Jersey Birds

28.04.2024 A Little Grebe at Kempt Tower pools this morning MD A mainly dry but cloudy day in a fresh west-northwest wind. Shortly after sunrise this morning, 2 male Garganey were on the Scrape before the usual disappearing act. Also on the Scrape this morning were 2 Shelduck , 2 male Shovelers , a Sedge Warbler , 3 Yellow Wagtails , just three Lapwing chicks between two pairs of adults, a Sparrowhawk and 7 Swifts . Over or on the Pond were a Grey Heron , 10 House Martins , 20+ Sand Martins and 20+ Swallows. Later, a Hobby flew over there and 9 Wheatears were present on the north side of the Pond. Around Kempt Tower pools were 4 Little Grebes , 7 Tufted Ducks , 2 Sedge Warblers , 10+ Reed Warblers , a Blackcap and 5 Chiffchaffs . A few birds on the move past Corbiere early on included a Manx Shearwater , 2 Guillemots , 8 Fulmars , 54 Gannets , an immature Common Gull , a Kittiwake , 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , a flock of 9 Swifts and a Swallow , with 2 Peregrines a Whitethroat and 7 Wheatears on the headland between Corbiere and the Desalination Plant. In Petit Port Bay were 2 Brent Geese and 2 pairs of Shelducks plus at least 60 Oystercatchers . On Beauport Common were 7 Wheatears and at Beaumont Marsh were 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese , 2 Wheatears , a White Wagtail and 2 Swallows . At La Rocque early on were 9 Ringed Plovers , 6 Dunlin , 19 dark-bellied Brent Geese and 25 Swallows , while at La Sente were another overflying Hobby , a Greenshank , a Ringed Plover, 2 Shelducks , 2 Wheatears , 10 White Wagtails , 8 Yellow Wagtails , a Swift , 2 Sand Martins , 10 Swallows and 6 House Martins. In Grouville Marsh were 15 Reed Warblers , one with an English ring on, 12 Sedge Warblers including a French ringed bird, a Garden Warbler , a Whitethroat , 6 Sand Martins , 25 Swallows , 9 House Martins , a Grey Heron , 2 Bullfinches and 2 Ravens . Elsewhere, 2 Great Northern Divers were in Anneport Bay, a Sparrowhawk visited a garden at Green Island, 3 Wheatears were at Sorel and 40+ Swallows were at Rozel Manor. Evening update: At La Sente this evening were 44 Yellow Wagtails including a Blue-headed Wagtail , a White Wagtail , a Greenshank , 14 Swallows and 2 Sand Martins .

27.04.2024 This beautiful Bar-tailed Godwit was in Petit Port Bay this morning MD A cloudy morning and a wet afternoon, still feeling cold in light southeast winds. It was a case of quality over quantity today. Yesterday's Garganey was still present on the Scrape this morning, where a Pink-footed Goose , a Barnacle Goose , a male Shoveler , the pair of Shelduck , a Snipe , a pair of Oystercatchers , 7 Lapwings and a Sedge Warbler were also seen. A Swift was over the Pond where 3 Marsh Harriers were sitting on the pond Island. On the north side of the Pond were 15 Sedge Warblers , 20 Reed Warblers , 5 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Blackcaps , 2 Willow Warblers , 3 Yellow Wagtails ( minus one after a Sparrowhawk visit), a pair of Shovelers , a Grey Heron , 75 Sand Martins , 150 Swallows , 15 House Martins and 2 Ravens . At Kempt Tower were at least 3 Little Grebes , one carring a juvenile on it's back. At Les Landes. the ring-tailed Hen Harrier was seen hunting over the racecourse through the morning, a Grasshopper Warbler was in song near the shooting range, and a Wheatear , 2 Stonechats , 37 Swallows and a House Martin were also seen. A pair of Shelducks were at Le Pulec. Roosting at Corbiere were 11 Purple Sandpipers and 10 Turnstones with a Kittiwake and 2 Peregrines also seen, and in Petit Port Bay were 2 Bar-tailed Godwits , a Whimbrel , 80 Oystercatchers , 2 Brent Geese and 2 pairs of Shelduck At La Sente this morning were 3 Shelduck, 2 Greenshanks , a Lesser Black-backed Gull , 3 Yellow Wagtails , 2 White Wagtails and 6 Sand Martins . Evening update : A second male Garganey was on the Scrape this evening and also seen there were a male Wigeon , a Water Rail , 8 Marsh Harriers and 50 Swallows . In Grouville Bay were 6 Dunlin and 5 Grey Plovers while at Grouville Marsh were 120 Swallows and 10 Sand Martins . Below : A distant view of today's Garganey on the Scrape.

