13th - 14th September 2026

Monday, 14th September: Another grey and muggy morning in a moderate south-westerly breeze, though brightening a bit later on.......

It is with great sadness that I learned of the recent passing of Dorian Mason, who slipped away yesterday evening after declining health in recent years. Dorian will have been known to many local birders as a fine photographer, often to be seen lugging around a camera with an enormous lens, which looked too much like hard work to me, but he certainly did produce some fine images! He was not a birder from way back in the early years; rather he was introduced to me by my old mate Bernie Forbes probably around the start of this century and he became a Peninsula regular for quite a while. Always gentlemanly, polite and softly spoken, it belied the fact that he was very strong and robust, often so useful when helping with manual tasks, hide repairs and the like. He was always a joy to be with yet he was so modest about his abilities.

Dorian will be much missed on the local scene and the Peninsula has lost a fine man. I'm sure those that knew him will join me in offering sincere condolences to his wife Margaret and family. Rest in peace old chum.       (OM/Eds)

Dorian Mason at Selsey Bill, May 2005 (OM)

Selsey Bill: The Guillemot was feeding close inshore again this morning, and a Little Tern and nine Common Terns went west, but after yesterday's big numbers, just 18 Swallows went west today. Full log below. (SH/AH/IP)

(0630-0830hrs) (SW, F4)

Gannet - 1E, 36W

Shag - 3E

Little Egret - 1E

Wigeon - 3W

Teal - 1W

Turnstone - 4

Mediterranean Gull - 26W

Great Black-backed Gull - 3os

Sandwich Tern - 14E, 8W

Common Tern - 9W

Little Tern - 1W

Guillemot - 1os

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1

Swallow - 18W

Yellow Wagtail - 1W

Pied Wagtail - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 4W

Little Tern (above), Guillemot and SH and friends sea-watching at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Marsh Harrier was hunting over the field early this morning, and a Merlin was doing likewise later on, whilst the two juvenile Little Stints were showing well at the front of the pool again, with the adult and juvenile Avocets, two juvenile Shelducks, c75 Lapwings and a Redshank also present, with more of the latter and c25 Teal in the channel opposite.

Also, a Stonechat, a Willow Warbler, a handful of Blackcaps and at least 20 Chiffchaffs were around the tramway, along with a flock of c80 Goldfinches, with a Grey Wagtail in the channel, a Water Rail in Red /Barn Ditch and c40 Sand Martins and c20 House Martins and Swallows feeding low down. (PA/AH/TG-P/RBe/B FF/RW et al)

Little Stints (above), Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Blackcap & Goldfinches at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The long staying, if elusive, Ring-necked Parakeet popped up again over the Severals early this morning, whilst later on two Spotted Flycatchers were around the hide area, with two Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail and 15 Meadow Pi[pits along the beach.

Also, a Little Stint was among 15 Knot and 35 Dunlin in the harbour, with a Greenshank, eight Pintail and a Marsh Harrier also about. (Pa/RWi/AWi).

Later on the Osprey was perched on a post in the harbour, before catching a fish and settling on New Island to eat it. 

Also seen were a Kingfisher, a Peregrine, a Whimbrel, a Grey Plover, seven Pintail, four Teal in the harbour, a Willow Warbler in the hedges and a dozen Swallows going over. (PA/IP)

North Wall: Two Spotted Redshanks were along White’s Creek and a Grey Wagtail flew over, but otherwise it was just the regular species out in the harbour.

There was a bit of activity along the bushes, though, with eight Blackcaps, two Reed Buntings, a Willow Warbler, six Chiffchaffs, two Reed Buntings, 12 Long-tailed Tits, a Stonechat and a few Whitethroats, whilst a Hobby flew through, and 16 Curlews were in the fields.

