7th - 9th April 2026

Thursday, 9th April: The breeze eased and shifted to the west overnight, leaving a pleasantly mild spring morning in the hazy sunshine......

Selsey Bill: The shift in wind direction stopped migration in its tracks this morning. Full log below. (P&LH/AH)

(0730-0900hrs) (W F2-3)

Great Northern Diver - 1E, 5os

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Gannet - 2E, 8W

Red-breasted Merganser - 5os

Oystercatcher - 2E

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Great Black-backed Gull - 2W, 3os

Sandwich Tern - 19E, 8W, 12os

House Martin - 3

Linnet - 2

Gannets at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Two Little Ringed Plovers and two Lapwings were on the fast drying out fields at the back this morning, with two Avocets, 22 Black-tailed Godwits, a Redshank, two Gadwall, a Teal,  15 Shelducks and 20 Shovelers around the pool. (AH/P&LH)

Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits & Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: There was a good selection of warblers along the bushes this morning, including a Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler, a Reed Warbler. four Sedge Warblers. three or four Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs and half a dozen Cetti's Warblers, with up to eight Reed Buntings, a dozen Linnets and a Skylark about, too.

Also, a Swallow went over, a Mistle Thrush was in the pines by the houses and a pair of Little Grebes were on the pool. (AH/P&LH).

Willow Warbler (above), Blackcap, Linnet, Mistle Thrush & Little Grebe at the Long Pool (AH)

Chichester GPs: A Little Gull was still on East Trout Lake this afternoon,, along with a few Swallows, Sand and House Martins. (SM)

Mill Pond Marsh: There were a Willow Warbler, a Blackcap and a Stock Dove along Mill Lane today. (LL)

Church Norton: A pair of Coal Tits were around the trees at the bottom of the path to the harbour this morning, and half a dozen Chiffchaffs were around, but it was otherwise very quiet, with c70 Sandwich Terns and c50 Mediterranean Gulls the only things of note in the harbour. (P&LH)

This evening a #Little Tern was present again among c150 Sandwich Terns, c400 Mediterranean Gulls and c750 Black-headed Gulls, plus a copula of Common Gullsbut not toh else was about. (AH)

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

Wednesday, 8th April: East winds to start with then due to become variable towards the west...plenty of sunny spells forecast...

Selsey Bill:  The first Little Terns at the Bill were logged today, three Arctic Skuas moved east, c.100 Sandwich Terns did likewise and there was a sporadic movement of Common Scoter. Also of note were two House Martins over Bill House & two Kestrels north off the sea. Full log below. (PB/PM/BI et al) 

(0600-1000hrs) (E F4)

Red-throated Diver - 2E, 1W
Great Northern Diver - 1E, 6os
Great Crested Grebe - 1E 3os
Gannet - 4E, 1W
Shag - 4E

Brent Goose - 5E

Shoveler - 3eE
Common Scoter - 171E, 6os
Velvet Scoter - 1E
Red-breasted Merganser - 3E, 1W, 2os
Kestrel - 2nN
Oystercatcher - 6E
Bar-tailed Godwit - 1E
Curlew - 1E
Whimbrel - 5E

Turnstone - 1E
Great Skua - 1os
Arctic Skua - 3E
Common Gull - 22E
Mediterranean Gull - 4E
Great Black-backed Gull - 16E, 12os
Sandwich Tern - 160E 18os
Little Tern - 4E, 1W
auk sp - 1E
Sand Martin - 2N
House Martin - 2nN
Swallow - 6N
Meadow Pipit - 3N
Chaffinch - 1E
Linnet - 20E
Bottle-nosed Dolphin - min.2os

Curlew at the Bill (BI)

Ferry Pool: A drake Pintail wasn the ferry field this morning and a Willow Warbler was near the hide.(MPh/TG-P)

Willow Warbler at the Ferry (MPh)

Park Farm, Selsey:  A House Martin flew over Park Lane today. (MRe)

Church Norton: A Barnacle Goose and six B rent Geese flew east offshore just before midday and four Wheatears were along the beachside of the spit. (MPh)

Brent Geese and Barnacle Goose offshore at Church Norton (MPh)

North Wall: There were lots of warblers about this morning in the reeds and bushes, with four Reed Warblers, ten Sedge Warblers, 21 Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warblers, three Common Whitethroats and ten Blackcaps all around, although they were all being very elusive. The year's first Lesser Whitethroat was also singing from scrub along the wall.

