29th - 30th October 2026

Friday, 30th October: A bright and sunny morning in a fresh easterly breeze......

Selsey Bill: A Spoonbill going east was the only thing of note offshore, whilst 'viz-mig' was more about quality than quantity, with two Hawfinches and a Snow Bunting going over east and a late Yellow Wagtail going out to sea being the highlights. Full log below. (JA/BI/AT/IP/JFi/AH)

(0630-0900hrs) (ENE, F3-4)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 1W

Spoonbill - 1E

Brent Goose - 2W

Sparrowhawk - 2

Mediterranean Gull - 7E, 2os

Great black-backed Gull - 2E, 3os

Sandwich Tern - 3E

Wood Pigeon - 1099E

Stock Dove - 84E

Skylark - 41E

Swallow - 2

Yellow Wagtail - 1S

Pied Wagtail - 33E

Meadow Pipit - 43E

Redwing - 5S

Starling - 44E, 26S

Jackdaw - 38E

Rook - 2E

Magpie - 44

Hawfinch - 2E

Chaffinch - 8E

Linnet - 59E

Goldfinch - 307E

Greenfinch - 4E

Snow Bunting - 1E

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

Ferry Pool: There was a big increase to c85 Shovelers on the pool this morning, with c60 Teal and c150 Lapwings the only other things present. (AH)

Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: A pair of Stonechats and a handful of Reed Buntings and Linnets was it along the path, though c20 Skylarks came up from the fields, whist at the far end of Ferry Channel there were c200 Golden Plovers and c50 Lapwings roosting on the mud. (AH)

Stonechat (above) & Golden Plovers along the Long Pool (AH)

North Wall: A Kingfisher and two Pied Wagtails were by the sluice, and a Spotted Redshank was along White’s Creek as well as two Bar-tailed Godwits and a Rock Pipit and a Clouded Yellow were along the wall..

Four Yellowhammers, a Linnet, two Reed Buntings, two Cetti’s Warblers and 20 Long-tailed Tits were along the bushes, and two Stonechats, six Skylarks and a Meadow Pipit were around the fields. 

There were also four Redwings at Bramber Farm. (LP/IH/DHo/AWi/JDW)

Yellowhammer (above) & Kingfisher at the North Wall (LP)

East Side: A Spoonbill was along the East Side, but otherwise it was the usual species with a Greenshank, four Bar-tailed Godwits, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Ringed Plovers, 22 Grey Plovers, c200 Golden Plovers, 70 Dunlin, 50 Redshanks, 70 Brent Geese, 50 Pintail, 100 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 26 Shelducks, a Great Crested Grebe and two Little Grebes in the harbour, along with four Sandwich Terns, and there was also a Redpoll going over. (LP/IHAWi)

Spoonbill along the East side (LP)

Medmerry: Chainbridge to Ham - There were at least six Dartford Warblers and 12 Stonechats between Chainbridge and the Ham view point this morning, all favouring scrub on or adjacent to the sea bank. (JP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Two Dartford Warblers and two Goldcrests were near the stilt Pool this morning. (MaJ)

There were 14 Stonechats, five Dartford Warblers and six Cetti's Warblers along tyhe banks this afternoon, with seven Egyptian Geese and c60 Lapwings on the reserve and a Raven, a Kestrel and a Buzzard over. (SaH)

Medmerry: Windmill area - A Stonechat and a couple of Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails were all that could be found this morning. (AH)

Stonechat at Mdmerry (AH)

Thursday, 29th October: A fairly grey morning, if quite mild, almost still to start with before the breeze picked up slowly from the east......

Selsey Bill: Highlight this morning was a female Merlin catching a Goldfinch along the beach and sitting with its prey on the groynes, whilst there were also two Little Gulls going west and a Swallow over the Oval field. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0710-0840hrs) (E, F1-2)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 2W

Wigeon - 13os

Common Scoter - 1os

Merlin - 1

Oystercatcher - 2E

Turnstone - 2

Little Gull - 2W

Mediterranean Gull - 23W

Great black-backed Gull - 2W

Wood Pigeon - 314S

Swallow - 1

Pied Wagtail - 5W

Meadow Pipit - 3W

Goldfinch - 75

Merlin (above), Little Gull, Red-throated Diver, Mediterranean Gull & Swallow at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just nine Shovelers, c30 Teal and half a dozen Mallards on the pool this morning. (AH)

Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A Firecrest, a Blackcap and half a dozen Chiffchaffs were in the churchyard this morning, with a handful of Linnets and a couple of Reed Buntings along the path to the beach, but it was quiet generally, and all the gulls had moved on offshore.

