20th - 22nd May 2026

Friday, 22nd May: An increasingly warm and hazily sunny morning in a moderate south-easterly breeze........

Selsey Bill: There was little bit of activity again this morning, including a flock of eight Arctic Terns and 21 Common Scoters east and five Eider west, whilst four Great Northern Divers were on the sea. Full log below. 

(SH/BI/AH/LP/SP/IP)

(0645-0815hrs) (SE, F3)

Great Northern Diver - 4os

Gannet - 2E, 11W, 2os

Shelduck - 3E

Eider - 5W

Common Scoter - 21E, 10W

Oystercatcher - 1E, 1W

Dunlin - 1E

Arctic Skua - 1os

Mediterranean Gull - 1os

Kittiwake - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 49os

Common Tern - 9os

Arctic Tern - 8E

Little Tern - 5os

Razorbill - 1W

Swallow - 4

House Martin - 8

Sandwich Tern (above) & Dunlin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The two Avocets were at the back with their parents this morning, with another 34 adults, 63 Black-tailed Godwits, two Little Ringed Plovers, two Redshanks, the pair of Shovelers, eight Gadwall, 11 Shelducks and c30 Mallards also present. (AH)

Later, two Common Terns were on the islands and a Cattle Egret was in the field. (LP/SP/PA)

Avocet chicks (above), Black-tailed Godwit, Shovelers & Gadwall at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The two first-summer Little Terns were present again this morning. (PA)

Later, there were just a Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit and the vast amount of terns and gulls present, and not much else! (LP/SP)

The Little Gulls were still present this afternoon, on the near high-tide, along with c50 Sanderlings and Ringed Plovers and c100 Dunlin, with large numbers of Sandwich Terns feeding in the harbour. (AH)

Little Gull (above) & Sanderlings at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: At least two Cuckoos -one at each end - were along the wall this morning, with at least two Marsh Harriers active behind the Breech Pool, the Kingfishers were around Owl Water again, c25 Cattle Egrets were in the fields at Halsey's Farm and a Red Kite went over Honer Farm..

Also, the Swallows were around the stables and Reed Buntings, Cetti's, Reed and Sedge Warblers were along the wall - with several of the latter being very vocal and conspicuous, but the harbour was very quiet on the low tide. (AH/MaJ et al)

Cuckoo (above), Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Cattle Egret & Red Kite at the North Wall (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were nine Common Terns and two Sandwich Terns over the reserve this morning, along with seven Swifts, nine Swallows, three Kestrels and five Buzzards, whilst a Whimbrel was on the reserve, but two Avocets were the only things of note on the Stilt Pool.

There was a fair selection of the regular species along the banks, including c20 Whitethroats, a dozen Reed Warblers, half a dozen Sedge Warblers, four Cetti's Warblers, a Chiffchaff, two Stonechats, five Reed Buntings and c20 Yellowhammers. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Porthole farm - There were c30 Swifts over the fields this evening, but just a handful of House Martins, with the only Swallows seen being on ~Ham Road.

Otherwise, there were just a Skylark, two Pied Wagtails and a handful of Whitethroats about. (AH)

Swift (above), House Martin, Skylark & Whitethroat at Medmerry (AH)

Chichester GPs: Six Norfolk Hawkers were present today as well as two broods of Common Pochards. (SM)

Thursday, 21st May: At long last, and after a grey a breezy start, a change in the weather, with the temperature rising and the southerly winds easing....

Selsey Bill: There wasn't much going on this morning, though a Great Northern Diver went west and a pod of ten or so Bottle-nosed Dolphins went east. Full log below. (SH/AH)

(0630-0800hrs) (SSW, F4-5)

Greet Northern Diver - 1W

Gannet - 3E, 1W, 2os

Common Scoter - 10E

Sanderling - 1

Whimbrel - 2W, then E

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Great Black-backed Gull - 4os

Kittiwake - 3W, 1os

Sandwich Tern - 40os

Common Tern - 8os

Little Tern - 8os

Razorbill - 2W

House Martin - 6

Bottle-nosed Dolphin - 10E

Great Northern Diver (above), Sanderling, Sandwich Tern & House Martin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: It was very similar to yesterday this morning, with a Little Ringed Plover, two Redshanks, 38 Black-tailed Godwits and 33 Avocets - including the first two chicks of the year, but not much else beyond three Gadwall, eight Shelducks and c30 Mallards. 

