20th-22nd January 2026

Thursday, 22nd January:  After yet more overnight rain, another grey morning, mostly dry, apart from a few drizzly spells, in a brisk south-easterly breeze......

Selsey Bill: A total of 58 Red-throated Divers went east this morning, along with 23 Red-breasted Mergansers, though not too much else was on the move. Full log below. (AH/IP)

(0750-0950hrs) (SE, F5)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 58E, 15W, 6os

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Gannet - 14E, 2W

Wigeon - 1E

Common Scoter - 14os

Red-breasted Merganser - 23E, 9W, 4os

Oystercatcher - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Great Black-backed Gull - 4os

Kittiwake - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 3E

auk sp - 8E

Red-throated Divers (above), Red-breasted Mergansers & Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Two Avocets and c40 Black-tailed Godwits were among c800 Lapwings this morning around the pool, with c60 Shovelers, c100 Teal and c300 Wigeon also about, whilst a Lesser Black-backed Gull and c30 Common Gulls were among the big flock of roosting Black-headed and Herring Gulls. (AH)

Avocets, Lapwings and Shovelers (above) & Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common and Black-headed Gulls at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A Greenshank was in the harbour this morning, along with c100 Grey Plovers, c400 Knot and c1000 Dunlin, but there wasn't too much else beyond a couple of Pintail and a dozen or so Shelducks, Wigeon and Teal. (GR/AH)

Grey Plovers, Knot and Dunlin (above), Knot & Dunlin at Church Norton (AH)

East Head: A Snow Bunting was at the far end early this afternoon. (GM)

Wednesday, 21st January:  After another stormy night of heavy rain, a grey and murky morning of persistent drizzle and occasional heavier spells in a brisk and blustery southerly......

Selsey Bill: It was slow again, especially early on, though a Fulmar went west, a flock of 67 Dunlin went east and there were a few of the regulars, too. Full log below. (AH)

(0805-0920hrs) (S, F5-6)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red throated Diver - 8E, 1W, 2os

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 3E

Shag - 1E

Red-breasted Merganser - 3W, 9os

Dunlin - 67E

Great Black-backed Gull - 4os

Kittiwake - 1E, 1W

Sandwich Tern - 4os

Razorbill - 1E

auk sp - 1W

(1050-1150hrs) (SH)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Red throated Diver - 3E, 1W, 1os

Slavonian Grebe - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Fulmar - 1E, 1W

Gannet - 29E, 5W

Common Scoter - 2E, 15os

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 3W, 3os

Turnstone - 1E

Kittiwake - 3E, 2W

Sandwich Tern - 2os

Razorbill - 1E, 6W

auk sp - 5E

This afternoon, an adult Little Gull was offshore before drifting off east., Full log below. (AWi)

(1500-1630hrs)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 3os

Gannet - 90E

Red-breasted Merganser - 4os

Little Gull - 1E

Great Black-backed Gull - 1os

Kittiwake - 7E

Razorbill - 5os

Red-throated Diver (above), Kittiwake, Gannet & Dunlin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were at least 1500 Lapwings around the pool this morning, along with an Avocet and c75 Black-tailed Godwits, with c60 Shovelers, c150 Teal and c400 Wigeon present, too. (AH)

Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwings (above) & Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There wasn't much to see in a fairly brief look, though three Avocets and four Pintail were present, but, otherwise, there were just c400 Knot, c1000 Dunlin and a few Grey Plovers, Redshanks, Curlews and Oystercatchers, plus a dozen Shelducks, spread across the mud. (AH)

Avocet (above), Avocets and Pintail & Knot at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: It was bleak along the wall this morning in the wet and windy conditions, with just a few of the regular species out in the harbour, and only five Brent Geese in Honer 1.

A Marsh Harrier was up over the reeds and a Water Rail was in the Paddock, but otherwise there was just a Song Thrush, a Pied Wagtail and a Great Spotted Woodpecker around the bushes. (LP)

This afternoon there were 17 Redwings and eight Fieldfares around Halsey's Farm, whilst two Rock Pipits were along the wall and two female Marsh Harriers and a Buzzard went over. (S&SaH)

Water Rail (above), Marsh Harrier & Pied Wagtail at the North Wall (LP)

Tuesday, 20th January: A dry start with rain forecast to hold off until mid-afternoon, with winds from the south-south-east, potentially gusting to F7 at times...