At Halsey’s Farm, four Spotted Flycatchers were along the path and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, two Kestrels, and a few more Blackcaps and Whitethroats were along the trees, also a Kingfisher was along the rife, 24 Cattle Egrets were with the cows, and c100 Swallows passed overhead. (MJa/TRH/IH/LP/CT/PB et al)

Spotted Redshank (above) & Spotted Flycatchers at the North Wall (LP)

Pagham Spit: An Osprey was sat out on New Island around high tide and a Rock Pipit was along the spit along with at least seven Wheatears, a Skylark, and five Linnets whilst a few Ringed Plover and Dunlin were on one of the shale banks. A Common Gull was about, and 27 Little Egrets were with three Grey Herons on Tern Island, whilst a steady stream of Swallows passed overhead.

Four Little Grebes, four Great Crested Grebes and 18 Tufted Ducks were on the Lagoon and a flock of 23 Wigeon flew over and across the harbour. (PA/LP/TG)

Osprey (above), Wheatear, Skylark, Common Gull & Tufted Ducks at Pagham Spit (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The female Merlin was out on the reserve again this morning, as were 18 Egyptian Geese, whilst a Whinchat and a Wheatear were along the banks, together with a Chiffchaff, three Cetti's Warblers, half a dozen Meadow Pipits and eight Yellowhammers, with c100 Swallows, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard and a Kestrel going over. (SH)

Sunday, 13th September: A grey morning throughout, quite mild and muggy in the moderate south-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: There were a few bits of interest this morning, including a first-winter Little Gull west, a Guillemot and a Gannet on the sea, close offshore, and over 1200 Swallows heading west on a broad front. Full log below. (SH/BI/IP/AH/P&LH)

(0630-0900hrs) (SW, F4)

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 79W, 24os

Shag - 2E

Oystercatcher - 1W

Dunlin - 1W

Turnstone - 17

Little Gull - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 5E, 29W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1E, 6W, 7os

Sandwich Tern - 6E, 22W, 6os

Common Tern - 8W

Guillemot - 1os

Swallow - 1210W

Sand Martin - 2W

House Martin - 20W

Wheatear - 1

(1315-1415hrs) (P&LH)

Gannet - 1E, 10W

Shag - 1W

Kestrel - 1

Oystercatcher - 5

Turnstone - 19

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 3W

Kittiwake - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 40os

Common Tern - 1W

Little Tern - 1W, 1os

Swallow - 5W

Little Gull (above), Guillemot, Gannet & Sandwich Tern at the Bill ((AH)

Ferry Pool: The two juvenile Little Stints were on the pool again this morning, along with the adult and juvenile Avocet, a Redshank, 14 Lapwings, two juvenile Shelducks and c40 Black-headed Gulls. (MaJ/MRi/IP/AH et al)

Little Stints (above) & Avocet on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The bushes were fairly quiet this morning, though a Reed Warbler, a Blackcap, two or three Willow Warblers, half a dozen Whitethroats and up to a dozen Chiffchaffs were widely spread, and there were also a Wheatear along Rectory Lane and c25 Swallows and c50 House Martins going over.

There were two Gannets, two Sandwich Terns and two Great Crested Grebes offshore, but the harbour held few birds, though including a Greenshank, two Black-tailed Godwits, a summer-plumaged Golden Plover, a dozen Grey Plovers and c50 Dunlin. (IP/AH/P&LH et al)

Later on, an Osprey was in the harbour again, and two Kingfishers were sat on the metalwork together. (GW)

Reed Warbler (above), Chiffchaffs & Greenshank at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Hirundine activity was the most notable thing today, with c150 Swallows, 38 sand Martins and two House Martins over, along with two Kestrels and three Buzzards, but it was quiet otherwise, with just two Stonechats, seven Chiffchaffs, a Cetti's Warbler and three Meadow Pipits along the banks and ten Egyptian Geese on the reserve. (SH)

Later on, a Black Tern was offshore from the Stilt Pool and a female Merlin was out on the reserve. (HB)

10th - 12th September 2026

Saturday, 12th September: After a fairly still start, the south-westerly breeze freshened up through the morning, leaving a mix of warm sun and cloud .......

