23rd - 24th July 2026

Friday, 24th July: An increasingly warm morning after a cooler start, in just a light westerly breeze......

Selsey Bill: The sea remains dead, but there were a few hirundines about and a tight flock of 20 Swifts appeared to head out to sea together. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0700-0815hrs) (W, F2)

Gannet - 2os

Oystercatcher - 4W

Mediterranean Gull - 1os

Great Black-backed Gull - 2W, 2os

Sandwich Tern - 10os

Swift - 20S, 15 present

Swallow - 5W

sand Martin - 12W

House Martin - 20

House Martin - 10

Willow/Chiff - 1

Swifts (above), Sand Martin, Sandwich Tern & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Apart from two Common Terns that went over, going west, and a couple of Cattle Egrets with the cows at the back, it was the same four species again this morning, with just three Little Ringed Plovers, the Oystercatcher family, the Shelduck family and four adult and three young Avocets, plus an extra juvenile, seen. (AH)

Common Terns (above), Little Ringed Plover & Shelduck-lings at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: There were five Little Ringed Plovers on the flooded field this morning, along with the Green Sandpiper and two Common Sandpipers, with a young Little Grebe and c40 Canada Geese early on, present, too, whilst c30 swallows and a handful of Swifts, Sand Martins and House Martins went over, as did two Egyptian geese, a Cattle Egret and two Little Egrets.

Also, two Coal Tits were around the pines by the Mill Pond, with a Goldcrest, a Cetti's Warbler and two or three Whitethroats, Reed and Sedge Warblers along the front. (PA/AH)

Little Ringed Plovers (above), Common Sandpiper, Coal Tit, Egyptian Geese & Cattle Egret at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

East side: There wasn't too much to report, though a few Knot were among 100+ distant Dunlin in the harbour, three Little Terns were towards the harbour mouth and a Raven and a Peregrine went over. (PA)

Church Norton: Half a dozen Whimbrel and a couple of Curlews and Grey Plovers were about the only waders present, though there were still 100+ Sandwich Terns and a few Mediterranean Gulls out on the mud, but the bushes remain quiet, with just a Blackcap and a couple of Whitethroats noted. (AWi/AH)

Blackcap (above) & Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The widely roaming Ring-necked Parakeet flew over the Stilt Pool early this morning, whilst on the pool itself there were seven Greenshank, eight Common Sandpipers, four Dunlin, an Avocet and five or so Redshanks, Lapwings and Oystercatchers.

Also, c100 Sand Martins and c50 Swallows were mainly over pool and adjacent banks, c30 Common Terns, including a couple of youngsters being bed by their parents, were around the pool and the rafts, two Sandwich Terns were offshore and a Green Sandpiper flew out from one of the path-side pools.

There was a fair amount of activity along the banks, including c20 Whitethroats, two Dartford Warblers, three Reed Warblers, eight Sedge Warblers, three Stonechats, five Meadow Pipits, nine Pied Wagtails, a Reed Bunting and c20 Yellowhammers, plus a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk over. (SH)

Thursday, 23rd July: Another warm and muggy morning, with more cloud than of late in the light to moderate south-westerly breeze......

Selsey Bill: A very quiet morning! Full log below. (AH/IP)

(0655-0755hrs) (SW, F2-3)

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 12os

Swift - 9os

House Martin - 10

Willow/Chiff - 1

Sandwich Tern (above) & House Martins at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just two Little Ringed Plovers, the Oystercatcher family, the Shelduck family and four adult and three young Avocets on the fast drying-out pool this morning. (AH)

This afternoon a Red Kite went over Ferry channel. (RP)

Little Ringed Plover (above) & Shelduck family at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: The Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers and seven Black-tailed Godwits were on the flooded field this morning, with several Sedge and Reed Warblers busy at the front. (TS/AH et al)

Green Sandpiper (above) & Sedge Warbler at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

North Wall: Three Spotted Redshanks were on the Breech Pool early on, but not later, this morning, and a Common Tern and a Kingfisher dropped in briefly, but the wall was quiet, with just a few Reed Warblers and one or two Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats popping up, plus a couple of Swallows over.

A dozen Cattle Egrets were spread around Owl Copse, Halsey's Farm and the adjacent harbour, but, apart from a couple of calling Whimbrel, a flock of Redshanks and a few Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls, in White's Creek, the mud was very empty. 

There also a Clouded Yellow and plenty of Painted Ladies along the wall. (AH/MJa/LP/TRH/CT et al)

Reed Warblers (above), Whitethroat, Cattle Egret, Mediterranean Gulls & Clouded Yellow at the North Wall (AH)

This evening a Glossy Ibis dropped in on the Breech Pool briefly and then settled among the roosting egrets in Owl Copse. 

