October 19th

by John Horton | Oct 19, 2016

Winds turned very slightly NW overnight and this brought an increase in grounded passerines. There was a flock of around 50 Redwings in Mannez quary first thing.  9 Snipe on Longis pond and the Marsh Harrier was again in the vicinity of the airport as was a Wheatear.  The winds are turning North overnight and we are yet to see Goldcrests through the island in the anticipated large numbers, could tomorrow be the day…

Ringing returned 70 new birds 36 of which were Blackcap, plus 4 Redwings, 6 Blackbirds, 6 Song Thrushes, 6 Goldcrests,  and 1 Cetti’s Warbler. Also two species were ringed today that until this year had never been ringed on the island. But today we  processed our 4th Reed Bunting  and our 3rd Woodpigeon  (the first of the latter species ringed by Cathernine Veron).

October 18th

by John Horton | Oct 19, 2016

A windy morning on West winds and a chance to go birding island wide resulting in 58 species recorded. Highlights were a roost of 250 Oystercatchers at Clonque, a Wheatear on Longis Common, 13 Jackdaw at the pigs, Marsh Harrier at Giffione, 2 Kingfishers and a Grey Wagtail at Corblets quarry and a Little Grebe in Crabby quarry. At Braye beach 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Ringed Plover and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits adn 2 Brent Geese in Longis Bay.

Sandy Robertson spotted a Short eared Owl at Tourgis Hill

Just a couple of nets opened in the afternoon at Essex farm and a nice return of 15 new birds included our 11th ringed Yellow-browed Warbler.