Jersey Birds
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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
08.05.2024 a Cirl Bunting in full song. MD Sunny and warm with light winds Things remain quiet at moment but there were a couple of interesting reports. A Reed Bunting was singing at the Scrape early this morning along with the usual birds including the drake Garganey , a pair of Shelduck , 2 Shovelers , 8 Lapwings with 2 young, 4 Oystercatchers , a Redshank and a Greenshank . Four Shelducks were in the sea at La Pulente. In Les Ormes Valley, 4 Garden Warblers and a possible singing Cirl Bunting , they have been heard here before, so something to listen out for. A Wheatear was seen at Beaumont Marsh, a Common Sandpiper at Petit Plemont, 5 Buzzards were circling over La Moye at lunchtime and up on the north Coast 16 Razorbills at Creux Gabourel. At La Sente the Brent Goose is still present along with the Black-tailed Godwit , 8 Little Egrets and 3 White Wagtails .
07.05.2024 a drake Shelduck passing La Corbiere MD A cloudy morning but a sunny afternoon, with a moderate northerly wind It was very much a case of as you were on the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond this morning, the male Garganey was still present along with 2 drake Shovelers and a Shelduck . 8 Lapwings were still chasing off the crows, but no Lapwing chicks were seen today. The Oystercatchers are still sitting on eggs and a Redshank was seen briefly, a Sedge Warbler was singing by the entrance gate and 8 Swifts were overhead. On the pond near Kempt Tower was a Little Grebe with one young and a singing Whitethroat . Six more Swifts were noted at St Aubin. Over at La Sente a single Brent Goose , the Black-tailed Godwit and 4 White Wagtails . A stroll through St Catherine's Woods found 2 singing Firecrests , a Short-toed Treecreeper , 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers , along with good numbers of singing Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs , a single Swift was overhead.
06.06.2024 Often heard but seldom seen well, a Cetti's Warbler . MD A cloudy morning with the odd shower, but a sunny afternoon Starting at St Ouen's Pond, where the drake Garganey was still on the Scrape this morning until it was chased off by the drake Shelduck , also present were a Redshank , a Greenshank , 6 Reed Warblers and two Cetti's Warblers . On the Pond, 4 pairs of Tufted Duck , 2 drake Shovelers , a Barnacle Goose , a Pink-footed Goose and 10+ Reed Warblers . At Petit Port were 2 Brent Geese , 3 Shelducks and a Whimbrel. In Les Ormes Valley 3 Marsh Harriers , 3 Garden Warblers and a Wheatea r. In Le Braye Sandpit 6 Tufted Ducks and a drake Wigeon of doubtful origin. A few waders were noted in Grouville Bay including 5 Grey Plovers, 4 Curlew , a Whimbrel , 7 Dunlin , 6 Sanderlings and 4 Ringed Plovers . In Grouville Marsh, 10 Blackcaps , a Garden Warbler , 4 Sedge , 4 male Cetti's and 15 Reed Warblers . At La Sente a single Brent Goose , a Black-tailed Godwit and a White Wagtail. 18 Swifts were over St Helier this afternoon and up on the north coast 16 Razorbills in the sea at Le Grand Becquet.
05/05/2024. A drake Garganey on the Scrape at St Ouen's Pond. MD Showers this morning, but a sunny afternoon with light south-easterly winds. There was some seabird movement at La Corbiere early this morning including 5 Common Scoters , 2 Manx Shearwaters , 2 Fulmars , 42 Gannets , 4 Common Terns , 11 Kittiwakes , 19 Lesser black-backed Gulls , 35 Great black-backed Gulls , 4 Guillemots also seen a Purple Sandpiper and 5 Swallows . Round the corner at Petit Port 2 Brent Geese and a pair of Shelduck . At St Ouen's Pond Scrape a drake Garganey , a drake Shelduck , 1 Greenshank , a Redshank , Lapwings with 2 young and a single Yellow Wagtail. 3 Swifts were over Plemont, a White Wagtail was on the Farmers Cricket Pitch at St Martin and a Firecrest was singing in Valley des Vaux. Sparrowhawks were seen at Green Island and at Bel Royal. At La Sente a single Brent Goose, a Black-tailed Godwit , 2 Greenshanks , a Redshank , 12 Swallows , 3 Sand Martins and 5 White Wagtails .