Also around were a Greenshank, three Spotted Redshanks, three Common Sandpipers, a Kingfisher, six Yellow Wagtails and a Blackcap. (AWi/M Jenner)

Glossy Ibis (M Jenner) (above) & Glossy Ibis and Little Egret (AWi) at the North Wall

Church Norton: There were at least 100 juvenile Sandwich Terns in the harbour this evening, with similar of young Black-headed Gulls and c25 young Mediterranean Gulls, and there were also three Common Terns, two Whimbrel and Curlews, 16 Black-tailed Godwits and c40 Redshanks about. (AH)

Sandwich Terns (above), Common Tern, Whimbrel, Mediterranean Gull and Black-tailed Godwit & Mediterranean Gull at Church Norton (AH)

Sidlesham: A Ring-necked Parakeet - presumably the same one seen at a couple of other locations recently - dropped in briefly on Cow Lane before flying off east. (PA)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were c20 Common Terns about this morning, including four juveniles sat out on the Stilt Pool, where there were also six Greenshanks, five Common Sandpipers, five Redshanks, six Oystercatchers and a Mediterranean Gull, with five Lapwings on the reserve.

There were also c40 Sand Martins around the pool, with at least half of them showing an interest in the artificial wall again, with c50 Swallows and a couple of House Martins and Swifts about, too, but the banks were fairly quiet, with just two Dartford Warblers and Sedge Warblers, a Chiffchaff, two Stonechats, ten Whitethroats and a dozen Yellowhammers seen, plus two Kestrels and three Buzzards over. (SH/PB/EB)

Sand Martins (above), Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Common Terns & Common Tern and Little Egrets at Medmerry (EB)

20th - 22nd July 2026

Wednesday, 22nd July: A very warm and muggy morning of sun and white cloud in a fairly light south-westerly breeze...........

Selsey Bill: A Shag heading east was the only thing beyond the regular species this morning. Full log below. (CRJ/AH/IP)

(0700-0815hrs) (SW, F3)

Gannet - 1E, 3W

Shag - 1E

Oystercatcher - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 3W

Great Black-backed Gull - 2os

Sandwich Tern - 20os

Common Tern - 1os

Swift - 8

Swallow - 1W

Sand Martin - 2W

House Martin - 12

Pied Wagtail - 1W

Linnet - 1W

Sandwich Tern (above), Swift, House Martin (AH) & scenic shots (CRJ)  at the Bill

Ferry Pool: The were seven Little Ringed Plovers - an adult and six juveniles - on the pool this morning, along with the Oystercatcher and Shelduck families and four adult and three young Avocets. (AH)

Little Ringed Plovers (above) & Avocet at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: The Green Sandpiper and two Common Sandpipers were still on the flooded field this morning, along with 11 Black-tailed Godwits. (CRJ)

North Wall: It was fairly quiet along the wall early this morning, but there were four Spotted Redshanks in the remains of the breach pool, about six Common Sandpipers at various places along the wall and up to ten Whimbrel and six Knot among the Dunlin out in the harbour. (DHo/BFF et al).

Spotted Redshanks (above), Whimbrel & Redshank at the North Wall (DHo)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Most of the activity this morning was around the Stilt Pool, where two Yellow Wagtails, seven Greenshanks and four Common Sandpipers were present early on and later c50 Sand Martins were about, with many dropping in to inspect the artificial nesting wall, and hopefully they will remember it next spring!

Also, at least 20 Common Terns were commuting between the pool and the rafts, with at least one youngster being fed by its parent, and there were also a dozen Lapwings and half a dozen Redshanks about, plus a few Swallows over, whilst along the banks there were a couple of juvenile Stonechats, half a dozen Reed Warblers, a dozen Whitethroats and Yellowhammers and c30 Linnets, and a male Peregrine went over. (AH/HB/LT et al)

Sand Martins (above), Common Terns, Peregrine & Whitethroat at Medmerry (AH)

Tuesday, 21st July: The north-easterly breeze eased a little overnight and it became increasingly cloudy through the morning, leaving it very warm and muggy...........

Selsey Bill: There were a few Swifts and huirundines about this morning, but the most notable thing offshore was a pod of ten or so Bottle-nosed Dolphins heading east. Full log below. (AH/IP/P&LH)

(0655-0825hrs) (NE, F3)

Gannet - 2W

Common Scoter - 2E, 3W

Oystercatcher - 2E, 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 3E, 2W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 30os

Common Tern - 1os

Swift - 25

Swallow - 3E

Sand Martin - 8E

House Martin - 25

Linnet - 6E

Bottle-nosed Dolphin - 10E

Sandwich Tern (above), Mediterranean Gull & House Martins at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Oystercatcher family and the Shelduck family were still present this morning, along with five adult and three young Avocets and a lo0ne Lapwing, plus a couple of Cattle Egrets with the cows.

