19th - 20th April 2026

Monday, 20th April: A bright and sunny morning, tempered somewhat by the freshening north-easterly breeze........

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of activity again this morning, including the first Hobby of the year in off the sea, along with two Swifts, a Yellow Wagtail and half a dozen Swallows, whilst over 200 Common Terns and a small selection of waders went east and a B lack-throated Diver was on the sea. Full log below. (SH/PB/BI/PA/KT/IP/AH)

(0545-0900hrs) (NE, F4-5)

Great Northern Diver - 4os

Black-throated Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Gannet - 8E, 9W, 8os

Mallard - 2

Hobby - 1N

Oystercatcher - 11E

Grey Plover - 4E

Ringed Plover - 2E

Dunlin - 1E

Bar-tailed Godwit - 6E

Whimbrel - 8E

Mediterranean Gull - 24E

Great Black-backed Gull - 1E, 4os

Sandwich Tern - 61E

Common Tern - 209E

Little Tern - 10E, 4os

Swift - 2N

Swallow - 6N

House Martin - 4

Yellow Wagtail - 1N

Linnet - 4

Yellowhammer - 1

Swallow (above), Whimbrel & Gannets at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There wasn't too much going on again this morning, with just a Little Ringed Plover, seven Avocets, nine Black-tailed Godwits, six Gadwall, two pairs of Shovelers and 17 Shelducks around the pool, with a Greenshank and half a dozen Black-tailed Godwits in the channel opposite, earlier on. (ABi/AH)

Little Ringed Plover (above), Gadwall & Avocet, Black-tailed Godwits and Shelducks at the Ferry (AH)

Honer Reservoir: There was no sign of the Woodchat Shrike this morning, though a Cuckoo was along Pagham Rife. (MJa et al)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A good selection along the banks this morning included three Dartford Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat, two Sedge Warblers, three Reed Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps, 11 Cetti's Warblers and 22 Whitethroats, along with two Stonechats, a Reed Bunting and half a dozen Yellowhammers, plus six Swallows over.

A dozen Avocets were the only things of note on the Stilt Pool, whilst a Cattle Egret was on the reserve and two Kestrels and six Buzzards went over. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Medmerry Trail to Porthole Farm - A Cuckoo could be heard to the north of the concrete road this morning, though it was always distant, whilst along the trail there were two Lesser Whitethroats, three or four Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Reed Warblers, with at least 25 Whitethroats being very conspicuous all the way along.

There were also a Stonechat, a couple of Yellowhammers and half a dozen Linnets and Skylarks about, whilst a couple of Swallows, a Red Kite and four Buzzards went over. (AH)

Also, a probable Nightingale was heard singing occasionally further along the Trail to Ham. (JWo)

Whitethroat (above), Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Skylark & Red Kite at Medmerry (AH)

Sunday, 19th April: A very pleasant and sunny morning, cool early on, but warming up, in just a light to moderate northerly breeze......

Selsey Bill: There was a reasonable selection of species this morning, including a female Black Redstart briefly in the gardens and the first Swift of the year, but sea passage remains minimal. Full log below. (SH/BI/IP/AH/P&LH/RW et al)

(0540-0910hrs) (N, F3)

Great Northern Diver - 2E, 6os

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Gannet - 2E, 11W

Brent Goose - 2E

Shelduck - 2E, 1os

Shoveler - 5W

Gadwall - 2E

Mallard - 2

Common Scoter - 8E

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E

Oystercatcher - 4E

Sanderling - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 61E, 2W

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1os

Great Black-backed Gull - 4os

Sandwich Tern -

Common Tern - 57E, 35os

Little Tern - 4E, 10os

auk sp - 1E

Swift - 1N

Swallow - 3N

Pied Wagtail - 1

Black Redstart - 1

Chiffchaff - 2

Common and Sandwich Terns at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Early this morning both the Spotted Redshank and the Greenshank were in Ferry Channel. (RW)

There wasn't too much around the pool later in the morning, with just a Little Ringed Plover, five Avocets, three Gadwall, eight Shovelers and seven Shelducks seen, with eight Black-tailed Godwits in the channel opposite.

