29th - 30th May 2026

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)

26th - 28th May 2026

Thursday, 28th May: A hazily grey morning, still warm and with the brisk easterly breeze slowly easing ........

Selsey Bill: It was just a very few of the regular species this morning. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0700-0815hrs) (E, F5-6)

Gannet - 6os

Common Scoter - 5E

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 1W

Great Black-backed Gull - 2os

Sandwich Tern - 100os

Swift - 1

swallow - 1

House Martin - 15

Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The three families of Avocets - totalling eight chicks, plus 47 adults were on the pool this morning, along with the pair of Common Terns, a Little Ringed Plover, a Redshank, an Oystercatcher, 134 Black-tailed Godwits, a Teal, a pair of Shovelers, eight Gadwall, 13 Shelducks, a Little Egret, a Grey Heron and a CCetti's Warbler. (JC/AH)

Common Tern (above) & Avocet chicks at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: There was lots of activity from the Cuckoos along the wall this morning with at least four birds seen, also three Marsh Harriers were about and a Kingfisher was by the sluice early on. .

The Glossy Ibis was on the Breech Pool early on, as well as six Black-tailed Godwits before they all flew out into the harbour, also on the pool was a Tufted Duck and two drake Shovelers.

The usual selection of Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Cetti’s Warblers, Whitethroats, and Reed Buntings were along the reeds and bushes, and the Lesser Whitethroat was still singing by Owl Copse

At Halsey’s Farm, four Lapwings were along the rife and two Linnets, eight Cattle Egrets and three Skylarks were in the fields, whilst in the small copse, a Chiffchaff was singing and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was by its nest hole. (LP/MJa/JDW/EB/AH)

Cuckoos (above), Cattle Egret, Lapwings, Black-tailed Godwit (LP), Marsh Harriers, Sedge Warbler & Cinnabar moth (EB) at the North Wall

East side: There wasn't too much in the harbour on the fast-rising tide, with just four Bar-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, three Curlews, three Dunlin, six Grey Plovers, 22 Ringed Plovers and eight Oystercatchers of note, along with half a dozen Shelducks and four Great Crested Grebes, with lots of Sandwich Terns feeding towards the harbour mouth. (AH)

Whimbrel (above), Bar-tailed Godwits & Ringed Plovers along the East side (AH)

Wednesday, 27th May: It was slightly cooler this morning, though still sunny and very warm for the time of year, despite the moderate easterly breeze.... ....

Selsey Bill: A Fulmar went west and a couple of Sanderlings went east, but apart from large numbers of distant feeding  gulls and terns, it was quiet. Full log below. (AH/IP/P&LH)

(0645-0845hrs) (ENE, F4)

Fulomar - 1W

Gannet - 4W

Common Scoter - 3W

Sanderling - 2E

Mediterranean Gull - 50os

Great Black-backed Gull - 1E, 1os

Sandwich Tern - 200os

Little Tern - 3os

Swift - 1

Swallow - 2

House Martin - 18

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

Ferry Pool: The three families of young Avocets were still present this morning, along with 38 adults, the pair of Common Terns, a Greenshank, a Little ringed Plover, two Redshanks and a new high  count of 132 Black-tailed Godwits, as well as two pairs of Shovelers, eight Gadwall, eight Shelducks and c20 Mallards.

A look round the Tramway produced a Sedge Warbler, two Reed Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, three Chiffchaffs and five Whitethroats, plus a Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, a Swift and two Swallows over. (AH/P&LH)

Common Terns (above), Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover and Black-tailed Godwits, Buzzard, Chiffchaff & Whitethroat at the Ferry (AH)

East Side: It was quieter along the East side this morning, although two Knot were with eight Grey Plovers, 12 Dunlin, six Bar-tailed Godwits, five Whimbrels, and a couple of Curlews a long way out on the mud, and a few Sandwich Terns were fishing over towards the harbour entrance. (LP/SP)

North Wall: One of the Barn Owls was out hunting early this morning and appeared to have caught a large vole.

