushes , 5 Swallows , 3 House Martins , 12 Meadow Pipits , 3 Linnets , 2 Chaffinches , a Peregrine , 2 Buzzards and 2 Ravens , while on the ground there, were 2 Firecrests , and 3 Chiffchaffs . At Grouville Golf Course were a Hobby and 14 Swallows . In St Catherine's Woods were a Bullfinch , a Grey Wagtail and a Great Spotted Woodpecker . Between Archirondel and St Catherine's were 4 Grey Herons, 4 Little Egrets , a Kestrel and 2 Buzzards . In Grouville Marsh this morning were 45 Chiffchaffs , 8 Blackcaps , 3 Siskins , 4 Water Rails and a Bullfinch , and passing over were 8 Song Thrushes, 12 Swallows , 7 House Martins , 8 Meadow Pipits , 4 Goldfinches , and 2 Chaffinches . In Grouville Bay were 178 Brent Geese and 25 Linnets . On Grands Vaux reservoir were a Grey Wagtail and 3 Teal , while in Great Union Road in St Helier was a party of 7+ Long-tailed Tits. Back to yesterday , when on the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond were 6 Snipe and a male Wigeon
by Michael Dryden • 7 October 2026
07.10.2026 Yesterday's Norwegian colour-ringed Rock Pipit, pictured in St Ouen's Bay by Jo Bramley. A dramatic change in the weather today, with heavy rain overnight and all morning and a temperature of just 15c in a strong northerly wind. Cattle Egrets continue their claims for the East and centre of the Island, with 50+ at Le Catillon in Grouville and another 5 near the Motor Mall. Despite the very poor conditions, some birds were moving over Noirmont, mainly heading north into the Island. Through the morning, 4 Brent Geese , 36 House Martins , 3 Swallows , 19 Song Thrushes , 102 Meadow Pipits , and 22 Linnets , with 2 Stonechats , a Chiffchaff , 2 Blue Tits , 2 Marsh Harriers and a Dartford Warbler seen on the ground and 15 Black-headed Gulls , 7 Mediterranean Gulls , 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 2 Razorbills and a Cormorant passing offshore. On Grouville Common were 4 Stonechats and a Swallow and 17 Grey Herons and a Lesser Black-backed Gull were at La Sente. On Grands Vaux were 5 Teal and 2 Grey Herons and a Grey Wagtail was at the General Hospital in St Helier. On St Ouen's Pond Scrape, which now has some water in it, were 7 Teal and a Grey Heron and at Kempt Tower were 27 Ringed Plovers . Several Sandwich Terns and Black-headed Gulls were feeding on St Ouen's Bay this afternoon. In Petit Port Bay were 14 Curlews , 56 Mediterranean Gulls , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 6 Great Black-backed Gulls and 11 Little Egrets .
by Michael Dryden • 6 October 2026
06.10.2026 A great image of a Knot in Grouville Bay, taken by Jo Bramley. It was a cloudier day than of recent, but still dry in a fresh Easterly wind and warm at 22c. An Osprey flew East through St Aubin's Bay this evening, being seen at both the Gunsite and at First Tower. Also seen in the Bay today were 67 Brent Geese , including 18 pale-bellied Brent Geese , 56 Black-headed Gulls , 4 Sandwich Terns , a Grey Heron and a Little Egret . At Grouville Marsh from Dawn were 40 Swallows and 70 Jackdaws out of roost, 25 Blackcaps , 10 Chiffchaffs , a Firecrest , 10 Cetti's Warblers , 4 Siskins , a Stonechat , 5 Song Thrushes , 6 Water Rails , a Grey Wagtail and a Sparrowhawk . At Grands Vaux reservoir were 5 Teal , and in Vallee des Vaux were a Siskin , 2 Song Thrushes , 3 Short-toed Treecreepers and 2 Firecrests . Visible migrants flying past Noirmont this morning included 126 Swallows , 7 House Martins , 3 Skylarks , 5 Song Thrushes , 12 Starlings , 355 Meadow Pipits , 26 alba Wagtails , a Snipe , 354 Linnets , 50 Chaffinches , 61 Greenfinches , a Siskin , 7 Goldfinches and a Grey Heron . Also on the headland were 6 Stonechats , a Blackcap , 2 Chiffchaffs , 4 Dartford Warblers , a Peregrine , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Marsh Harriers , 4 Buzzards and 6 Ravens . In St Ouen's Bay, were 280 Black-headed Gulls, 107 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Sandwich Terns , 9 Ringed Plovers and a colour-ringed Rock Pipit . At Le Pulec were 2 Stonechats and at Corbiere were 2 Wheatears . In Petit Port Bay were 17 Mediterranean Gulls , 23 Great Black-backed Gulls , 22 Ringed Plovers , a Turnstone and a Little Egret .  Below : Thanks to Romano for this record shot of the colour-ringed Rock Pipit in St Ouen's Bay today, which was ringed in Norway!