There were also a Greenshank, a couple of Avocets and half a dozen Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks in the channel opposite. (AH/P&LH et al)

Lapwing (above), Shelduck family (AH), Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit & Avocet (LH) at the Ferry

Mill Pond Marsh: A Green Sandpiper and two Common Sandpipers were present again today, along with seven Black-tailed Godwits, four juvenile Little Grebes, a Teal and two Gadwall, with a Reed Warbler and up to seven Whitethroats along the front and a Grey Heron at the top of the trees at the back. (P&LH)

Grey Heron at Mill Pond Marsh (LH)

All the birds on the flooded field were still present this evening, too. (AH)

Green Sandpiper on Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

Church Norton: There were just c50 Sandwich Terns and c100 Mediterranean Gulls in the harbour this morning, along one Little Tern, two Common Terns, with three Whimbrel, ten Curlews and 15 Black-tailed Godwits, with a Cetti's Warbler and eight Linnets along the front and two Swallows and four Sand Martins over. (P&LH)

North Wall: There were four Spotted Redshanks on the Breech Pool early on, before they all flew out into the harbour and the usual mix of Redshanks, Lapwings, Black-tailed Godwits and Curlews were along White’s Creek, whilst further out on the mud there were two Greenshanks, a Whimbrel, eight Dunlin and half a dozen Knot and Grey Plovers. .
Two Sedge Warblers, a few Reed Warblers and Whitethroats and four Linnets were along the wall, two Pied Wagtails were by the sluice and a few Swallows and sand Martins went over, whilst the young Cattle Egrets were exploring around their nest in Owl Copse, and ten more were in the harbour and a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and a Buzzard went over. (LP/AH/AT et al)).

Spotted Redshanks (above), Cattle Egrets, Linnet & Pied Wagtail at the North Wall (LP)

West Wittering: A Coal Tit was at Ella Nore today. (SH)

Monday, 20th July: After a cool start, another warm and sunny day in the moderate to fresh north-easterly breeze...

Selsey Bill: The first returning Willow Warbler and a Turnstone were the highlight of another slow morning. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0705-0805hrs) (NE, F4)

Gannet - 2W

Turnstone - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Great Black-backed Gull - 2os

Sandwich Tern - 20os

Little Tern - 1os

Swift - 10

House Martin - 10

Willow Warbler - 1

Turnstone (above), Sandwich Tern & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: It was just the usuals on the pool this morning, namely an adult and three juvenile Little ringed Plovers, the pair of shelducks and five growing ducklings, the pair of Oystercatchers and two juveniles and five adult and four young Avocets.

A look round the Tramway found a couple of Blackcaps and Whitethroats, but not too much else, though a couple of Whimbrel and a dozen Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks were in the adjacent harbour. (AH)

Little Ringed Plovers (above), Shelduck family, Blackcap & Whitethroat at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: There were two Green Sandpipers present this morning, though only one Common Sandpiper, along with nine Black-tailed Godwits and a couple of Teal, whilst a couple of Sedge and Reed Warblers were at the front and a handful of Swallows went over. (AH/PA)

Green Sandpiper (above) & Sedge Warbler and Wood Pigeon at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

Church Norton: Two Lesser Whitethroats were in the churchyard and two Ravens went over together, but there was nothing else on the land-side, whilst in the harbour there were still c200 Sandwich Terns and similar of Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls, though Tern Island was completely deserted.

There were a few waders further down the harbour, including four Whimbrel, eight Curlews, c25 Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits and c200 small waders that were, presumably, Dunlin. (AH)

Later on, a Common Sandpiper and four Common Terns were among the birds in the harbour. (PA)

Lesser Whitethroat (above), Raven, Whimbrels & Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

East side: A summer-plumaged Curlew Sandpiper was among a good selection of waders this morning, including 34 Knot, 161 Dunlin, c30 Grey Plovers, a Snipe, two Common Sandpipers, six Bar-tailed Godwits, six Whimbrel, eight Ringed Plovers and four Turnstones.

There were also six adult and four juvenile Little Terns around the spit, an unexpected Pochard flew along the side of the harbour and c60 Sand Martins and six Swallows went over..(PA)

Little Tern (above), Knot & Pochard along the East side (PA)

North Wall: In Whites Creek this morning there were four Greenshanks, four Spotted Redshanks, six Black tailed Godwits and four Redshanks, plus the six Mute Swan cygnets, whilst also a Peregrine went over.

Behind the sluice gates there was quite a bit of Reed Warbler activity., but in the ever-decreasing Breech Pool there was just a Lapwing, a Black-tailed Godwit, three Little Ringed Plovers and there was still just enough water for a Grey Heron to catch two small fish.

Along the wall it was fairly quiet, apart from a mixed flock of eight Long-tailed Tits and ten juvenile Blue Tits, whilst in Owl Copse the three Cattle Egret chicks were moving around the nest area and stretching out their wings, with 14 more fling into the area, whilst at Halsey's Farm the Water Rail showed briefly, 12 Swallows went through, a Kingfisher came in from the harbour and three Buzzards were further back. (GHi/LP/BFF/MJa/PA et al)

Water Rail (above), Cattle Egrets, Grey Heron, Long-tailed Tit & Blue Tit at the North Wall (GHi)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - This evening two Arctic Skuas were offshore from the Stilt Pool, chasing terns, whilst on the pool itself there were a Green Sandpiper, three Common Sandpipers, three Greenshanks, three Lapwings, four Redshanks and six adult and two young Oystercatchers, with a Whimbrel on the reseve and ten Common Terns around the rafts.

The banks were quiet, with just a Dartford Warbler, two Whitethroats and 11 Yellowhammers noted, but it was busy overhead, with a Hobby, a Kestrel, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, c30 Swallows and c70 Sand Martins seen. (SH)