Also, a Lesser Whitethroat was along the Tramway. (AH/AW)

Gadwall and Black-tailed Godwits (above), Black-tailed Godwits (AH) * Lesser Whitethroat (AW) at the Ferry 

Long Pool: The pair of Great Crested Grebes still had two chicks with them this morning. (AW)

Great Crested Grebe family along the Long Pool (AW)

North Wall: There were three Cuckoos around this evening, along with a Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher, four Swifts, four Swallows, two Sand Martins, three Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs and three Cetti's Warblers. (S&SaH)

Church Norton: There wasn't much to report in a brief look this morning, though c150 Sandwich Terns were sitting out, with half a dozen Little Terns and three Common Terns, but waders were restricted to a Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit, a curlew and a handful of Dunlin and Ringed Plovers. (AH)

Dunlin (above), Little Tern & Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

Wednesday, 20th May: Another very blustery morning, fairly mild, with a mix of sunshine and fast-moving cloud in the fresh south-westerly.....

Selsey Bill: A Storm Petrel was lingering offshore for a short while early this morning, and there were a few more Great Northern Divers about than of late. Full log below. (PA/SH/AW/PB/AH)

(0530-0900hrs) (SW, F5-6)

Great Northern Diver - 1E, 3W, 2os

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Fulmar - 1E, 1W

Storm Petrel - 1W (0605-0615hrs)

Gannet - 4E, 57W

Shag - 1E

Common Scoter - 19E

Oystercatcher - 2E

Sanderling - 4W

Mediterranean Gull -

Great Black-backed Gull - 3W, 5os

Kittiwake - 4W

Sandwich Tern - 120os

Common Tern - 5os

Little Tern - 18os

Guillemot - 3W

Razorbill - 1W

auk sp - 1W

Swift - 2

Swallow - 3

House Martin - 6

A flock of 35 Sanderlings that dropped in on the beach was the highlight. Full log below. (SH)

(1615-1730hrs)

Shag - 1W

Sanderling - 35

Mediterranean Gull - 4W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 29os

Common Tern - 3os

Little Tern - 8os

Guillemot - 1W, 1os

House Martin - 4

Great Northern Diver (above), Fulmar, Kittiwake, Little Terns (AW), Common Tern, Sanderlings & House Martin (AH) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: A Little Ringed Plover, two Redshanks, 39 Avocets and c40 Black-tailed Godwits were on the pool this morning, with another c25 of the latter in the channel, along with a Greenshank, whilst wildfowl on the pool comprised a pair of Shovelers, three Gadwall, six Shelducks and c20 Mallard. (AH)

Little Ringed Plover (above), Greenshank & Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: Three Spotted Flycatchers were behind the hide this morning, rising to four by early afternoon, and a Wheatear was on the concrete blocks, though otherwise it was just the usual odd Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Whitethroat present.

There was no sign of any Roseate Terns this morning, though 100+ Sandwich Terns, c20 Little Terns and three or four Common Terns were on the mud, along with just a few Ringed Plovers and a Black-tailed Godwit. (S Wilson/AH/PB/NR/TG-P/HR/DMe/AW et al)

Also, the two first-summer Little Gulls were back in the harbour this afternoon, along with two Whimbrel, two Bar-tailed Godwits, three Grey Plovers and c60 Ringed Plovers. (AWi)

Spotted Flycatchers (above), Wheatear & Common Tern at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: It was very windy along the wall this morning, and predictably there wasn’t much to see, although three Marsh Harriers were over the reeds, and two Swifts were higher up, whilst along the bushes there was a Cuckoo and a few Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers, and Reed Buntings, with a Lesser Whitethroat calling at Owl Copse..

The regular Swallows were around the stables, and a Green Woodpecker flew through, but out in the harbour there was just a Curlew and a Whimbrel out on the mud. (LP/KU/CT/SP/MJa/DHo)

Cuckoo (above), Swallow & Sedge Warbler at the North Wall (LP)

Sidlesham: A Spotted Flycatcher was in the sheltered hedges along Cow Lane this afternoon, with a Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff, a juvenile Blackcap and a family of Long-tailed Tits also about, plus a couple of Swifts and a handful of Swallows going over. (PA/AH)

17th - 19th May 2026

Tuesday, 19th May: After overnight rain continued past dawn, the morning started wet and miserable in a gale-force southerly, though brightening up steadily thereafter, and feeling warmer than of late..............

