29th - 30th July 2026

Thursday, 30th July: Another very warm and sunny morning, in a moderate north -westerly breeze......

Selsey Bill: Three Common Terns and a few Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls heading west was about it this morning. (AH/D Beardsall)

(0650-0805hrs) (NW, F3-4)

Oystercatcher - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 46W

Great Black-backed Gull - 5os

Sandwich Tern - 17W

Common Tern - 3W

Swallow - 4W

House Martin - 15

Common Tern (above), Sandwich Terns & House Martin (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just an adult and two juvenile Avocets on the pool this morning, with a handful of Redshanks and an Oystercatcher in the channel opposite. 

A look round the Tramway circuit was unproductive, with half a dozen Whitethroats and a Song Thrush all that could be found. (AH)

Avocet (above) & Whitethroat at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: The Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers, a Snipe and six Teal were on the flooded field this morning, along with at least a dozen juvenile Moorhens, but a couple of Whitethroats were the only birds in the hedges. (AH)

Green Sandpiper at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

North Wall: The Glossy Ibis flew off from the Breech Pool early this morning and two Spotted Redshanks were still present there, but there was no sign of the Spoonbill, whilst another Spotted Redshank was along White’s Creek, where there was also a Common Sandpiper, two Whimbrels, six Black-tailed Godwits, eight Lapwings and c50 Redshanks.

It was very busy around the paddock where the second brood of Swallows have fledged, and there were family groups of Goldfinches, Greenfinches and House Sparrows in the trees, with two Willow Warblers, six Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, five Linnets, two Jays and a Green Woodpecker around the bushes. There were lots more small birds in the bushes along the wall with Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Cetti’s Warblers and a Blackcap seen.

There were six young Little Egrets in the trees at Owl Copse, a Little Grebe was on the water, two Kingfishers flew through and a Sparrowhawk with prey flew over, whilst at Halsey’s Farm a calling Wood Sandpiper circled but didn’t land, another Kingfisher was by the rife, a Common Tern was fishing, a Lapwing and flagged Curlew 3Y were on the mud, 28 Cattle Egrets were around the cows, and overhead a Red Kite and a Buzzard were also about. (KB/LP/MJa/TRH/CT/SP)

Spotted Redshank (above), Common Sandpiper, Curlew and Lapwing, Kingfisher, Sedge Warbler & Whitethroat at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: A couple of Willow Warblers and a Lesser Whitethroat were among a big flock of Long-tailed Tits in the churchyard this morning, but it was quiet elsewhere and in the harbour, too, where the meagre highlights were a Greenshank, three Whimbrel, a dozen Curlews and just two Sandwich Terns. (AH/RJS/MG)

Willow Warblers (above) & Whimbrel at Church Norton (AH)

Wednesday, 29th July: A return to heatwave conditions this morning, with unbroken sunshine in just a light easterly breeze......

Selsey Bill: A very quiet morning, with just three Sanderlings west and a few hirundines east of note. Full log below. (AH/CRJ/D Beardsall)

(0655-0810hrs) (E, F2)

Oystercatcher - 1E, 6W

Sanderling - 3W

Mediterranean Gull - 28W

Great Black-backed Gull - 5os

Sandwich Tern - 2E, 6W

Swallow - 10E

Sand Martin - 18E

House Martin - 25

Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were an adult and the last remaining juvenile Avocet and an adult and a juvenile Oystercatcher on the pool, along with a dozen Black-headed Gulls, and just a dozen or so Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits in the channel opposite. (AH)

Avocet at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: There were still a Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers, two Snipe, three Black-tailed Godwits, a Water Rail, a Shoveler, half a dozen Teal and a Little Egret on the flooded field, whilst a couple of Willow Warblers and Whitethroats were at the front. (LP/SP/AH/CRJ)

Also, this afternoon, there were again two Little Ringed Plovers present. (SH)

Pagham Spit: A Common Gull was among the Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls this morning. (GR)

North Wall: The Glossy Ibis appeared for a quick spin around the North Wall from the Breach Pool to Owl Copse and back, then headed off north, though i didn't seem to come from Owl Copse. The Spoonbill was in the Breach Pool until then, too, and flew off at the same time and there were also and three Spotted Redshanks present, though none were seen later. (MJa/LP/SP)

Glossy Ibis at the North Wall (MJa)

West Itchenor: A Nuthatch was calling from Chalkdock Copse this afternoon. (PH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - At least 30 Common Terns, including four juveniles, were split between the rafts and the Stilt Pool this morning, with a Common Gull, three Greenshanks, four Common Sandpipers, four Dunlin, two Avocets, eight Redshanks, five Lapwings and six Oystercatchers also on the pool.