A Wheatear was along the wall and three more were on the fences at Owl Point, where there was also a Meadow Pipit and a few Skylarks, whilst a Red Kite flew over towards Sidlesham. Also of note was a Goldcrest, a Yellowhammer, two Reed Buntings, eight Greenfinches and two Swallows. 

There were just a few Teal still around, and two Brent Geese were in the fields, whilst three Marsh Harriers were up high, and along White’s Creek there were just a handful of Redshanks and a Spotted Redshank at the far end. 

Around the harbour were 100 Sandwich Terns, 300 Black-headed Gulls, four Lesser Black-backed Gulls and ten Mediterranean Gulls as well as 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, ten Knot and 80 Dunlin. (LP/PA/IH/GM et al)

This evening two Snipe and two Whimbrel were present, a Buzzard was noted, as were two Marsh Harriers and the lone Brent goose was still in the fields. C.10 Cattle Egrets were at the herony & four Reed Warblers, four Cetti's Warblers, three Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps and three Sedge Warblers were along the paths. Three Wheatears were still about and also a Reed Bunting was seen. (SaH/SH)

Wheatear, above, Spotted Redshank and Teal at the North Wall (LP)

Itchenor: Two House Martins were prospecting nesting sites near the Harbour Conservancy today. (PH)

Chichester GPs: A Little Gull was on West Trout Lake, two Red Kites went over and two Swallows were feeding over the water. (SM)

Tuesday, 7th April: East-south east winds today with another dry and sunny day forecast...

Selsey Bill:  It was considerably busier this morning than of late for another good turnout of watchers with six Garganey east, two dark phase Arctic Skuas east, a Great Skua offshore and, at last, a decent number, 276, of Sandwich Terns also passing through east, heads down! Also of note were two Whimbrel, and a Snipe which came in-off over the bar. Full log below. (SH/PB/JB/IP/SA/TR/MJa/LP/PA/BI et al)

(0600-1015hrs) (ESE F5)

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Great Northern Diver - 1E, 1W, 3os

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 6E, 5W

Shag - 2E

Shelduck - 6E

Shoveler - 4E

Garganey - 6E

Common Scoter - 76E, 5W

Red-breasted Merganser - 9E, 44, 3os

Kestrel - 1

Oystercatcher - 2E, 1W, 3present

Grey Plover - 1W

Sanderling - 1W

Bar-tailed Godwit - 1E

Whimbrel - 2E

Snipe - 1N

Turnstone - 6

Arctic Skua - 2E

Great Skua - 1os

Mediterranean Gull - 7E, 2W

Common Gull - 4E

Great Black-backed Gull - 4E, 12os

Sandwich Tern - 276E, 15os

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1

Skylark - 1N

Swallow - 7N

Sand Martin - 4N

Wheatear - 4

Meadow Pipit - 12N

Pied Wagtail - 1

Linnet - 21N

Goldfinch - 10

Shelduck, above, and Wheatear at the Bill (BI)

Ferry Pool: Three Green Sandpipers were at the back today, a Greenshank was in Ferry Channel, a Spotted Redshank flew over Red Barn Ditch and two Whitethroats were in the nearby hedges. The Glossy Ibis was reported on EBird as present at the back of the pool this evening. (BFF/AWi/J.Rushforth)

Church Norton: A Common Tern was with 175 Sandwich Tern this morning. (AWi)

North Wall: The first Reed Warbler of the year was back at the Breech Pool his morning and a Sedge Warbler, a Reed Bunting, two Willow Warblers, a Wheatear, three Chiffchaffs and four Cetti's Warblers were also present. Ten Cattle Egrets were around the herony, a Kestrel was hunting and two Marsh Harriers and three Buzzards were soaring overheard. At Halsey's Farm a Coal Tit was singing in the gardens. This afternoon the Glossy Ibis flew over and also a Common Sandpiper flew over. (SaH/SH/CS)

Chichester GPs: A Little Gull was still on West Trout Lake today. (ATh)

Runcton: South of the village today were two Mute Swan, 12 Mallard, 12 Gadwall, two Shoveler, 18 Coot, two Moorhen, three Little Grebe, three Common Buzzard, a Jay and a Chiffchaff. A few Peacock and Orange-tip butterflies on the wing also. (CRJ)

Common Buzzard at Runcton (CRJ)

4th - 6th April 2026

Easter Monday, 6th April: The winds are due to change to eastern quarter today...hopefully a sunny day in prospect with no rain...

