22nd - 24th June 2026

Wednesday, 24th June: Anh extremely warm morning from early on, with unbroken sunshine and just a light westerly breeze.........

Selsey Bill: An unseasonal Shag east this morning and a Whitethroat active along the gardens were the only things beyond the usual this morning. Full log below. (IP)

(0700-0800hrs) (NW, F3)

Gannet - 1W

Shag - 1E

Mallard - 2

Mediterranean Gull - 12os

Great Black-backed Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 24os

Swift - 18

House Martin - 12

Whitethroat - 1

Ferry Pool: There were two adult and two fledged juvenile Little Ringed Plovers about this morning, though no sign of the chicks, whilst the Oystercatcher pair and three chicks and the mother Shelduck and five duckling were also about, along with c20 adult and c30 young Avocets, two Lapwings, a Black-tailed Godwit, six Redshanks and four more Shelducks. (AH), 

Long Pool: A look early this morning just produced two or three Whitethroats, Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers, a couple of Reed Buntings and half a dozen Linnets along the pathy.

Also, a mother Gadwall and six juveniles were on the pool and half a dozen Redshank were in Ferry Channel. (AH)

North Wall: The two Spotted Redshanks were on the Breech Pool again this morning, along with four Avocets, c50 Black-tailed Godwits and 15 Redshanks, with a Little Tern fishing there again and c20 Sand Martins over, and there was also a rare sighting of a Water Vole, too.

It was quiet along the wall, though a Kingfisher and ten cattle Egrets were in the vicinity of Owl Copse and as Buzzard went over. (S&SaH)

Tuesday, 23d June: The surprisingly brisk easterly breeze and hazy skies kept temperatures down early on, but it brightened and warmed up considerably as the morning progressed.........

Selsey Bill: A Fulmar went west and a dozen Gannets went east, but it remains quiet. Full log below. (AH/IP)

(0645-0815hrs) (ESE, F6)

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 12E

Common Scoter - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 14E, 1W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 80os

Swift - 12

Swallow - 1E

House Martin - 15

Pied Wagtail - 2E

Sandwich Tern (above) & Swift at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The pair of Little Ringed Plovers with three chicks, the pair of Oystercatcher with two chicks and a mother Shelduck wit five ducklings were all present this morning, along with at least 30 young Avocets and 22 adults, but half a dozen Whitethroats was about it around the Tramway. (CRJ/AH)

Little Ringed Plover (above), Shelduck family & Avocets on the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: The Barn Owl was at Halsey's Farm again early this morning, as was a Cuckoo, and a tagged Little Tern was in the harbour opposite Owl Copse, as were two Curlews (one tagged), whilst a busy Breech Pool held two summer-plumage Spotted Redshanks, a Redshank, five Avocets, two Bar-tailed Godwits, c30 Black-tailed Godwits, a drake Teal, a Little Egret, three Grey Herons and a Cormorant, plus a fishing Common Tern.

The wall was fairly quiet, tough, and White's creek just held a Sandwich Tern, two oystercatchers, two Shelducks and a recently fledged young Black-headed Gull. (DHo)

Barn Owl (above), Spotted Redshanks, Spotted Redshank and Redshank, Avocets, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Black-headed Gull & Black-tailed Godwit at the North Wall (DHo)

A Little Tern was fishing in the Breech Pool at lunchtime, but the Spotted Redshanks had moved off again, but it was otherwise similar to earlier, whilst in the harbour there were two Avocets, four Lapwings and a pair of Mute Swans with five cygnets, plus what appeared to0 be a lone Brent Goose out in the haze.

Along the wall were two Lesser Whitethroats and a scattering of singing Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers, plus Reed Bunting, with a Cattle Egret, a Red Kite, a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard over. (JC/EB)

This evening the Brent Goose could be seen better in the harbour, whilst a Snipe was on the Breech Pool and a Hobby and ten or so Sand Martins and Swallows went over. (AWi)

Spotted Redshanks and Avocet (above), Curlew & Black-tailed Godwits at the North Wall (EB)

Church Norton: There wasn't much to report this morning beyond the endless activity around Tern Island, and it was similar this evening, though several newly fledged Sandwich Terns were sat outside the perimeter fence, along with many young Black-headed Gull, and there were a few Little and Common Terns about, too. (HR/DM/AH)

Little Tern (above) & Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

Chichester GPs: The pair of Red-crested Pochards, the four nearly fledged young and the other male were all on New Lake late this morning. (HR/DM)

The mother and young were still present this afternoon, along with a handful of Pochard, at least 20 young Gadwall, several families of Little Grebes and a dozen young Black-headed Gulls.

There were also c50 Sand Martins overhead, along with just a handful of House Martins and Swallows (AH)

Red-crested Pochard family (above), Little Grebe chick & Sand Martins at Chichester GPs (AH)

Monday, 22nd June: Another very warm, sunny morning, though the fresh easterly breeze was keeping the temperature bearable.........

