7th - 8th October 2026

Friday, 9th October:  A day of strong winds forecast with gusts up to F8, westerly backing to south-westerly in the afternoon...dry first thing but with rain showers moving in around mid-day...

Selsey Bill: A Red-necked Grebe went west this morning and there was a good mix of species including Brent Geese, Wigeon, Meadow Pipits and Wheatears also logged. (SH/PB/P&LH/BI), full log below:

(0700-0930hrs) (WSW F6-7)

Brent Goose - 36W

Pintail - 1W

Wigeon - 43W

Common Scoter - 6E 8W 4os

Great Northen Diver - 1E 1os

Red-necked Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 3E 44W

Shag - 2E 1W

Oystercatcher - 3W 1ob

Grey Plover - 1W

Turnstone - 14

Dunlin - 5W

Kittiwake - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 7W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1E 6os

Razorbill - 2E 4W

auk sp. - 43E 25W

Meadow Pipit - 9N

Pied Wagtail - 2N 4p

Grey Wagtail - 2E

Wheatear - 2E

Brent Geese, Wigeon and kite surfers passing the Mile Basket off the Bill (BI)

Ferry Pool: It was very windy here first thing this morning and consequently all that could be found was a single Redshank, c.30 Lapwings and c.50 Black-headed Gulls. The channel was also quiet with a few more Redshanks and the regular wildfowl the sum total. (BI) This afternoon a Spoonbill was roosting at the end of Ferry Channel viewed from North Wall. (JKn)

Church Norton: A quick look early on found a few Chiffchaffs in the bushes, a mix of wildfowl including 75 Wigeon, six Pintail & 50+ Brent Geese in the harbour and plenty of Redshanks and Little Egrets along the channels. (BI) Later in the morning there were 25 Red-legged Partridges in the fields, four Jays, 15 Skylarks, eight Stonechats and 80 Linnets along the front and 20 Meadow Pipits flew over. A Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk were also seen as were two Chiffchaffs and Great-Spotted and Green Woodpeckers. A Whimbrel, a Greenshank, 80 Oystercatchers and 28 Grey Plovers were also counted. (P&LH/JKn)

Little Egret at Church Norton (BI)

MIll Lane Marsh: A flock of eight Redwings came out of the trees and c.10 Goldfinches flew over but it was generally quiet in the blustery conditions. (BI)

East Side: There were a few waders along the East Side on the rising tide including 58 Golden Plovers, 12 Bar-tailed Godwits, four Greenshanks, six Turnstones and good numbers of Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, Oystercatchers, Lapwing and Curlews, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and two Common Gulls were on the mud, and there were increasing numbers of Wigeon, Pintail and Teal as well as six Great Crested Grebes and a Little Grebe. (LP)

North Wall: A Sparrowhawk, two Kestrels and 11 Cattle were at Hasley's Farm, as were two Clouded Yellows, and along the wall were three Pied Wagtails, two Cetti's Warblers, a Chiffchaff, a Reed Bunting and two Stonechats. Four Egyptian Geese and 12 Brent Geese were in the harbour and two Golden Plover flew over the Breech Pool. A Water Rail was along Owl Water and a male & female Marsh Harriers were over the reedbeds. (SH/TS/JDW)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: There was the welcome sight of four Grey Partridges in fields to the south-east today. (JDW)

Thursday, 8th October: The brisk breeze remained from the north, but this morning was crisp and bright throughout.......

Selsey Bill: A flock of 11 Barnacle Geese west was very unexpected, whilst there were also 37 Brent Geese west, a Wheatear and four Chiffchaffs along the front and a bit of visible migration including 77 Meadow Pipits west. Full log below. (SH/IP/AH/KT/JDa)

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

Gannet - 3E, 18W

Shag - 4E

Little Egret - 1W

Barnacle Goose - 11W

Brent Goose - 1E, 37W

Shelduck - 1W

Pintail - 1W

Common Scoter - 4E

Dunlin - 5W

Turnstone - 12

Mediterranean Gull - 8W

Razorbill - 2W

auk sp - 44E

Grey Wagtail - 3W

Pied Wagtail - 18W

Meadow Pipit - 77W

Wheatear - 1

Chiffchaff - 4

Linnet - 18W

Goldfinch - 40

Brent Geese (above), Wheatear & Meadow Pipit at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just 65 Lapwings and 23 Redshanks on the pool at high tide. (AH)

Redshanks (above) & Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: There were up to 18 Stonechats around the hedges and reeds this evening, with a similar number of Linnets and a handful of Reed Buntings about, too, whilst three Yellowhammers flew over, along with two Snipe and a Peregrine, and a pair of Gadwall were among c40 Wigeon and c80 Teal in the channel. (PA/AH)

Stonechats at the Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: A Brambling flew into Priory Copse this morning and a Lesser Whitethroat popped up in the near corner of the horse field, where was a lot of activity, including a Redwing flying over, a couple of Blackcaps, half a dozen Chiffchaffs, at least Stonechats and 50+ Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails and Linnets.

