19th - 21st November 2025

Friday, 21st November: After a sharp frost, a cold and bright morning in a fresh northerly breeze............

Selsey Bill: A Bonxie went west again this morning and 14 Shags went east, though it was generally quiet. Full log below. (BI/IP/AH/P&LH et al) 

(0715-0915hrs) (N, F4)

Great Northern Diver - 1W, 2os

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 2E, 3W, 1os

Shag - 16E

Brent Goose - 5W

Common Scoter - 3E, 8W

Turnstone - 1

Great Skua - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Common Gull - 2W

Razorbill - 11W

auk sp - 30W

Pied Wagtail - 3

Goldfinch - 20

(1315-1445hrs) (P&LH)

Great Northern Diver - 3W, 1os

Red-throated Diver - 5W

Gannet - 1E

Common Scoter - 1E, 1W

Turnstone - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 1W, 1os

Common Gull - 3os

Great Black-backed Gull - 11os

Starling - 6N

Pied Wagtail - 1

Great Northern Diver (above) & Shags at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just a dozen Lapwings, eight Shelducks and c50 Shovelers and Teal present this morning. (AH)

Teal on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A Great White Egret flew east offshore past the spit late this morning. 

Otherwise it was fairly slow, with a Greenshank, c80 Knot, c150 Dunlin, c75 Grey Plovers, two Lapwings, a Black-tailed godwit and a Mediterranean Gull in the harbour, along with c100 Brent Geese, 25 Shelducks, a dozen Pintail, ten Wigeon and 20 Teal.

Also, a Kingfisher was opposite the benches, two Skylarks and a Meadow Pipit were along the spit, and a Chiffchaff, a Mistle Thrush and eight Long-tailed Tits were in the churchyard. (P&LH/EB)

This evening four Marsh Harriers, including an adult male came in to roost in the Severals, with what were possibly two different females went east over the harbour earlier.

There were also two calling Cetti's Warblers in the Severals and c500 Brent Geese in the harbour. (SH)

Kingfisher, Greenshank and Teal (above), Grey Plover, Oystercatchers & Brent Geese and mixed waders at Church Norton (EB)

East Side: It was busy along the East side this morning, with 11 Avocets, 23 Golden Plovers, two Spotted Redshanks, two Turnstones, 26 Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Redshanks, and 80 Lapwings along White’s Creek, with several hundred Dunlin, Grey Plovers, Ringed Plovers and Knot spread across the mud further out, and c1000 Brent Geese were on the water, with the usual Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Shelducks as well a Great Crested Grebe and a Little Grebe. (LP/SP)

Avocets (above), Grey Plover & Golden Plovers and Lapwings along the East side (LP)

North Wall: Two Rock Pipits were along the wall, and a few Reed Buntings were in the bushes, a Marsh Harrier was high up further back, and three Snipe were on the Breech Pool.

Six Cattle Egrets were with the cows in the fields and at Halsey’s Farm a Kingfisher was showing well along the rife. (CT/LP/SP)

Snipe (above) & Rock Pipit at the North Wall (LP)

Chichester GPs: Westhampnett Pit - There were three Great White Egrets roosting in the trees at the back late this morning (BFF), with at least one still present later (BI/CRJ)

Medmerry: Windmill to the Breach - There was a Red-throated Diver in the mouth of the breach his morning, with a drake Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Crested Grebe offshore, but the only passerines seen were a couple of Meadow Pipits at either end of the caravans.

There were lots of waders in the tidal area inside the breach, including three Sanderlings, a Snipe, three Curlews, c30 Turnstones, c30 Grey Plovers, c75 Ringed Plovers and c400 Dunlin, along with two Pale-bellied birds among c200 Brent Geese, c20 Wigeon and Teal and half a dozen Shelducks. (AH)

Red-throated Diver (above), Red-breasted Merganser, Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Brent Geese, Ringed Plover & Grey Plover at Medmerry (AH)

Fishbourne Creek: A Black Swan was in the creek this morning. (MWr)

Black Swan at Fishbourne Creek (MW)

Thursday, 20th November: Another very cold morning, barely above freezing throughout, but mostly bright and sunny and with the north-westerly breeze having moderated somewhat............

