4th - 5th July 2026

Sunday, 5th July: It started cool and grey again,  before quickly warming and brightening up as the moderate north-westerly breeze eased and turned south-westerly....

Selsey Bill: Another very similar morning, with a Sand Martin and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull the only birds beyond the routine. Full log below. (AH/IP)

(0650-0805hrs) (WNW, F4)

Gannet - 2W

Oystercatcher - 2E, 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 2W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 50os

Little Tern - 2os

Swift - 14

Sand Martin - 1

House Martin - 10

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

Ferry Pool: The pair of Little Ringed Plovers and their three chicks were at the back this morning, whilst the Shelduck family were around the islands and the pair of Oystercatchers had two chicks again at the front and there were still a dozen adult and c15 young Avocets spread about. (AH)

Avocet chick at the Ferry (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: Around 30 House Martins were in the area, but only a couple of Swallows were accompanying them, whilst over the fields there were at least two Skylarks still displaying and a family of Jays were around the trees. (IP)

Church Norton: The harbour was full of Black-headed Gulls and Sandwich Terns, including many juveniles out on the mud, and in addition there were a few Little and Common Terns on the mud with their larger cousins and quite a few Mediterranean Gulls about too, whilst on the wader front there were a few Oystercatchers, two Black-tailed Godwits, two Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Curlew.

A Blackcap singing and a couple of Chiffchaffs were the highlights in Bluebell Wood and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Greenlease Farm, whilst along the Severals there were a few Reed Warblers heard and a single Sedge Warbler seen; with the most interesting thing being a female Tufted Duck with four ducklings on the 2nd Several. (IP)

North Wall: A Little Tern was fishing over the Breech Pool and an Avocet was on the water, whilst out in the harbour there were a few Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwings.

Three Reed Warblers were in the reeds by the sluice, and a couple of Whitethroats were along the bushes, also three Curlews were in the fields, and five Cattle Egrets, three Little Egrets and three Grey Herons were out on their island.

At Halsey’s Farm, a Kingfisher was by the outfall, a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff were in the trees, and a Sparrowhawk carrying prey flew low across the fields towards Owl Copse, whilst a Kestrel and a couple of Buzzards were also about and a Peregrine was circling high overhead.

There were also lots of butterflies about with Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites, Painted Ladies, Small Skippers, Speckled Woods, a Comma and a Holly Blue along the hedgerows. (LP/MRi/MJa)

Kingfisher (above), Avocet & Cattle Egrets, Little Egrets and Grey Heron at the North Wall (LP)

Pagham Spit: The very encouraging news this morning was that at least a dozen fully fledged Little Terns were around the end of the spit and the islands, with what appeared to be more youngsters sat out on the mud further down the harbour.

Besides that there was very little to report beyond the other gulls and terns in the harbour, along with a few Curlews and Oystercatchers, plus four hauled out Common Seals, with a couple of Linnets and a Skylark about it on the spit. (AH)

Little Terns at Pagham Spit (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were still four Greenshanks, a Common Sandpiper, five Lapwings and four adult and two young Oystercatchers on the Stilt Pool, along with three Common Terns, with ten more of the latter around the rafts, four Egyptian Geese, eight Curlews and two Lapwings on the reserve.

Also, a Sandwich Tern was offshore and another went over Marsh Barn, whilst a Yellow Wagtail was heard going over, and there were also four Swifts. eight Swallows and a couple of Buzzards and Kestrels going over.

The banks were fairly busy, too, including a Blackcap, two Chiffchaffs, a Cetti's Warbler, six Reed Warblers, c30 Whitethroats, two Stonechats, two Meadow Pipits, two Reed Buntings and c30 Yellowhammers. (S&SaH)

 

Saturday, 4th July: After a grey and surprisingly cool start, an increasingly warm morning of sunshine and white cloud in a moderate north-westerly breeze....

Selsey Bill: There were just the same eight species recorded again this morning as the mid-summer doldrums set in! Full log below. (AH/IP)

(0650-0805hrs) (NW, F4)

Gannet - 5W

Mediterranean Gull - 6W

Great Black-backed Gull - 3W

Sandwich Tern - 100os

Common Tern - 3os

Little Tern - 2os

Swift - 3

House Martin - 12

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

Ferry Pool: The pair of Little Ringed Plovers still had all three fast-growing youngsters this morning, and the Shelducks still had five ducklings, but the Oystercatchers appeared to be down to one chick, with there still a dozen adult and 15 young Avocets present, too. (AH)

Late this morning a Red Kite went over the B2145, south of the Ferry (S&SaH)

Little Ringed Plover chick and Avocet chick (above), Little Ringed Plovers & Oystercatcher chick at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: The Barn Owl was out hunting at Halsey's Farm early this morning. (AD) At the Breech pool there was little on offer beyond six Black-tailed Godwits and a few Mallard, whilst a single Kestrel was over the fields nearby (OM)

Barn Owl at the North Wall (AD)

East side: A fairly unco-operative summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank was amongst a dozen or more Redshanks and other waders at the far end of White's Creek, before being lost to view, but later it or another was seen again for a while (when its plumage seemed a little less intense, raising thoughts of it perhaps being a second bird). 

