1st - 3rd June 2026

Wednesday, 3rd June: A cool and very grey morning, with spells of drizzly rain blown through by the stiff south-westerly breeze,  approaching gale-force later.....

Selsey Bill: Two Fulmars went west and another, plus 15 Common Scoters went east and an Arctic Skua was lingering offshore this morning, around the vast feeding flock. Full log below. (SH/AH)

(0600-0900hrs) (SW, F5-6)

Great crested Grebe - 1W

Fulmar - 1E, 2W

Gannet - 2E, 25W

Common Scoter - 15E

Kestrel - 1

Curlew - 1W

Arctic Skua - 1os

Great Black-backed Gull - 5W, 2os

Sandwich Tern - 204os

Common Tern - 6os

Little Tern - 2os

House Martin - 15

Fulmars (above), Gannet & Kestrel at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were still c15 Avocet chicks and 42 adults on the pool this morning, along with a Little Ringed Plover, two Shelducks, c100 Black-tailed Godwits, a drake Teal and six Shelducks. (AH)

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

North Wall: The Barn Owl was showing well at Halsey's Farm early this morning. (MJa)

Barn Owl at the North Wall (MJa)

Church Norton: A flock of 38 Ringed Plovers and two Dunlin were on the mud off the benches this morning, with a Whimbrel and half a dozen Curlews and Oystercatchers also present, whilst there was a continuous stream of Sandwich Terns heading off or returning with fish, but beyond a couple of Little Terns, that was about it. (AH)

Ringed Plovers (above), Whimbrel & Sandwich Tern at Church Norton (AH)

Chichester GPs: The pair of Red-crested Pochards and their now well-grown family, plus the extra male, were all on New Lake again early this afternoon, along with a female Pochard and three ducklings and another three males and a pair of Gadwall, with c20 Swifts and Swallows, ten Sand Martins and five House Martins feeding overhead. (AH)

Red-crested Pochards (above) & Sand Martin at Chichester GPs (AH)

Tuesday, 2nd June: After heavy overnight rain, continuing past dawn, a mostly grey and muggy morning, though with the odd sunny spell, in a fresh westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: Two Great Northern Divers west was a surprise this morning, and there were also an Arctic Skua, a Kittiwake and six Common Scoters going east. Full log below. (AH/IP)

(0630-0830hrs) (WSW, F4-5)

Great Northern Diver - 2W

Gannet - 9W

Common Scoter - 6E

Oystercatcher - 1W

Arctic Skua - 1E

Great Black-backed Gull - 12os

Kittiwake - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 200os

Common Tern - 8os

Little Tern - 6os

Swift - 3

House Martin - 12

Great Northern Diver (above), Little Tern & Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were still at least 15 Avocet chicks about, though only 28 adults, along with a Greenshank that flew in from the channel opposite, a Little Ringed Plover, two Redshanks, c80 Black-tailed Godwits, a Teal, eight Shelducks and c20 Mallards. (AH)

Greenshank (above), Avocet chick & Black-tailed Godwit at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were again vast numbers of  Sandwich Terns coming and going this morning, along with the odd Common and Little Terns, with waders restricted to two Whimbrel, five Curlews and Oystercatchers and a dozen or so distant Dunlin and Ringed Plovers.

A Whitethroat and a Blackcap were it for the hedges, though three Swallows were along Rectory Lane. (AH)

Sandwich Tern (above), Whimbrel & Whitethroat at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: It was just the regular species seen along the wall this morning, with a Cuckoo calling from the trees, the male Marsh Harrier up high and the usual mix of Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers, Cetti’s Warblers and Whitethroats along the bushes, along with a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap and two Linnets.
The Swallows were busy around the stables and two Swifts were overhead, also the first Pyramidal Orchid of the year was starting to bloom in their usual patch along the lower path. (LP/IH)

Sedge Warbler (above), Swallow, Cattle Egret & Pyramidal Orchid at the North Wall (LP)

Chichester GPs: The pair of Red-crested Pochards and four ducklings re-surfaced on New Lake today, having been hiding for the last fortnight. (IH)

Monday, 1st June: A mostly bright, but blustery morning, cool early on but warming up later, with the breeze freshening steadily from the south-west.....