Selsey Bill: There was a fair selection this morning, including a Fulmar and a Little Tern west offshore, a Common Sandpiper and a Peregrine west along the beach, and a bit of visible migration, including over 88 Swallows west. Full log below. (JA/SH/PB/MRB/PM/BI/IP/AH)

(0605-0820hrs) (NW, F4-5)

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 1E, 39W, 8os

Shag - 3E

Common Scoter - 3E

Sparrowhawk - 1

Peregrine - 1W

Kestrel - 1

Oystercatcher - 1W

Common Sandpiper - 1W 

Turnstone - 6

Mediterranean Gull - 31W, 6os

Black-headed Gull - 101W, 105os

Sandwich Tern - 4E, 11W, 8os

Common Tern - 2W

Little Tern - 1W

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1

Swallow - 16E, 833W

Sand Martin - 3S, 4W

House Martin - 15S, 6W

Yellow Wagtail - 15W

Grey Wagtail - 3E, 8W

Pied Wagtail - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 3E, 21W

Chiffchaff - 1

Linnet - 2W

(1520-1620hrs) (AWi)

Gannet - 18W

Turnstone - 2

Mediterranean Gull - 3W

Black-headed Gull - 40w, 10os

Great Black-backed Gull - 5os

Sandwich Tern - 17W, 5os

Little Tern - 1os

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

Ferry Pool: The two juvenile Little Stints were showing well on the pool up until mid-morning, when they departed again, though otherwise there were just the adult and juvenile Avocets and eight Lapwings present. 

Also, a Wheatear and two Whinchats were on the fields and a few Swallows went over.(Pa/NM/AH/SM/ABi /TG et al)

Little Stints at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: It was quieter this morning, though there were still up to four Spotted Flycatchers and one or two Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, plus a Mistle Thrush, around the churchyard/hide area, with a couple of Wheatears on Tern Island and another couple along the beach, and there were also c80 Swallows and a dozen or so House Martins and Sand Martins going over.

There were few waders in the harbour, though among them were two Greenshanks, a Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit, two Black-tailed Godwits, just eight Dunlin and a Knot, whilst a Marsh Harrier, two Peregrines and two Ravens were seen, too. (IP/PB/MRB/PM/Pa/MRe/AH/ABi/TG et al)

Wheatear (above), Greenshank, Grey Plover & Knot at Church Norton (AH)

A Wryneck was reported as present in the Severals (per Birdguides), whilst later, an Osprey was seen over the harbour from the spit (AHa).

Also, in the harbour there were just a Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel and a Bar-tailed Godwit of note, with a Wheatear on the beach, two Gannets offshore and five Swallows over.. (AWi/AH)

Osprey at Church Norton (AHa)

North Wall: Four Spotted Redshanks and 22 Black-tailed Godwits were along White’s Creek this morning, and three Grey Wagtails were by the sluice, along with a Kingfisher, whilst a Wheatear was along the rocks and a Dunlin was on the Breech Pool.

Along the bushes there were a Redstart, 18 Reed Buntings, six Blackcaps, a Willow Warbler, ten Chiffchaffs, three Cetti’s Warblers, six Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler and a couple of Reed Warblers.

Also, a Water Rail was in the reeds at Halsey’s Farm, 24 Cattle Egrets were with the cows, and five Snipe, two Ravens and a few Swallows passed overhead. (MJa/LP/CT/PJ)

This afternoon, an Osprey caught a fish in the harbour and flew off north. (SH)

Grey Wagtail (above), Reed Bunting, Kingfisher, Spotted Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwit & Dunlin at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Along the banks this morning there were a Whinchat, four stonechats, two Wheatears, a Blackcap, three Chiffchaffs, two Cetti's Warblers, four Yellowhammers and c20 Meadow Pipits.

Also, a Kingfisher and half a dozen Egyptian Geese were on the reserve and  c50 Swallows, a Kestrel and a Buzzard went over. (S&SaH)

Friday, 11th September: Another fairly  warm and sunny morning in a moderate north-westerly breeze....