Other waders included at least three Whimbrel, c.10 Curlew, 24 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, several Oystercatchers, 6+ Lapwings, a Knot and three Grey Plovers, whilst two Little Terns were fishing in the channel. 

The pair of Mute Swans with their six cygnets were also present and a total of 14 Great Black-backed Gulls were gathered out on the mudflats. (OM)

Church Norton: There were well in excess of 100 young Sandwich Terns and similar of Black-headed Gulls in the harbour this evening, though there wasn't too much else beyond the adults, numerous Mediterranean Gulls, a handful of Tittle Terns, a Ringed Plover and a couple of Redshanks and Curlews. (AH)

Sandwich Terns (above), Little Tern, Mediterranean Gull & Black-headed Gull at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were again five Greenshanks on the Stilt Pool this morning, along with two Common Sandpipers, two Avocets, a Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, four Lapwings and four Oystercatchers, plus a single chick.

Also up to four Common Terns came and went from the pool, with another dozen around the rafts, whilst half a dozen Sandwich Terns were feeding offshore and a Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard went over.

The banks were fairly busy, with two Dartford Warblers, two Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, a Sedge Warbler, seven Reed Warblers, two Cetti's Warblers, c30 Whitethroats, three Stonechats, four Reed Buntings, c30 Yellowhammers, a dozen Skylarks and c50 Linnets seen, along with two Swifts and half a dozen Swallows over. (S&SaH)

Greenshanks (above), Common Tern, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat & Linnet at Medmerry (AH)

1st - 3rd July 2026

Friday, 3rd July: After a cool but bright start in a light northerly breeze, an increasingly warm day as the wind switched round the south-west and freshened a little..........

Selsey Bill: There were exactly the same eight species as recorded yesterday, though with less Sandwich Terns about and an increase in House Martins, including a few juvenile birds. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0635-0805hrs) (N, F2)

Gannet - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 9W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1E, 2W

Sandwich Tern - 60os

Common Tern - 1os

Little Tern - 4os

Swift - 15

House Martin - 20

Sandwich Tern (above), House Martin & Swifts at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: It was deja-vu here, too, with the families of Little Ringed Plovers, Shelducks and Oystercatchers still present, though the latter appeared to have only two chicks, and a dozen adult and 15 Avocets still dominating proceedings. (AH)

Oystercatcher chick (above), Avocet chick, Shelduck family & Avocet and Little Ringed Plover at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were still a lot of young Sandwich Terns and Black-headed Gulls about, with a few Little Terns busy on the far side, whilst waders comprised two Whimbrel, five Dunlin, eight Curlews, six Oystercatchers and c30 Black-tailed Godwits, and there was also a Mistle Thrush present. (AH/EB)

Whimbrel (above), Dunlin and Sandwich Terns (AH), Sandwich Tern & Mistle Thrush (EB)  at Church Norton

There were lots of young Sandwich Terns on the wing this evening, with mixed groups of adults and juveniles flying off over the spit as the tide dropped.

There wasn't too much else to report, though a first-summer Common Tern was in the harbour, along with half a dozen Little Terns. (AH)

Sandwich Terns (above), Little Tern, Common Tern and Sandwich Tern & Mediterranean Gull at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: A Sandwich Tern, a Common Tern and a Little Tern were all fishing close to the sluice along White’s Creek this morning, the Mute Swan family, still with all six cygnets, were on the water, and there were a few Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks, Lapwings and Curlews along the banks.
Shortly after, the Little Tern was over the Breech Pool and the Common Tern was sat on its favourite post, the two Spotted Redshanks were on the pool early on and 34 Black-tailed Godwits, eight Lapwings and an Avocet were about, also a Water Rail ran across the mud, and a pair of Teal and a Mallard with five ducklings were on what remains of the water.
Two House Sparrows were unusually along the wall as well as three Linnets, two Whitethroats, two Sedge Warblers, a Blackcap, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Reed Bunting, whilst a few Reed Warblers were in the reeds. (LP/MJa/TRH/IH/CT/SP)

