16th-18th October 2026

Saturday, 17th October:  A chilly start with northerly winds c.F3 veering North-easterly as the day progresses...dry with sunny spells...

Selsey Bill: An excellent morning for vizmig today with the northerly winds bringing out the finches, pipits and larks and although offshore was quite quiet, 130 Brent Geese still moved west. Wood Pigeons were also on the move, a Blackcap dropped into the bushes as did a Budgerigar (!) and two Clouded Yellow were on the wing. 

(SH/PB/MRB/P&LH/BI et al). Log below.

(0730-0930hrs) (N F3-4):

Canada Goose - 3W

Brent Goose - 131W

Shoveler - 1W

Wigeon - 14W

Teal - 1W

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Gannet - 3E 20W

Shag - 2E

Sparrowhawk - 1

Peregrine - 1E

Turnstone - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 1E 1W

Great Black-backed Gull - 2E

Sandwich Tern - 6E

auk sp. -10E

Wood Pigeon - 690S

Skylark - 30N

Swallow - 3E

Meadow Pipit - 57W

Pied Wagtail - 11W 7 on Oval Field

Grey Wagtail - 2W

Stonechat - 2

Blackcap - 1

Chiffchaff - 5

Magpie - 14E

Chaffinch - 12N

Brambling - 2N

Linnet - 10E

Redpoll - 1N

Greenfinch - 4p

Siskin - 14W

Goldfinch - 40p

Reed Bunting - 1

(1215-1330hrs) (P&LH)

Brent Goose - 75W

Wigeon - 3W

Teal - 1W

Common Scoter - 1os

Gannet - 3E 12W 11os

Shag - 1W

Stonechat - 2

Chiffchaff - 1

Meadow Pipit - 2N

Pied Wagtail - 8p

Brent Geese, Sandwich Tern, Stonechat, Budgerigar and Clouded Yellow at the Bill (BI)

Ferry Pool: There was nothing but Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls present on the pool early on but a Grey Wagtail dropped into the fenceline near the road. In the channel was an Avocet and the usual mix of wildfowl. (BI) Later, a Stonechat was in the hedges and 18 Ringed Plover were noted. (R.Shelley)

Avocet, above, and Grey Wagtail at the Ferry (BI)

Sidlesham Churchyard: A Mistle Thursh was here this morning but notable were the number of Yews & Ilexs laden with berries-a good sign for the winter perhaps. (BI)

Sidlesham, Cow Lane: A Redpoll, a Siskin, six Redwing, 8 Song Thrush, 10 Chaffinch, 22 Meadow Pipits, 19 Pied Wagtails, 66 Skylarks and 682 Wood Pigeons all flew over this morning. (PA)

Hunston, Church Farm: There were plenty of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks in the fields today but the bushes only held a few Chiffchaffs and Chaffinches. (BI)

Church Norton: The highlights today were on Rectory Lane where at least 175 Pied Wagtails and 26 Meadow Pipits were on the newly tilled fields. Sixteen Red-legged Partridges were behind the church, six Stock Dove flew over, as did six Linnets, two Skylarks and a Swallow, and a Kestrel was hovering. In the hedges were five Long-tailed Tits, two Chiffchaffs and a Green Woodpecker whilst the harbour held 30 Oystercatchers, a Grey Plover, a LIttle Egret, 20 Curlew and eight Redshank. (P&LH)

North Wall: A Spotted Redshank and two Greenshanks were along White’s Creek, but the Breech Pool was quieter than of late with just a Pied Wagtail there. Three more Pied Wagtails were along the rocks, and the bushes along the wall were full of Stonechats with at least 15 seen, as well as a few Reed Buntings and Long-tailed Tits. A Marsh Harrier was over the reeds, and at Halsey’s Farm, a Kestrel, a Green Woodpecker, two Jays, a Song Thrush and a Kestrel were around the fields, and a few Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were along the fences. (LP)

Stonechats, above, Kestrel & Pied Wagtail at the North Wall (LP)

Friday, 16th October:  A wet start to the day in F4 NNW winds, forecast to dry up from 1000hrs onward...

