4th October 2026

Sunday, 4th October: Another bright and still morning, cool early on, but unseasonably warm later.......

Selsey Bill: The first Red-breasted Merganser of the autumn went west, though it remains slow offshore, and visible migration was limited, though a flock of seven cattle Egrets went north over the houses, ten Grey Wagtails was a good count and there were also 93 Swallows counted. Full log below. (SH/BI/IP/AH/JFi/P&LH)

(0700-0900hrs) (NE, F1-2)

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Gannet - 3E, 3W

Shag - 1E, 3os

Cattle Egret - 7N

Brent Goose - 1W

Wigeon - 2E

Pintail - 1W, 1os

Common Scoter -

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Turnstone - 10

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 2E

auk sp - 62W

Swallow - 93E

House Martin - 1E

Grey Wagtail - 10W

Pied Wagtail - 9W

Meadow Pipit - 12W

Chiffchaff - 7

Magpie - 16

Linnet - 7W

Goldfinch - 6

Sandwich Tern (above), Shag & Chiffchaff at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were five Snipe on the pool this morning, along with c60 Lapwings, a juvenile Shelduck and six Teal, with c40 more of the latter and a handful of Redshanks in the channel opposite. (AH)

Snipe (above) & Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: At least eight Stonechats and a dozen Reed Buntings were along the path, together with a couple of Meadow Pipits, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs and c20 Linnets, whilst c50 Swallows and c25 House Martins were feeding overhead.

Also, two Snipe flew out from the pool and a Greenshank and c40 Redshanks were in Ferry Channel. (AH)

Snipe (above), Reed Buntings, Blackcap, Swallow & Greenshank at the Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: A Woodlark and a Hobby were the highlights this morning, though there were still c15 Stonechats and a Wheatear around the horse field, and another three of the former and one of the latter, plus c50 Meadow Pipits, along Rectory Lane, but it was quieter in the hedges, with just a Whitethroat, a handful of Blackcaps and a dozen Chiffchaffs noted, plus three House Martins, 14 Swallows, nine skylarks and five Meadow Pipits over.

Also, two Greenshanks, a Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit, two Dunlin, three Bar-tailed Godwits and 20 Grey Plovers were in the harbour, along with a Sandwich Tern and a Marsh Harrier. (IP/BI/P&LH et al)

Blackcaps (above), Greenshank, Whimbrel, Long-tailed Tit, Red-legged #Partridge & Kestrel at Church Norton (LH)

North Wall: An Avocet, two Bar-tailed Godwits and two Greenshanks were along White’s Creek this morning, together with c80 Redshanks and c50 Black-tailed Godwits, whilst Wigeon and Pintail numbers are increasing daily.

A Snipe, three Water Rails, a Dunlin, two Grey Wagtails and two Pied Wagtails were on the Breech Pool and 28 Cattle Egrets were in the fields. The bushes along the wall were busy with 12 Stonechats, ten Chiffchaffs, two Yellowhammers, five Cetti’s Warblers and ten Reed Buntings, while c40 Meadow Pipits were around the fields and c30 Swallows passed overhead. (LP/MJa/DHo/DHi/EB/SBr)

Pintail (above), Water Rail, Grey Wagtail, Yellowhammer & Stonechats at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Chainbridge to Ham Viewpoint - It was fairly quiet this morning, with the banks producing eight Stonechats, two Dartford Warblers, two Blackcaps, five Chiffchaffs - including an adult feeding a youngster, five Cetti's Warblers and a Yellowhammer, with c20 Skylarks and Meadow Pipits around the fields and c20 Swallows over. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - It was pretty quiet here, too, except for at least 40 Chiffchaffs spread all along the hedges, particularly those adjacent to the water treatment works.

Otherwise, though, there were just half a dozen Stonechats and a couple Blackcaps, plus c30 Linnets and a Sparrowhawk, but that was about it. (AH)

Chiffchaffs (above), Stonechats & Sparrowhawk and Carrion Crow at Medmerry (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to Marsh Barn - A Red Kite was sitting out near the path this afternoon, and there were also three, and possibly four female/juvenile-type Marsh Harriers about, along with three Kestrels and three Buzzards.