There were also a Wheatear on the beach another on the concrete blocks, with at least another 25 Chiffchaffs around the hedges and four Stonechats were also on the saltmarsh by the hide, whilst three or four House Martins and c30 swallows went over.

Two Greenshanks were among c40 roosting Redshanks and a Whimbrel and a handful of Grey Plovers were about, but there were few waders on show at high tide, though plenty of Pintail, wigeon and Teal were about, along with half a dozen Brent Geese, whilst a Red Kite, at least two Marsh Harriers and four Buzzards were on the wing. (CRJ/KT/JDa/AH/IP et al)

Red Kite (above), Chiffchaff, Meadow Pipit, Whimbrel & Greenshanks at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: A Water Rail was showing well on the Breech Pool and two Grey Wagtails, two Pied Wagtails, four Chiffchaffs and four Stonechats were on the dried-up area, whilst a Snipe flew out and c50 Swallows passed over.

Along the bushes there were c20 Reed Buntings, two Blackcaps, two Cetti’s Warblers, a Yellowhammer, eight Chiffchaffs, seven Stonechats, and two Meadow Pipits, whilst five Jays and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over the fields.

A male and two female Marsh Harriers were out in the harbour, but it was quiet at Halsey’s Farm with just twelve Cattle Egrets and three Skylarks around the fields. (LP/IH/MaJ/CT/KU/EB/GR/JDW)

East Head: A Short-eared Owl flew west over West Wittering beach late this morning, possibly landing in the dunes. (PH/RWi)

Sidlesham: A Redwing went over Cow Lane early this morning. (PA)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were five Dartford Warblers along the banks today, together with three Chiffchaffs, three Cetti's Warblers, 25 Stonechats, 15 Pied Wagtails, c20 Skylarks, c50 Meadow Pipits and c100 Linnets, plus a dozen Swallows over.

Also, two Greenshank, a lone Dunlin and 52 Ringed Plovers were on the Stilt Pool, a Kingfisher, two Golden Plovers and two Greylag Geese were on the reserve and a Red Kite, a Marsh Harrier and three Kestrels and Buzzards went over. (S&SaH)

Wednesday, 7th October: A thoroughly wet and miserable morning, with persistent heavy rain from before dawn, though easing of slowly later on, but quite mild in the moderate to fresh northerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: A Grey Wagtail over and three Gannets east were as good as it got this morning! Full log below. (SH/IP/AH)

(0700-0830hrs) (NNE, F4)

Gannet - 3E

Turnstone - 9

Great Black-backed Gull - 3E, 2W

Grey Wagtail - 1E

Meadow Pipit - 3E

Turnstone at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just a Lapwing, a Redshank, five Shelducks and 16 Teal on the pool this morning, with two Buzzards in the field. (AH)

Lapwing and Shelducks (above) & Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: A Brambling was along Mill Lane this morning, whilst a Shoveler and three Teal were in the field. (LL)

Church Norton: It was mainly ducks on show on the high tide this morning, including c40 Pintail and c100 Wigeon and Teal, with the only waders being two Avocets and a flock of c20 Grey Plovers that flew around and a few roosting Curlews, Redshanks and Oystercatchers.

Otherwise, a Marsh Harrier was briefly on the wing, two Swallows went over and c150 Linnets were commuting between Tern Island and the spit. (AH)

Pintail (above) & Linnets at Church Norton (AH)

4th - 6th October 2026

Tuesday, 6th October: Early morning fog persisted through much of the morning, before finally burning off to leave it bright and sunny in a light northerly breeze............

Selsey Bill: Unsurprisingly, given the visibility, there wasn't much to report, though a Wheatear popped up on the beach and a couple of Little Egrets and 14 Meadow Pipits went west. Full log below. (SH/ PB/IP/AH/P&LH)

(0700-0830hrs) (N, F1-2)

Little Egret - 2W

Turnstone - 11 

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Swallow - 1E

Meadow Pipit - 14W

Pied Wagtail - 2

Wheatear - 1

Chiffchaff - 1

Meadow Pipit (above) & Little Egret at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were five Snipe, an Avocet, 11 Redshanks, seven Shelducks, c30 Teal and c100 Lapwings on the pool at high tide this morning. (AH)

Snipe (above) & Avocet and Lapwing at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A Woodsark and five Skylarks went over this morning, and there were two Wheatears on the concrete blocks, at least 13 Stonechats still around the horse field, whilst four Mistle Thrushes flew over the car-park and c15 Chiffchaffs were around the hedges.

