20th - 21st March 2026

Saturday, 21st March: Another lovely spring day with sunshine and very little cloud in a moderate E/SE breeze..

Chi GPs: Drayton House pits - The WeBS this morning produced two White-fronted Geese on the South pit, in amongst a flock of Greylags - the flock then flying over to the fields opposite before returning a little while later. Other highlights between the two pits included a total of 13 Egyptian Geese - one pair having a new brood of c10 small young with them - and a total of 51 Pochard still present with 30 Tufted Ducks. (OM)

White-fronted Geese at Drayton House pits this morning, and (lower two) Egyptian Geese and brood (OM)

Friday, 20th March: A lovely spring morning of quite warm, if hazy, sunshine in just a light to moderate north-easterly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: A smart pair of Wheatears were around the beach and gardens this morning, and two Red Kites drifted west over the gardens, but migration was otherwise restricted to a Chiffchaff and a few Meadow Pipits in off the sea and 14 Brent Geese east. Full log below. (BI/IP/AH/P&LH et al)

(0545-0900hrs) (NE, F3)

Great Northern Diver - 4os

Great Crested Grebe - 2E, 2W, 3os

Gannet - 2os

Shag - 2E

Brent Goose - 14E

Shoveler - 1os, then W

Common Scoter - 8E, 1W, 1os

Red-breasted Merganser -

Red Kite - 2W

Oystercatcher - 8W

Turnstone - 10W

Mediterranean Gull - 3E

Black-headed Gull - 59E

Common Gull - 1E

Great Black-backed Gull - 8os

Sandwich Tern - 2E, 1os

Meadow Pipit - 28N

Pied Wagtail - 1N

Song Thrush - 1

Wheatear - 2

Chiffchaff - 1N, 1 present

Linnet - 1E

Goldfinch - 2E

Also, later a Swallow came in at the Bill and a Red Kite went east over Albion Road. (MRe et al)

Wheatears (top & lower AH, middle LH) (above), Red Kites (top LH, lower two AH) & Great Northern Diver (AH) at the Bill

The sea was particularly quiet, with just four Great Black-backed Gulls offshore the only interest, so a check of the gardens and a walk along the beach soon followed. 

A flock of c30 Turnstones was present near the Hillfield car-park area, then a Purple Sandpiper was noted amongst them - before a nearby dog walker soon flushed the lot westwards, with the Purple Sandpiper re-appearing off Warner Road. (OM/P&LH)

(1200-1445hrs) 

Gannet - 1E, 7W

Common Scoter - 12E

Red-breasted Merganser - 2W

Oystercatcher - 1W

Purple Sandpiper - 1

Turnstone - 30

Great Black-backed Gull - 4os

Turnstone and Purple Sandpiper (OM) (above) & Purple Sandpiper (LH) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: The pair of Common Cranes seen earlier and again later over the North Wall were seen going over the farm shop, just south of the Ferry at 0910hrs. (P&LH)

The five Ruff were present again this morning at the back, along with a Snipe, two Green Sandpipers, five Redshanks, two Lapwings and c25 Black-tailed Godwits, plus two Avocets on the pool, whilst wildfowl comprised 11 Shelducks, six Gadwall, c40 Shovelers and Teal and c100 Wigeon.

Also, a Red Kite and four Buzzards went over, and three Chiffchaffs and three Cetti's Warblers were in the hedges. (OM/AH/P&LH et al)

Avocets (above) & Lapwing and Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: Highlight of the morning were two Common Cranes that flew in from the north east, and over the back of the Honer fields, before heading off towards Selsey, and an hour later returning across the harbour and heading back north east.

Elsewhere it was fairly quiet, although the three White-fronted Geese were out in the harbour, as well as a few Grey Plovers and Dunlin, whilst on the Breech Pool there were five Tufted Ducks, and in the fields, a dozen Mediterranean Gulls were part of a larger gull flock, 68 Curlews were at the back, and a pair of Gadwall were on the water.

At Owl Copse, Cattle Egrets, Little Egrets and Grey Herons were all present, and at Halsey’s Farm 28 Meadow Pipits, six Skylarks, five Linnets and a couple of Long-tailed Tits were around the fields, also four Buzzards and three Marsh Harriers were seen during the morning. (LP/SP)

Common Cranes (above), White-fronted Geese, Gadwall, Redshank, Linnet, Mediterranean Gulls &Y Cattle Egrets at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: There was little to report this morning beyond a few waders, including ten Knot, c40 Dunlin, c50 Grey Plovers and c25 Turnstones, plus six Mediterranean Gulls and a few Wigeon and Teal. (P&LH)

East Head: There was Wheatear here this morning. (PH)

17th - 19th March 2026

Thursday, 19th March: Another sunny morning, and warmer, too, despite the moderate to brisk easterly breeze.......