Selsey Bill: There wasn't a great deal going on for the lone observer in inclement conditions this morning! (BI) Log below:

(0730-0930hrs) (NNW F4)

Common Scoter - 2E 2os

Shag - 1E 1os

Gannet - 11E

Turnstone - 7ob

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1ob

Great Black-backed Gull - 1W 3os

Rock Pipit - 1p

Meadow Pipit - 8N

Pied Wagatil - 2W

Grey Wagtail - 1W

Goldfinch - 80p

Rock Pipit, above, & Shag at the Bill (BI)

Ferry Pool: There were 27 Teal, five Shelduck, c.30 Black-headed Gulls and c.70 Lapwings on the pool this morning. A surprise was a Jack Snipe flushed from the road end and which dived down into the reedbed. (BI) Later on, an Avocet was on the pool along with three Greenshank, and a Chiffchaff and a Cetti's Warbler were in the nearby hedges. (E.Horsley)

North Wall: A Kingfisher was by the sluice and White’s Creek was full of Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Shelducks and Mallards, with a spotted Redshank, 24 Black-tailed Godwits, a Grey Plover and c80 Redshanks along the banks.

Six Snipe were on the Breech Pool, as well as a Water Rail, five Lapwings, a Curlew, a Redshank, four Pied Wagtails and two Stonechats, while two Marsh Harriers were over the reeds and a Rock Pipit was along the rocks.

Another Water Rail was along Owl Water, and at Halsey’s Farm, five Stonechats, 12 Meadow Pipits and three Skylarks were around the fields. (LP/SP)  

Pintail, above, Curlew, Water Rail, Snipe, Pied Wagtail & Meadow Pipit at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: The Whimbrel and a few Curlews were along the saltmarsh and a c.5 Chiffchaffs and a Jay were in the churchyard. Thirty Wigeon were out in the harbour along with five Little Egrets and a Greenshank, and two Great Crested Grebes were in the channels. From the Severals could be seen 20 Pintail, ten Skylarks, three Stonechats and 71 Goldfinches.  (BI/E.Horsley)

Chiffchaff, above, & Curlew at Church Norton (BI)

Mill Lane: A Blackcap was near the pumping station and two Chiffchaffs and c.10 Goldfinches  were in the conifers today. (BI)

13th-15th October 2026

Thursday, 15th October:  Winds WSW today F3-4, staying dry with occasional sunshine breaking through light cloud...

Selsey Bill: A Red-throated Diver was reported by visiting birders early on when a Great Northern Diver was offshore too, but otherwise it was standard fare. Over 400 auks going west were all rather distant and up to five Sandwich Terns were present. (A Harding/A Tuke/MOW/AWi/OM)

(0730-1200hrs) (WSW, F3-4)

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Brent Goose - 20W

Common Scoter - 1E

Teal - 8W

Wigeon - 3W

Gannet - 5E, 32W

Oystercatcher - 1

Turnstone - 15

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 21W

Great Black-backed Gull - 12

Sandwich Tern - 2W, 3os

auk sp - 360W

Skylark - 5N

Meadow Pipit - 14W

Goldfinch - 40

Linnet - 55W

Oystercatcher at the Bill (OM)

North Wall: Two Spotted Redshanks and a Grey Plover were along White’s Creek, along with all the regular species, and on the Breech Pool there were two Water Rails, a Grey Wagtail, two Pied Wagtails, a Redshank and four Stonechats.