Selsey Bill: There were up to 20 Wheatears around the beach and surrounding buildings this morning, with a high-flying Stonechat and a few Yellow Wagtails and hirundines going over, but most of the activity offshore was around the large feeding flock. Full log below. (SH/BI/IP/AH/P&LH et al)

(0615-0900hrs) (NW, F4-5)

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 15W, 30os

Common Scoter - 1os

Oystercatcher - 1E, 2 present

Dunlin - 1

Turnstone - 54

Mediterranean Gull - 629W

Great Black-backed Gull - 3W

Sandwich Tern - 25E, 44W

Common Tern - 4W

Guillemot - 1E

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1

Swallow - 30E

Sand Martin - 2E

Yellow Wagtail - 6E

Pied Wagtail - 2W

Meadow Pipit - 4W

Wheatear - 19

Stonechat - 1W

Chiffchaff - 2

Wheatears (above), Common Tern, Sandwich Tern & Dunlin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were two Little Stints on the pool for a short while this morning, but otherwise there were just the juvenile Ringed Plover and a few Black-headed Gulls present, and just the adult and juvenile Avocets, a couple of Black-tailed Godwits and half a dozen Redshanks in the channel opposite. (PA/AH/AB)

Little Stints at the Ferry (PA)

Long Pool: A Snipe was on the pool today and two Whinchats were in the hedges in the fields, and also a flock (or family) of six Ravens went over. (PA)

Church Norton: There was migrant activity again today, including a couple of Redstarts, half a dozen Spotted Flycatchers, a couple of Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Whitethroats and half a dozen Chiffchaffs, plus a Firecrest and a Tree-creeper, around the churchyard and hide area, with another Redstart and a Whinchat around the horse field, half a dozen Wheatears along the front and a late Swift over Rectory Lane among a couple of hundred Swallows and House Martins.

Later on, an Osprey went over the harbour, with a Peregrine, a couple of Buzzards and at least three Sparrowhawks about, too, but the harbour was quiet, with just a Greenshank, Whimbrel and a few Curlews, Redshanks and Oystercatchers about, along with eight Pintail, two Wigeon and six Teal, and there was also a Shoveler on the second Several.

There was also a Muntjac Deer at Greenlease Farm and quite a few Clouded Yellows and Painted Ladies about. (AW/AH/P&LH/PA et al)

It was very quiet this evening, though a Yellowhammer and half a dozen Chiffchaffs were in the hedge by the hide and four Wheatears were on the concrete blocks. (AH)

Osprey (LH) (above), Redstart (top LH, lower AH) , Spotted Flycatcher, Peregrine, Greenshank and Curlew (AH), Wheatear, Shoveler, Muntjac & Clouded Yellow (AW) at Church Norton

North Wall: Five Grey Wagtails were around the sluice this morning, and a Kingfisher, three Spotted Redshanks, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, and 32 Lapwings were along White’s Creek, but three Dunlin and a Redshank were the only waders on the Breech Pool.

Two Wheatears were along the rocks, whilst along the hedges and reeds there were Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, two Reed Warblers, five Sedge Warblers and 12 Reed Buntings, and in the fields a few Cattle Egrets were with the cows.

It was very quiet around Halsey’s Farm although c50 House Martins and a few Swallows went over, and there were still Clouded Yellows, Common Blues and a couple of Small Coppers in the fields. (MJa/LP/IH/GHi/SP/MaJ/TS et al)

Wheatear (above), Grey Wagtail, Spotted Redshank, Dunlin & Small Copper at the North Wall (LP)

East side: There was a good selection of waders around today, including an adult and two juvenile Spotted Redshanks, a Ruff, 11 Greenshanks and eight Knot, with three Little Terns and six Sandwich Terns in the channels and wildfowl including 24 Pintail, 209 Wigeon and 75 Teal, whilst a Hobby and a Red Kite went over. (PA)

Spotted Redshanks (above), Ruff & Little Terns along the East side (PA)

East Head: A Ruff, six Golden Plovers and a couple of Stonechats around Snowhill Creek were the best birds this afternoon. (PA)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were just four Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail, four Meadow Pipits, a Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat and a Cetti's Warbler along the banks this morning, with a Greenshank on the reserve and c50 Swallows, c30 House Martins, a Marsh Harrier, three Buzzards and a Kestrel over. (S&SaH/EB)