Selsey Bill: There were at least 250 Sandwich Terns feeding offshore, but the only things moving were a flock of 15 Common Scoters east and six Gannets west. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0705-0805hrs) (SW, F3-4)

Gannet - 6W

Common Scoter - 15E

Mediterranean Gull - 4W

Sandwich Tern - 250os

Common Tern - 10os

Little Tern - 4os

House Martin - 20

Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were still at least 15 Avocet chicks and 42 adults on the pool this morning, along with a Little Ringed Plover, two Redshanks, c125 Black-tailed Godwits and six Shelducks. (AH)

Little Ringed Plover at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The Sandwich Tern conveyor belt was in full swing this morning, with a constant flow of birds heading off west and returning with fish, with more sat on the mud, along with a dozen Little Terns and half a dozen Common Terns.

Waders were few, though, with just a Whimbrel, two Curlews and half a dozen Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers seen, and the hedges were quiet beyond a couple of Whitethroats and Linnets, plus a couple of Swallows over. (AH)

Sandwich Terns (above), Sandwich, Common and Little Terns & Linnet at Church Norton (AH)

29th - 31st May 2026

Sunday, 31st May: A much cooler morning of light cloud and hazy sun in a moderate westerly breeze........

Selsey Bill: There were lots of terns feeding quite close offshore this morning, but not too much else. Full log below. (AH/IP)

(0645-0800hrs) (W, F4)

Gannet - 2W

Mallard - 2E

Sandwich Tern - 200os

Common Tern - 25os

Little Tern - 20os

Swift - 2

House Martin - 20

Later in the morning, an Arctic Skua was offshore. Full log below. (SH)

(0930-1030hrs) 

Kestrel - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 133os

Common Tern - 3os

Little Tern - 2os

Green Woodpecker - 1

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

Ferry Pool: There were at least 15 Avocets chicks and 42 adults still this morning, along with a Little Ringed Plover, two Redshanks, c125 Black-tailed Godwits, six Shelducks and eight Gadwall. (AH)

Avocets at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: A quick look this morning produced the usual suspects, including plenty of Reed and Sedge Warblers, two or three Cetti's Warblers and Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, five Reed Buntings and c20 Linnets, plus a couple of Skylarks in the adjacent fields. (AH)

Sedge Warbler (above), Chiffchaff & Skylark along the Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: A Marsh Harrier was sat in trees at the back of the Severals mid-morning today. (HK)

Marsh Harrier at Church Norton (HK)

North Wall: A Sandwich Tern and two Little Terns were along White’s Creek this morning, and on the Breech Pool there were two Tufted Ducks and two Great Crested Grebes on the water, and two Sand Martins were skimming the surface.

A Red Kite, a Kestrel and three Buzzards were up over the fields, and along the wall there was the usual Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers, as well as two Linnets. (LP/MJa/SP/KU/CT)

Sandwich Tern (above), Reed Warbler, Linnet & Tufted Duck at the North Wall (LP)

Pagham Spit: There were still at least 60 Little Terns around their island this morning, though they were again quite flighty, with an endless procession of Sandwich Terns and the odd Common Tern heading for Tern Island.

Very few waders were seen - just a Turnstone and a handful of Ringed Plovers at the spit end and a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Curlew and half a dozen Oystercatchers in the harbour, with a couple of Skylarks and Linnets about the only other things noted. (AH)

Little Terns (above), Sandwich Terns & Viper's Bugloss at Pagham Spit (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Three Greenshanks, three Common Terns and five Oystercatchers were on the Stilt Pool this morning, with eight more Common Terns around the rafts, whilst two Sandwich Terns were offshore, two Lapwings and four Green Woodpeckers were on the reserve and seven Swifts, six Swallows, a Raven, a Marsh Harrier and two Buzzards went over.

Also, a dozen Reed Warblers, four Sedge and Cetti's Warblers, two Chiffchaffs, c30 Whitethroats, two stonechats, a Reed Bunting and c30 Yellowhammers were along the banks. (S&SaH)

Saturday, 30th May: A return to the very warm and sunny weather this morning, with just a light north-westerly breeze........

Well done to the RSPB Pagham Harbour! I confess I am amongst others who have occasionally been critical of the actions - or inactions - of the local RSPB  from time to time, so I feel we should recognise when things markedly improve. A case in point is the Ferry Pool which now has a colony of breeding Avocets this year and other species too. Added to that, the water level has been maintained in a sensible way, producing plenty of waders this spring. I'm aware there are still some ongoing problems and I trust these will be resolved asap, but credit where it's due - good job so far. And also an honourble mention for the Tern Island; the preparation work seems to be paying off this year, so let's hope the breeding colonies remain. We often forget to say thanks when things go right, so I will on behalf of all who benefit. (OM/Eds)

Selsey Bill: There was marginally more activity this morning, including five Common Scoters east and a few Common and Little Terns among the Sandwich Terns offshore. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0650-0805hrs) (NW, F2)

Gannet - 2W

Common Scoter - 5W

Oystercatcher - 2E

Mediterranean Gull - 1os

Great Black-backed Gull - 1os

Sandwich Tern - c100os

Common Tern - 4os

Little Tern - 6os

Swift - 2

House Martin - 20

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

Ferry Pool: There was an increase to 17 Avocet chicks this morning, with 44 adults -including plenty still sitting - present, too, along with what appears to be a pair of Little Ringed Plovers and another long-staying male interloper.