26.04.2024 Lapwing over the Scrape MD Showery rain this morning gave way to fair conditions this afternoon in a moderate southwest wind. A Cuckoo was heard calling near Greve de Lecq again this morning, while at Les Landes were the ring-tailed Hen Harrier , 15 Wheatears , 3 Whitethroats and a Dartford Warbler . At St Ouen's Pond and Scrape were a male Garganey , a female Teal , a pair of Shelduck , an overflying Brent Goose , 4 Yellow Wagtails , a Swift , 100 Sand Martins and 20 Swallows . In the Sandpits were 4 Bar-tailed Godwit , a Green Sandpiper , a Common Sandpiper , a White Wagtail and a Stonechat . To the north of St Ouen's Pond were 17 Wheatears, 2 Willow Warblers , 8 Reed Warblers and 6 Sedge Warblers while at Kempt Tower were 4 Whitethroats , a Sedge Warbler, 6 Reed Warblers , a Willow Warbler and a pair of Stonechat . Another Wheatear was near the Frances le Sueur Centre and a further 4 Wheatears plus a Chough were near the Jersey Pearl. Seen on the rising tide at La Rocque and Seymour this morning were 41 Brent Geese , 3 Common Scoters , 7 Gannets , 7 Whimbrels , 13 Bar-tailed Godwits , 17 Curlews , a Grey Plover , 18 Turnstones , 4 Sandwich Terns , 8 Wheatears on the offshore rocks, a Peregrine and 3 Sand Martins while at La Sente were 2 Shelduck , a Greenshank , a Blue-headed Wagtail , 10 White Wagtails , a singing Willow Warbler , a singing Cetti's Warbler , 6 Little Egrets , 15 House Martins, 3 Sand Martins and 5 Swallows . A walk around Noirmont later morning found 7 Dartford Warblers and a Stonechat with another Dartford Warbler seen at Gorselands. In the Sandpits this evening were 3 Common Sandpipers , a Green Sandpiper , a pair of Shelduck , 29 Tufted Ducks, a Grey Heron , 2 pairs of White Wagtails , 3 pairs of Stonechats , 8 Reed Warblers , a Sedge Warbler , a Cetti's Warbler, 3 pairs of Oystercatchers , 25 Sand Martins , a Swift , 2 Ravens , a pair of Marsh Harriers and 2 Buzzards . The Garganey was still at the Scrape this afternoon and on the Scrape this evening were the ring-tailed Hen Harrier, a Swift , 4 Wheatears , a Willow Warbler , a pair of Oystercatchers , 150 Swallows and 60 House Martins .

25.04.2024 Dartford Warblers seem to be thin in numbers this year, so it was good to see this one in song at Noirmont today. MD A fair to cloudy day, still cold for the time of year with winds light from the southwest. Migrants are still few in number with clear nights and cool temperatures. A Cuckoo was calling at the top of Mourier Valley this morning and at Les Landes were a ring-tailed Hen Harrier , a Whinchat , 2 Wheatears , a Whitethroat and 7 Swallows . On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were 5 Yellow Wagtails including a Blue-headed Wagtail , a White Wagtail , a Whimbrel and a Snipe and another Whimbrel was at Le Pulec. A late report for yesterday was of a Hobby in flight over the Pond yesterday evening. At Kempt Tower were 3 Little Grebes and one chick. On the North coast were a Puffin and a Razorbill . Waders at Corbiere included 22 Purple Sandpipers , 7 Turnstones and a Whimbrel , also a Guillemots was seen passing and in Petit Port were 3 Shelduck . A Yellow Wagtail flew over Noirmont where at least one pair of Dartford Warblers were obvious. At La Sente this morning were a pair of Shelduck , a Greenshank and 5 Little Egrets and On Queen's Valley Reservoir were a Green Sandpiper and a Little Grebe . 35 pale-bellied Brent Geese and 4 dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Beaumont Marsh as well as a Wheatear , a White Wagtail and 3 Swallows and a Cetti's Warbler was heard in St Catherine's Woods. A couple of extra reports from yesterday included a Yellow Wagtail, a Willow Warbler and a Greenshank at La Sente and another Yellow Wagtai l and a White Wagtail at the Farmer's cricket ground in St Martin.