A Peregrine and a Marsh Harrier were about, but the harbour was fairly quiet, with a Whimbrel, c20 Curlews,, c30 Dunlin and c45 Grey Plovers most notable. (P&LH)

North Wall: Around high tide this morning a Spoonbill was out in the harbour, along with an Avocet, three Bar-tailed Godwits, 38 Black-tailed Godwits, 26 Grey Plovers, 43 Dunlin, two Greenshank, c150 Redshanks, four Great Crested Grebes, a Little Grebe and several hundred Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Mallards.

An adult and a juvenile Water Rail were on the Breech Pool, and two Grey Wagtails, a Meadow Pipit, four Stonechats and six Reed Buntings were on the dried-up area, whilst along the bushes there were two Song Thrushes, two Yellowhammers, six Chiffchaffs, four Blackcaps, 12 Long-tailed Tits, and more Stonechats and Reed Buntings.

Another Water Rail was showing well along Owl Water and yet another was at Halsey’s Farm, where a Kingfisher was by the Rife and 22 Cattle Egrets were with the cows in the fields.

Also, both male and female Marsh Harriers dropped into the reeds and two Siskins, four Snipe, six Skylarks and several Meadow Pipits passed overhead. (HRa/LP/MJa/TRH/SP/JDW/CT/KU)

Spoonbill (above), Song Thrush, Grey Wagtail, Blackcap & Water Rail at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were seven Dartford Warblers along the banks today, along with 27 Stonechats, seven Chiffchaffs, four Cetti's Warblers, a Grey Wagtail, three Pied Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, half a dozen Yellowhammers and c100 Linnets, whilst a late sand Martin went over with c75 Swallows.

Also, two Greenshanks were on the Stilt Pool, a Cattle Egret was on the reserve and two Ravens, a Merlin,. a Peregrine, five Kestrels, thee Marsh Harriers, a Sparrowhawk and 11 Buzzards went over. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Ham Farm - Almost all the activity was around the viewpoint and adjacent field this morning, and included three Dartford Warblers, six Stonechats, a dozen or so Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers, c20 Linnets and c30 Meadow Pipits, with the banks very quiet elsewhere.in the limited visibility.

There were also c30 Redshanks in the tidal area, two or three Chiffchaffs in the willows by the farm and another pair of Stonechats and half a dozen Yellowhammers were along the lane. (AH)

Dartford Warbler (above), Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Meadow Pipit & Chiffchaff at Medmerry (AH)

Monday, 5th October: A much cooler morning, with early fog slowly clearing, but remaining very grey throughout in the light north-westerly breeze............

Selsey Bill: A Wheatear and a Chiffchaff were along the front and c180 auk ssp went west, along with just a few Brent Geese, Wigeon and Pintail, though there was virtually no visible migration. Full log below. (SH/IP/AH et al)

(0700-0900hrs) (NW, F2)

Gannet - 2E, 9W

Brent Goose - 12W

Shelduck - 1W

Wigeon - 8W

Pintail - 4W

Common Scoter - 5E, 7W

Oystercatcher - 2W

Turnstone - 5

Mediterranean Gull - 13W

Great Black-backed Gull - 2os

auk sp - 180W

Swallow - 3E

Pied Wagtail - 6E

Meadow Pipit - 10W

Wheatear - 1

Chiffchaff - 4

Bottle-nosed Dolphin - 2E

Common Seal - 3os

Wheatear (above), Chiffchaff, Brent Geese & Common Scoters at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were a Common Sandpiper, three Dunlin and a Whimbrel in the channel this morning, along with a couple of Redshanks and c50 Teal, whilst two Snipe flew over from the pool, where there were c60 Lapwings, six Shelducks and a further 22 Teal. 