It was quieter along the bushes in the windy conditions with just a few Reed Buntings, Long-tailed Tits and Chiffchaffs about, and at Owl Copse, a Mistle Thrush was in the trees, and five Little Grebes were on the water. (MJa/LP/SP/CT)

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

Church Norton: Two immature Common Terns were along the channels this morning and in the harbour were a number of Pintail, 16 Brent Geese, 20 Ringed Plover, five Bar-tailed Godwits and 90 Dunlin as well as the regular species. A Peregrine flew over with apparent jesses attached, 30 Swallows moved south, five Skylarks were seen and the flock of Linnets was still over the saltmarsh. The bushes were largely quiet but a Chiffchaff and a Mistle Thrush both made an appearance. (AWi)

Common Terns at Church Norton (AWi)

Medmerry, west side: A walk up to Marsh Farm this afternoon found two Buzzards, a Marsh Harrier, two Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel. Two Egyptian Geese were in the fields, three Cetti's Warblers were along the paths and c.30 Golden Plover were out on the reserve. (SH)

Wednesday, 14th October:  Light winds from the south today, the possibilty of the odd shower drfting through but mainly dry and with even some sunny interludes possible...

Selsey Bill: There was a decent Skylark movement this morning, Shag numbers were up and a Red-necked Grebe flew east. (SH/PB). Log below:

(0700-0930hrs) (SSE F2)

Brent Goose - 7W 1os
Red-necked Grebe - 1E
Gannet - 15E 8W
Shag - 8E
Sparrowhawk - 1
Oystercatcher - 1E 1W
Turnstone - 24
Mediterranean Gull - 1E
Great Black-backed Gull - 4os
Sandwich Tern - 2E 1W
auk sp. - 15E
Skylark - 76E
Swallow - 4E
Meadow Pipit - 33W
Pied Wagtail - 5W
Chiffchaff - 3
Chaffinch - 5E
Goldfinch - 50p
Linnet - 29W
Reed Bunting - 2p

Park Farm: A Woodlark was with 44 Skylarks in the fields this morning and other highlights here included two Siskin over, 32 Pied Wagtails and three Jays. Along Park Lane was a Goldcrest and a Great Spotted Woodpecker plus three Chiffchaffs and two Greenfinches. (MRe)

East Beach Park Copse: Sixty Goldfinches flew north, as did four Siskin and four Pied Wagtails, nine Skylarks moved south, 12 Chiffchaffs and two Reed Buntings were in the hedges and a Peregrine was also logged. Offshore, two Sandwich Terns were feeding. (MRe)

Church Norton: Along the Severals were six Chaffinch, four Siskin, a Rock Pipit, a Song Thrush, six Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap. (MRe)

Mill Lane: A Brambling and a Grey Wagtail were in the area today. (LL)

Honer Reservoir: A Green Sandpiper was on the reservoir this afternoon, but otherwise there was just three Shovelers, 12 Coots and a Little Grebe on the water, and a couple of Chiffchaffs in the surrounding bushes. (LP)

Green Sandpiper at Honer Reservoir (LP)

North Wall: Two Spoonbills were along White’s Creek, a Spotted Redshank was along the banks, and 28 Golden Plover were out on the mud whilst a Kingfisher was around the sluice and a Rock Pipit was along the rocks. A single Avocet was also present. 

On the Breech Pool, a Snipe, a Water Rail, two Grey Wagtails, four Pied Wagtails, six Stonechats, eight Reed Buntings and a Meadow Pipit were on the mud, and in the bushes along the wall there were another 12 Stonechats, 16 Reed Buntings, 12 Chiffchaffs, three Yellowhammers, a Cetti’s Warbler, a Song Thrush, a Green Woodpecker, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and a few Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Long-tailed Tits.

At Halsey’s Farm a Marsh Harrier, four Buzzards and 20 Swallows flew over, and eight Skylarks were around the fields, and a Kingfisher was along the rife. (MJa/SP/TRH/LP/JDW/EB/F.Boxell et al)

Yellowhammer, above, Spoonbill, Reed Bunting, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Snipe & Stonechat at the North Wall (LP)

More images from the North Wall today: Jack Snipe, top, Jack Snipe & Water Rail, Water Rail & Grey Wagtail and solo Water Rail (EB)

Pagham Spit/Lagoon/East Side: A group of around 80 Linnets were flitting around the spit this morning before getting spooked by a Sparrowhawk, this also flushed a Dartford Warbler and around a dozen Skylarks. When things settled down a pair of Stonechat turned up along with a good number of meadow pipits.