There were also c30 Stonechats and a Whinchat along the banks, together with seven Dartford Warblers, 11 Chiffchaffs, five Cetti's Warblers and five Yellowhammers, with two Egyptian geese out on the reserve. (S&SaH)

Red Kite (above), Dartford Warbler, Yellowhammer (SaH), Whinchat & Dartford Warbler (SH) at Medmerry

Birdham: A flock of four Woodlarks went over the garden at 0931hrs this morning. (AB)

Runcton: South of the village this morning there were a total of 14 Egyptian Geese flying over north, with six Shovelers, eight Teal, four Tufted Ducks, two Little Grebes, a Grey Heron, two Common Buzzards, a Kestrel, two Green Woodpeckers, seven Meadow Pipits, a Grey Wagtail, two Stonechats, two Cetti’s Warblers and three Chiffchaffs also seen, along with five Roe Deer and three Clouded Yellows (CRJ)

Chichester Canal: A Hobby and a Marsh Harrier went over this afternoon, and a few Little Grebes and a pair of Gadwall were on the water. (P&LH)

Marsh Harrier (above), Lttle Grebe & Gadwall at Chichester Canal (LH)

1st - 3rd October 2026

Saturday, 3rd October: A mild and hazily grey and almost still morning in just the lightest of north-easterly  breezes........

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of variety again this morning, including an Arctic Skua, 21 Common Scoters and 70 Swallows east and three Brent Geese, nine Wigeon and 54 Meadow Pipits west. Full log below. (SH/PB/MRB/IP/AH)

(0700-0900hrs) (NE, F1-2)

Gannet - 14E, 13W

Brent Goose - 3W

Wigeon - 9W

Common Scoter - 21E

Sparrowhawk - 1

Turnstone - 9

Arctic Skua - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 3E, 1W

Razorbill - 2E, 5W

auk sp - 10W

Swallow - 70E

House Martin - 11E

Grey Wagtail - 1E

Pied Wagtail - 10W

Meadow Pipit - 54W

Chiffchaff - 3

Magpie - 17E

Linnet - 70E

Goldfinch - 20

Gannets (above), Mediterranean Gulls (AH) & the stunning sunrise (PB) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: There was nothing on the pool this morning, and just half a dozen Redshanks and c30 Teal in the channel opposite. (AH)

This afternoon a Spotted Redshank was in the channel opposite. (KB)

Church Norton: The first Yellow-browed Warbler of the year turned up this morning, but it was a mobile and elusive individual, seen briefly in the churchyard, by the hide and by the concrete wall, and heard on a couple of occasions in between, and only a handful of the many lookers connected with it.

Otherwise, the first Siskin of the autumn dropped in briefly by the steps, at least 20 Chiffchaffs and two or three Blackcaps were around the hide/churchyard area, with a Whitethroat and a few more of both along the path to the beach.

At least 15 Stonechats and half a dozen Meadow Pipits were around the horse field area, with over a dozen scattered Jays seen, and a couple of Yellow Wagtails and Song Thrushes and 20+ Skylarks went over, whilst at least 50 Swallows and similar of House Martins were feeding widely over the area.

The harbour didn't get too much attention, though a Greenshank, a Whimbrel and a few Dunlin and Grey Plovers were noted, along with a flyover Peregrine, which put up a flock of c150 Linnets from Tern Island, and also, two Brent Geese went west offshore. (PA/IP/MRB/AH/BI/KB/KT/GM et al)

Later on, in addition to the above, a Hobby, three Ravens, a Spotted Redshank, two Whinchats and two Wheatears were also seen. (KB)

Yellow-browed Warbler (PA top, AH lower) (above), Siskin, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Linnets, Peregrine & Greenshank (AH) at Church Norton 

North Wall: Along the wall this morning there were eight Stonechats, three Grey Wagtails, five Pied Wagtails, half a dozen Chiffchaffs (with at least another 16 in the garden of Little Welbourne) and Cetti's Warblers, a Mistle Thrush, five Song Thrushes and a dozen Reed Buntings, with a Kingfisher and two Water Rails, including one on the Breech Pool with a snipe,  about, too.