Selsey Bill: A few Swifts were around again and there was a constant flow of Sandwich Terns east, carrying fish, but that was about it. Full log below. (AH/IP)

(0645-0815hrs) (ESE, F3-4)

Gannet - 5E, 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 4W

Great Black-backed Gull - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 100os

Common Tern - 2os

Little Tern - 4os

Swift - 12

House Martin - 20

Pied Wagtail - 1

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

Ferry Pool: There were still two adult Little Ringed Plovers, the fledged juvenile and at least three tiny chicks on the pool this morning, whilst the pair of Oystercatchers appear to have three: chicks with them, and there were still at least 30 young and 25 adult Avocets and four Shelducks present, too. (AH/PA/BFF)

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

Mill Pond Marsh: The first returning Green Sandpiper was on the flooded field this morning, and there was also a Red Kite over.(PA/LL)

Church Norton: A Roseate Tern was out on the mud again this morning, and there was also a Greenshank about. (BFF)

North Wall: Early this morning there were two Spotted Redshanks on the Breech Pool, before the flew off west together. (R Hatcher)

Later, five Avocets were on the Breech Pool, with two Little Terns fishing there, too, and mid-morning a Common Tern stopped to feed there and at Owl Water.

A couple of Black-tailed Godwits and a Lapwing were at Halsey's Farm, with c20 of the former and another of the latter also in White's Creek, whilst half a dozen Cattle Egrets were in the harbour and similar in Owl Copse.

The wall was quiet, save the odd snatch of Whitethroat, Reed and Sedge Warbler song, whilst a family of Swallows were around Halsey's Farm, where a Red Kite and two Buzzards went over, too. (DHi/AH/SP)

Swallows (above), Black-tailed Godwit, Common Tern, Cattle Egret, Whitethroat & Marbled White at the North Wall (AH)

19th - 21st June 2026

Sunday, 21s June: The predicted heat-wave duly arrived this morning, with it very warm from early on in more or less unbroken sun and just a light and variable breeze............

Selsey Bill: Half a dozen Common Scoters and a Shelduck were the only things beyond the usual mix this morning. Full log below. (IP/AH/P&LH)

(0655-0840hrs) (N, F1-2)

Shelduck - 1E

Common Scoter - 5E, 1W

Oystercatcher - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 50os

Little Tern - 6os

Swift - 8

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1

swallow - 1

House Martin - 20

Sandwich Tern (above), Little Tern, Common Scoters & House Martin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were two adult Little Ringed Plovers and four small chicks on the pool this morning, though no sign of yesterday's fledged juvenile, whilst at least 30 young and 25 adult Avocets were still present.

There were also a pair of Oystercatchers, a Little Egret and four Shelducks present, whilst a Red Kite went over the road, just to the north.. (AH/IP/P&LH)

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

Selsey: Two Common Terns and a Sparrowhawk went over our garden, to the north of the town, this afternoon. (S&SaH)

Church Norton: There were eight Common Terns and ten Little Terns among the mass of Sandwich Terns this morning, with the harbour also holding 14 shelducks, a Ringed Plover, five Curlews, ten Redshanks and 30 Black-tailed Godwits, but a couple of Whitethroats was it for the hedges. (P&LH)

North Wall: A Cuckoo - calling intermittently - was a Halsey's Farm early this morning, along with a Barn Owl and eight Swallows, plus a pair of stock Doves and a couple of Reed Buntings, Reed Warblers and Chiffchaffs.

Also, a Little Tern was fishing in the rife, with a couple of Lapwings, Redshanks and Curlews about, too. (SH/MJa/AH et al)

Barn Owl (above), Cuckoo & Stock Dove at the North Wal (AH)

Later, in White’s Creek there were five Lapwings, and on the Breech Pool at various times the Mute Swans with six young, five Black-tailed Godwits, the first returning Spotted Redshank, a pair of Avocet with one juvenile, a Little Tern and a Common Tern .

Along the wall there were lots of Reed Warblers, a few Sedge Warblers and a Whitethroat, with many butterflies along the main paths, including Meadow Browns, Large Whites, Marbled Whites and Red Admirals (CRJ), and there were also the first Purrple Hairstreaks along the East side (BI).

Spottd Redshank (above), Goldfinch, Marbled White, Red Admiral at the North Wall (CRJ) & Purple Hairstreak (BI) on the east side 

Pagham Spit: There was a lot of activity around the Little Terns' island this morning, with birds feeding and bringing in fish all the time, and a steady flow of Sandwich Terns were bringing in fish, too.

There wasn't too much else to report, the a young Oystercatcher was in the harbour with its parent, and there were also two B lack-tailed Godwits, three Curlews and five Great Crested Grebes present, plus a Skylark on the spit. (AH/GHi)

Little Terns (above), Sandwich Tern & Great Crested Grebe a Pagham Spit (AH)

Hunston: A Red Kite went over the village this afternoon. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The drop in the wind produced a lot of birds along the banks this morning, including four Dartford Warblers, three Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, nine Reed Warblers, two Sedge Warblers, two Cetti's Warblers, c30 Whitethroats, three Stonechats, two Reed Buntings, c30 Yellowhammers and three Swallows over.

