26th January 2025

Sunday, 26th January: An increasingly dismal morning's weather, as the strong southerly steadily increased towards gale-force, bringing heavy rain with it.....

Pre-blog years 1975-2012: Just a short note to say that the latest additions have been made to this paper, now taking the updates up to the end of the 1980's. Just click the link on the title bar in the usual way.

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of activity this morning, including a Slavonian Grebe and six Great Northern Divers offshore, 66 Kittiwakes east and good numbers of Gannets present throughout. Full log below. 

(JA/SH/PB/MRB/IP/BI/AH et al)

(0725-0925hrs) (S, F6-7)

Great Northern Diver - 6os

Red-throated Diver - 6E, 11W

diver sp - 1W

Slavonian Grebe - 1os

Fulmar - 2W

Gannet - 53E, 123W, 90os

Cormorant - 88E

Common Scoter - 4E, 1W, 5os

Red-breasted Merganser - 18E, 18W, 2os

Turnstone - 22E

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Common Gull - 3E, 2W

Kittiwake - 66E, 14W

Razorbill - 4E, 6W

auk sp - 15E, 41W

This afternoon, the first Bonxie of the year went east, along with a Fulmar. Full log below. (SH)

(1345-1530hrs) (S, F8)

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 1W

Fulmar - 1E

Gannet -112E, 4W

Red-breasted Merganser - 3W, 5os

Great Skua - 1E

Kittiwake - 1E

Great Northern Diver (above), Kittiwake, Gannet & Red-breasted Mergansers at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Around 40 Black-tailed Godwits were at the back this morning, along with c60 Shovelers, c100 Teal, c30 Mallards and at least 300 Wigeon, whilst a female Marsh Harrier was over the field to the south. (AH/IP)

Wigeon at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were 23 Avocets roosting near Tern Island this morning, with a female Marsh Harrier hunting over the adjacent salt-marsh. (PB/MRB)

Sidlesham churchyard: A Firecrest was present this morning. (IP)

North Wall: It was predictably very quiet along the wall this morning at high tide in the very windy conditions. There were still lots of Lapwing and Golden Plover about, and the Brent Geese were moving between the harbour and the fields, but apart from a Rock Pipit along the wall and a Jay in the paddock that was about it. (LP/BI)

Rock Pipit at the North Wall (LP)

Late this afternoon, the flock of ten Barnacle Geese flew around over Halsey's Farm for several minutes, before deciding to drop into the harbour.

There wasn't much else to report, though, beyond c200 Wigeon in the adjacent harbour and c500 Brent Geese over west. (AH)

Barnacle Geese at the North Wall (AH)

Pagham Lagoon and Spit: There were six Tufted Ducks, a Little Grebe, eight Common Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull, and a female Red Breasted Merganser on the Lagoon, but it was quiet along the spit with just four Linnets seen before the rain set in. (LP)

Red-breasted Merganser (above), Tufted Ducks & Common Gulls on Pagham Lagoon (LP)

Sidlesham: This morning, c60 Lapwings went over the garden, heading east, and late this afternoon a Firecrest was present. (AH)

Medmerry: Coastguards - The drake Eider and flock of c60 Common Scoters were again off the Coastguard Station this morning. (AH)

Eider and Common Scoters at Medmerry (AH)

23rd - 25th January 2025

Saturday, 25th January: A cool and bright morning in just a light to moderate north-westerly breeze...........

Pre-blog years 1975-2012: Just a short note to say that the latest additions have been made to this paper, now taking the updates up to the end of the 1980's. Working through my old diaries has brought back many memories; some events seem like yesterday to me at and it's hard to realise just how many years have slipped by! Just click the link on the title bar in the usual way.