There was just the usual mix of a few Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs around the adjacent hedges, too. (AH)

Little Ringed Plover, Avocet and Shovelers (above), Whitethroat & Chiffchaff at the Ferry (AH)

Honer Reservoir: The male Woodchat Shrike was in the flooded field again this morning, with a Whinchat in the vicinity, too, along with a Reed Bunting, a few Linnets and Willow Warblers, up to ten Sedge Warblers and the Little Ringed Plover.. 

Also, a Garden Warbler, a Reed Warbler and two Blackcaps were in the hedges along the path towards Bramber Farm. (MJa/RPo/BI/MB/CRJ et al)

Woodchat Shrike (above), Woodchat Shrike and Reed Bunting, Whinchat & Little Ringed Plover at Honer Reservoir (MJa)

North Wall: A Cuckoo flew over the trees at Halsey’s Farm this morning, and a couple of Lesser Whitethroats, a Chiffchaff, two Chaffinches and a Song Thrush were along the hedgerows, whilst along the wall there were lots of Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers and Whitethroats.

Just one Brent Goose was in the fields, a Whimbrel was in the harbour, and four Marsh Harriers, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and two Buzzards were also about. (DHi/LP/MRi/MJa/IH/EB/SBr/CRJ)

Lesser Whitethroat (above), Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler & Chiffchaff at the North Wall (LP)

Park Farm, Selsey: Hirundines were back at the farm this morning, with, Swallows seen coming out of stables and c20 House Martins, and a few Swallows and a Sand Martin, plus a Pied Wagtail in the vicinity.

Also, a single Wheatear flew around the fields, a pair of Red-legged Partridges were at the eastern end and a few Skylarks were displaying, whilst at least two different Cetti's Warblers were calling around Park Lane. (IP)

Church Norton: A Lesser Whitethroat was in the stunted oaks next to the horse field, with a male Kestrel hunting over the field, whilst displaying Whitethroats were everywhere, along with a pair of Blackcaps and both Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the area.

The harbour was dominated by c500 Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls and c200 Sandwich Terns, with two Common and two Little Terns among them.

There were also seven Turnstones, seven Dunlin feeding together by the metalwork, four scattered Whimbrels, two Curlews and two Ringed Plovers, with a pair of Canada Geese on Tern Island, a pair of Mute Swans and a few shelducks seen, too. (IP)

Also, along the west side, there were c100 Dunlin, six Grey Plovers and a drake Red-breasted Merganser. (RW)

Fishbourne Creek: The Glossy Ibis was reported as present again today. (per RW)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were two Whinchats along the banks just north of the Stilt Pool this afternoon. (HB)

Chichester GPs: A look around the Ivy Lake complex didn't produce much this morning, with half a dozen Pochard, c20 Tufted Ducks, four Egyptian Geese, including a leucistic bird and c20 Greylag and Canada Geese the only wildfowl, whilst along the path there were a Sedge Warbler, half a dozen Reed Warblers, two or three Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers and a pair of Reed Buntings. (AH)

Reed Warbler (above), Blackcap, Greylag Goose & leucistic Egyptian Goose at Chichester GPs (AH)

East Head: There were still five very late Golden Plovers present today, along with a Grey Plover, two Ringed Plovers and Dunlin and a good count of 16 Whimbrel.

Also around were a Yellow Wagtail, three Wheatears and seven Swallows. (PA)

Golden Plovers (above) & Wheatear at East Head (PA)

16th - 18th April 2026

Saturday, 18th April: A pleasant, quite mild morning of sun and white cloud in a moderate north-westerly breeze..........

Selsey Bill: A good mixed feeding flock of terns was offshore this morning, with another 38 Common Terns, four Whimbrel and ten Sanderlings east, whilst the first Yellow Wagtail of the year went over and four Wheatears were along the beach. Full log below. (SH/BI/AH)

(0600-0815hrs) (NW, F3-4)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Gannet - 3E, 16W

Common Scoter - 8E

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 2E, 8W

Sanderling - 10E, 4W

Whimbrel - 4E

Turnstone - 2W

Mediterranean Gull - 

Great Black-backed Gull - 6os

Sandwich Tern - 43os

Common Tern - 38E, 32os

Little Tern - 8os

Swallow - 1N

House Martin - 2

Yellow Wagtail - 1N

Wheatear - 4N 

Chiffchaff - 2

Wheatears at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Common Sandpiper was on the pool this morning, along with three Little Ringed Plovers, seven Avocets, four Lapwings, a dozen Black-tailed Godwits, four drake Gadwall, four pairs of Shovelers and c20 Shelducks.