Selsey Bill: A Serin - the earliest ever, and only the second March record - flew in early this morning and lingered around the Oval field for some minutes, and was reported again by visiting birders later. Also, two unidentifiable grey geese went east and nearly 50 Meadow Pipits came in, but general sea passage remains slight. Full log below. (PA/SH/IP/AH/MO-W)

(0600-0900hrs) (ESE, F4)

Great Northern Diver - 4os

Gannet - 3E, 3W

Shag - 1E

grey goose sp - 2E

Brent Goose - 4E

Pintail - 4E

Shoveler - 6E

Mallard - 1W

Common Scoter - 18E, 6os

Red-breasted Merganser - 2W

Oystercatcher - 2E

Turnstone - 3

Mediterranean Gull - 3E

Common Gull - 1E

Great Black-backed Gull - 2E, 5os

Sandwich Tern - 7os

Meadow Pipit - 49N

Pied Wagtail - 4N

Serin - 1

Linnet - 7

Great Northern Diver (above) & Shovelers at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were five Ruff on the fields at the back this morning, along with a Green Sandpiper, two Lapwings and four Redshanks, with two Avocets on the pool. 

There were also still c120 Wigeon about, along with six Shelducks, six Gadwall and c40 Teal and Shovelers, along with a pair of Mediterranean Gulls. (AS/PA/AH et al)

Mediterranean Gull (above) & Avocets and Shelduck at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: What was presumably the four Barnacle Geese seen a couple of weeks ago resurfaced on the Breech Pool, before flying off inland, and the three White-fronted Geese were on the Breech Pool, too, along with a pair of Great Crested Grebes and a pair of Gadwall, with a few Cattle Egrets, Little Egrets and Grey Herons around Owl Copse. (EB)

White-fronted Geese (above), Great Crested Grebes, Gadwall, Cattle Egret & Little Egret and Grey Heron at the North Wall (EB)

Long Pool: A pair of Yellowhammers were along the hedges this evening, along with a couple of Chiffchaffs and Linnets, whilst several Redshanks were displaying around the fields, a Marsh Harrier went over the harbour and an Avocet, c50 Teal and c100 Wigeon were at the far end of Ferry Channel. (AH)

Yellowhammer (above) & Redshank along the Long Pool (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Yellowhammer, three Reed Buntings, a Chiffchaff, four Cetti's Warblers, five Skylarks and c20 Linnets were along the banks, with a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard and a Kestrel over.

Also, six Brown Hares were on the reserve and quite a few Peacock butterflies were on the wing. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - A look round this morning produced just the expected species in small numbers, including a pair of Stonechats, three Chiffchaffs, half a dozen Yellowhammers and Skylarks and a dozen Linnets and Meadow Pipits, plus a Snipe and five Buzzards. (AH)

Stonechats (above), Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer, Skylark & Snipe at Medmerry (AH)

Wednesday, 18th March: A bright and sunny morning, but with a bite in the brisk easterly breeze....

Selsey Bill: A first Garganey of the year - a drake - went east this morning, trailing a flock of Common Scoters, whilst a few Brent Geese and a few ducks went east, too, with a Redpoll - also a first for the year, a couple of Skylarks and a few Meadow Pipits came in off the sea. Full log below. (PB/PM/AH/IP/MO-W/CRJ)

(0600-0930hrs) (E, F5)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 3E

Great Crested Grebe - 3W

Gannet - 1E, 2W

Brent Geese - 57E

Shelduck - 6E

Garganey - 1E

Pintail - 2E

Teal - 10E

Shoveler - 3E

Common Scoter - 54E, 2W, 4os

Red-breasted Merganser - 4E

Oystercatcher - 2E

Turnstone - 10

Mediterranean Gull - 2E

Great Black-backed Gull - 10E, 3os

Kittiwake - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 14E

Skylark - 2N

Meadow Pipit - 30N

Pied Wagtail - 3N

Wheatear - 1

Redpoll - 1N

Linnet - 3E

Chaffinch - 1E

Wheatear (above), Brent Geese (PM), Common Scoter, Great Northern Diver (AH), Blackbird & sea-watchers (CRJ) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: The Ruff and a Green Sandpiper were present this morning, along with c30 Black-tailed Godwits, two Avocets, five Redshanks, 12 Shelducks, six Gadwall, c40 Shovelers and Teal and c100 Wigeon. (CRJ/AH/OM/BFF et al)

Black-tailed Godwits and Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: The three White-fronted Geese were on the Breech Pool early on before moving into the fields, where there were also three Brent Geese, two Egyptian Geese, three Canada Geese, two Mute Swans, four Shelduck, and two Wigeon, whilst on the Breech Pool itself there were two Tufted Ducks, a Great Crested Grebe and three Little Grebes, with a Kingfisher flying across.

There were 26 Bar-tailed Godwits and over 200 Grey Plovers in the harbour, along with four Pintail, a few Golden Plovers, Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlin, and 11 Snipe were disturbed by the rising tide and flew across the wall into the fields, whilst up to 40 Cattle Egrets were around Owl Copse, as well as two Little Egrets and six Grey Herons.

