Migration has been in full swing during April, although the weather hasn’t helped, we have still seen all the regular species passing through the island.
Good numbers of Wheatear, Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin have been noted while a numbers of Ring Ouzels and Little Ringed Plovers has been good this spring.
The first of our breeding Puffins was seen on the 3rd, the first Cuckoo was heard near Greve de Lecq on the 12th with several more since and a very early Swift arrived on the 7th, ten days earlier than the mean average while the rest were arriving from the 21st.
Several species of summer breeding Warblers are now back on their territories, with Whitethroats, Reed, Sedge and Garden Warblers all arriving on time
Rarer species noted were two records of Iberian Yellow Wagtail, one at St Ouen’s Pond on the 11th and another at La Sente on the 13th, these constituted the third and fourth records for the island. A male Garganey was at St Ouen’s Pond on the 21st alongside two Spoonbills, a Black Kite over Hougue Bie on the 14th, sadly a deceased male Golden Oriole was found in St Ouen’s Bay on the 17th and at least five different Hoopoe were seen during the month.