Selsey Bill: The south-easterly wind didn't exactly open the floodgates but there was a steady trickle of  Sandwich Terns passing through east, along with an Arctic Skua, and a Great Skua was offshore. There was also some more limited viz-mig including three Wheatears coming in off the sea. Full log below. (SH/JA/PM/PB/IP/MRe/AGB/JB/MRB/HR/NM/JF/BI et al) 

(0600-0900hrs) (ESE F3)

Red-throated Diver – 3E, 1osMMM

Great Northern Diver – 1E, 9os

diver sp. – 1W

Great Crested Grebe – 1W

Gannet – 3E, 6W

Mallard – 2E

Common Scoter – 44E

Red-breasted Merganser – 2E, 4W, 3os

Oystercatcher – 4E

Curlew – 1W

Turnstone – 10

Great Skua – 1os

Arctic Skua – 1E

Mediterranean Gull – 4E, 2W

Common Gull – 5E

Great Black-backed Gull -

Kittiwake – 1W

Sandwich Tern – 78E, 12 os

auk sp – 2W

Swallow – 1N

Meadow Pipit – 1N

Pied Wagtail – 3N

Wheatear – 3

(1230-1330hrs) (ESE F3) (SH/PB):

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Turnstone - 5

Bar-tailed Godwit - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 21 E

Sandwich Tern - 16E

(1600-1700hrs) (ESE F4) (P&LH):

Common Scoter - 4E

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Gannet - 2E, 1W

Turnstone - 1

Arctic Skua - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 4E

Common Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 59E

Wheatear, above. and a good turnout of early morning seawatchers at the Bill (BI)

Crablands Marsh: In the  area today were three Swallows, a Cetti's Warbler, two Chiffchaffs, two Song Thrushes and a Great Spotted Woodpecker whilst a Sand Martin flew over Park Lane. (MRe)

Birdham: A Stone-curlew flew over this evening, presumably the regular returning bird that has been heard on a number of occasions over the years. (AB)

Ferry Pool/Long Pool: A Wheatear was at the back of the Ferry this morning and a Sedge Warbler was singing from the Long Pool.  

Also, at the RSPB Visitor Centre, a Willow Warbler was heard singing and another was at the start of the Long Pool/gardens area. Ferry Channel held a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank and a few Black-tailed Godwits and a Swallow, five Sand Martins and a Peregrine flew over. (HR/AW)

Greenshank, above, Spotted Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit at the Ferry (AW)

North Wall:  A smart male Common Redstart was in the horse paddock early on, and there was lots else to see, with the first Common Whitethroat of the year, two Sedge Warblers, two Willow Warblers, two Blackcaps, eight Chiffchaffs, two Linnets, a Grey Wagtail, a Pied Wagtail and a Jay around the trees and bushes, whilst a Glossy Ibis flew over and landed in the reeds further back, with a Buzzard and two Marsh Harriers also about.

Two Wheatears were along the wall, and two more were in the fields at Halsey’s Farm where there was also a few Skylarks and Meadow Pipits on the fences, and along the rife were two Wigeon and two Gadwall. Two Greylags flew over the wall as did eight Sand Martins.

The usual mix of Grey Herons, Little Egrets and c.20 Cattle Egrets were in Owl Copse, and a Kingfisher was along the water there, with two Little Grebes also present, but out in the fields there was just the lone Brent Goose and a few Curlews. A Little Ringed PLover was also noted, heard flying over the North Wall.

(GaJ/PJ/BrJ/AGB/JB/BI/AB/LP/MJa/CT/DHi/JDW/CRJ/P&LH/SaH/SH et al)

Common Redstart, above, Wheatear, KIngfisher & Glossy Ibis at the North Wall (LP)

Pagham Spit/East Side: Nine Wheatears were on Pagham Spit and 15 Willow Warblers were noted in the hedgerows. On Pagham Lagoon were seven Tufted Ducks and a Great Crested Grebe and 14 Grey Plovers, 23 Curlew, a Bar-tailed Godwit and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were along the east side. (GaJ/PJ/BrJ)