Selsey Bill: Five Slavonian Grebes went east this morning, and a few Kittiwakes and Gannets went west, but not too much else was on the move. full log below.(JA/SH/PB/BI/SR/IP/P&LH/OM)

(0730-0945hrs) (NW, F2-3)

Great Northern Diver - 5os

Red-throated Diver - 6E, 6W, 1os

diver sp - 4W

Slavonian Grebe - 5E

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 45E, 110W

Shag - 7E

Shelduck - 2W

Red-breasted Merganser - 13E, 8W, 10os

Oystercatcher - 2W

Mediterranean Gull - 4E, 3W

Common Gull - 8W

Kittiwake - 18W

auk sp - 91E, 116W

Ferry Pool: A Kingfisher was in the channel opposite, and over 500 Lapwings flew into the harbour from the west, early this morning, whilst on the pool there were c40 Black-tailed Godwits, six Gadwall, 14 Shelducks, c70 Shovelers, c150 Teal, c200 Wigeon and c30 Mallards. (AH)

Kingfisher (above), Gadwall & Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

Sidlesham Quay: A Hawfinch was heard, though not seen, in the line of conifers between the pond and the marsh along Mill Lane. (M&LL)

Also, a Coal Tit was showing occasionally and singing repeatedly from pines nearby. (OM)

North Wall: A Water Pipit was reported as seen and heard in flight by visiting birders at Halsey's Rife and a White-tailed Eagle was reported flying north of the Breech Pool, whilst a Coal Tit was in Pagham churchyard. (BI et al)

Late this afternoon, a Barn Owl was out at Halsey's Farm and the c15 Lesser Redpolls were still present, along with the ten Barnacle Geese. (AB)

Church Norton: There were a few birds offshore this morning, though all distant, including the drake Long-tailed Duck, three Red-breasted Mergansers, three Great Northern Divers, two Great crested Grebes and a Red-throated Diver on the sea, with another nine of the latter heading west together, along with half a dozen Gannets.

The harbour was full of birds on the falling tide, including the Whimbrel, three Bar-tailed Godwits, a Sanderling, 19 Avocets, c50 Knot,  c60 Ringed Plovers and Turnstones and vast numbers of Dunlin and Grey Plovers, with at least 60 Pintail among the Wigeon and Teal.

Also, at least 2000 Brent Geese, including the Pale-bellied bird,  were commuting between the harbour and the fields behind the church and a Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard were distantly over the far side, but a Chiffchaff and a Meadow Pipit were the only small birds of note. (AH/P&LH/JEv et al)

Brent Geese (above), Pintails, Avocet, Ringed Plovers & Dunlin at Church Norton (AH)

Also, the partially albino Blackbird, first seen last autumn, is still going strong in the field by the Mound. (HK)

Also, there was an unconfirmed report of two Spotted Redshanks and a Goosander near the harbour mouth (Per RBA)

partially albino Blackbird at Church Norton (HK)

Selsey Peninsula: All three Long-eared Owls were still present today. (Eds)

Fishbourne Creek: Three Red Kites and two Buzzards were at the top end of the creek late this morning, whilst two drake goldeneyes, two Red-breasted Mergansers, half a a dozen Little Grebes and a dozen Great Crested Grebes were on the water.

Among the many waders seen were 18 Avocets, two Greenshanks, c75 Black-tailed Godwits and c40 Turnstones, whilst wildfowl included four Pintail, c150 Teal and c1500 Brent Geese, with a dozen Common Gulls, a Kingfisher and a Sparrowhawk also noted. (HB/P&LH)

Mapson's Lane, Sidlesham: Around 35 Fieldfares and a lone Redwing were in roadside trees late this morning. (P&LH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Peregrine was sat out on a dead tree in the middle of the reserve this morning, with at least one Dartford Warbler and half a dozen Yellowhammers also present. (IP)

The Peregrine was still about this afternoon, along with a Buzzard and four Sparrowhawks, with an avocet on the Stilt Pool and a water Rail and six Brent Geese on the reserve.

There were also 16 Yellowhammers, two Reed Buntings, three Goldcrests and 23 Fieldfares along the banks. (S&SaH/AH)

Medmerry: Coastguards - A drake Eider was still among the Common Scoter flock of c.60 offshore from the Coastguard station. (OM)

Eider amongst the Common Scoter flock offshore from Coastguards (OM)

Friday, 24th January: After a very stormy night, a morning that started with a gale-force south-westerly and heavy rain, but slowly eased into an average sort of winter's  morning of moderate breezes and an overcast sky.......