Three Greenshanks were in the harbour, along with a few Grey Plovers and Redshanks, plus c20 Brent geese and c40 Wigeon, but that was about it. (AH)

Firecrest (above), Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Greenshank at Church Norton (AH)

Later in the morning, a distant Spoonbill was on the mud towards the east side, with otherwise a single Greenshank and modest numbers of Redshank, Oystercatcher, Little Egret, Teal, Wigeon, Pintail and Grey Plovers in the harbour and just a single Great Crested Grebe was on the sea. Also, a small bush at the field end of Bluebell Wood held around 15 Long-tailed Tits, three Chiffchaffs and a Meadow Pipit. (RBe) 

Spoonbill (above), Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit & Meadow Pipit at Church Norton (RBe)

Long Pool: There were a pair of Blackcaps among the usual common passerines along the path, whilst a single Avocet was in the Ferry Channel, along with a few Redshanks, Shelducks, Mallard and Teal. (RBe)

North Wall: A Spotted Redshank and a Bar-tailed Godwit were along White’s Creek, as well as 16 Black-tailed Godwits, and numerous Redshanks, Lapwings and a Grey Plover with a few Dunlin further out on the mud.

A Snipe dropped into the saltmarsh, and a good selection of Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Shelducks, and Mallards were on the water along with a Great Crested Grebe, a Little Grebe and 12 Brent Geese.

It was busy around the bushes and hedgerows with two Chiffchaffs, two Chaffinches, a Yellowhammer, six Stonechats, eight Reed Buntings, a Jay, a Green Woodpecker, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, three Song Thrushes and multiple Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Dunnocks and Robins.

Ten more Stonechats were in the field by Church Barton Reservoir and a Grey Wagtail, two Pied Wagtails and ten Blackbirds were around the paddock.

At Halsey’s Farm, 16 Meadow Pipits and six Stonechats were around the fields, and a Kingfisher was by the outfall. (TRH/LP/CRJ)

This evening a Tawny Owl was at Halsey's Farm again., (LP)

Bar-tailed Godwit (above), Yellowhammer, Stonechat, Chiffchaff, Jay, Kingfisher (LP), Pied Wagtail & Wigeon (CRJ) at the North Wall

Sidlesham: Two Tawny Owls were calling loudly along Cow Lane this evening. (AH)

West Itchenor: The wintering Common Sandpiper and two Whimbrel were in the harbour this afternoon, just east of the Sailing Club. (PH)

26th -28th October 2026

Wednesday, 28th October: A fairly pleasant morning of sunshine and cloud in a moderate westerly breeze..........

Selsey Bill: A Hawfinch flew over heading north early on, with just a little bit of visible migration going on - notably 805 Wood Pigeons heading south, whilst offshore two drake Eider and 17 Brent Goose went west and a few Little Gulls were still along the beach. Full log below. (SH/AH/IP)

(0630-0830hrs) (W, F4)

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 17W

Eider - 2W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 2E, 1 present

Little Gull - 9W, 7os

Mediterranean Gull - 5E, 50W

Great Black-backed Gull - 3W

Wood Pigeon - 805S

Stock Dove - 3S

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2

Skylark - 3W

Pied Wagtail - 12W

Meadow Pipit - 6W

Chiffchaff - 1

Hawfinch - 1N

Linnet - 34W

Goldfinch - 50

Little Gulls (above), Shag & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were ten roosting Avocets, c25 Black-tailed Godwits, c40 Redshanks, c150 Lapwings, c55 Shovelers, c40 Wigeon and c200 Teal spread around the pool at high tide today. (AH)

Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwings, Redshanks and Teal at the Ferry (AH)

North Selsey: A Woodlark flew over Asda, at the north of the town, this morning. (MRe)

North Wall: Two Spotted Redshanks, two Bar-tailed Godwits, half a dozen Black-tailed Godwits and a Kingfisher were in White's Creek this morning, whilst the six Yellowhammers and a pair of Stonechats were along the wall this morning, along with a Grey Wagtail and three Rock Pipits.

Also, both the male and female Marsh Harriers were about, and c500 Wood Pigeons and c200 Stock Doves went over, heading south-west. (AH/SP/LP)

This evening two adult males and a female Marsh Harrier came in to roost, whilst a calling Tawny Owl and a Sparrowhawk were at Halsey's Farm, eight Cattle Egrets flew in to Owl Copse and two Swallows, two Kingfishers and seven Cetti's warblers were also noted. (S&SaH)

Spotted Redshank (above), Bar-tailed Godwit and Wigeon, Yellowhammer, Stonechat & Stock Doves at the North Wall (AH)

Early this afternoon a Short-eared Owl was seen from the wall, and the Marsh Harriers were showing well. (GR/RWi/EB  et al)