Also noted was a large movement of Painted Lady butterflies, with at least 30 seen within in an hour, mostly heading north. (AW)

Barn Owl (top 3 AW, lower AD) (above) & Painted Lady (AW)  at the North Wall 

Also, the Glossy Ibis was again on the Breech Pool early and late on, whilst otherwise there were just a pair of Shovelers and a single Black-tailed Godwit along with the multitude of Mallards on the water.

A Cuckoo was calling from behind the reeds, and the male Marsh Harrier was also about, whilst along the reeds were the usual mix of Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers and Cetti’s Warblers. (MJa/KU/LP/SP/S&SaH)

Glossy Ibis (SaH), (above), Shoveler & Black-tailed Godwit (LP) at the North Wall

Tuesday, 26th May: The very warm spell continues, with unbroken blue skies, though the moderate easterly breeze kept temperatures bearable....

Selsey Bill: It was very slow this morning, though 19 Common Scoters went east and large numbers of gulls and terns were feeding way out. Full log below. (AH/IP et al)

(0645-0815hrs) (ESE, F4)

Gannet - 2W

Common Scoter - 19E

Oystercatcher - 6E

Mediterranean Gull - 6E, 1W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 150os

House Martin - 20

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

Ferry Pool: There were three families, of two, two and three - young Avocets around the pool this morning, along with 43 adults, a Little Ringed Plover, two Redshanks, 66 Black-tailed Godwits, seven Gadwall and eight Shelducks. (AH)

Little Ringed Plover and avocet family (above), Avocet and Buzzard & Black-tailed Godwits at the fFerry (AH)

Long Pool: At least half a dozen Reed Buntings were about this morning, along with similar of Sedge Warblers, ten Reed Warblers, five Whitethroats and Skylarks and c20 Linnets, whilst an adult Great crested Grebe was feeding a chick on the pool, and a pair of Gadwall flew out. (AH)

Sedge Warbler at the Long Pool (AH)

West Itchenor: A Nuthatch was at a private site in the village today. (SH)

Church Norton: There wasn't much to see this morning on the high tide beyond the vast numbers of Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls on the islands, which were quite flighty, as were the c60 Little Terns on their island, after a Peregrine bombed through.

Quite a few waders - including c20 Grey Plovers, c50 Ringed Plovers and c100 Dunlin were flying about, too, though distantly, but the odd Blackcap and Whitethroat was it for the bushes. (AH/JDa et al)

North Wall: A Glossy Ibis was on the Breech Pool early on, before heading off towards Marsh Farm, and 32 Black-tailed Godwits were also there as the water level is dropping.

Elsewhere along the wall it was the usual fare, with a Cuckoo and two Marsh Harriers over the reeds, lots of Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats, Reed Buntings, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Blackcap in the reeds and bushes, and a few Cattle Egrets, Little Egrets and Grey Herons in Owl Copse. A Common Lizard was also along the wall. (DHo/MJa/KU/LP/SP/PB/JB/AGB)

The Glossy Ibis was on the Breech Pool again this evening and the Barn Owl was showing at Halsey's Farm too. (MT)

Black-tailed Godwits, above, Grey Heron and Reed Bunting at the North Wall (LP) plus Cuckoo, Barn Owl, Cattle Egrets, Glossy Ibis & Common Lizard (DHo)

East Side: There were a few waders along the East Side on the rising tide, including 64 Ringed Plovers, 22 Dunlin, 16 Grey Plovers, 12 Bar-tailed Godwits, six Whimbrels, eight Oystercatchers and two Curlews, whilst a Common Tern, a Little Tern and two Sandwich Terns flew along the channel and a Great Crested Grebe was on the water. (LP/DHo/PB/SP/AGB/JB)

Bar-tailed Godwit, above, Ringed Plovers, mixed wader flock & Oystercatcher on the east side (LP) plus LIttle Tern & Common Tern (DHo)