Also, up to six Wheatears were in the dried out field at the back, along with a Skylark, plus a Swallow over, whilst three Willow Warblers were around the Tramway. (PA/AH) . 

Common Sandpiper (above), Little Ringed Plover & Gadwall at the Ferry (AH)

Honer Reservoir: A fine adult male Woodchat Shrike - the first for the Peninsula since 2007 - was in the hedges around the flooded field just south-east of the reservoir this morning, and showing well for a steady stream of observers.

Also, there were a Little Ringed Plover, a Wheatear and a pair of Shelducks on the flooded field, with a Grey Wagtail and a pair of Gadwall on the reservoir and a pair of Yellowhammers and along the lane and another seven Wheatears in the uncropped fields there.. 

(JDW/BI/AH/MRe/PA/CS/AB/CD/CRJ/S&SaH et al)

Woodchat Shrike (above), Little Ringed Plover & Grey Wagtail at Honer Reservoir (AH)

Long Pool: A Corn Bunting was singing from the field at the far end of the pool this morning - a very unusual occurrence these days, and there were also a couple of Yellowhammers, half a dozen Reed Buntings, a Lesser Whitethroat, a couple of Reed Warblers, up to ten Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats and c20 Linnets along the path.

Also, a Greenshank and a few Redshanks were in Ferry Channel and a pair of Shovelers and a pair of Little Grebes were on the pool. (PA/AH)

Sedge Warbler (above), Greenshank & Shoveler at the Long Pool (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: A Reed Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and a pair of Gadwall were around the flooded field today. (LL)

North Wall: The first Whinchat of the year, three Wheatears two Linnets and two Skylarks were around Owl Point field this morning and along the reeds and bushes there were many Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers, Reed Buntings, Whitethroats, and Cetti’s Warblers, as well as a Couple of Blackcaps, a Willow Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Out in the harbour, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank and a Whimbrel were by Heron Island and six Grey Plovers were further out but elsewhere it was just the two Brent Geese in the fields, two male and two female Marsh Harriers over the reeds, and a Sparrowhawk in the hedgerow. (LP/SP/MJa)

Wheatear (above), Whitethroat & Sparrowhawk at the North Wall (LP)

Late this afternoon a Hoopoe called a couple of times from near Halsey's Farm Barn, but could not be relocated. (PA/IKP)

Also, the male Whinchat was still in Owl Point field, along with up to five Wheatears, and showing well. (AB/CD/NM/PA/IP/Bi/AH et al)

Whinchat (above) & Wheatear at the North Wall (AH)

Medmerry: Coastguards to the Breach - Five Wheatears were along the path between the Coastguard Station and the Windmill early this morning. (AW)

This afternoon, there were a dozen Sanderlings in the tidal area at the Breach. (R Davies)

Sanderlings at Medmerry (R Davies)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Yellow Wagtail was with the cows this morning, whilst along the banks there were seven Wheatears, two Stonechats, a Dartford Warbler, two or three Reed and Sedge Warblers, a Blackcap, six Chiffchaffs, four Cetti's Warblers, four Reed Buntings, four Yellowhammers and a good count of 31 Whitethroats.

Also, ten Avocets and a Red-breasted Merganser were on the Stilt Pool, a Little Ringed Plover was on the pool opposite and two Swallows, two Buzzards and a Kestrel went over. (S&SaH/EB)

Yellow Wagtail (SaH), Avocets, Greenshank, Red-breasted and Oystercatcher, Buzzard & Whitethroat at Medmerry (EB)

Runcton: South of the village there was an obliging male Wheatear and a Whitethroat. (CRJ)

Marsh Farm Sidlesham: A flooded patch in one of the fields held ten Cattle Egrets, a Redshank, a Greenshank, and a Wheatear, whilst around the farm there were a Cattle Egret, a Reed Warbler, several Whitethroats, three Yellowhammers and ten Linnets. (CRJ)

Chichester GPs: Drayton House pits - There was a surprise on the WeBS count this morning with the unexpected appearance of two drake Red-crested Pochards - presumably the same birds reported a few days earlier on some of the other pits. Egyptian Geese and Greylags were also prominent, with three pairs of each having broods of young in tow and a number of other adults that may yet produce more. 