Short-eared Owl (above), Marsh Harrier, Stonechat, Yellowhammer & Rock Pipit at the North Wall (EB)

East side: There were lots of waders in the harbour on the rising tide, including two Greenshanks, a Bar-tailed Godwit, c50 Grey Plovers, c20 Knot and c100 Dunlin, with c30 Brent Geese, five Shovelers and plenty of Pintail, Wigeon and Teal on the water, and there were also c15 Linnets around the Slipe Field and a pair of stonechats along the side of the harbour. (AH/SP/LP/CRJ)

Brent Geese (above), Shovelers & Grey Plovers and Dunlin along the East side (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Dartford Warbler, five Cetti's Warblers, a dozen Stonechats, three Yellowhammers and c20 Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were along the banks this morning, with a Kingfisher and c20 Golden Plovers on the reserve and a Greenshank and 54 Ringed Plovers on the Stilt Pool, and there were also three late Clouded Yellows and a Painted Lady about. (S&SaH)

Tuesday, 27th October: The morning started grey and drizzly, but slowly improved to warm sun and white cloud, but with a brisk westerly breeze throughout..........

Selsey Bill: There were still a minimum of 35 Little Gulls along the front, as well as c60 Mediterranean Gulls, but literally the only thing that moved further offshore was a single Great Northern Diver. Full log below. (AH)

(0715-0845hrs) (WSW, F5-6)

Great Northern Diver - 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 2os

Turnstone - 28

Little Gull - 35os

Mediterranean Gull - 60os

Great Black-backed Gull - 3os

Little Gulls (above), Little, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls Turnstones at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were ten Avocets, 22 Black-tailed Godwits, c120 Lapwings, c30 Shovelers, c20 Wigeon and c80 Teal on the pool this morning. (AH)

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

North Wall: A Little Gull was in the harbour, seen from here, this morning. (HRa)

Pagham Beach and Spit: At least six Little Gulls were seen from the yacht club this afternoon, with a further two, and three sandwich Terns, off the spit. (SP/LP)

Church Norton: At least 20 Little Gulls were among a dozen Common and Mediterranean Gulls and c100 Black-headed Gulls along the beach this morning, whilst in the harbour there were a Greenshank, three Bar-tailed Godwits, c20 Grey Plovers and Dunlin and the usual Curlews, Redshanks and Oystercatchers. 

Also of note, a Swallow went over, a Tree-creeper was near the concrete wall, a Yellowhammer was with half a dozen Reed Buntings along the path to the beach, a pair of Stonechats were in the horse field and c50 Meadow Pipits and c80 Linnets were along the start to the spit. (AH)

Little Gull (above), Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Linnets & Meadow Pipit at Church Norton (AH)

Monday, 26th October: A return to the wet weather this morning, with fairly persistent drizzly rain throughout in a brisk and freshening south-south-westerly breeze.......

Selsey Bill: A total of 40 Little Gulls, of which about a third were adults, were lingering off shore, drifting slowly west this morning, and three Greenshanks - unusual here - flew west, too, but it was otherwise very quiet. Full log below. (BI/IP/AH)

(0645-0845hrs) (SSW, F6)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Great Crested Grebe - 1W, 1os

Brent Goose - 1W

Teal - 2E

Common Scoter - 1W

Greenshank - 3W

Turnstone - 22

Little Gull - 40os

Mediterranean Gull - 29os

Great Black-backed Gull - 5os

Kittiwake - 1E

Meadow Pipit - 1W

Goldfinch - 18

Little Gulls at the Bill (AH)

This afternoon a Grey Phalarope went west, along with an Arctic Skua and 23 Little Gulls (12 adults and 11 first-winters). Full log below. (PB/AGB/JBo)

(1400-1600hrs)

Gannet - 14W

Oystercatcher - 1W

Grey Plover - 1W

Turnstone - 7

Grey Phalarope - 1W

Arctic Skua - 1W

Little Gull - 23W

Mediterranean Gull - 20W

Great Black-backed Gull - 5W

Kittiwake - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 2W

Razorbill - 1W

Little Gulls at the Bill (JBo)

Ferry Pool: Nine Avocets dropped in this morning, with another in the channel opposite, and there were also 22 Black-tailed Godwits, four Redshanks, c180 Lapwings, c40 Shovelers and Wigeon, two Shelducks and c120 Teal about, too. (AH)

Avocet (above), Black-tailed Godwits, Shovelers, Wigeon and Lapwings & Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The very high tide made viewing all but impossible, but there were a few Grey Plovers, Redshanks and Curlews roosting around the concrete blocks, with a few Wigeon, Teal and Mediterranean Gulls out on the water. (AH)