Selsey Bill: It was quiet in a mountainous sea mid-morning with just a few of the regular species to note. Full log below. (BI) 

(1105-1205hrs) (S F6) 

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 3E, 3W

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 14E, 10W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 3W

Turnstone  - 4

Common Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 1W

Guillemot - 1W

Razorbill - 6E, 2W

Black-headed Gulls, above, & Turnstone at the Bill (BI)

Ferry Pool: There were c.90 Golden Plovers and at least 500 Lapwings present today and c.12 Great Black-backed Gulls were with Black-headed Gulls.

A mix of Teal and Shoveler were roosting on the banks, a Marsh Harrier flew through & c.60 Black-tailed Godwits were present as were two Avocets. (NBd/BI et al)

Gulls , above, and roosting wildfowl and waders at the Ferry (BI)

East Side: On the rising tide this morning there was a huge amount of birds along the East Side, with good numbers of Brent Geese, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Shelduck, Lapwings, Grey Plover, Knot, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwits and Curlews, plus three Bar-tailed Godwits, six Turnstones, two Oystercatchers, three Great Crested Grebes, 12 Common Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and six Mediterranean Gulls. (LP)

Pintail, above, waders including Knot, Dunlin & Grey Plover & Bar-tailed Godwit on the east side (LP)

North Wall: A Ruff was still with the Lapwings along White’s Creek this morning and later towards high tide, four Snipe flew out from the harbour, two Marsh Harriers were up over the reeds, and in Honer 3 there was an impressive gathering of c2000 Brent Geese.

A Rock Pipit and a Dunlin were along the wall, but the hedgerows were quiet in the windy conditions with just a Redwing and a couple of Reed Buntings seen, although a flock of 75 Fieldfares flew over by the stables and a Pied Wagtail was in the paddock. (NBd/LP et al)

Rock Pipit, above, Brent Geese & Dunlin at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: Two Greenshank and a Bar-tailed Godwit were in the harbour today. (NBd)

Bar-tailed Godwit, Greenshank & Bar-tailed Godwit with two Greenshank at Church Noton (NBd)

Chichester Gravel Pits: Highlights of a visit this morning were three Goldeneye (two drakes) on Ivy Lake and ten Pochard and about 20 Shovelers on New Lake. (RW)

Itchenor: The overwintering Common Sandpiper, last seen in Novmeber, was present here today. (PH)

17th-19th January 2026

Monday, 19th January:  Back to a rainy spell, gloomily overcast and with light south-south easterly winds...

Selsey Bill: This morning a total of five Fulmars were seen, with two individuals going east and a group of three heading west. Offshore there were around twenty Gannets, with as many Red-throated Divers and two Great Northern Divers. A Kittiwake, a Guillemot and two Common Gulls also went west. Full log below. (PB/AW)

(0740-1040hrs) (S F3-4)

Great Northern Diver  - 1E, 1W, 2os

Red-throated Diver - 26E, 8W, 2os

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Fulmar - 2E, 3W

Gannet  - 16E, 25W, 20os

Common Scoter - 12os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 8W, 5os

Oystercatcher - 1E

Common Gull - 2W

Great Black-backed Gull - 7W

Kittiwake - 1W

Guillemot 1W

Razorbill - 4E, 3W

Pied Wagtail - 1

Fulmars, above, and Red-throated Divers at the Bill (AW)

Church Norton: a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were around the car park today and in the harbour were two Bar-tailed Godwits, two Greenshank. c.200 Golden Plover, c.200 Knot. c.100 Teal, c.50 Grey Plover, c.100 Brent Geese and numerous Dunlin & Wigeon  A male and female Red-breasted Merganser were also present on the water. (PB)

Ferry Pool: The Green Sandpiper was back today on the hidden pool and three Avocets and three Black-tailed Godwits were on the main pool. A Buzzard was at the back as was a Red-legged Partridge and a Cattle Egret and there were still numerous Lapwing, Shoveler, Wigeon and Teal present. (PB)

A Grey Wagtail was around the pumps at the Ferry this afternoon, while out on the flooded fields there were at least 150 Black-tailed Godwits. (AW)

Grey Wagtail at the Ferry (AW)

Chichester Gravel Pits: It was generally quiet around the Ivy Lake complex with just two flyover Egyptian Geese and a scattering of Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Tufted Ducks, Coots and Great Crested Grebes out on the water. 