The other regular wildfowl species were present, now in low numbers, but passerine interest was also of note, with joint totals of at least 12 Reed Warblers and six Cetti's Warblers singing and an elusive pair of Bullfinches on the North pit, chasing each other in presumed courtship. (OM)

At Drayton House pits this morning: two drake Red-crested Pochards (above), Egyptian Goose with young, and (lower) two broods of Greylag Geese with adults and a mixed flock of two broods of Egyptian Geese. (OM)

Friday, 17th April: Slowly warming up after a cool start in a freshening southerly breeze with some hazy sun amid the generally murky conditions.......

Selsey Bill: A Garganey went east with a Common Scoter early on, whilst an Arctic Skua and seven Common Terns also went east, and a Bonxie and ten Little Terns were offshore, though eastward passage remains very slight overall. Full log below. (BI/TR/IP/P&LH/AH et al)

(0600-0900hrs) (SSW, F4-5)

Great Northern Diver - 4os

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Gannet - 4E, 26W

Shag - 3E

Brent Goose - 3E

Shelduck - 6W

Garganey - 1E

Common Scoter - 17E, 1W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 1E, 3W

Turnstone - 12

Sanderling - 1E

Great Skua - 1os

Arctic Skua - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 4E, 8W

Great Black-backed Gull - 10os

Sandwich Tern - 41E, 13W, 15os

Common Tern - 7E, 2os

Little Tern - 2E, 10os

Skylark - 1W

Swallow - 2N

House Martin - 1N

Chiffchaff - 1

Linnet - 1E

Later, at 0945hrs, a smart summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver went west. (AW)

(1300-1400hrs) (P&LH)

Gannet - 4E

Great Black-backed Gull - 2os

Sandwich Tern - 2W

Swallow - 2

House Martin - 5

Meadow Pipit - 1

Great Northern Diver at the Bill (AW)

Ferry Pool: The pair of Little Ringed Plovers were on the islands this morning, and there were also seven Avocets, four Redshanks, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 18 Shelducks, a pair of Teal, three Gadwall and ten Shovelers, plus a Skylark, about thje pool and fields. 

Also, a Lesser Whitethroat was in Yeoman's Field and one or two Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, plus four Cetti's Warblers were around the Tramway circuit.(AH/TR/HR/P&LH et al)

Little Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwits and Shoveer (above), Black-tailed Godwit & Avocets and Shelduck at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A Spoonbill (presumably the one seen earlier around Medmerry) flew over the car-=park heading towards the Ferry, whilst at least 15 Little Terns and half a dozen Common Terns were feeding around the harbour mouth this morning, with plenty of Sandwich Terns bringing in fish and displaying on the last bits of mud before high tide.

There wasn't too much else to report, with waders restricted to three Whimbrel, a Curlew, two Dunlin, two Ringed Plovers, ten Grey Plovers and a few Oystercatchers, with c30 Shelducks also in the harbour, whilst a Coal Tit, a Willow Warbler and a few Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were around the hedges. (P&LH/AH et al)

Little Tern (above) & Common Tern at Church Norton (AH)

There wasn't too much to add this afternoon, though two Wheatears were on the concrete blocks and three Bar-tailed Godwits were in the harbour. (AH)

Wheatear (above), Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel and Curlews & Mediterranean Gull at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: A Merlin flew through the paddock pursuing a Linnet, and four Marsh Harriers, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel were around the trees further back.

A Spotted Redshank was along White’s Creek, and a pair of Red Breasted Mergansers, three Great Crested Grebes, and 42 Shelducks were in the harbour, along with a group of c60 daders - mostly Grey Plovers and Dunlin, as well as four Knot and two Bar-tailed Godwits.