This evening a Water Rail was by the rife at Halsey's Farm, a Spotted Redshank was in the harbour opposite Owl Copse and a Green Sandpiper and flagged Curlew 'A76' from Arundel were on the Breech Pool. (PB/MRB)

Reed Warbler (above), Sedge Warbler, Common Tern, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Teal & Mallard family at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Common Sandpiper, three Greenshanks, an Oystercatcher with a chick, a Little Egret and a Grey Heron were on the stilt Pool this morning, with a Common Tern dropping in to fish and two more going over.
There were also several Dartford Warblers along the banks, including a couple singing, and a pair of Stonechats on the banks. (JC)

Chichester GPs: The Red-crested Pochard family was still on New Lake, along with a female Pochard and two young, a female Tufted Duck and five young, two juvenile Little Grebes and a pair of Shovelers.
There was also a good selection of dragonflies present, including four Lesser Emperors, including a pair bonded and ovipositing, two Norfolk Hawkers and a male Red-veined Darter. (AB/M&LL)

Sidlesham: There were around 30 Swallows - mainly young ones - on the wires along Cow Lane this evening. (AH)

Swallows in Sidlesham (AH)

Thursday, 2nd July: A mostly grey and blustery morning in a brisk westerly, though warm in the brief sunny interludes......

Selsey Bill: Nothing was moving this morning, but a feeding flock of Sandwich Terns slowly built up offshore. Full log below. (AH)

(0710-0825hrs) (W, F5-6)

Gannet - 1E, 3W

Mediterranean Gull - 8W

Great Black-backed Gull - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 120os

Common Tern - 1os

Little Tern - 4os

Swift - 12

House Martin - 8

Gannets (above), Common Tern, Sandwich Tern & Mediterranean Gulls the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The pair of Little Ringed Plovers and two chicks were still present, as was the shelduck family, but Avocet numbers had dropped to a dozen adults and 15 youngsters, with most of those now fledged having moved off. (AH)

Also, a Whimbrel went over the Visitor Centre. (AS)

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

Church Norton: There were still large numbers of Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls about, plus c20 Little Terns, with waders comprising a Whimbrel, a couple of Ringed Plovers, a dozen Curlews and Redshanks and c40 Black-tailed Godwits, and there were also four Swifts and two Swallows over. (AH)

At lunchtime, on the rising tide, two Roseate Terns were among the many birds sat out on the mud and having a wash and brush-up. (AWi)

Whimbrel (above) & Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Earnley Car-park to Marsh Barn - A Grey Partridge was in the fields along the track from the Earnley car-park late this afternoon - in a very similar location to where one was seen last summer. (AS)

Wednesday, 1st July: A bright and increasingly warm morning in a moderate north-westerly breeze......

Selsey Bill: A feeding flock of a dozen Little Terns off Hillfield Road and a flock of 16 Swifts going west were the highlights of another quiet morning. Full log below. (AH)

(0645-0800hrs) (NW, F4)

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Great Black-backed Gull - 4os

Sandwich Tern - 30os

Little Tern - 12os

Swift - 16W

House Martin - 8

Little Terns (above) at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were still the families of Little Ringed Plovers, Oystercatchers and Shelducks around the pool, along with 15 adult and 25 young Avocets. (AH)

Little Ringed Plovers (above), Avocets & Oystercatcher chick at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A Greenshank was in the harbour this morning, along with the usual mass of terns and gulls. (JC)

North Wall: It was pretty quiet along the wall this morning, with a Little Ringed Plover early on, an Avocet, a Lapwing and a Common Tern on the Breech Pool, plus a Spotted Redshank in White's Creek and a Whimbrel in the harbour being the most noteworthy.

Otherwise, there were just the odd Whitethroat, Reed and Sedge Warblers and Linnets along the wall, plus a couple of Swifts and half a dozen Swallows over, with a few Grey Herons, Cattle and Little Egrets around Owl Copse and the adjacent harbour. (AH/LP/MJa et al)

Common Tern (above), Lapwing, Whitethroat & Linnet at the North Wall (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Two Greenshanks, an Avocet, two Lapwings, two pairs of Oystercatchers and two chicks and three Common Terns were on the Stilt Pool, with nine more of the latter around the rafts, whilst a Sandwich Tern was offshore and five Swifts, nine Swallows, a Kestrel and a Buzzard going over.

Also, along the banks there were a Stonechat, two Pied Wagtails, a Sedge Warbler, five Reed Warblers, a good count of c30 Whitethroats, two Reed Buntings and c20 Yellowhammers. (S&SaH)