Selsey Bill: After a very slow start, there was a little bit of activity, including two Fulmars, a female Eider and 18 Red-breasted Mergansers going west. Full log below. (SH/BI/AH/SR) 

(0740-0940hrs) (SW, F7-8)

Great Northern Diver - 1W, 1os

Red-throated Diver - 2E, 3W

Great Crested Grebe- 2W

Fulmar - 2W

Gannet - 26W

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 2E

Mallard - 3W

Eider - 1W

Common Scoter - 1W

Red-breasted Merganser - 18W

Turnstone - 6

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 1os

(1315-1430hrs) (SH)

Slavonian Grebe - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 7W

Common Scoter - 2os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Turnstone - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 3W

Sandwich Tern - 1os

Razorbill - 1os

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

Ferry Pool: There were just four Shelducks, c50 Shovelers and Wigeon and c80 Teal around the pool this morning. (AH)

Shelducks, Shovelers and Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were plenty of waders about this morning, including the Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwits, two Black-tailed Godwits, c300 Knot, c50 Grey Plovers and c500 Dunlin, along with the usual Curlews, Redshanks and Oystercatchers.

There wasn't much else, though, beyond c30 Brent Geese and a few wigeon and Teal. (AH)

Whimbrel (above), Bar-tailed Godwit & Dunlin at Church Norton (AH)

Church Norton: The Pale-bellied Brent Goose was among the big Brent goose flock, back behind the churchyard this afternoon. (AW)

Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Church Norton (AW)

North Wall: The Grey Wagtail was in the paddock again this morning, along with a Pied Wagtail, a Meadow Pipit and a Stock Dove, and a Kingfisher flew along White’s Creek, where there was the usual selection of Wigeon, Teal and Pintail, with nine Avocets on the mud along with c1000 Lapwings.

At Halsey’s Farm, two Green Woodpeckers, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, two Jays and a Buzzard were in the trees, and spread around the fields there were 75 Curlews and 52 Black-tailed Godwits. Overhead, there were plenty of geese about, with the 10 Barnacle Geese flying between the harbour and Marsh Farm, 42 Canada Geese and a lone Greylag Goose went over, too, and there was a constant stream of several thousand Brent Geese moving between the harbour and Rookery Lane. (LP/BI/JDW)

Barnacle Geese (above), Grey Wagtail & Great Spotted Woodpecker at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Chainbridge to the Breach - There wasn't much along the hedges beyond a Chiffchaff, three Stonechats, 22 Meadow Pipits, two Green Woodpeckers, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel, whilst in the tidal area by the breach, there were a Greenshank, c20 Ringed Plovers, c20 Grey Plovers, c50 Redshanks, c50 Oystercatchers and c200 Dunlin. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Coastguards - There were c60 Common Scoters, plus a drake Eider, off the Coastguard Station this morning. (AH)

Common Scoters and Eider at Medmerry (AH)

Thursday, 23rd January: A morning that started quite calm and pleasant, before the breeze freshened quickly from the south-west, bringing heavy cloud and squalls of drizzly rain with it.....

Selsey Bill: It was quiet this morning, though a few Kittiwakes and Gannets were heading west. Full log below. (AH/IP/SR/JDa)

(0750-0920hrs) (SW, F5-6)

Great Northern Diver - 1W

Red-throated Diver - 6E, 1W

Gannet - 8E, 120W, c40os

Shag - 3E

Red-breasted Merganser - 3E, 1W

Turnstone - 2W

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 18W

Razorbill - 13W

auk sp - 13E, 39W

Great Northern Diver (above), Red-throated Diver & Gannets at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just c50 Wigeon, Teal and Shovelers spread round the pool and fields this morning. (AH)

Wigeon at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The huge flock of c800 Golden Plovers and perhaps double that of Lapwings flew in from the far side this morning, and there were also plenty of Knot, Dunlin and Grey Ploverson the mud, plus the trusty Whimbrel, but there was just a scattering of Wigeon and Teal, plus a few Brent Geese, about.

Also, a Cetti's Warbler was along the west side and a Chiffchaff, a Song Thrush and a few Long-tailed Tits were along the sheltered hedges. (AH)

Whimbrel and Curlew (above), Golden Plovers, Knot & Song Thrush at Church Norton (AH)

20th - 22nd January 2025

Wednesday, 22nd January: A very grey and fairly cool morning in a light to moderate easterly breeze.......