Also, out in the harbour there were three Bar-tailed Godwits, two Greenshanks and an Avocet, with a Marsh Harrier, three Buzzards and a Kestrel over. (S&SaH/LP et al)

Snipe (above), Water Rail, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail & Chiffchaff at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were still 28 Stonechats along the banks this afternoon, though it was quieter than of late, with, otherwise, just a Dartford Warbler, four Chiffchaffs, a Ree4d Bunting, two Yellowhammers, c20 Meadow Pipits and Skylarks and c50 Linnets seen, along with two Greenshanks on the Stilt Pool and a Peregrine, a Marsh Harrier and four Kestrels over. (SH)

Friday, 2nd October: After more overnight rain, another very warm and sunny morning in a moderate south-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: There was a surprising amount of activity this morning, including the first Red-throated Diver of the autumn, heading west, along with a couple of late Common Terns, 19 Brent Geese, 245 Gannets, a Woodlark, 21 Skylarks and 429 Meadow Pipits. Full log below. (SH/BI/IP/AH/P&LH)

(0700-0930hrs) (SW, F4)

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Gannet - 7E, 245W, 50os

Shag - 3E

Mute Swan - 3E

Brent Goose - 19W

Common Scoter - 3E, 2W

Oystercatcher - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 13W

Common Gull - 1W

Great Black-backed Gull - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 4E, 8W

Common Tern - 2W

Razorbill - 2E

auk sp - 9W

Skylark - 21W

Woodlark - 1W

Swallow - 56E

Grey Wagtail - 2W

Pied Wagtail - 11W

Meadow Pipit - 429W

Stonechat - 1W

Linnet - 51W

Goldfinch - 15

(1400-1600hrs) (P&LH/SH)

Gannet - 2W, 90os

Shag - 1W

Turnstone - 22

Mediterranean Gull - 19W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1E, 2W, 5os

Sandwich Tern - 1W, 6os

Common Tern - 1W

Swallow - 2E

Pied Wagtail - 1

Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Late this morning a Marsh Harrier was hunting over Ferry Field, whilst the pool just held c75 Lapwings and six Teal, with two Dunlin and c20 Redshanks and Teal in the channel opposite. (AH)

Marsh Harrier (above) & Dunlin at the Ferry (AH)

A look later produced a Greenshank, a Whimbrel, six Dunlin, 20 Curlews and 98 Redshanks along the channel, whilst a Hobby was hunting over the Long Pool, a Stonechat and half a dozen Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were in the hedges, and a Buzzard was about, too. (P&LH)

Hobby (above) & Buzzard at the Ferry (LH)

Long Pool: This evening, up to ten Stonechats were active among the reeds in the pool, whilst along the path there were a couple of Chiffchaffs, half a dozen Blackcaps and Reed Buntings and a dozen Linnets.

Also, two Snipe were on the pool, a Marsh Harrier went over and three Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank were among the Redshanks at the far end of Ferry Channel. (AH)

Stonechat (above), Chiffchaff & Snipe at the Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: There were two Wheatears along Rectory Lane this morning and at least ten Stonechats were still around the horse field area, along with a handful of Meadow Pipits and c20 Linnets, whilst the churchyard/hide area held half a dozen Blackcaps, a Goldcrest, a Mistle Thrush and at least 20 Chiffchaffs, with c50 Swallows, four House Martins and four Skylarks going over.

The harbour was fairly quiet on the low tide, though, a Greenshank, a Whimbrel, four Bar-tailed Godwits, a Ringed Plover and c25 Dunlin and Grey Plovers were about. (AH/P&LH et al)

Wheatear (above), Stonechat, Chiffchaff, Mistle Thrush, Swallow, Bar-tailed Godwit, Greenshank & Whimbrel at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: Two Green Sandpipers were in Bremere Rife, whilst a Spotted Redshank, two Golden Plovers, an Avocet, two Brent Geese and c60 Pintail were in White's Creek and the adjacent harbour today.

Also, a Wheatear, a Grey Wagtail, half a dozen calling Cetti's Warblers, three calling Water Rails and c30 Cattle Egrets were seen from the wall and a Marsh Harrier, c30 Skylarks and c50 Swallows went over. (PB/JBo) 

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - An even better count of 46 Stonechats were along the banks this morning, together with a Whinchat, seven Dartford Warblers, three Chiffchaffs, seven Cetti's Warblers, a Reed Bunting, half a dozen Yellowhammers, c50 Meadow Pipits and Skylarks and c100 Linnets, with 40 Swallows going over, too.
Also, a Kingfisher was on the reserve, a Greenshank was on the Stilt Pool and a Marsh Harrier, four Red Kites, four Kestrels and six Buzzards were about. (S&SaH/EB)