24.04.2024 A Peregrine in pursuit MD The cold air continues to affect the Island, with cloudy skies and a light easterly wind today. A good and varied selection of birds moving past, or roosting at La Rocque and Seymour over the morning high tide included 129 Brent Geese , 2 Common Scoters , 3 Red-breasted Mergansers , 3 Great Northern Divers , 4 Manx Shearwaters , a Little Tern , 34 Sandwich Terns , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 17 Bar-tailed Godwits , most in summer plumage, 12 Whimbrels , a Greenshank , 10 Curlews , 31 Turnstones , a Grey Heron , 4 Little Egrets , 10 Cormorants , 31 Shags , 12 Gannets , a Peregrine and 3 Swallows . La Sente is starting to be drained now, with a trench at the back of the field now and there today were just 2 Shelduck , 3 Brent Geese, 2 Little Egrets and a White Wagtail , with a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming from a perimeter tree. At St Ouen's Pond Scrape this morning were a 4 Teal , a Green Sandpiper , 3 Snipe , just one Lapwing chick, a Whimbrel , 5 Yellow Wagtails , a singing Sedge Warbler , a Reed Warbler , 2 Wheatears , 30 Swifts , 100+ Swallows and 2 House Martins . In the Sandpits were a Shelduck , 6 Tufted Ducks , a Common Sandpiper , 3 Stonechats , c 60 Sand Martins and a White Wagtail . Another Wheatear was at the Airport. 53 pale-bellied Brent Geese and 4 dark-bellied Brent Geese remained at Beaumont Marsh. At Ouaisne were a pair of Little Grebes and a singing Garden Warbler . Extras for yesterday included 6 Snipe in the backfields behind St Ouen's Pond and a Sedge Warbler , 2 Reed Warblers , a Grey Heron and 15 Swallows , at Grouville Marsh.

23.04.2024 A female Ring Ouzel at Sorel on Sunday MD A few showers passed through the day, but otherwise it was a cloudy day, still feeling cold when the sun was not shining, even in the light and variable winds. Seen at La Sente were 2 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck , 3 Little Egrets , a Grey Heron , a Green Sandpiper , 2 Little Ringed Plovers , 2 Ringed Plovers , 2 Whimbrels , a Curlew and 3 White Wagtails . In Grouville Bay were 148 dark-bellied Brent Geese , 9 Little Egrets , 11 Curlews , 3 Whimbrels , 18 Bar-tailed Godwits , and a trickle of Swallows moving through. At St Ouen's Pond and Scrape this morning were a White-fronted Goose , 2 Shelduck , a male Gadwall , 6 Shovelers , 2 Tufted Duck , 4 Snipe , a Little Ringed Plover , 7 Lapwings , a Yellow Wagtail , 2 Wheatears , and 3+ Reed Warblers . A steady passage overhead included at least 12 Swifts , 100+ Swallows , a House Martin and c80 Sand Martins ( some our local breeders), also a Peregrine . In the Sandpits were 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and on the north side of the Pond, 3 Wheatears . At Les Landes were a Ring Ouzel near the Pinnacle , a Wheatear and a flock of 15 Choughs and a Cuckoo was heard calling on the Sand Dunes. At Beaumont Marsh were 2 White Wagtails , 2 Willow Warblers and 5 Blackcaps and at Le Perquage were 60 pale-bellied Brent Geese . A few Swallows were seen passing Noirmont, with a pair nest-building there too. Odds and ends passing Corbiere first thing included 2 Shelduck , 2 Common Scoters , 3 Fulmars , 15 Gannets , 2 Sandwich Terns , 2 Kittiwakes and 7 Cormorants . A passing Bar-tailed Godwit there avoided capture by Peregrines when it dived into the sea, where it remained for several minutes before continuing it's journey unharmed.

22.04.2024 Thanks go to Jane Richardson for this image of one of yesterday's Spoonbills at the Scrape The cold weather continues, with cloudy conditions in a moderate northeast wind. After yesterdays plethora of birds, today was very quiet with a clear night having allowed many to continue their journeys. A Hobby was among a few birds passing Sorel this morning, the first of the year. Also seen there were a Swift , 42 Swallows , a House Martin , 30 Linnets , 14 Goldfinches , 2 Peregrines and a Sparrowhawk but no grounded migrants were seen. Around St Ouen's Bay, at Kempt Tower, were 2 Whitethroats , the first Garden Warbler of the year, a Willow Warbler , a few Chiffchaffs , a Little Grebe with young, a Shoveler and a Tufted Duck . Seen from the Wetland Centre were 6 Shovelers , a male Wigeon , 6 Swifts , a Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Heron , a Sedge Warbler and several Reed Warblers . At the Scrape were a pair of Shelduck , a Pink-footed Goose , a Barnacle Goose , a White-fronted Goose , 2 Teal, 2 male Shovelers and a pair of Oystercatchers. O n the north side of the Pond were 4 Wheatears and 2 Skylarks. At Les landes were 2 Wheatears , 3 Whitethroats and just a single Dartford Warbler seen. In Grouville Bay, as seen from Seymour were 116 Brent Geese , 20 Bar-tailed Godwits , 4 Whimbrels , 6 Curlews , 2 Ringed Plovers and 40 Swallows and at La Sente were 2 Swifts , 2 Shelduck , a Grey Heron , 2 Ringed Plovers , a Green Sandpiper , 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 7 White Wagtails . Among other birds at Gorey were a Guillemot and a Common Sandpiper . At Le Perquage, Beaumont were 52 pale-bellied Brent Geese and 11 Oystercatchers . An extra report for yesterday was a flock of 11 Little Gulls , seen from the Marine Life survey boast west of St Ouen's Bay.

