Discover the beauty and uniqueness of Jersey’s birds in Jersey Posts’ stamp issue ‘Jersey’s Wetland Birds’ issued on Tuesday 6th August 2024.

Jersey’s Wetland Birds issue commemorates the variety of wetland birds found on the Island. To ensure the accuracy of the birds included, our team reached out to the local Jersey Birds organisation whose members regularly monitor sightings. From their findings, we were able to select wetland bird breeds for the artist to illustrate, including the Northern Shoveler, Western Marsh Harrier, Tufted Duck, Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe and Reed Bunting.

Thomas Norman (Elvensø Illustration) was the artist who illustrated the Jersey Wetland Birds issue. Local to Jersey, Thomas uses intricate line details to create bold and distinctive artwork. For the Wetland Birds issue, Thomas has used a bold colour pallet to highlight each of the bird’s features.

60p The Northern Shoveler is a stunning duck species, admired for its unique feeding adaptation and striking appearance. This medium-sized duck, easily recognized by its distinctive spoon-shaped bill, thrives in various habitats with a small resident population that breeds annually and welcomes additional visitors during the winter.

98p1 The Western Marsh Harrier first nested in Jersey in 2002 the breed has become a prominent across the island. This bird of prey, most seen in its stronghold at St Ouen’s Pond. Distinguished by their long wings and tails, Western Marsh Harriers possess a dark brown plumage accented by a creamy cap, throat, and wing markings. Their graceful flight and striking appearance make them a captivating sight in Jersey’s skies.

98p2 The Tufted Duck are a familiar and vibrant presence throughout Jersey, thriving year-round and breeding around the island’s many water bodies. These ducks are easily recognisable by their distinctive colouring: males boast an overall black plumage with bright white flanks and a charming floppy crest, while females are typically dark brown with a shorter crest and lighter flanks. The Tufted Duck’s remarkable appearance and widespread presence make it a beloved resident in Jersey’s avian community.

£1.65 Northern Lapwing a rare yet captivating resident of Jersey. Their presence swells dramatically in winter, seeking refuge from the freezing conditions on the Continent that render their usual feeding grounds inhospitable. These striking birds are easily recognised by their distinctive crests and boldly patterned black and white plumage, which gleams with a beautiful green and multicolored gloss in good light. The Northern Lapwing’s seasonal influx and stunning appearance make them a remarkable and cherished sight in Jersey’s winter landscape.

£2.15 Common Snipe are spotted predominately in Jersey from August through April, favouring the edges of reedbeds and ponds or open wet fields, especially in St. Ouen. Renowned for its cryptic plumage, this bird expertly camouflages itself. The Common Snipe’s long, probing bill is perfectly adapted for extracting insects, earthworms, and crustaceans from the mud. Its plumage features a rich brown with patterned gold and black bars, and its head is adorned with distinctive gold and stripy brown markings. Completing its unique look are a straight bill and short greyish-green legs, making the Common Snipe a fascinating and well-adapted visitor to the island’s wetlands.

£2.95 Reed Bunting once a breeding species in Jersey, is now a seasonal visitor, arriving in varying numbers each year between October and April. These sparrow-sized birds’ favour reedbeds for feeding and roosting. In winter, male Reed Buntings sport mostly brown heads, but their distinctive white collar and ‘moustache’ remain prominent, with pale throats showing traces of a dark bib. Female Reed Buntings, on the other hand, have pale throats and ‘moustaches’ set apart by a dark streak extending to the base of the beak. Their streaky brown plumage provides excellent camouflage, making these birds a subtle yet fascinating presence in Jersey.

You can purchase Jersey’s Wetland Birds stamp products online. The collection will be available until Thursday 6th August 2026.