Six Tufted Ducks were on the Breech Pool, and the two Brent Geese were again in the fields, whilst there were lots of Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers and Cetti’s Warblers along the reeds, a Kingfisher was about, and a Wheatear was along the rocks.

At Halsey’s Farm, two more Wheatears and two Skylarks were along the fences, and two Whitethroats, two Blackcaps, three Chiffchaffs, a Song Thrush and a Green Woodpecker were in the trees. (LP/TRH/IP/MJa)

Wheatear (above), Red-breasted Merganser, Sedge Warbler, Song Thrush, Skylark & Cattle Egret at the North Wall (LP)

Fishbourne Creek: This morning there was a Glossy Ibis at the top of the creek, with the tide rising it was later on the western bank opposite the Lavant outflow and later flying around the trees near the sewage works.

Also, 11 Greenshank were also in the top of the creek before later roosting off Dell Quay, whilst at the Lavant outflow there were nine Bar-tailed Godwits and 20 Black-tailed Godwits, plus a Black Swan was associating with the Mute Swan herd. (RW)

Chichester GPs: An adult and a first winter bird were present this evening. (KT/Birdguides)

Medmerry: A Spoonbill went over the reserve early this morning, initially making for the Stilt Pool, and then seen heading for the Breach. (AS)

Medmerry: Windmill area - Just after sunrise this morning there was a Wheatear on the beach in front of the windmill and three Shags went past heading east. (AW)

Wheatear (above) & Shags at Medmerry (AW)

Thursday, 16th April: A hazily bright and breezy morning, with a mix of white cloud and sun in a brisk and blustery south-westerly.......

Selsey Bill: It was another slow morning, with an Arctic Skua and a Whimbrel east and a Little Tern west the meagre highlights. Full log below. (AH/KT/IP)

(0700-0900hrs) (SW, F4-5)

Gannet - 1E, 41W

Common Scoter - 7E

Oystercatcher - 2W

Turnstone - 7

Whimbrel - 1E

Arctic Skua - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

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

Kittiwake - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 2E, 8W, 21os

Little Tern - 1W

auk sp - 2W

Swallow - 1N

Pied Wagtail - 1

Gannet at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Two Little Ringed Plovers were on the pool this morning, along with five Avocets, four Lapwings, eight Redshanks, 22 Black-tailed Godwits, eight Shovelers, four drake Gadwall, a pair of Teal and 18 Shelducks. (AH)

Lapwing (above), Gadwall, Little Ringed Plover and Black-tailed Godwits & Avocets, Redshank, Shoveler and Shelducks at the Ferry (AH)

This evening, the Spotted Redshank and the Greenshank were back in Ferry Channel, along with half a dozen Black-tailed Godwits and a dozen Redshanks. (AH)

Spotted Redshank (above) & Greenshank at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: A Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Stock Dove and two pairs of Tufted Ducks were the highlights this morning. (LL)

Church Norton: A quick look this evening produced three Common Terns among the multitude of Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls, though a Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Curlew were the only waders seen.

Also, a Mistle Thrush, four Jays and a Red-legged Partridge were along Rectory Lane. (AH)

Common Terns (above) & Mistle Thrush at Church Norton (AH)

Chichester GPs: Two male Red-crested Pochards were on Ivy Lake this afternoon, with one of them flying around before returning to the other. Also, a Common Tern was flying around over the lake and a few Reed Warblers were calling along the path. (AW)

Red-crested Pochards (above), Reed Warbler & Common Tern at Chichester GPs (AW)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm to Ham Farm - Whitethroats were the most conspicuous species this morning, with at least 25 spread around all the hedges at both farms and the trail in-between, though otherwise it was just the expected resident species, including half a dozen Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings, c20 Skylarks and c40 Linnets.

Also, at Porthole Farm, there were c50 Swallows and c20 House Martins over the settling tanks, with a few stock Doves around the fields there and a dozen Mediterranean Gulls over west, whilst at Ham there were a pair of Stonechats along the bank and a couple of Reed Warblers in the ponds. (AH)

Whitethroatr (above), Yellowhammer, Skylark & Linnets at Medmerry (AH)