04.05.2024 A male Dartford Warbler at Les Landes today MD A dry and mainly clear day in a light southeast wind. Another clear night, bringing very little by way of new birds to ground on the Island. On St Ouen's Pond Scrape were 2 Shelduck which were later seen flying northwest over the Pond, 3 male Shovelers , 7 Tufted Duck heading for the Pond, a Grey Heron , a Redshank and small numbers of both Sand Martins and Swallows . 33 Crows were in the Scrape field close to where the Lapwing chicks are located ( hopefully ). On the north side of St Ouen's Pond were a Reed Bunting in song, 2 Sedge Warblers , 15 Reed Warblers , a Whitethroat , a few Swallows and a singing Skylark . At Kempt Tower was a pair of Stonechat . In Les Ormes Valley were 4 Tufted Ducks , a Little Grebe , a Swift , 10+ Blackcaps , a Garden Warbler , 2 Whitethroats , a Reed Warbler and 10+ Chiffchaffs and at Les Landes were 25 Swallows , a Sand Martin , a pair of Dartford Warblers , a Whitethroat , 3 Wheatears , a Stonechat , a flock of 13 Choughs , also 2 Peregrines and a Kestrel . 2 Guillemots passed offshore. At La Sente were a Brent Goose , a Black-tailed Godwit and a White Wagtail.
03.05.2024 A male Whitethroat in display at Les Landes MD A clear day in a cool southwest wind New to La Sente this morning was a Black-tailed Godwit , with a Common Sandpiper , a White Wagtail , 5 House Martins and a Swallow and at Anneport were 6 Whimbrels . A pair of Garganey appeared on the Scrape this afternoon, and also present during the day were 4 Barnacle Geese , the Pink-footed Goose , a Redshank , an overflying Curlew , a Wheatear and a Whitethroat , with a Snipe at the Pond. Elsewhere in St Ouen's Bay, a Wheatear was on the north side of the Pond, 3 Little Grebes , 6 Tufted Ducks , a Sedge Warbler , several Reed Warblers and a Blackcap were at Kempt Tower pools and 3 Whitethroats were in Les Ormes Valley. On the Sandpits were a Shelduck , 28 Tufted Ducks , a male Wigeon , 4 Oystercatchers , a White Wagtail, 30 Sand Martins and a male Marsh Harrier . On Mont Matthieu were a Little Grebe , a singing Whitethroat , 5 Sand Martins , 15 House Martins and a Swallow . Around Les Landes this morning were 3 Whitethroats , a Wheatear , a White Wagtail , a male Stonechat , 18 Swallows and single House Martin and Sand Martin , 6 Choughs , a Sparrowhawk , a Marsh Harrier and 3 Buzzards . 3 pale-bellied Brent remained at Le Perquage in St Aubin's Bay and another Chough was in flight over St Peter's Village.
02.05.2024 A beautiful image from Romano, of a Greenshank at La Sente, RdC Steady overnight rain cleared by sunrise, leaving a fair day in a cold-feeling west-northwest wind. It was a slow day for reports, with little active migration seen. On St Ouen's Pond Scrape this morning were two nervous-looking Barnacle Geese , which flew off South, these having also been seen last Monday ( 29th April ). Also on the Scrape were the pair of Shelduck , 4 Shovelers including one female, a Redshank , a pair of Oystercatchers , 7 Lapwings plus 3 chicks, 19 Yellow Wagtails , a Wheatear , a Sedge Warbler , 40 Sand Martins , 5 House Martins and 20 Swallows . This afternoon on the Scrape were 3 Barnacle Geese and 11 Yellow Wagtails, and on the Pond were 4 Shovelers . A Wheatear was on the common north of St Ouen's Pond while in the Sandpits were 2 Shelducks , 8 Tufted Ducks , 30 Sand Martins and a Wheatear and a further pair of Shelducks were at La Saline, in St Ouen's Bay. At Le Pulec were a Common Sandpiper , 4 Little Egrets and a Stonechat . Yet another pair of Shelduck were in Petit Port Bay. At Les Landes were a ring-tailed Hen Harrier and 3 Whitethroats At La Sente this morning were a Green Sandpiper , a Common Sandpiper and a Brent Goose and at Beaumont was another Wheatear. Yesterday, in Grouville Marsh were 2 Yellow Wagtails , 100 Sand Martins , 80 Swallows and a Peregrine .