Also, the Stilt Pool held two Greenshanks, two Ringed Plovers, two Lapwings, four Oystercatchers an two Common Terns, with nine more of the latter, four Mediterranean Gulls and four more Lapwings on the reserve, plus a Marsh Harrier and three Buzzards over. (S&SaH)

Saturday, 20th June: A very grey and misty morning, with the odd spit of drizzle in the moderate south-westerly breeze, though steadily warming up throughout........

Selsey Bill: A Fulmar and a loose group of nine Swifts going west were the only things beyond the regulars this morning. Full log below. (AH/IP et al)

(0645-0815hrs) (SW, F4)

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 5W

Oystercatcher - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 5W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 100os

Little Tern - 6os

Swift - 9W

House Martin - 6

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

Ferry Pool: A juvenile Little Ringed Plover was on the pool this morning, along with an adult, whilst there were still at least 30 young Avocets of all sizes present, along with 27 adults, a pair of Oystercatchers and four Shelducks. (AH)

Little Ringed Plover (above) & Avocet at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A Roseate Tern was seen again early this morning, but not later, when at least eight Common Terns, including the first-summer bird, a dozen Little Terns and many hundreds of Sandwich Terns were about, along with the first fledged juvenile Black-headed Gulls.

Also, about 25 Black-tailed Godwits were on the mud, along with two or three Curlews and Ringed Plovers and half a dozen Oystercatchers and Shelducks, whilst a Peregrine went over.

The only things in the hedges were a Blackcap and a couple of Whitethroats, though, unusually, a male Yellowhammer was along Rectory Lane. (PB/MRB/AH/IP et al)

Common Terns (above), Little Tern, juvenile Black-headed Gull, Ringed Plover and Black-tailed Godwit at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: There were 76 Swifts, 19 Sand Martins and 47 Swallows over the wall this afternoon, whilst three Avocets were on the Breech Pool, a Kingfisher and a Marsh Harrier were at Halsey's Farm and a Lapwing and nine Little Terns were in the harbour.

Also, 20 Cattle Egrets were about, as were a Kestrel and four Buzzards, but the wall was quiet, with just ten Reed Warblers, two Cetti's Warblers and four Reed Buntings seen. (S&SaH)

Chichester GPs: The pair of Red-crested Pochards, plus all four youngsters and the additional male, were on New Lake again this morning. (MRB/PB)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A dozen Common Terns were around the rafts again this morning, with two Greenshanks on the Stilt Pool and a Curlew, three Ringed Plovers and three Lapwings on the reserve, whilst a Swift, five Swallows, two Buzzards and three Kestrels went over and a Sandwich Tern was offshore.

There was the usual selection along the banks, including two Stonechats, a Blackcap, two Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler, two Cetti's Warblers, eight Reed Warblers, c20 Whitethroats, five Reed Buntings and c20 Yellowhammers. (S&SaH/PB)

Drinker Moth caterpillar at Medmerry (SaH)

Friday, 19th June: An increasingly warm morning in unbroken sunshine and just a light north-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: Another unsurprisingly quiet morning. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0705-0820hrs) (NW, F2-3)

Curlew - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Great Black-backed gull - 3W

Sandwich Tern - 60os

Little Tern - 7os

Swift - 4

Green Woodpecker - 1

House Martin - 12

Little Tern (above) & House Martin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: An attempt to count all the young Avocets reached a minimum total of 33 this morning, together with 25 adults, two Oystercatchers and four Shelducks. (AH/EB)

Avocets (AH) & Avocets and Shelducks (EB) at the Ferry

Church Norton: A Roseate Tern was among the birds roosting on the mud this morning before it flew out to sea. (BFF)

The Roseate Tern was in the harbour again this evening, along with a few Little Terns and a relentless flow of Sandwich Terns bringing in fish. (AB/AH)

Little Terns (above) & Sandwich Tern at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: A Barn Owl and a Cuckoo were both around Halsey's Farm early on, along with a couple of Lapwings and a Kingfisher, whilst later at least a dozen Cattle Egrets were around Owl Copse, with a few Little Egrets and juvenile Grey Herons about, too, plus half a dozen Mediterranean Gulls over..

The wall was fairly quiet, though the Lesser Whitethroat was active near Owl Copse, a few Whitethroats, Reed and Sedge Warblers were still singing intermittently, a couple of Chiffchaffs were at Halsey's Farm and a few Swallows went over, but a few distant waders, including a Whimbrel a couple of Curlews and half a dozen Grey Plovers was it for the harbour. (MJa/GHi/AH et al)

Cattle Egret (above), Mediterranean Gull, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat & Grey Herons at the North Wall (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were lots of Yellowhammers, Linnets and Whitethroats along the banks, together with a Meadow Pipit and a Chiffchaff, whilst a Common Tern, an Oystercatcher, a couple of Ringed Plovers and Lapwings and a family of Canada Geese were on the Stilt Pool.

There were also a number of Marbled Whites about. (EB)

Meadow Pipit (above), Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Chiffchaff, Common Tern, Lapwings, Canada Goose family & Marbled White at Medmerry (EB)