Jersey - Day 1 pm.

Day 1 continued: This is the north-easterly view from above Greve De Lecq as we began our descent to the car park.
One of a few Herring Gulls waiting patiently around the car park for a hand out.

We then drove west to Grosnez, another good sea-watching site at the right time of the year. On this occassion there was a very strong westerly wind and apart from a few gulls nearly everything else was keeping under cover. We did however get brief sightings of Linnets, Meadow Pipit, Rock Doves and heard a Skylark.
This was the scene way below our feet.

A rocky outcrop covered in a variety of wild flowers, grasses etc.

From Grosnez we followed the winding road southwards to the northern end of St Ouen Bay. Despite scanning all possible areas we failed to spot any wildlife.
Parking out on the water is no problem.

The final part of day 1 was spent further south at St. Ouen Bay were we enjoyed a welcome ice cream while scanning towards St.Ouen Pond (You may just be able to make it out in the distance).

This is a Nature Reserve but access is very limited. We followed a path to a very tiny hide but again there was nothing to photograph. We did however get a brief view of a Cetti's Warbler sculking in the hedgerow plus Grey Heron, Little Egret and two Marsh Harriers but all too far away for the camera.

Jersey - Day 1

Anita and I headed north to Greve De Lecq and commenced the steep climb up onto the coastal path heading east. This is the view of the small sandy bay from the cliff top path...the view would be totally different on the weekend with everyone flocking to any available sandy spot!

Herring Gulls patrolled the cliff tops. A Chiffchaff was singing from a high tree perch and we heard the sounds of Chaffinch, Blue & Great Tits plus a Wren.

Around the potato fields we spied over 20 sickle shapes dashing low over the crops and moments later the Swifts climbed high into the sky chasing their insect prey. Then a Kestrel flew overhead hunting for a meal.

An unexpected sighting was four Red-legged Partridge who promptly flew into cover as soon as they felt our presence. Small numbers of House Martins and a single Swallow passed by.

The coastal path took us past a number of properties with gardens to die for...full of colourful blooms.

Well worn Painted Lady's were basking in the sunshine.

Erigeron (Fleabane) growing in the granite walls.

This garden was created within the ruins of an older building.

The pathway twisted and turned with brief views of the sea.

Speckled Wood butterflies were very common.

Just two of the many wild flowers that graced our walk.

During a rest stop we watched the stiff winged flight of Northern Fulmars using the updrafts around the rocky cliffs (but too far away for pictures).

Back from Jersey.

A week has flown by and I’m now back into my usual work routine after a pleasant extended weekend on the island of Jersey.

The reason behind the trip was that my parents in law were presented with a gift of a holiday to Jersey for their Diamond Wedding Anniversary at the beginning of this year but what they never knew was that their siblings plus partners would also be joining them! So arrangements were made for them to fly out on a mid-morning flight plus transfer to the hotel. The rest of us (four couples) flew out later the same day from two separate UK locations and met up prior to driving to the hotel and booked in without “mum and dad” being aware of our presence. We then assembled in the hotel lounge and surprised the “holiday couple” when they appeared for their pre-booked evening meal. Were they surprised....not half!

Over the following four days each couple took it in turn to spend a day with “mum and dad” transporting them to various locations throughout the island. Everyone had a great time, not least the trips out every evening to eat at a different restaurant and then find our way safely back to the hotel.

When time permits I will post some images of the locations that we visited.