Selsey Bill: Four Sanderling and six Dunlin dropped in on the beach before heading off east, but nothing else was moving, though a large gull and tern feeding flock were out in the murk offshore. Full log below. (AH/IP)

(0700-0830hrs) (S, F7-8)

Gannet - 22E, 1W

Oystercatcher - 1E

Sanderling 4E, 1W

Dunlin - 6E

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1E

Great Black-backed Gull - 3os

Kittiwake - 1W, 2os

Sandwich Tern - 150os

Common Tern - 12os

Little Tern - 15os

Swallow - 1

Sanderlings and Dunlin (above), Sandwich Tern & Gannet at the Bill (AH)

This afternoon, a Great White Egret went west, well offshore, with two Manx Shearwaters, three Guillemots and a Razorbill west, too, whilst 12 Sanderlings and an Arctic Skua went east. Full log below. (CRJ/AW/PA/SH/AH)

(1315-1800hrs) (SSW, F6)

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Manx Shearwater - 2W

Gannet - 1E, 17W

Great White Egret - 1W (1312hrs)

Sanderling - 12E

Arctic Skua - 1E, 1os

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 9W, 30os

Common Gull - 1os

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1os

Great Black-backed Gull - 2os

Kittiwake - 1E, 4W

Sandwich Tern - 10E, 29W, 150os

Common Tern - 2W, 15os

Little Tern - 7W, 10os

Guillemot - 3W

Razorbill - 1W

auk sp - 3W

Swift - 7

Swallow - 5

Guillemot (above) & Common Tern at the Bill (AW)

Ferry Pool: There was no sign of the Temminck's Stint in poor conditions early on, with a Common Sandpiper, two Redshanks, 32 Avocets and 58 Black-tailed Godwits the only waders present on the pool, plus a Greenshank and another eight Black-tailed Godwits in the channel opposite.

There were also two drake Shovelers present, with one repeatedly chasing the other off, plus two drake Gadwall, six Shelducks and c30 Mallards. (AH)

The Temminck's Stint re-appeared at lunchtime. (KJ et al)

Common Sandpiper (above), Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit & Shoveler at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were only c50 Sandwich Terns and a couple of Common and Little Terns out on the mud this morning, along with the first-summer Little Gull, whilst c25 Mediterranean Gulls flew in, and waders were widely dispersed, including five Whimbrel, eight Bar-tailed Godwits, a Black-tailed Godwit, c20 Turnstones and Ringed Plovers and c50 Dunlin.

There was nothing in the hedges beyond a Whitethroat and a Blackcap. (AH/KJ et al)

Whimbrel (above), Black-tailed Godwit and Bar-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plovers & Mediterranean Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

There were at least two Roseate Terns among at least 100 Sandwich Terns, six Little Terns and a couple of Common Terns on the mud, whilst waders included three Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit and three Sanderlings. (AH)

Roseate Terns and Sandwich Terns (above) & Little Tern at Church Norton (AH)

Monday, 18th May: It was surprisingly cool early on in the fresh south-westerly breeze, but warmed up a bit during the morning in the hazy sun and cloud...........

Selsey Bill: An Arctic Skua east and two Sanderlings west were the only migrants about, though there were large numbers of terns offshore again. Full log below. (AH/IP)

(0700-0830hrs) (SW, F5)

Gannet - 3W, 6os

Sanderling - 2W

Curlew - 1W

Arctic Skua - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 1W, 1os

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1os

Great Black-backed Gull - 3os

Sandwich Tern - 200os

Common Tern - 12os

Little Tern - 28os

House Martin - 7

(1600-1700hrs) (SH)

Gannet - 7E, 6W

Curlew - 1W

Arctic Skua - 1E. 1os

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 1W

Kittiwake - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 33os

Little Tern - 2W

Razorbill - 1E

auk sp - 1E

Little Terns (above) & Common Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Temminck's Stint was still right sat the back of the pool this morning, along with a pair of Shovelers, with otherwise a Common Sandpiper, two Little Ringed Plovers 28 Avocets, c50 Black-tailed Godwits, two Redshanks c30 Mallard and half a dozen Shelducks present, plus a Greenshank in the channel opposite. (AH/PA/OM/AW/JC et al)

Temminck's Stint (AW top, AH lower two) (above) & Black-tailed Godwits (AH) at the Ferry 

Church Norton: There were five Roseate Terns amongst the roosting flock this morning - probably the largest gathering recorded on the Peninsula.

Also, among the gathering were a first-summer Little Gull, two Kittiwakes, a dozen Common Terns, at least 50 Little Terns and at least 200 Sandwich Terns, whilst waders present included nine Sanderlings, a Whimbrel, two Bar-tailed Godwits, a Black-tailed Godwit, two Curlews and a few Ringed Plovers and Dunlin, with three Swallows going over. 

Also, later, the Firecrest was singing from the car-park again and a dozen Sanderlings, 140 Ringed Plovers and 200 Dunlin were roosting at the end of the spit..(AB/AW/OM/AH/PA/IH et al)

Kittiwake, Roseate, Common, Little and Sandwich Terns (AW) (above). Roseate Little and Sandwich Terns & Little and Sandwich Terns (AH) at Church Norton

Sunday, 17th May: Another bright and breezy morning, slowly warming up as the day progressed, but the breeze remained fresh and from the south-west........