Selsey Bill: It was pretty quiet this morning, with four Red-throated Divers and seven Common Gulls among the few things going west. Full log below. (AH)

(0725-0855hrs) (NW, F4)

Great Northern Diver - 1E

Red-throated Diver - 4W

Gannet - 2E, 8W

Shag - 7E

Brent Geese - 1E, 10W

Teal - 8W

Red-breasted Merganser - 2W

Mediterranean Gull - 

Common Gull - 7W

Sandwich Tern - 1W

Razorbill - 4W

auk sp - 11W

Red-throated Diver (above), Sandwich Tern, Common Gull & Shags at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just five Lapwings, a Redshank, 16 Shelducks, c30 Shovelers and c60 Wigeon and Teal on the pool this morning. (AH)

Also, a Peregrine was sat out on the radar mast at Baker's Farm for much of the day. (RP)

Shelduck at the Ferry (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - At least 300 Golden Plovers and Lapwings were feeding on the fields this morning, along with 27 Egyptian Geese, c50 Brent Geese and c80 Canada Geese, with a Raven dropping in briefly, too, whilst, with the tide up, the tidal areas held c25 Black-tailed Godwits, c80 Redshank, c50 Teal and Shelducks and c250 Wigeon, but the only waders on the Stilt Pool ere 22 Dunlin and c50 Ringed Plovers.

The banks were fairly quiet in the stiff breeze, but at least three Dartford Warblers were seen, along with a couple of Goldcrests and eight Stonechats, but only a handful of Yellowhammers were about, along with c25 Linnets and half a dozen Skylarks, with a Kestrel the only raptor noted. (AH)

Golden Plovers (above), Raven, Stonechat, Ringed Plover & Egyptian Geese at Medmerry (AH)

Wednesday, 19th November: A pretty dire morning, distinctly cold and with a fresh and blustery north-westerly blowing through squally showers of rain and even some snow.......

Selsey Bill: It was pretty slow in the unpromising conditions this morning, though a few divers and Gannets were about and 16 Kittiwakes went west. Full log below. (AH)

(0720-0905hrs) (NW, 5)

Great Northern Diver - 3os

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

Gannet - 8E, 27W, 15os

Shag - 6E

Brent Goose - 1E, 1W

Common Scoter - 8E

Oystercatcher - 2E, 2W

Turnstone - 2

Mediterranean Gull - 6W

Common Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 16W

Great Black-backed Gull - 6os

Razorbill - 8E, 3w, 8os

auk sp - 32E, 49W

Great Northern Diver (above), Red-throated Diver, Shag, Gannet & Common Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were 21 Avocets and at least 60 Shovelers on the pool this morning, along with c60 Lapwings, 28 Shelducks, c40 Wigeon and c100 Teal. (AH)

Avocets and Teal (above) & Shovelers, Shelducks and Lapwings on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A brief look this morning revealed at least 700 Brent Geese spread around the harbour, along with c30 Shelducks, a dozen or so Pintail and a few Wigeon and Teal, but next to no waders beyond a large flock of Knot, Dunlin and Grey Plovers near the harbour mouth.

A couple of Chiffchaffs, c20 Blue Tits and half a dozen Blackbirds were all that could be found in the (relatively!) sheltered hedges and, also, a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard went over. (AH)

Brent Geese (above) & Pintail at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: In rather unpleasant conditions, there wasn’t much to see, with four Rock Pipits along the wall and a Shoveler on Owl Water, while both male and female Marsh Harriers were over the reeds behind the Breech Pool.

Out in the harbour at high tide there were a few Brent Geese, Wigeon and Teal, as well as three Little Grebes, and on the mud was the usual mix of Lapwings, Dunlin and Grey Plover. (LP/CT)

Rock Pipit (above), Shoveler & Little Grebes at the North Wall (LP)

East Head: A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was in among c2500 Brent Geese on the fields this morning, with c250 Golden Plovers and 350 Lapwing also present, whilst out in the harbour on the rising tide there were two Greenshanks, two Sanderlings, three Snipe, c50 Bar-tailed Godwits, c95 Black-tailed Godwits, ten Grey Plovers, 20 Ringed Plovers and up to 3000 Dunlin.

There were also a Red-throated Diver and two Razorbills on the water, along with a Common Gull, 17 shelducks, c50 Teal and c250 Wigeon. (PA)

Pale-bellied Brent Goose and Dark-bellied Brent Geese at East Head (PA)

16th - 18th November 2025

Tuesday, 18th November: A cold and grey morning, with the odd spell of light drizzle, though the re was only a slight northerly breeze..........