A Cetti's Warbler called unseen near East Trout Lake, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was near Copse Lake, a few small flocks of Long-tailed Tits were along the paths and a Common Gull on Triangle Lake was the best of it today. (BI)

Great Spotted Woodpecker, above, Tufted Duck & Common Gull on gravel pits (BI)

North Wall: A Kingfisher was by the sluice, and out in the harbour there were large amounts of Brent Geese, Wigeon, Teal, Shelducks, Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwings and Golden Plover as well as a few Pintail and Grey Plover.

Two Shovelers were on the Breech Pool, and two Rock Pipits were along the wall, whilst in the hedgerows there were two Yellowhammers, four Reed Buntings, two Redwings, three Song Thrushes and a flighty group of 30 Fieldfares.

A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was briefly in Honer 2, before heading off towards Marsh Farm, and at Halsey’s Farm, c150 Wigeon were by the Rife and a Stonechat was along the fence. (LP/TRH/CT et al)

Rock Pipit, above, Redwing, Yellowhammer & Shovelers at the North Wall (LP)

Dell Quay: Two drake and one duck Goldeneye were here today as was a Slavonian Grebe, a Greenshank and a Kingfisher. Nearby at Fishboune Creek was a Jack Snipe, another Greenshank whilst 12 Rock Pipits were along the saltmarsh. (JC/BFF/SL et al)

Medmerry East Side: A Red-necked Grebe and three Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore just after mid-day. (JSm)

Sunday, 18th January: A generally dry day forecast although perhaps a little drizzle first thing...light winds from the south initially, backing towards the east through the day...

Selsey Bill: It was quality over quantity this morning with a Velvet Scoter going east, five Egyptian Geese west, a Fulmar moving west, the Common Scoter flock offshore and a nice flock of 19 Red-throated Divers flying high west. Full log below. (PB/SH/BI et al)

(0745-0915hrs) (S F3):

Red-throated Diver - 15E, 26W, 2os

Great Northern Diver - 4E, 2os

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 4E 1W

Shag - 5E

Brent Goose - 3E, 3W

Egyptian Goose - 5W

Wigeon - 21E

Teal - 4W

Common Scoter - 20os

Velvet Scoter - 1E

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 3W 5os

Oystercatcher - 1E

Sanderling - 1E

Turnstone - 4

Great Black-backed Gull - 4E

Sandwich Tern - 1os

auk sp- 1E, 10W

Razorbill - 3W, 1os

Later in the day one of the Red-necked Grebes flew in from the west and landed offshore, a LIttle Gull was offshore and a flock of 11 Red-throated Divers went west. Full log below. (SH)

(1425-1540hrs) 

Red-throated Diver - 24W, 4os

Great Northern Diver - 6os

Great Crested Grebe - 3os

Red-necked Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 7E, 5W, 6os

Red-breasted Merganser - 3E, 2W, 5os

Common Scoter - 21os

Sanderling - 3E

Turnstone - 13E, 3ob

Great Black-backed Gull - 2os

Little Gull - 1os

Kittiwake - 5E

Sandwich Tern - 9E, 1W

Razorbill - 1E, 2W

auk sp - 2E

Shags, above, and Wigeon passing the Bill (BI)

Park Lane: Three Redwings flew over today. (MRe)

Ferry Pool: It was much quieter than yesterday with just two flocks of Lapwings flying around and a mix of Shovelers, Teal and Wigeon and the regular waders on the pool itself. The Peregrine was also noted, perching on the radio mast. (BI)

Wildfowl & waders, above, & Peregrine at the Ferry (BI)

North Wall: Two Bearded Tits were reported in the reeds opposite the salthouse late yesterday afternoon but there was no obvious sign this morning with just a pair of Reed Buntings, a Cetti's Warbler and a few Greenfinches and Linnets to see here. The three White-fronted Geese were still in the Honer fields and two Ruff were with the Lapwings and Golden Plovers in White's Creek. 