Selsey Bill: Another quiet morning, though 37 Common Scoters and three annoyingly unassignable grey geese went east and 16 Little Terns were feeding off Hillfield Road. Full log below. (SH/IP/AH/JA)

(0600-0815hrs) (SW, F5)

Great Northern Diver - 1E

Gannet - 2E, 14W

grey goose sp - 3E

Common Scoter - 37E, 2W

Oystercatcher - 2W

Dunlin - 2W

Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 3W

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1os

Great Black-backed Gull - 4os

Kittiwake - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 134os

Common Tern - 6os

Little Tern - 16os

Pied Wagtail - 1

Linnet - 1

(1430-1530hrs) (SH)

Gannet - 2E

Arctic Skua - 1E

Kittiwake - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 109os

Common Tern - 4os

Little Tern - 2os

Little Terns (above), Common Tern & Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Temminck's Stint was found on the pool by a visiting birder early this afternoon, and there were also a Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, two Little Ringed Plovers and a pair of Shovelers present, along with 38 Avocets, 62 Black-tailed Godwits, three Redshanks, four Gadwall, eight Shelducks and c30 Mallard spread between the pool and the channel opposite, plus the Sedge Warbler singing again from the Small Pool.. (AH/IP/PA/MRe/BI et al))

Temminck's Stint (above), Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Shelduck, Little Ringed Plover, Sedge Warbler & Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: :At least 20 House Martins were present this morning, with many collecting mud from close to the barn, but only three Swifts and two Swallows were accompanying them, whilst, also, a pair of Stock Doves were feeding in the fields. (IP)

Church Norton: At least 250 Sandwich and over 50 Little Terns, but only two Common Terns, were seen, along with large numbers of Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls on Tern Island.

A female Marsh Harrier drifted into the harbour from the sea attracting the attention of the local crows, whilst wader variety was evident, but not numerous, including 29 Dunlin, ten Grey Plovers, three Whimbrel, two Turnstones, a Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Curlew, two Redshanks and numerous Oystercatchers, plus six Knot and five Dunlin that flew west close offshore.

The most interesting bird was probably the Lesser Whitethroat that appeared to come in off the sea (possibly from the beach) diving into the first small bramble it could find, then moving to a larger area of undergrowth.

Also, two pairs of Tufted Duck and a pair of Shelducks were on the second Several, with at least three male Reed Buntings in the area, plus the usual Reed, Cetti's and Sedge Warblers, with several Blackcaps singing from Bluebell Wood, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker a Buzzard and a Jay also seen (IP).

Amazingly, there were two Roseate Terns among the roosting birds on the metalwork in the harbour early this afternoon. 

Also, a Firecrest was singing in the churchyard. (GW/PA/IP/MRe/AH/BI et al)

Roseate Terns with Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

More remarkable still, there were actually three Roseate Terns in the harbour late this afternoon, before they all departed, whilst there were also a first-summer Little Gull and two Bar-tailed Godwits present.. (AW/SM/MB/DB/AH/aBi et al)

Roseate Terns at Church Norton (AW)

North Wall: There was a lot of Cuckoo activity along the wall this morning, with at least four different birds seen and heard, from the paddock down to Halsey’s Farm. where there was also an adult and a juvenile Mistle Thrush and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the trees, and two Chaffinches, a Skylark 13 Cattle Egrets, and two Buzzards and 18 Cattle Egrets around the fields.

A pair of Teal were on the Breech Pool, as well as two Tufted Ducks, the Mute Swan family, and the nesting Great Crested Grebes, whilst a Little Grebe was on its nest along Owl Water, a Kingfisher was seen carrying a fish off across the fields towards Marsh Farm, and the Marsh Harriers were very active over the reeds, with the male seen continually carrying sticks to the nest site.

Also seen this morning were 12 Reed Warblers, four Sedge Warblers, two Cetti's Warblers, a Blackcap, two Chiffchaffs, three Reed Buntings, three Swallows, and five more Buzzards.(LP/MRi/DHi/MJa/S&SaH)

Cuckoo (LP top, SaH lower) (above), Teal, Mistle Thrush, Skylark, Cattle Egrets and Little Grebe (LP) at the North Wall 

There were also two Barn Owls out hunting early this morning. (AD)

Barn Owls at the North Wall (AD)

East side: There was very little to report from the side of the harbour on the rising tide, with most waders right over on the far side, though at least a dozen Bar-tailed Godwits and Grey Plovers, c20 Turnstones, c50 Ringed Plovers and a few Dunlin were noted.

There were at least 40 Little Terns up towards the harbour mouth, among many Sandwich Terns, but c30 Great Black-backed Gulls and six Common Seals was about all there was, otherwise. (AH/LP/MRi/DHi)

Ringed Plovers (above), Grey Plover & Common Seals along the East side (AH)