Selsey Bill: There was another decent bit of variety this morning, including the Black-necked Grebe, a Long-tailed Duck, a Velvet Scoter, the pair of Eider again and six Great Northern Divers. Full log below. (SH/AH/P&LH)

(0710-0910hrs) (N, F1-2)

Great Northern Diver - 2W, 4os

Black-necked Grebe - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 2os

Gannet - 5E, 76W

Shag - 10E

Little Egret- 2W

Brent Goose - 2W

Shelduck - 3E, 6W

Eider - 2W

Long-tailed Duck - 1W

Velvet Scoter - 1W

Common Scoter - 1E, 9W, 15os

Red-breasted Merganser - 3E, 7W

Oystercatcher - 1E

Turnstone - 6

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1W, 12os

Sandwich Tern - 2E

Razorbill - 10W

auk sp - 11E, 104W

Wood Pigeon - 19W

Grey Wagtail - 1W

Pied Wagtail - 4W

Meadow Pipit - 4N

Goldfinch - 30

There was a bit of variety this afternoon, too, including the Black-necked Grebe offshore again, two different Eiders west - a sub-adult male and a female, and two Velvet Scoters among a flock of 19 Common Scoters, also going west. Full log below. (P&LH)

(1350-1520hrs)

Great Northern Diver - 1W, 1os

Red-throated Diver - 3W

Black-necked Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 4W, 7os

Shag - 3W

Shoveler - 5W

Eider - 2W

Velvet Scoter - 2W

Common Scoter - 7E, 20W, 1os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Sanderling - 1W

Dunlin - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 5W

Common Gull - 2W

Great Black-backed Gull - 8os

Sandwiich Tern - 1W

Kittiwake - 1W

auk sp - 1W

Grey Wagtail - 1

Pied Wagtail - 1

Eider (above), Great Northern Diver, Red-breasted Mergansers, Sandwich Tern, Shag & Gannet at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just three Lapwings and a Teal on the pool late this morning. (AH)

North Wall: Four Redwings, two Stonechats, a Chiffchaff and five Goldcrests were in the hedges at Halsey's Farm this morning, with a Kingfisher and a Snipe around the creek.

Also 15 Avocets were in the harbour, along with c100 Brent Geese, with a Marsh Harrier, 11 Snipe and a Cattle Egret also seen, whilst along the wall there were nine Rock Pipits, a Chiffchaff, five Yellowhammers and c20 Reed Buntings, along with two Water Rails. (SH)

Pagham Lagoon: There were four Pochard on the Lagoon late this morning. (LP)

Church Norton: The harbour was dominated at high tide by at least 400 Brent Geese, plus the Pale-bellied Brent Goose, along with c25 Shelducks and a few Wigeon and Teal, whilst the two Greenshanks were present again, along with c50 Redshanks, and a large flock of Knot, Dunlin and Grey Plovers were roosting near the harbour mouth.

Also, c300 Brent Geese were feeding in the fields at Greenlease Farm and two Red-throated Divers went west together offshore, but four Great Crested Grebes were all that could be found on the sea.

The trees between the Severals were busy again, with a couple of Firecests and half a dozen Chiffchaffs present, along with two or three Siskins and a dozen Goldfinches, whilst up to three elusive Dartford Warblers were along the beach, with a Reed Bunting and three Meadow Pipits about, too, whilst there were also a couple of Chiffchaffs in the churchyard and a couple of Goldcrests along the path to the harbour. (AH/RBe et al)

Pale-bellied and Dark-bellied Brent Geese (above), Brent Geese, Red-throated Divers, Siskin & Firecrest at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A look just before dusk didn't produce too much, with seven Egyptian Geese, a Buzzard, two Kestrels, a Cetti's Warbler, two Goldcrests, two Meadow Pipits and ten Pied Wagtails about it. (SH)

Medmerry: Medmerry Trail to Ham - There was quite a good selection of birds along the Trail, and particularly around Ham, today, with four Corn Buntings, 15 Yellowhammers, two Reed Buntings, two Stonechats, 25 Meadow Pipits, a dozen Song Thrushes and 20 Blackbirds noted along the track, with two Marsh Harriers and a Raven going over.

There was quite a bit of activity elsewhere, too, with at least 1000 Stock Doves and 800 Wood Pigeons, plus c200 Brent Geese and c100 Canada Geese on the fields, 13 Tufted Ducks on the ponds and two Pintail, a Teal, two Snipe, a Grey Plover, nine Golden Plovers and c40 Lapwings and Redshanks oaound the tidal areas. (P&LH)

Corn Bunting and Goldfinch (above) & Stock Doves at Medmerry (LH)

Monday, 17th November: A very sunny, but cold morning, especially early on, in a fresh northerly breeze..........