Also, a Marsh Harrier went over and a ringed Long-tailed Tit was behind the hide. (DHo/TG-P/PA/AH)

Common Sandpiper (DHo) (above), Whimbrel & Lapwings and Teal (AH) & Long-tailed Tit (DHo) at the Ferry

Mill Pond Marsh: At least ten Chiffchaffs were in Mill Lane today. (ML)

Long Pool: There were four Spotted Redshanks on the pool this evening, and the Common Sandpiper was again in Ferry Channel, whilst at least eight Stonechats and three or four Reed Buntings and Linnets were along the path, and a male Marsh Harrier was out hunting. (AH)

Spotted Redshanks (above), Common Sandpiper, Marsh Harrier & Stonechat at the Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: A Brambling was heard, but not seen, in the fog early on in the churchyard, and later three Siskins dropped in, whilst there were still up to 15 Stonechats around the horse field, a Dartford Warbler along the front, a Firecrest and several Goldcrests, half a dozen Blackcaps and over 50 Chiffchaffs widely spread around the hedges and c30 Swallows and a dozen or so House Martins and Reed Buntings went over.

At least five Bar-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, a Greenshank and good numbers of Pintail Wigeon and Teal, plus a lone Shoveler, were in the harbour, whilst two Sandwich Terns went east over the spit and three different Marsh Harriers, including a near-adult male, were around at different times. 

Also, of interest, a Convolvulus Hawk-moth was beside the start of the wooden walkway.(PA/AWi/AH/Rwi et al

Bar-tailed Godwit (above), Whimbrel, Greenshank & Convolvulus Hawk-moth at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: A Kingfisher was by the sluice and an Avocet was along White’s Creek this morning, together with a Bar-tailed Godwit and all the regular species. In the bushes along the wall there were two Blackcaps and a few Stonechats, Reed Buntings and Chiffchaffs, whilst a Grey Wagtail and a Water Rail were on the Breech Pool, and seven Buzzards were circling high over the fields.

At Halsey’s Farm, two Kingfishers were by the outfall, 24 Teal and 12 Wigeon were along the rife, and two Goldcrests were along the bushes, whilst c50 Swallows, 22 Meadow Pipits and five Skylarks passed overhead. (LP/IH/DHo/JDW et al)

This evening five female/juvenile-type Marsh Harriers went in to roost, and there were also a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel about, whilst six Chiffchaffs, five Stonechats and three Cetti's Warblers were along the  wall.

Also, two Tawny Owls were heard at Halsey's Farm, whilst 74 Cattle Egrets were in the fields there, with another 15 on the Honer fields. (S&SaH)

Bar-tailed Godwit (above), Water Rail, Reed Bunting, Goldcrests & Grey Wagtail at the North Wall (LP)

East side: There were c60 Ringed Plovers, c40 Dunlin, c40 Turnstones, c20 Grey Plovers and Knot, five Brent Geese, four Pintail, c200 Wigeon, a Lesser Black backed Gull, four Black- backed Gulls along with the usual large number of Redshanks and Mallard.

There was also a Cormorant wrestling with an eel near the sluice at White's Creek and a Kingfisher was sat on the sluice. (DHo)

Kingfisher (above), Grey Plover, Turnstone, Brent Geese, Ringed Plover & Dunlin along the East side (DHo)

South Mundham: A Little Owl has been heard calling south of the village over recent nights, which is very encouraging, given this is only the second bird reported this year. A Barn Owl and two Tawny Owls were also seen/heard in the area.  (KJ/BI)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The Whinchat and Wheatear were still along the banks this morning, together with 38 Stonechats,, four Dartford Warblers, four Chiffchaffs, three Cetti's Warblers, four Reed Buntings and seven Yellowhammers.

also, a Greenshank, a Dunlin and three Snipe were on the Stilt Pool, two more Snipe and c100 Lapwings were on the reserve and a Hobby, two Marsh Harriers, a Buzzards and three Kestrels went over. (SH)

Sunday, 4th October: Another bright and still morning, cool early on, but unseasonably warm later.......

Selsey Bill: The first Red-breasted Merganser of the autumn went west, though it remains slow offshore, and visible migration was limited, though a flock of seven cattle Egrets went north over the houses, ten Grey Wagtails was a good count and there were also 93 Swallows counted. Full log below. (SH/BI/IP/AH/JFi/P&LH)

(0700-0900hrs) (NE, F1-2)

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Gannet - 3E, 3W

Shag - 1E, 3os

Cattle Egret - 7N

Brent Goose - 1W

Wigeon - 2E

Pintail - 1W, 1os

Common Scoter - 9E, 14W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Turnstone - 10

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 2E

auk sp - 62W

Swallow - 93E

House Martin - 1E

Grey Wagtail - 10W

Pied Wagtail - 9W

Meadow Pipit - 12W

Chiffchaff - 7

Magpie - 16

Linnet - 7W

Goldfinch - 6

Sandwich Tern (above), Shag & Chiffchaff at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were five Snipe on the pool this morning, along with c60 Lapwings, a juvenile Shelduck and six Teal, with c40 more of the latter and a handful of Redshanks in the channel opposite. (AH)

This afternoon, a Red Kite went over. (IP)

Snipe (above) & Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: At least eight Stonechats and a dozen Reed Buntings were along the path, together with a couple of Meadow Pipits, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs and c20 Linnets, whilst c50 Swallows and c25 House Martins were feeding overhead.