01.05.2024 A Brent Goose at La Sente, note the ring and GPS tracking device on its back. RdC A cloudy day with outbreaks of rain, mainly this morning. Some information about the Brent Goose seen yesterday and today at La Sente, although the ring number is not readable, it is believed that this individual has wintered at Carantec, near Roscoff in Brittany. The GPS tracking device is part of a French project for the tracking of seabirds to identify migratory routes and resting areas, in order to advise potential and current offshore wind farms in the English Channel and off the west coast of France. Other birds seen at La Sente today were a pair of Shelduck , 2 Greenshanks , a Green Sandpiper , a Common Sandpiper , 6 Yellow Wagtails including one blue-headed, 6 White Wagtails and 3 Wheatears . At St Ouen's Pond and Scrape the Shelduck pair are still present, 4 Shovelers including a female, 2 Black-tailed Godwits , a Redshank , 8 Lapwings plus 5 small young, a Common Sandpiper , one Snipe , singing Reed Warblers , 3 Sedge Warblers , 80 Swallows , 20 Sand Martins , 10 House Martins , 16 Yellow Wagtails , 7 Swifts and a pair of Stonechats with a recently fledged juvenile. North of the Pond were 12 Greenland Wheatears , 2 Sedge and 6 Reed Warblers . On Les Blanches Banques 2 Whimbrels , in Grouville Bay 5 Brent and a single Greenland Wheatear .
30.04.2024 A fine male Whinchat at Les Landes recently, image courtesy of Romano RdC A fair morning, becoming cloudy this afternoon, all in a fresh and gusty south-southeasterly wind. Two new species for the year were reported today, with a male Pied Flycatcher seen in St John and a Tree Pipit which overflew Grosnez. Other birds seen at Grosnez and Les Landes included 5 Manx Shearwaters , 4 Guillemots , 15 Fulmars , 22 Gannets , 8 Kittiwakes , 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls , 3 Yellow Wagtails , 5 Swallows , 2 Wheatears a Whitethroat a Peregrine and 2 Ravens . At L'Etacq were a pair of Shelduck and 3 Curlews . In St Ouen's Bay, at the Scrape, were a Garganey , the pair of Shelducks , a male Wigeon heading for the Pond, 3 male Shovelers , a Common Sandpiper , a pair of Coot with 2 chicks, a pair of Oystercatchers , 6 Lapwings , 7 Swifts , 10 Swallows , 20 Sand Martins, a House Martin , a Wheatear , a Skylark and on the golf course, 5 Yellow Wagtails and a White Wagtail . A Slow Worm was on the path down to the Scrape Hide. On the north side of St Ouen's Pond were 2 Wheatears and around Kempt Tower pools were 2 Little Grebes, a pair of Coot with 4 young, 6 Tufted Ducks , a Whitethroat , several singing Reed Warblers , a Blackcap , 10+ Chiffchaffs and 3 overflying Choughs . On Queen's Valley reservoir were a Common Sandpiper and 4 Tufted Ducks , while at La Sente were a Little Ringed Plover and a single Brent Goose . In Grouville Bay were 116 Brent Geese and at Grouville Marsh were 20 Swallows . 4 Tufted Ducks were at Grands Vaux.
29.04.2024 One of today's Garganey , on the Scrape MD A fair to fine day in a fresh south-southwest wind Another Hoopoe was seen, this time in a field on Rue de Samares, St Clement, in an outstanding Spring for the species. The 2 male Garganey remained on the Scrape of another day, mainly trying to keep out of the way of the mad male Shelduck ! Also on the Scrape were the pair of Shelduck , 3 male Shovelers , the Pink-footed Goose with the Barnacle Goose, 2 Oystercatchers , 6 Lapwings including a pair with 2 chicks, 2 Wheatears , 2 Sedge Warblers , a Swift , 10 Swallows and a passing Peregrine . and seen from the Wetland Centre were 2 Shovelers , 25 Sand Martins , 4 Swallows and 2 Reed Warblers . On the north side of St Ouen's Pond were 8 Wheatears and 6 singing Reed Warblers , with another 4 Reed Warblers by the Frances le Sueur Centre. Seen at, or passing Les Landes were a Hobby , 15 Wheatears , a male Stonechat , 5 Whitethroats , 32 Swallows , 3 Sand Martins , a Sparrowhawk , 2 Ravens and 3 Choughs. In Petit Port Bay on the high tide were 2 Brent Geese, 3 pairs of Shelduck, and 2 Whimbrels, and at Corbiere were 3 Purple Sandpipers and 2 Turnstones . Another pair of Shelduck were roosting at Le Pulec. In Grouville Bay were 14 Brent Geese , 2 Shelduck , 3 Bar-tailed Godwits , a Grey Plover , 6 Ringed Plovers , 7 Dunlin , 2 Curlews , a Whimbrel and 2 Wheatears and at La Sente were a Little Ringed Plover , 2 Shelduck , a 2 White Wagtails and 8 Little Egrets . 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese remained at St Aubin this morning. 10 Tufted Duck were on Grands Vaux reservoir and another 4 Tufted Duck were at Handois. Below : Two more images of a Garganey at the Scrape this morning MD
Mick Dryden
Romano da Costa
Tony Paintin