Selsey Bill: There was a fair selection again this morning, including a Velvet Scoter west, five sub-adult Eider west and an adult pair east, along with 22 Red-breasted Mergansers, five Shovelers and five Sandwich Terns. Full log below. (PA/AH/IP)

(0725-0940hrs) (NNE, F4)

Red-throated Diver - 2W

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 4E, 6W, 5os

Shag - 7E

Brent Goose - 16E, 5W

Shelduck - 1E, 3W

Wigeon - 40W

Shoveler - 5E

Eider - 2E, 5W

Velvet Scoter - 1W

Common Scoter - 5E, 9W

Red-breasted Merganser - 8E, 14W

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 3

Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 4W, 5os

Kittiwake - 4E, 4W

Great Black-backed Gull - 3os

Sandwich Tern - 5os

Razorbill - 2W

auk sp - 5E, 418W

Pied Wagtail - 2W

Meadow Pipit - 1W

Eider (above), Sandwich Tern, Shag, Red-breasted Mergansers & Gannet at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The pool was busy this morning, with a pair of Egyptian Geese and over 100 Canada Geese present early on, and later a flock of 20 Avocets - the best count since the spring, were roosting, with c60 Lapwings, 25 Shelducks, c60 Wigeon, c30 Shovelers and c50 Teal also about. 

Also, the Grey Wagtail was around, again, feeding by the door to the hide, and even going inside on occasions! (PA/AH)

Avocets (above), Lapwings & Grey Wagtail at the Ferry (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: There was a Firecrest in Park Lane this morning. (MRe)

North Wall: Around 200 Brent Geese were in Honer 1 field this morning, as well as 42 Curlews and two Cattle Egrets, whilst further back a Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard were around the trees. and a Red Kite went over.

 A Sandwich Tern was feeding in White's Creek as the tide fell, with a Spotted Redshank, five Bar-tailed Godwits, a dozen Black-tailed Godwits and c50 Knot and Golden Plovers also about.

At least six Rock Pipits were along the wall and at Owl Copse, a Kingfisher was in the bushes and a Water Rail was along the banks, with a couple more heard, but the hedgerows were quiet with just a couple of  Reed Buntings seen, while at Halsey’s Farm three Kestrels were in the trees, and a pair of Shelducks were along the rife. (PA/MJa/LP/CT/PB)

Kingfisher (above), Water Rail, Reed Bunting, Rock Pipit & Brent Geese at the North Wall (LP)

Pagham Spit and Lagoon: A redhead Goldeneye was on the Lagoon this morning - the first back this autumn, along with a dozen Little Grebes. 

From the spit and the east side, there were very large numbers of wildfowl and waders, including 600 Brnt Geese, 200 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 75 Pintail, 47 Shelducks, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, c200 Golden Plovers, c1000 Lapwings, 500 Knot and 1200 Dunlin, with a Sandwich Tern and a Marsh Harrier about, too.

There were also  a Dartford Warbler, five Stonechats and a Rock Pipit along the Spit and up to ten Chiffchaffs along the east side, plus a very late Clouded Yellow.. (PA)

Goldeneye on Pagham Lagoon (above), Dartford Warbler on Pagham Spit, Spotted Redshank, Redshanks and Lapwing & Clouded Yellow along the East side (PA)

Church Norton: A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was among at least 500 Brent Geese in the harbour this morning, with a handful of Great Crested Grebes, Wigeon and Teal about it on the water at high tide, whilst two Greenshanks, c80 Redshanks and a dozen Grey Plovers and Curlews were the only roosting waders on this side of the harbour.

A Kingfisher over the harbour, two Chiffchaffs in the churchyard and a couple of noisy Jays were about it, otherwise. (AH/P&JW)

Pale-bellied Brent Goose (above), Brent Geese, Greenshanks, Grey Plover and Redshanks & Chiffchaff at Church Norton (AH)

Sunday, 16th November: A much cooler morning under leaden skies as the breeze freshened and backed to the north-east......

Selsey Bill: There was a long list of species recorded this morning, including the first Goosanders of the year on the Peninsula - a pair going east, over 100 Brent Geese going mostly west, a Bonxie lingering offshore and small amount of visible migration, including a Crossbill and a Brambling among a varied selection. Full log below. (SH/JA/BI/IP/MO-W/AH)

(0700-0930hrs) (NE, F4)

Great Northern Diver - 1E, 1os

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 2W

Gannet - 6E, 20W, 9os

Shag - 9E

Brent Goose - 27E, 84W

Egyptian Goose - 2W

Teal - 19W

Common Scoter - 1E, 24W

Goosander - 2E (pair)