Church Norton: At least ten Wheatears were around the concrete blocks this morning, 200 Mediterranean Gulls and 50 Sandwich Terns were in the harbour and waders included 18 Oystercatchers, a Ringed Plover and two Curlew. Fourteen Chiffchaffs were in the bushes as were two Willow Warblers and a Blackcap, and two Swallows, 15 Linnets and 30 Goldfinches flew over. (P&LH) This afternoon the first Little Tern of the year was in the harbour. (ABi/GR)

BOC pic of the Little Tern at Church Norton (ABi)

Medmerry, Medmerry Trail: A Common Whitethroat was singing here today. (AW)

Common Whitethroat at the Medmerry Trail (AW)

Medmerry, Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool: A Red Kite, a Kestrel and seven Buzzards were soaring today, as was a Raven, and the along the paths and banks were two Dartford Warblers, a Blackcap, a Willow Warbler, eight Chiffchaffs, two Cetti's Warblers, three Reed Buntings, c.20 Yellowhammers, a Stonechat and nine Wheatears. On the Stilt Pool were 11 Avocets & c.30 Mediterranean Gulls and c.30 Skylarks and c.50 Linnets were in that general area along with a Pied Wagtail. (SaH/SH/PB)

Chichester GPs: At least one Little Gull was still at East Trout Lake today and around the lake complex were two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Song Thrush, two Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers and three Willow Warblers. A Swallow and two Buzzards flew over and on the water were 60 Tufted Ducks and 14 Common Pochards. (GaJ/PJ/BrJ/ABi)

Easter Sunday, 5th April: Winds from due west at F5-6 predicted today, hopefully with some sunshine and no substantial rain...

We would like to wish all our readers & contributors a very Happy Easter. (Eds)

Selsey Bill: There was no pot of gold at the end of rainbow today but it was a bit better for the regulars with a few Common Scoter moving east and some limited viz-mig as well as a Manx Shearwater passing west. Full log below. (SH/IP/P&LH/BI)

(0630-0900hrs) (W F5)

Red-throated Diver - 1os

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Great Crested Grebe - 1E, 1W

Gannet - 11E, 32wW

Manx Shearwater - 1W

Brent Goose - 35E 1W

Teal - 2E

Common Scoter - 19E

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E

Oystercatcher - 1W

Sanderling - 1

Curlew - 1wW

Turnstone - 18

Mediterranean Gull - 5E

Great Black-backed Gull - 3W, 7os

Kittiwake - 3W

Sandwich Tern 7E, 19W

Meadow Pipit - 19nN

Linnet - 48wW

Redpoll - 1wW

Goldfinch - 5W

This afternoon was as follows:

(1430-1530hrs) (W F5) (P&LH)

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 4os

Great Black-backed Gull - 4os

Sandwich Tern - 5E, 3W

Sanderling, above, Brent Geese and rainbow at the Bill (BI)

Ferry Pool: It was mainly just the regular species here this morning but two Egyptian Geese dropped in for a wash and brush up in the pools at the back and there were two Black-tailed Godwits in the channel. (BI) 

A more comprehensive look later in the day found 12 Redshank and a Greenshank in Ferry Channel with 20 Shelduck, 40 Shoveler, four Mallard, four Teal, seven Avocets, a Little Ringed Plover, four Lapwing, 66 Black-tailed Godwits and two Curlews on the pool itself. Overhead were a Buzzard, four Mediterranean Gulls and a Kestrel and the bushes held a Song Thrush, three Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and three Cetti's Warblers. (P&LH)

Egyptian Geese, above, and Black-tailed Godwit at the Ferry (BI)

North Wall: A Song Thrush was in the copse at Halsey's Farm this morning and a Mistle Thrush was again on the house aerial opposite. (BI) 

This afternoon there were four Marsh Harriers over the reedbeds, two Buzzards and a Kestrel up and a lone Brent Goose in the fields. In the harbour were ten Knot and c.20 Grey Plover and small birds logged were three Chiffchaffs, three Cetti's Warblers and two Swallows. (SaH/SH)

Mistle Thrush at Halsey's Farm (BI)

Itchenor:  A Willow Warbler, a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff were all in song at Chandon's Copse this morning. (GM)

Church Norton: Of significance today was a large increase in Mediterranean Gulls with at least 400 present whilst 100 Sandwich Terns were also noted in the harbour. 