Selsey Bill:  The Red-necked Grebe went east again this morning, and the two Eiders were present, but not together, along with five Slavonian Grebes and a few of the regular species, plus a Chiffchaff along the front. Full log later. (SH/PB/IP/SR/AH/AW/LL)

(0740-0925hrs) (E, F3)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Red-throated Diver - 14E, 6W, 2os

Slavonian Grebe - 5os

Gannet - 123E, 1W

Shag - 13E

Eider - 2os

Common Scoter - 100os

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E

Sanderling - 1

Turnstone - 8

Mediterranean Gull - 1os

Kittiwake - 2E

Sandwich Tern - 2E

auk sp - 25E

Great Northern Divers (above), Common Scoter, Red-breasted Mergansers & Sanderling at the Bill (AW)

Ferry Pool  There were just ducks on the pool this morning, namely one Shelduck, c30 Wigeon and Mallard, c50 Shovelers and c150 Teal. (AH)

Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)

Selsey Peninsula: At least one Long-eared Owl was still present this afternoon. (Eds)

Long-eared Owl on the Peninsula

Church Norton: Two Slavonian Grebes and a Sandwich Tern were the only birds offshore this morning, whilst there were plenty of the usual birds in the harbour, including c300 Knot, c100 Grey Plovers, c500 Dunlin, c50 Wigeon and Teal, c30 Pintail and a dozen Shelducks.

Also, at least 1000 Lapwings came up from the far end and at least 2000 Brent Geese, plus c50 Curlews and a dozen Red-legged Partridges were behind the churchyard. (AH)

Brent Geese (above) & Grey Plover at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: A Water Rail was in the paddock this morning, as well as a Grey Wagtail, two Pied Wagtails, a Song Thrush, a Green Woodpecker, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, and a Jay, whilst two Marsh Harriers flew over from the harbour, and a Buzzard was in the trees.

Three more Water Rails were around the Breech Pool and a Bearded Tit flew over the reeds, with two more further along the wall, where there was also a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

Also, a Kingfisher was along White’s Creek and two Grey Plovers, 32 Dunlin, 14 Redshanks and c500 Lapwing were out on the mud, with lots of Brent Geese heading for the fields. (LP/NR/CT/AW/JDW)

Water Rail (above), Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher & Grey Plover at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Two Dartford Warblers, two Goldcrests and five Stonechats were along the banks today, along with seven Yellowhammers and seven Reed Buntings, whilst a Peregrine and two Buzzards went over.

There were also a Greenshank and c75 Brent Geese on the reserve and an Avocet, eight Ringed Plovers and ten Dunlin on the Stilt Pool. (S&SaH/PB)

Tuesday, 21st January: Sunny intervals forecast for today in F3 south-easterly winds ..expected to be the last dry day of the week...

Selsey Bill:  A very quiet and somewhat chillier morning. Full log below:

(0830-0930hrs) (SSE F3-4) (SR)

Great Northern Diver - 2os
Red-throated Diver - 13E
Gannet - 13E, 41W
Eider - 1os
Common Scoter - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 3os
auk sp. - 7E

(1030-1230hrs) (C.Sutton/B.Stuart):

Great Northern Diver - 1os
Red-throated Diver - 1E
Gannet - 2E

Eider - 2os

Common Scoter -40os

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 2ob

Common Gull - 2W

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 3

Ferry Pool  The Green Sandpiper flew across the field into the concealed pool where it was lost to sight, this was the only wader present today. The wildfowl consisted of 48 Shoveler, c75 Teal, c200 Wigeon and a few Shelducks. A Kingfisher was also present in Ferry channel. (SR/BI/B.Stuart)

Shovelers, above & Green Sandpiper at the Ferry (SR/BI)

Birdham: A Woodcock was flushed from the side of the road near Donnington this morning. (IP)

Pagham Spit/Lagoon: It was quiet along the spit with just seven Skylarks overhead. Out in the harbour there were lots of all the regular species as well as four Bar-tailed Godwits, and three Red-breasted Mergansers, with 3 Common Seals hauled out on the bank.
The Lagoon was also very quiet with just 10 Tufted Ducks and a few Little Grebes of note. (LP)

Tufted Duck, above,  Red-breasted Merganser & Common Seals at the spit (LP)