It was quiet along the bushes, with just two Yellowhammers, a Chiffchaff, four Long-tailed Tits, four Reed Buntings and two Greenfinches seen, but it was busier around the paddock, with two Grey Wagtails, two Pied Wagtails, a Common Gull, four Jays, a Green Woodpecker and two Goldcrests the highlights, whilst further back, five Marsh Harriers, four Buzzards, and a Peregrine were also about. (MJa/LP/CT/JDW/BFF/OM)

White-fronted Goose (above), Brent Geese, Great Crested Grebe & Marsh Harrier at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - It was very quiet along the banks in the breeze this morning, though it active on the Stilt Pool, where there were a Greenshank, 15 Avocets, three Dunlin, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, to Mediterranean Gulls and a pair of Stonechats, whilst a sub-adult Peregrine went over, with an adult bird and three Buzzards going over the reserve, too. (PB/PM)

This evening, a Dartford Warbler, three Stonechats,, a Reed Bunting, ten Yellowhammers, seven Cetti's Warblers, six skylarks and c20 Meadow Pipits and Linnets were along the banks, whilst a Water Rail was in one of the pools, c20 Brent Geese were on the reserve and five Avocets, a Greenshank and a Ringed Plover were on the Stilt Pool. (S&SaH)

Peregrine at Medmerry (PM)

West Itchenor: A look down to the Horse Pond fields failed to produce any Grey Partridges, though a pair of Red-legged Partridges were about, along with a couple of Yellowhammers, a Meadow Pipit, a Chiffchaff and half a dozen Linnets, with three or four Buzzards on the wing, too.

The only things in the harbour were a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, at least eight Great Crested Grebes and c40 Brent Geese, plus the odd Curlew and Oystercatcher. (AH/IP)

Red-breasted Mergansers (above), Brent Geese & Red-legged Partridge at West Itchenor (AH)

Tuesday, 17th March: A fairly pleasant morning of sunshine and cloud, but surprisingly cool despite the moderate southerly breeze....

Selsey Bill: It was another very quiet morning, with 31 Brent Geese east the only suggestion of migration. Full log below. (AH/IP/P&LH et al)

(0710-0825hrs) (SSW, F4)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Great Crested Grebe - 2W

Brent Goose - 47E

Common Scoter - 5E, 3W

Oystercatcher - 1E

Curlew - 1E

Great Black-backed Gull - 2E, 1os

Sandwich Tern - 2os

This afternoon, a Wheatear was on the beach. Full log below. (P&LH)

(1330-1430hrs)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Red-throated Diver - 3E

Teal - 8os

Turnstone - 12

Great Black-backed Gull - 2os

Sandwich Tern - 1E

Wheatear - 1

Sandwich Tern (above), Brent Geese & Common Scoters at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were two Green Sandpipers present this morning, along with the Ruff, two Avocets, two Snipe, four Oystercatchers, six Redshanks, 33 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Shelducks, eight Gadwall, c40 Shovelers and Teal and c150 Wigeon, plus single Lesser. and Great Black-backed Gulls, with four Chiffchaffs and three Cetti's Warblers in the adjacent hedges. (AH/HR/.DM/P&LH)

Green Sandpiper (above), Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit & Gadwall at the Ferry (AH)

West Itchenor: Two Grey Partridges were seen near in the fields near the Horse Pond along the path to Rookwood this morning. (HR/DM)

Church Norton: There were just seven Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Turnstones, c35 Dunlin, c30 Shelducks, c20 Teal and a dozen Wigeon in the harbour towards high tide, whilst five Chiffchaffs, four Cetti's Warblers and two Long-tailed Tits were around the hedges and a Reed Bunting and a dozen Linnets were along the front. (P&LH)

North Wall: It was very quiet here this morning, though a Kingfisher was by the sluice, the three White-fronted Geese were tucked away in the fields at the back, the male and two female Marsh Harriers were seen, along with a Red Kite and two Buzzards, and 24 Cattle Egrets were at Halsey's Farm, with another half a dozen in Owl Copse.

Otherwise, c100 Wigeon were split between Halsey's Farm and the harbour, a dozen Shelducks and c40 Curlews were in the fields and a few Grey Plovers, Knot and Dunlin were in the harbour on the high tide.

Also, a couple of Cetti's Warblers and Reed Buntings were along the wall, with another of the latter, a Chiffchaff, two Pied Wagtails, a Common Gull and  and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the paddocks and two singing Chiffchaffs, plus a Stock Dove, were at Halsey's Farm. (AH/LP/TRH)

Cattle Egrets (above), Marsh Harrier, Chiffchaff, Stock Dove (AH), Red Kite, Common Gull, Reed ~Bunting, Pied Wagtail & Dunnock (LP) at the North Wall