Jersey Birds

St Catherine’s & La Coupe

When it comes to seawatching, St Catherine’s and La Coupe on the north east corner are among the best. Good views can be had from the end of St Catherine’s Breakwater or, for the less athletic, from La Coupe to the north.

August to December are the best months with good passages of terns, then gulls, divers, grebes, ducks and auks. Little Gulls are sometimes counted in hundreds as are Razorbills and diver passage can exceed 100 on a good day in November and December. Passerine migration can also be good here, especially winter thrushes and finches, in October. Look for migrants in the bushes at La Coupe.

Getting There

St Catherine’s lies on the north east point of the Island. Park at the foot of the breakwater and walk to the end ( Snow Buntings are often seen here in October ).  La Coupe is a small headland on the northeast point of the Island found by driving to La Haie Fleurie Stables on La Route des Pelles, St Martin, then turning north into La Rue de la Coupe to a small car park at the end, from where you can watch. Migrants can occupy the bushes there in the right seasons.