Out in the harbour there was the usual mix of Curlew, Redshanks, Wigeon, Turnstones and Pintails plus ten Common Seals; on the saltwater lagoon were a few Little Egrets and a lone Grey Plover.
Pagham Lagoon held nine little grebes, seven Mute Swans and four Tufted Ducks. Finally a quick look down the east side produced the pair of Spoonbills seen earlier in White's Creek (DHo)

Spoonbills, above, Dartford Warbler, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Wigeon, Pintails with Brent Geese & Common Seals off Pagham Spit/East Side (DHo)

Medmerry, west side: A Sparrowhawk flew through and three Kestrels were about mid-morning and a Kingfisher was near the sluice. Along the banks were four Chiffchaffs, three Cetti's Warblers, 15 Stonechats, two Pied Wagtails and eight Yellowhammer and two Swallows went over. Meadow Pipits numbered twenty birds, there were c.50 each of Skylarks and Linnets and on the Stilt Pool was a Snipe. (SH/PB)

Tuesday, 13th October:  A day that started off dry but was then punctuated by heavy showers mid-morning...sunny spells forecast for later...winds F4-5 westerly...

Selsey Bill: Another day where it was hard going! (P&LH) Log below:

(0740-0910hrs) (W F4-5)

Wigeon - 5W
Common Scoter - 6E 1os
Gannet - 3E 5W
Oystercatcher - 3
Turnstone - 40
Great Black-backed Gull - 5os
Meadow Pipit - 3N
Pied Wagtail - 2p

Gannets, above, Wigeon and Oystercatcher with Turnstone in the murk at the Bill this morning. (LH)

(1145-1245hrs) (P&LH)

Brent Goose - 16W

Gannet - 2W 1os

Oystercatcher - 3ob

Turnstone - 48W

Great Black-backed Gull - 2os

Sandwich Tern - 3os

Skylark - 1N

Rock Pipit - 1ob

(1325-1425hrs) (P&LH)

Brent Goose - 1W

Wigeon - 3W

Pintail 3W

Gannet - 3os

Oystercatcher - 3ob

Turnstone - 9ob

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 1W

Great Black-backed Gull - 12 os

Sandwich Tern - 2W

This afternoon at the Bill in brighter conditions: Sandwich Terns, above, Turnstones and Rock Pipit (LH)

Church Norton: A good selection of wildfowl out in the harbour today included 21 Brent Geese, 45 Wigeon, 20 Mallard, seven Pintail and ten Teal. Waders noted: 38 Oystercatchers, three Grey Plover, the regular Whimbrel, 15 Curlew, a Turnstone, 35 Redshank and two Dunlin; two Little Egrets were also present. The hedges and bushes were quiet but a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen and a Sparrowhawk flew through. Two Avocets were also in the harbour. (P&LH/K.Robinson)

North Wall: A Merlin flew over the north fields this morning and a Rock Pipit was along the wall, but these were the highlights of another wet and windy morning along the wall. Two Spotted Redshanks, a Grey Plover and an Avocet were along White’s Creek, as well as a large number of ducks, mostly Mallards and Wigeon but also a few Pintail, Teal and Shelducks. A Grey Wagtail, a Stonechat, and a Redshank were on the Breech Pool, but the bushes along the wall were quiet with just a couple of Reed Buntings about, a Kingfisher was along the rife at Halsey’s Farm, and four Little Grebes were on Owl Water. (LP) 

This afternoon two Marsh Harriers, an adult male and a sub-adult male, were up behind the reedbeds, a Kesttel was hovering nearby and a Buzzard was present. Two Cattle Egrets were in the fields and along the walls were two Pied Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, a Rock Pipit, three Cetti's Warblers, three Chiffchaffs and two Reed Buntings. Thirty-two Swallows were also noted overhead. (SH)

Little Grebe family, above, Grey Plover & Rock Pipit at the North Wall (LP)