Church Norton: A Black-throated Diver was offshore this afternoon, a Greenshank and an Avocet were out in the harbour and c.1000 Brent Geese were along the west side. (R.Kelly/B.Stuart/C.Sutton)

North Wall: The ten Barnacle Geese were out in the harbour, and there was the usual huge amount of Lapwing and Golden Plover on the mud along with a few Dunlin and Grey Plovers.
The male Marsh Harrier was behind the Breech Pool and a Water Rail was along the edge of the reeds, and in the paddock, there were 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Pied Wagtails and 5 Meadow Pipits. (LP/TG) For info, parking restrictions in Church Lane at Pagham are now being enforced & many cars were ticketed this morning. (ABi)

Barnacle Geese & Marsh Harrier at the North Wall (LP)

Monday, 20th January: Another overcast start to the day but with the prospect of a few sunny spells later on...light southerly winds continuing...

Selsey Bill: A hazy morning with lingering mist and one dedicated observer! Full log below:

(0815-0930hrs) (ENE F3) (SR)

Great Northern Diver - 3os
Red-throated Diver - 11E
Gannet - 78E, 7W, 8os

Eider - 2os

Common Scoter - 90os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 1W
Oystercatcher - 1W, 1os
Sanderling - 1 ob
Turnstone - 1 ob
Pied Wagtail - 1W

There were also two male Blackcaps on the feeders in Byways today. (B.Richardson)

Ferry Pool: Thirteen Black-tailed Godwits and two Lapwings were the only waders seen and the pool was otherwise dominated by large numbers of wildfowl: c150 Wigeon were on the field at the back, c200 Teal, eight Shoveler, c20 Shelduck were on the banks. Ferry channel held a Greenshank, a Grey Plover and a Little Egret among c30 Teal, Wigeon and Redshanks. (SR)

Wildfowl at the Ferry Pool (SR)

Church Norton: Two Slavonian Grebes were reported offshore this morning. (per Birdguides/RBA)

North Wall: A Water Rail was along the reeds in the Breech Pool and a Kingfisher flew through towards the rife, while further back a female Marsh Harrier was sat in the trees. All the usual species were out in the harbour and a Rock Pipit was along the wall. A Bearded Tit was seen briefly over the reeds as well as two Reed Buntings, but it was otherwise quiet with just a few Curlews in the fields and a Grey Wagtail, two Pied Wagtails, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and three Meadow Pipits in and around the paddock. (LP/CT/AW)

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

Pagham: Lagoon to the Spit: There were c.100 Great Black-backed Gulls, 40 Herring Gulls and c.10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the harbour roost mid-morning along with a 1W Caspian Gull. Also in the harbour were four Red-breasted Mergansers and a female Goldeneye, seven Pintails and plenty of Wigeon and Brent Geese. There was little along the spit itself other than a few Skylarks but a Dartford Warbler was in the gorse near the lagoon. The lagoon held four Little Grebes and ten Black-headed Gulls. (BI)

    Lesser Black-backed Gull, above, Caspian Gull, Red-breasted Mergansers & Goldeneye at the spit (BI)

Chichester Gravel Pits: Ivy Lake Complex: A bit grim here today with noticeably few birds on any of the lakes and along the paths: maximum Coot count 44! Otherwise there was a small scattering of wildfowl including c.20 Canada Geese. Also, sadly, the blue-green algae now appears to be spread throughout the majority of the lakes. (BI)

Canada Geese at East Trout Lake (BI)

Selsey Peninsula: The three Long-eared Owls were still present today albeit in a different area from usual. Regretfully, there are now reports of the owls being disturbed by having torches shined at them over the weekend....(Eds) 

Medmerry, Easton Lane to the- Stilt Pool: A Dartford Warbler put in a very brief appearance and a single Skylark, Yellowhammer, a Stonechat, a Cetti's Warbler were the only other small birds seen bar c.40 Fieldfares and c.10 Song Thrushes.  A Water Rail was heard and 125 Brent Geese flew over as did 100 Lapwing and at least 300 Golden Plover. The Stilt Pool held 20+ Ringed Plovers, 14 Gadwall, an Avocet and plenty of Teal, Wigeon and Shelduck and there was an impressive wader murmuration at dusk over the marsh. Raptors noted included a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine and three Buzzards. (SR/SaH/SH)