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 1W

Oystercatcher - 1E, 1W

Sanderling - 1W

Dunlin - 1W

Turnstone - 2E, 2W

Great Skua - 1os

Mediterranean Gull - 12E, 20W, 12os

Black-headed Gull - 200os

Great Black-backed Gull - 2E, 1W, 10os

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1os

Kittiwake - 52E

Sandwich Tern - 1os

Razorbill - 15E, 29W, 4os

auk sp - 31E, 1055W

Wood Pigeon - 6E

Skylark - 1W

Pied Wagtail - 7E

Meadow Pipit - 2N

Song Thrush - 1E

Starling - 212N

Brambling - 1E

Crossbill - 1E

Redpoll - 5E

Linnet - 20W

Goldfinch - 13

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

Ferry Pool: The Green Sandpiper was present again on the roadside pool this morning, along with two Snipe, whilst the main pool held five Avocets, c30 Lapwings, 14 Shelducks, c30 Shovelers, c50 Wigeon and c75 Teal, all put up by a low-flying Marsh Harrier. (AH)

Green Sandpiper (above), Avocets, Shelduck, Lapwings and Avocet & Wigeon at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: There was nothing bar a Coot on the flooded field, though a drake Gadwall was on the Mill Pond (IP) and a Marsh Harrier went over Rookery Lane (SH)

North Wall: Six Rock Pipits and four Yellowhammers were along the wall this morning, along with a Jay carrying acorns, whilst a Kingfisher was along the creek at Halsey's Farm, with a Black-tailed Godwit among the Wigeon there, too, and a Cattle Egret flew out from Owl Copse. (IP)

Also, a Marsh Harrier and three Egyptian Geese went over Halsey's Farm, and two Stonechats were in the fields there. (SH), 

It was busier in the harbour later on, on the falling tide, with c800 Lapwings, c500 Golden Plovers, c300 Brent Geese, c500 Wigeon, c500 Dunlin and a few Grey Plovers, Shelducks, Teal and Pintails about.

Seven Rock Pipits were along the wall and a Chiffchaff, eight Reed Buntings and three Yellowhammers were in the bushes, with two male Marsh Harriers about, and 22 Cattle Egrets flew out from the harbour.

At Halsey’s Farm, a pair of Ravens and a Mistle Thrush flew over, a Stonechat, 16 Curlews and a couple of Meadow Pipits were in the fields, a Song Thrush and four Linnets were in the trees, and two Kingfishers were by the outfall. (MJa/DHi/LP/MRi/IP/S&SaH/EB/JDW)

Golden Plovers and Lapwing (above), Brent Geese, Wigeon, Curlew, Stonechat, Rock Pipit & Meadow Pipit at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: There were at least 500 Brent Geese spread around the harbour this morning, with a steady flow of new arrivals from the east constantly dropping in, but otherwise there was little to see on the high tide beyond a few Great Crested Grebes, Wigeon and Teal and the odd Redshank and Curlew, with most of the waders, apart from c40 Turnstones on the beach, roosting over by the harbour mouth. (AH et al)

Brent Geese (above) & Turnstones at Church Norton (AH)

Chichester GPs: There wasn't too much to report this morning, with 42 Pochard the best count, but, otherwise two Egyptian Geese, two Shovelers, 39 Tufted Ducks and ten Great Crested Grebes on the water, along with two Kingfishers and a Little Egret.

Also, a male Blackcap was along the hedges, together with nine Chiffchaffs, four Cetti's Warblers, ten Goldcrests, 27 Long-tailed Tits, two Song Thrushes and three Redwings. (MRe)

Sidlesham: A Bar-tailed Godwit, 31 Dunlin and 170 Golden Plovers were unexpected birds over Cow Lane early this morning, presumably displaced from the harbour.

There was also a bit of visible migration overhead, including four Fieldfares, two Redwings, a Redpoll, two Linnets, four Yellowhammers, two Grey Wagtails, seven Meadow Pipits, two Egyptian Geese and 269 Stock Doves (PA)

Fishbourne Creek: Along the creek at high tide this morning there were 30 Brent Geese, 150 Wigeon, ten Grey Plovers, 15 Lapwings, c30 Dunlin and Turnstones and 70 Black-tailed Godwits, plus c50 Common Gulls, with a Marsh Harrier over.

Five Rock Pipits were along the edge, with a couple of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests and three Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings, whilst around Apuldram churchyard there were two Tree-creepers, a Coal Tit, a Firecrest, four Goldcrests and a Mistle Thrush. (MRe)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Two Dartford Warblers were along the banks this afternoon, along with a Stonechat, five Goldcrests, five Meadow Pipits, a song Thrush, a Chaffinch, ten Long-tailed Tits and c20 Goldfinches.

There were also c50 Brent Geese, four Egyptian Geese, 100 Lapwings, c200 Golden Plovers on the reserve and four Kestrels went over. (SH)