A Rock Pipit was along the wall and a handful of Redwings and Song Thrushes were in the bushes, whilst 30 Fieldfares flew over, and around the paddock there was a Water Rail, a Grey Wagtail, two Pied Wagtails, six Chiffchaffs, a Stonechat, two Reed Buntings, 12 Long-tailed Tits, a Green Woodpecker and a Goldcrest. (MJa/LP/BI/DHi/EB/SBr et al)

Water Rail, above, Ruff, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail & Stonechat at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: Thirty Common Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull were on the spit this morning. (GW)

MIll Lane Marsh: A Coal Tit was in a nearby garden here today. (ML)

Medmerry, Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool: Four Buzzards were overhead today, a Kestrel was out hunting and a Marsh Harrier drifted through disturbing c.300 Golden Plover. 

On the Stilt Pool was an Avocet whilst the banks held six Skylarks, four Stonechats, c.20 Linnets, c.20 Meadow Pipits, two Fieldfares and four Greenfinches. (SaH/SH/PB)

Shopwhyke Lake:  A Kingfisher was present here today. (SM)

Saturday, 17th January: After more overnight rain, a slowly improving morning, quite mild and with a bit of sunshine at times in a fairly light southerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: A Little Gull was lingering fairly distantly offshore this morning and a Velvet Scoter went west early on, with good counts of 21 Red-throated Divers and 52 Common Scoters on the sea. Full log below. (JA/SH/BI/AH)

(0740-0910hrs) S, F2-3)

Red-throated Diver - 16E, 31W, 21os

diver sp - 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 1E, 5W

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 5E

Velvet Scoter - 1W

Common Scoter - 4E, 52os

Red-breasted Merganser - 3E, 3W, 6os

Oystercatcher - 1E

Turnstone - 4E, 55W

Little Gull - 1os

Kittiwake - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 2E, 4W, 1os

Razorbill - 2E, 5W

auk sp - 2E, 2W

Common Scoters (above), Red-throated Diver & Red-breasted Merganser at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were three Ruff on the flooded fields this morning, along with a Spotted Redshank, c125 Black-tailed Godwits, 1000+ Lapwings, c50 Shovelers, c100 Teal and c300 Wigeon, plus a Marsh Harrier over. 

(LP/IH/MJa/AH/BI/MP et al)

Ruff and Lapwings (above) & Black-tailed Godwits at Ferry (AH)

West side: Half a dozen Red-breasted Mergansers were in the harbour on the high tide and a Dartford Warbler was along the path. (MP)

Honer Reservoir: There was a huge flock of c200 Fieldfares, with c25 Redwings among them around the reservoir and adjacent trees late this morning, though they were very flighty and mobile, not settling anywhere for long.

Apart from that the reservoir itself as bird-less and there was nothing else to report. (AH)

Fieldfares (above) & Redwings at Honer Reservoir (AH)

North Wall: There were vast numbers of birds around White's Creek and the harbour on the rising tide this morning, including c1000 Brent Geese, c40 Avocets, c500 Golden Plovers, c200 Black-tailed Godwits and perhaps 2000 Lapwings, with more coming in all the time.

There were also c25 Pintail among many Wigeon and Teal, plus c40 Canada Geese, whilst a Peregrine went over, a Rock Pipit and a handful of Reed Buntings were along the wall, a Water Rail was in the paddocks and the pair of Marsh Harriers were over the reeds. (AH et al)

Water Rail (above), Rock Pipit, Lapwings and Golden Plovers & Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwings at the North Wall (AH)

Drayton Pits: A Bittern was seen during a WeBS count on the South Pit before it flew towards the North Pit this morning - the first since 2023. For those unfamiliar with the siituation at these pits, they are privately owned, believed by a property company, and the owners are unco-operative, with new signage appearing and no access permitted to members of the public and/or birders. Anyone thinking of visiting is advised to try and view from outside the boundaries. (OM)

Chichester GPs: On Ivy Lake this morning there were 88 Greylag Geese and four Mallard, and on Nunnery Pit there were four Tufted Ducks, with a Goldcrest in the hedges. (CRJ)

Medmerry: Ham Farm - There were at least three Corn Buntings here this morning, along with a few Yellowhammers and a Stonechat, plus three Roe Deer, whilst there were lots of Lapwings and Brent Geese in the tidal area. (EB)

Corn Buntings (above), Yellowhammer, Stonechat, Lapwings and Brent Geese & Roe Deer at Medmerry (EB)

Church Norton: A predated Kingfisher, possibly the work of the local Peregrine, was found on a bollard near Church Norton spit today. (HK)

Ex-Kingfisher at Church Norton, above & below. (HK)