Also, two Snipe flew out from the pool and a Greenshank and c40 Redshanks were in Ferry Channel. (AH)

Snipe (above), Reed Buntings, Blackcap, Swallow & Greenshank at the Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: A Woodlark and a Hobby were the highlights this morning, though there were still c15 Stonechats and a Wheatear around the horse field, and another three of the former and one of the latter, plus c50 Meadow Pipits, along Rectory Lane, but it was quieter in the hedges, with just a Whitethroat, a handful of Blackcaps and a dozen Chiffchaffs noted, plus three House Martins, 14 Swallows, nine skylarks and five Meadow Pipits over.

Also, two Greenshanks, a Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit, two Dunlin, three Bar-tailed Godwits and 20 Grey Plovers were in the harbour, along with a Sandwich Tern and a Marsh Harrier. (IP/BI/P&LH et al)

This afternoon, a Red Kite and a Peregrine were circling over the harbour together. (GW)

Blackcaps (above), Greenshank, Whimbrel, Long-tailed Tit, Red-legged #Partridge & Kestrel at Church Norton (LH)

Mill Pond Marsh: A Brambling was heard this morning, whilst 20+ Chiffchaffs and a couple of Blackcaps were in the bushes and c50 Swallows and ~House Martins were feeding overhead. (ML)

North Wall: An Avocet, two Bar-tailed Godwits and two Greenshanks were along White’s Creek this morning, together with c80 Redshanks and c50 Black-tailed Godwits, whilst Wigeon and Pintail numbers are increasing daily.

A Snipe, three Water Rails, a Dunlin, two Grey Wagtails and two Pied Wagtails were on the Breech Pool and 28 Cattle Egrets were in the fields. The bushes along the wall were busy with 12 Stonechats, ten Chiffchaffs, two Yellowhammers, five Cetti’s Warblers and ten Reed Buntings, while c40 Meadow Pipits were around the fields and c30 Swallows passed overhead. (LP/MJa/DHo/DHi/EB/SBr)

Pintail (above), Water Rail, Grey Wagtail, Yellowhammer & Stonechats at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Chainbridge to Ham Viewpoint - It was fairly quiet this morning, with the banks producing eight Stonechats, two Dartford Warblers, two Blackcaps, five Chiffchaffs - including an adult feeding a youngster, five Cetti's Warblers and a Yellowhammer, with c20 Skylarks and Meadow Pipits around the fields and c20 Swallows over. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - It was pretty quiet here, too, except for at least 40 Chiffchaffs spread all along the hedges, particularly those adjacent to the water treatment works.

Otherwise, though, there were just half a dozen Stonechats and a couple Blackcaps, plus c30 Linnets and a Sparrowhawk, but that was about it. (AH)

Chiffchaffs (above), Stonechats & Sparrowhawk and Carrion Crow at Medmerry (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to Marsh Barn - A Red Kite was sitting out near the path this afternoon, and there were also three, and possibly four female/juvenile-type Marsh Harriers about, along with three Kestrels and three Buzzards.

There were also c30 Stonechats and a Whinchat along the banks, together with seven Dartford Warblers, 11 Chiffchaffs, five Cetti's Warblers and five Yellowhammers, with two Egyptian geese out on the reserve. (S&SaH)

Red Kite (above), Dartford Warbler, Yellowhammer (SaH), Whinchat & Dartford Warbler (SH) at Medmerry

Birdham: A flock of four Woodlarks went over the garden at 0931hrs this morning. (AB)

Runcton: South of the village this morning there were a total of 14 Egyptian Geese flying over north, with six Shovelers, eight Teal, four Tufted Ducks, two Little Grebes, a Grey Heron, two Common Buzzards, a Kestrel, two Green Woodpeckers, seven Meadow Pipits, a Grey Wagtail, two Stonechats, two Cetti’s Warblers and three Chiffchaffs also seen, along with five Roe Deer and three Clouded Yellows (CRJ)

Chichester Canal: A Hobby and a Marsh Harrier went over this afternoon, and a few Little Grebes and a pair of Gadwall were on the water, with eight Chiffchaffs, two Cetti's Warblers, two Jays and two Meadow Pipits seen from the path. (P&LH)

Marsh Harrier (above), Lttle Grebe & Gadwall at Chichester Canal (LH)