A Wheatear was on the concrete and of the few waders present thirty Grey Plovers was the best count. Two House Martins and two Swallows flew through and the bushes held three each of Cetti's Warbler & Chiffchaff respectively. (P&LH)

Chichester GPs, Ivy Lake Complex: Two Little Gulls were still around East Trout Lake, and a Willow Warbler was in the trees along with a Blackcap, five Chiffchaffs, and three Cetti’s Warblers, whilst a Swallow and three Sand Martins flew over, but otherwise it was just the regular wildfowl, with the Egyptian Geese family by the house, and a few Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Tufted Ducks, Pochard and Great Crested Grebes around the lakes. (LP/MJa)

A fine gallery from the lakes, from top: Tufted Ducks, Egyptian Geese family, Greylag Goose, Chiffchaff, Common Pochards and Little Gull. (LP)

Saturday, 4th April: A south-westerly wind today, initially F3 but forecast to strengthen throughout the day...mainly dry with the possibility of the occasional light shower...

Selsey Bill: Hopes were raised of a good morning today with favourable reports from other seawatching sites to the east and west yesterday but, alas, it was not to be. 

The meagre highlights were a Redpoll that flew around calling for a few minutes, the/a distant Long-tailed Duck dropping in by the MIle Basket and a Fulmar moving west. The weather then once again closed in and that was that for the morning watch! Full log below. (SH/IP/BI))

Full log below:

(0625-0815hrs) (SW F3-4)

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 1e 1w

Fulmar - 1w

Shag - 1e

Long-tailed Duck - 1os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1e 3w

Oystercatcher 1e 7w

Turnstone - 7

Mediterranean Gull - 2e

Great Black-backed Gull - 10os

Sandwich Tern - 3e 4w

auk sp 1os

Pied Wagtail - 3w

Linnet - 3w

Redpoll - 1n

An hour this afternoon produced the following: 

(1315-1415hrs) (S F3) (SH)

Gannet - 1W

Grey Plover - 25E

Dunlin - 10E

Turnstone - 8

Sandwich Tern - 1W

Pied Wagtail - 1

Turnstones, above, and dead Conger Eel at the Bill (BI)

East Beach: A Cetti's Warbler and a  Black Redstart were at East Beach today. (per EBird/V & H.Burton)

Black Redstart at East Beach (H Burton)

Ferry Pool: Two moulting Spotted Redshanks and a Greenshank were in the channel today, a Water Rail was in Red Barn Ditch and there were at least seven Blackcaps in the vicinity. (AW)

Spotted Redshank, above, Greenshank and Blackcap around the Ferry (AW)

Chichester Gravel Pits: Two Little Gulls were again on East Trout Lake but other than a few Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Cetti's Warblers along the paths and a lone Egyptian Goose it was rather quiet. (BI)

Little Gull & Cetti's Warbler at the gravel pits (BI)

North Wall: It was very quiet along the wall in the windy conditions, with just a few Teal and Redshanks in White’s Creek and a pair of Great Crested Grebes on the Breech Pool, whilst out in the fields, the lone Brent Goose was still around along with a few Curlews.

At Halsey’s Farm, a Mistle Thrush, a Jay, a Green Woodpecker, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Chiffchaff, a Greenfinch and a couple of Chaffinches were in the trees, and an Avocet was briefly along the rife, while overhead there were two Buzzards and a Marsh Harrier. (LP/MJa/JDW/EB/SBr)

Great Crested Grebe, above, Brent Goose, Mistle Thrush & Chaffinch at Halsey's Farm (LP)

Medmerry, Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool:  A Buzzard and a Kestrel were overhead this morning whilst the banks held eight Chiffchaffs, eight Cetti's Warblers, a Stonechat and four Yellowhammers. Also noted were c.30 Skylarks, c.50 LInnets, two Meadow Pipits and c.50 Mediterranean Gulls. On the Stilt Pool were ten Avocets, three Ringed Plovers and one Greenshank. (SaH/SH) 

Later in the morning: two Corn Buntings were near the car park and a flock of 16 Fieldfares flew north with a singing Blackcap also nearby. Along the banks was a Dartford Warbler, two Green Woodpeckers were seen and Little Grebe and a pair of Gadwall were on the path-side pools. 

Forty-three Golden Plover went over by Marsh Barn and on the Stilt Pool were five Tufted Ducks, three Teal, a Grey Heron, a Little Egret, two Lapwing and three Mediterranean Gulls (IP)