There were also 134 Black-tailed Godwits, two Redshanks, eight Gadwall, six Shelducks and c25 Mallard on the pool and a Red Kite went over, later on, whilst plenty of Painted Ladies were on the wing. (AW/AH/IP)

Little Ringed Plovers (AW) (above), Avocets (AW top, AH lower), Red Kite, Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits (AH) & Painted Lady (AW) at the Ferry

Long Pool: The pair of Great Crested Grebes still had one chick with them on the pool this morning. (AW)

Great Crested Grebes on the Long Pool (AW)

North Wall: Early this morning the Barn Owls were active again around Halsey's Farm. (AD)

Barn Owl at the North Wall (AD)

It was generally quiet later on, though Cuckoos were calling sporadically from Halsey's Farm and the trees behind the Breech Pool, and both male and female Marsh Harriers were seen, along with a Kingfisher, a Lapwing and a pair of Tufted ducks, whilst at least eight newly-fledged Grey Herons were in the harbour, with a couple more in Owl Copse, along with a few Cattle and Little Egrets.

A Lesser Whitethroat, several Whitethroats and Reed Buntings and plenty of Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers were along the wall, with a couple of Swallows going over, and Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were at Halsey's Farm, but a Whimbrel, up to four Bar-tailed Godwits and a couple of Grey Plovers were all that could be seen in the harbour. 

Also, there were many Painted Ladies about again, along with a couple of Holly Blues and a Broad-bodied Chaser. (LP/AH/E&SB et al)

Lesser Whitethroat (above), Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Tufted Duck (LP), Marsh Harrier, Cattle Egrets, Holly Blue & Broad-bodied Chaser (AH) at the North Wall

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Three Greenshanks, an Avocet and two Common Terns were on the Stilt Pool this morning, whilst another eight of the latter were around their rafts, four Sandwich Terns were offshore and a Cuckoo, a dozen swallows, three Lapwings and three Kestrels were around the reserve.

There was plenty of activity along the banks, including a Dartford Warbler, four Stonechats, two Chiffchaffs, five Cetti's Warblers, six Sedge Warblers, 11 Reed Warblers, c30 Whitethroats, three Reed Buntings and c30 Yellowhammers. (S&SaH)

 

Friday, 29th May: A cooler, but muggy, morning of hazy sun and low cloud in a light north-westerly breeze........

Selsey Bill: Probably the quietest day of the spring! Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0710-0810hrs) (NW, F3)

Mediterranean Gull - 2os

Great Black-backed Gull - 2W

Sandwich Tern - c100os

Swift - 3

House Martin - 20

House Martin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were still eight Avocet chicks and 44 adults, along a Common Tern, an Oystercatcher, two Redshanks, c125 Black-tailed Godwits, a pair of Shovelers, six Gadwall, four Shelducks and c20 Mallards on the pool this morning. (AH)

Common Tern (above) & Avocets at the Ferry (AH)

Selsey: A Little Ringed Plover was noted flying over the north of the town early this morning. (MRe)

North Wall: From the paddocks a pair of Linnets, singing Greenfinch and Cetti's Warbler and the female Marsh Harrier were seen, whilst on the Breech Pool there were a Great Crested Grebe, 42 Mallards, a pair of Tufted Ducks and seven Black-tailed Godwits

Also, along the wall there were lots of Reed and Sedge Warblers, at least ten Painted Ladies and a Cream-spot Tiger Moth. (CRJ)

Sedge Warbler (above), Cream-spot Tiger & Painted Lady at the North Wall (CRJ)

Church Norton: The only waders present this morning were a Whimbrel, two Curlews and a dozen Oystercatchers, though the islands were as busy as ever, with at least 60 Little Terns coming up on occasion, and at least 50 Sandwich Terns were feeding in the harbour. (AH et al)

Whimbrel (above) & Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were Stonechats and Canada Geese with young and Whitethroats carrying food this morning, with a couple of Common Terns and a Lapwing  about, along with a Reed Bunting and plenty of Yellowhammers and Linnets, plus a family of Roe Deer. (EB)

Stonechat, Whitethroat, Common Terns, Lapwing, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer & Roe Deer family at Medmerry (EB)