by Michael Dryden • 5 October 2026
05.10.2026 A Whinchat at Noirmont today MD Another fine and warm day in a light northeast wind (22c) Counts from Noirmont through the morning, included 223 Swallows , 12 House Martins , 10 Skylarks , 2 Song Thrushes , 401 Meadow Pipits , 28 alba Wagtails , a Grey Wagtail , 209 Linnets , 24 Greenfinches , 53 Chaffinches , 8 Goldfinches , a Whinchat , 15 Stonechats , 6 Dartford Warblers , a Marsh Harrier , 2 Sparrowhawks , 4 Buzzards , a Black-headed Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull . On Ouaisne Common this morning were 20 Chiffchaffs , 15 Blackcaps , 3 Firecrests , and a Cetti's Warbler . Flying over there, were 3 Song Thrushes , 16 Woodpigeons , 20 Meadow Pipits , 3 Chaffinches , 2 Siskins , 4 alba Wagtails and 2 Ravens . At Beauport were 3 Stonechats , 3 Jays , a flock of 100 Linnets and a Skylark flying over. At Les Landes were 6 Stonechats . At St Ouen's Pond this morning were 2 Grey Herons , 7 Teal , a Swallow , a Snipe , a Grey Wagtail and a Marsh Harrier and around Kempt Tower pools were a Wheatear and a Stonechat . 11 Brent Geese , 13 Oystercatchers and a Little Egret were at St Aubin and in the Fisherman's Harbour in St Helier were 18 Grey Herons and 6 Little Egrets . A Greenland Wheatear which was taken into care, having flown into a window in St Helier, was safely released in Grouville Bay today. On Grands Vaux reservoir were 7 Teal and at Le Catillon were 32 Cattle Egrets. In and over Grouville Marsh were 4 Water Rails, a Marsh Harrier , 5 House Martins and 12 Swallows . On Les Ecrehous today were 7 Little Egrets , a Wheatear , a Chiffchaff , 4 Linnets , 2 Swallows , a Blackbird and a Robin . Roosting at Grouville Marsh this evening were 40 Swallows and 70 Jackdaws .