Greenshank (above), Meadow Pipit, Jay, Clouded Yellow & a cow at Medmerry (EB)

Medmerry: Medmerry Trail to Ham - There were seven Whitethroats, a Chiffchaff, four Yellowhammers and two Reed Buntings along the Trail, with 11 Skylarks in the fields, whilst three Sand Martins, c25 Swallows, a Sparrowhawk and six Buzzards went over. (P&LH)

Whitethroat (above), Yellowhammer & Buzzard at Medmerry (LH)

Thursday, 10th September: A pleasant morning of sun and white cloud in just a light to moderate westerly breeze....

Selsey Bill: There was a reasonable selection this morning, including an Arctic Skua and 24 Common Terns west and two Shags east. Full log below. (AH)

(0650-0820hrs) (W, F3)

Gannet - 1E, 14W

Shag - 2E

Common Scoter - 1W

Oystercatcher - 2

Sanderling - 1

Turnstone - 34

Arctic Skua - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 45W

Black-headed Gull - c400W

Sandwich Tern - 14E, 31W

Common Tern - 24W

Swallow - 88W, 200 present

House Martin - 50

Arctic Skua (above), Sanderling, Shags, Common Tern & Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just the adult and juvenile Avocets - seen earlier in the channel opposite, two juvenile Shelducks, two Grey Herons and 22 Lapwings on the pool this morning. (AH/TA)

A White Stork flew over and landed in the fields to the south early this afternoon, and there were also two Little Stints on the pool at high tide. (JS)

Shelduck (above) & Lapwing and Grey Heron at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A Ruff was on the Breech Pool this morning, along with a Redshank and two Teal, whilst two Spotted Redshanks were along White’s Creek with 12 Black-tailed Godwits and 32 Lapwings. A Wheatear was along the rocks, and a Redstart, two Willow Warblers, four Reed Buntings, 12 Chiffchaffs, a Reed Warbler, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were along the bushes.

At Halsey’s Farm a Kingfisher was by the outfall, and two Spotted Flycatchers, a Lesser Whitethroat, two Blackcaps, a Chaffinch, six Linnets, a Kestrel, and four Whitethroats were along the hedgerows, and c20 Cattle Egrets were around the cows in the fields, also four Yellow Wagtails flew over, and a Small Copper and four Clouded Yellows were also about. (MJa/LP/CT/TA)

Ruff (above), Reed Bunting & Cattle Egret at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: This evening there were two Spotted Flycatchers and up to a dozen Chiffchaffs in the sheltered hedges, with a Sand ~Martin and half a dozen Swallows over, but the harbour was very quiet, with just a hunting Marsh Harrier, two Greenshanks and a Whimbrel of note. (AH)

Spotted Flycatcher (above), Chiffchaff & Greenshank at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Toe End - Two Little Terns, a Black Tern and c30 Common Terns were among c200 Sandwich Terns feeding around the breach this morning, with two Sanderlings, five Grey Plovers and eight Dunlin on the mud there.

Also, a total of 11 Wheatears were on the rocks, with three Stonechats, seven Yellow Wagtails, three Grey Wagtails, four Pied Wagtails and c20 Meadow Pipits about, too, with c100 Swallows, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard and two Kestrels going over. (SH)

Medmerry: Ham Farm - There was a reasonable number of migrants about this morning, including two Whinchats, two Stonechats, half a dozen Wheatears and c20 Yellow Wagtails in the fields by the breach, with c50 Swallows and two Skylarks going over, whilst a Sedge Warbler, a couple of Reed Warblers, a Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, at least six Chiffchaffs and ten Whitethroats were in the bushes, along with a dozen Yellowhammers and c20 Linnets, plus a Corn Bunting by the viewpoint.

Also, a Marsh Harrier, two Sparrowhawks and four Buzzards were about, three Cattle Egrets were with the cows, seven Gadwall and a Little Grebe were on the pond and the terns were visible in the breach. (AH)

Yellow Wagtail (above), Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Marsh Harrier and Carrion Crows & Gadwall at Medmerry (AH)