21.04.2024 A handsome male Wheatear in St Ouen's Bay RdC A sunny day with a chilly north-easterly wind. A good number of migrants were seen around the island today, with the best of the bunch being a male Garganey , 3 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Spoonbill all at St Ouens Pond. Also seen around St Ouens Pond were 9 Swift , 500+ Swallow , 80 House Martin , 60 Sand Martin , 4 Yellow Wagtail , 57 Whimbrel flying over, the White-fronted Goose , the Pink-footed Goose , the Barnacle Goose , a Gadwall , 8 Shoveler , a Wigeon , 2 Oystercatcher , the male Shelduck , 8 Lapwing which were protecting at least 3 chicks, 2 Grey Heron , 2 Snipe , a Peregrine , 7 Reed Warbler, a Sedge Warbler , a Willow Warbler , 3 Blackcap , 3 Wheatear , 35 Linnet , a Siskin and a male Reed Bunting . Seen at Sorel early on were a ringtail Hen Harrier , 2 Ring Ouzel , a Yellow Wagtail, a Whitethroat and a Peregrine while passing Plemont were 335 Swallow , 54 House Martin , 4 Sand Martin , 4 Swift , 45 Linnet , 8 Raven , 6 Chough , a Sparrowhawk and 2 Razorbill offshore. A 40 minute watch at Noirmont produced a Swift , 161 Swallow , 44 House Martin , 11 Sand Martin , a Yellow Wagtail , 4 Willow Warbler and 5 Chiffchaff . At La Sente were 2 Little Ringed Plover , 5 Yellow Wagtail , 19 White Wagtail , a Pied Wagtail , 2 Shelduck , 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull , 15 Swallow , 6 Sand Martin , 5 House Martin and a Marsh Harrier while in Vallee des Vaux were 16 Swallow , a Sand Martin , 2 House Martin and 4 Raven . At Kempt Tower were singing Whitethroat , a Sedge Warbler and a Blackcap while up on Mont Matthieu were a Cetti's Warbler , 2 Skylark , 16 House Martin , a Swift and 2 Raven . Elsewhere, 42 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at St Aubin and 6 Purple Sandpiper were at Corbiere. Below, a recent Greenshank at La Sente RdC

20.04.2024 Buzzard passing Grosnez this morning MD Another cold day, but mainly clear and sunny with winds fresh from the northeast. The clear but cold conditions are still limiting numbers of migrants arriving on the Island, although Swallows and Martins are appearing in better numbers now. Ringing at Grouville Marsh through this morning saw just 3 Reed Warblers , 2 Sedge Warblers , 15 Chiffchaffs , 6 Blackcaps but a steady stream of Swallows passing through. 4 Cetti's Warblers were singing there too. A Mistle Thrush was in song at the Jersey Zoo early on. At St Ouen's Pond and Scrape were a Greenshank , a Common Sandpiper , a Snipe and a summer-plumaged Black-headed Gull. On Kempt Tower pools was a Little Grebe escorting a chick ( see below). Passing La Rosiere in one hour, later morning were 57 Swallows , 9 House Martins and 3 Sand Martins and 2 Ravens were flying there. Passing Grosnez this morning from sunrise were 5 Brent Geese , 2 Guillemots , 35 Fulmars , 16 Gannets , 77 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 6 Kittiwakes , an immature Peregrine heading North, 27 Swallows , 9 House Martins , a Yellow Wagtail , 2 White Wagtails , 16 Linnets , 9 Goldfinches and 10 Meadow Pipits . A Bottle-nosed Dolphin moved west with a young one in tow and a Grey Seal was at Grosnez, eating a good sized Bream ! 5 Wheatears , 2 Marsh Harriers and 3 Buzzards were at Les landes. At St Aubin's Fort this morning were 35 pale-bellied Brent Geese , 5 dark-bellied Brent Geese , 3 Little Egrets and 2 Swallows , also a Wren on the Fort and a Wheatear was at Beaumont Marsh. La Sente this afternoon held 10 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck , a Little Ringed Plover , a Dunlin , 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 6 White Wagtails and 3 Yellow Wagtails and 8 House Martins were over Vallee des Vaux.