by Michael Dryden • 4 October 2026
04.10.2026 There was a good arrival of Stonechats at Noirmont today, with at least 22 present. This image of a male was taken at Noirmont by MD A fine and warm day (23c), winds from the North-east. Seen from a seawatch at Corbiere this morning were 268 Balearic Shearwaters , 9 Guillemots , and 18 Mediterranean Gulls , with good numbers of Tuna in the area. A Wheatear was on the headland. A busy morning for birds at and over Noirmont involved 170 Swallows , 28 Skylarks , a Reed Bunting , 2 Grey Wagtails , 76 alba Wagtails , 968 Meadow Pipits , a Song Thrush , 1,026 Linnets, 105 Chaffinches , 38 Greenfinches , 16 Goldfinches , a Wheatear , 22 Stonechats , 3 Chiffchaffs , a Blackcap , 6 Dartford Warblers , a Great Spotted Woodpecker , a Peregrine , a Kestrel , 2 Sparrowhawks , 4 Buzzards , 18 Magpies , 3 Ravens , and also a Clouded Yellow butterfly. 7 Black-headed Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull were seen offshore. At Grouville Marsh from first light were 60 Swallows and 100 Jackdaws out of roost, 2 Marsh Harriers , a Reed Warbler , 15 Chiffchaffs , 2 Firecrests , 10 Cetti's Warblers , 14 Siskins , a Grey Wagtail, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a fall of 90+ Blackcaps , 5 Water Rails , a Sparrowhawk , and 15 Robins . Flying over there, were 24 Song Thrushes, 3 alba Wagtails , small numbers of Chaffinches and Meadow Pipits, a Skylark , 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 4 Buzzards . On Grouville Common were 3 Stonechats , with 3 Skylarks and 2 Choughs flying over. In Grouville Bay on the low tide were 74 Brent Geese , 19 Bar-tailed Godwits , a Knot , 3 Grey Plovers , a Greenshank , 11 Dunlin , 128 Sanderlings , 7 Curlews , 11 Little Egrets, 155 Black-headed Gulls and 8 Sandwich Terns . At Grands Vaux reservoir were 6 Teal , a Grey Heron , a Grey Wagtail , a Chiffchaff and 4 Buzzards , while in Beechfield Lane in St Helier were a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Buzzard and in Oaklands Lane were a Song Thrush and a Red Squirrel .
by Michael Dryden • 3 October 2026
03.10.2026 A super shot of a juvenile Merlin at St Ouen's Pond Scrape, taken by Susan Renouf A dry day with high cloud, still warm at 20c in a light east-northeast wind. Autumn migrants continue to appear now. Today's birds at and passing Noirmont include a Mistle Thrush , 35 Song Thrushes, 8 Blackbirds , 3 Skylarks , 19 Swallows , 209 Meadow Pipits, 26 alba Wagtails , 3 Grey Wagtails , 41 Chaffinches , 151 Linnets , 2 Goldfinches , 16 Greenfinches , an unidentified Bunting sp, a Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs , 4 Stonechats , 8 Long-tailed Tits , 2 Blue Tits , 3 Dartford Warblers , a Peregrine , 3 Buzzards , a Sparrowhawk , 3 Grey Herons , 2 Cormorants , 5 Ravens , a Jay , 2 Marsh Harriers , and a Great Spotted Woodpecker , also, offshore were 4 Common Scoters a Mediterranean Gull and 5 Black-headed Gulls . 18 Song Thrushes were seen flying over Vallee des Vaux too. At La Rocque were 17 Little Egrets, 11 Grey Herons , 37 Turnstones , 9 Grey Plovers , 7 Sanderlings , a Redshank and 150 Oystercatchers , and at Seymour in Grouville Bay later were 90+ Oystercatchers , 8 Grey Plovers , a Curlew , 16 Bar-tailed Godwits , 30+ Little Egrets , a Common Gull , a few Sandwich Terns and Turnstones . In St Ouen's Bay were 59 Great Black-backed Gulls , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 24 Mediterranean Gulls and 19 Black-headed Gulls and at Le Pulec were 60 Oystercatchers , 3 Little Egrets and 4 Curlews . In Petit Port Bay were 22 Curlews , 12 Little Egrets , 27 Great Black-backed Gulls , 2 Mediterranean Gulls , 3 Black-backed Gulls and 67 Oystercatchers . On Les Landes were 2 Marsh Harriers , a Kestrel , 40+ Meadow Pipits , 15 Goldfinches , 30 Linnets , 9 Robins , 3 Swallows , 3 Blue Tits , 2 Choughs and a Raven . At Mont a l'Abbe were 6 Cattle Egrets , and in the Jersey Zoo were 2 Cetti's Warblers and a Short-toed Treecreeper. Below: The view from Noirmont at Dawn this morning MD.
More posts