Dartford Warblers (above), Yellowhammer & Clouded Yellow at Medmerry (EB)

Bracklesham: A Maize Wainscot moth - a first for Sussex and only the tenth ever British record of this Southern European species - was trapped by Derek Lee. (per PA)

Maize Wainscot at Bracklesham (PA)

Thursday, 1st October: After the overnight rain cleared just after dawn, a warm morning of sun and white cloud in a moderate north-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: Two Bonxies were lingering offshore this morning and over 300 Gannets went west, along with a limited amount of visible migration. Full log below. (PB/SH/KT/AH)

(0700-0900hrs) (NW, F3-4)

Gannet - 335W

Shag - 2E

Turnstone - 7

Great Skua - 2os

Mediterranean Gull - 3W

Great Black-backed Gull - 3W

Kittiwake - 7W

Sandwich Tern - 2E, 5W

auk sp - 16W

Swallow - 9E

Grey Wagtail - 1E

Pied Wagtail - 4W

Meadow Pipit - 21W

Linnet - 5

Gannets (above) & Meadow Pipit at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Early this morning there were two Snipe, a Dunlin, three Redshanks, six Teal and c80 Lapwings on the pool, but just a Kingfisher, an Avocet, a handful of Redshank and c30 Teal were in the channel opposite. (AH/PA)

The Little Stint re-appeared again early this afternoon as the tide rose, and there were also a dunlin, two Pied Wagtails and 15 Meadow Pipits about. (RJS/MG/AWi)

Snipe (above), Avocet & Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: Two Spotted Flycatchers, a Whitethroat and a couple of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were behind the hide this morning, with a Lesser Whitethroat and eight or nine Stonechats around the horse field area and a Firecrest between the Severals, with more Chiffchaffs spread throughout, and c20 Swallows went over, too.

Also, in the harbour there were four Greenshank, a Whimbrel, two or three Bar-tailed Godwits, c20 Grey Plovers and similar of Dunlin, plus two Kingfishers around the metalwork. (PA/AH/KT/RJS/MG/EB et al)

A look at the roosting waders along  the west side at high tide this afternoon produced  a Spotted Redshank, four Greenshanks, a Knot, 19 Bar-tailed Godwits, six Golden Plovers, 21 Grey Plovers, a Whimbrel, 25 Curlews and 120 Redshanks, with a Sandwich Tern, Hobby, a Peregrine, a Marsh Harrier and c30 Swallows also seen. (AWi/PA),

Spotted Flycatcher (above), Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwit & Grey Plovers at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: There were ten Stonechats and two Chiffchaffs around the paddock and along White’s Creek were two Spotted Redshanks, an Avocet, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 36 Black-tailed Godwits and the usual Redshanks, Curlews, Lapwings, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal and Shelducks.

Three Grey Wagtails, two Pied Wagtails, a Redshank and a Dunlin were on the Breech Pool, and along the bushes there were two more Stonechats, six Blackcaps, three Yellowhammers, a Whitethroat, four Reed Buntings, seven more Chiffchaffs, five Cetti’s Warblers and eight Long-tailed Tits, whilst a Kingfisher flew through and four Meadow Pipits and six Skylarks passed overhead.

At Halsey’s Farm, 50 Cattle Egrets were again in the newly mown fields, and two Snipe were by the rife, with a Water Rail in its usual spot and a Bar-tailed Godwit in the channel by the outfall. (LP/TRH/MJa/IH/SP/CT/CRJ et al)

Blackcaps (above), Long-tailed Tit, Stonechats, Avocet, Shelduck & Cattle Egret at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The White Stork was up over the reserve this morning, gaining height and eventually drifting off east, whilst a Peregrine, a Kestrel, two Red Kites, a Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard were also taking advantage of the conditions.

Alsop, two Snipe and two Greenshanks were on the stilt Pool, with another of the latter, a Kingfisher and two Egyptian Geese were on the reserve, with a Gannet and three Sandwich Terns seen offshore.

The banks were busy, too, with a Whinchat, a Wheatear, a good count of 39 Stonechats, five Dartford Warblers, three Chiffchaffs, four Cetti's Warblers, five Yellowhammers, two Pied Wagtails, c20 Skylarks and c50 Meadow Pipits and Linnets noted. (S&SaH/PB)