Along the banks there were c30 Whitethroats, three Willow Warblers, a Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Cetti's Warbler, two Reed Warblers, a Dartford Warbler, two Stonechats, three Yellow Wagtails, five Meadow Pipits, a Reed Bunting and c30 Yellowhammers and Linnets, with two Sand Martins, ten Swallows, a Peregrine, a Buzzard, two Kestrels and vast numbers of Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls chasing Flying Ants going over. (SH/AH)

Common Terns (above), Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Whitethroat & Stonechat at Medmerry (AH)

26th - 28th July 2026

Tuesday, 28th July: It slowly brightened up after a grey and muggy start, as the breeze freshened from the south-west..........

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of interest this morning, including the first Fulmar in a while, heading west, and two Arctic Skuas, with one going west and then back east, close in, and another further out among the feeding flock. Full log below. (AH/IP/P&LH et al)

(0700-0930hrs) (SW, F2-3)

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 1E, 2W

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 5

Arctic Skua - 2os

Mediterranean Gull - 77E, 45W, 180os

Great Black-backed Gull - 5os

Sandwich Tern - 13E, 46W, 36os

Common Tern - 6W

Swift - 14

Green Woodpecker - 1

Swallow - 2W

House Martin - 12

This evening a Bonxie went east offshore. Full log below. (

(1700-1745hrs) 

Turnstone - 6

Great Skua - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 10os

Common Tern - 1W

Arctic Skua (above), Fulmar & Common Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, and adult and a juvenile Avocet and an adult and a juvenile Oystercatcher on the pool this morning, plus a Common Tern over, whilst 20 Cattle Egrets were sat out at the back of the fields, waiting for the cows.

Also, in the channel opposite there were still a Common Sandpiper and c20 Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits, with at least 60 Swifts and 20 House Martins over the Visitor Centre.. (AH/SM)

Little Ringed Plover (above), Common Sandpiper (AH) & Cattle Egrets (SM)  at the Ferry 

Long Pool: There were 62 Lapwings, eight Skylarks and a pair of Red-legged Partridges in the adjacent fields this morning the fields, and there were ten summer-plumaged Knot and a lone Dunlin in the harbour from the far end. (SM)

Mill Pond Marsh: Two Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, two Snipe and two Black-tailed Godwits were on the flooded field again, along with six Teal, this morning, whilst at least two bright Willow Warblers, two Reed Buntings and a handful of Whitethroats and Reed Warblers were in the bushes at the front. (AH/P&LH)

Also, this evening, there were two Little Ringed Plovers present, and there was a huge flock of Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls, plus a couple of Common Gulls, feeding high up on Flying Ants. (AWi/AH)

Green Sandpiper (above), Snipe & Willow Warblers at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

Church Norton: The harbour was very quiet this morning, with just 40 or so Sandwich Terns and a few Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls present, before most of them flew out to sea, and waders comprised just two Whimbrel, half a dozen Curlews and a dozen Redshanks and Oystercatchers.

The bushes were very quiet, too, with a Lesser Whitethroat in the churchyard a Sedge Warbler, a Blackcap and a couple of Whitethroats near the hide and three Swallows over, being the sum. (AH/P&LH)

This evening there were just ten Sandwich Terns and c25 Mediterranean Gulls present, along with five Whimbrel, c40 Curlews, two Ringed Plovers, four Grey Plovers, four Dunlin and a Turnstone, plus two Sand Martins and ten Swallows over. (AWi)

Sandwich Tern (above) & Sedge Warbler at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: It was busy on what’s left of the Breech Pool early on with the Spoonbill, three Spotted Redshanks, two Black-tailed Godwits, a Grey Heron, three Little Egrets, a Common Tern and a few Black-headed Gulls all feeding on the water, but by 9.30am they had all moved out into the harbour.
Also, at Halsey’s Farm 22 Cattle Egrets were by the rife, and a mixed flock of Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits and Great Tits were moving along the bushes, whilst in the reeds there were still a few Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers. (MJa/LP/CT)

Spoonbill (above), Cattle Egrets, Long-tailed Tit & Great Tit at the North Wall (LP)

Monday, 27th July: The breeze was fresh again and variably either side of westerly, leaving it warm and mostly sunny......

Selsey Bill: Three Sanderlings and seven Turnstones went west this morning and c40 Swifts were over the houses. Full log below. (IP/AH et al)

(0700-0800hrs) (WNW, F4)

Gannet - 3W

Kestrel - 1

Sanderling - 3W

Turnstone - 7W

Mediterranean Gull - 43os

Great Black-backed Gull - 7os

Sandwich Tern - 4E, 12W, 2os

Swift - 40

Swallow - 1W

House Martin - 5

Turnstones at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There is almost no water left on the pool, and consequently very few birds, with just a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, four adult and three juvenile Avocets, a juvenile Oystercatcher and two Stock Doves present.

Also, at least half a dozen Cattle Egrets were with the cows at the back, whilst a Common Sandpiper and c25 Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks were in the channel opposite and what looked like the Shelduck family from the pool were further out in the harbour. (AH/PA)

Common Sandpiper (above), Little Ringed Plover, Avocet and the dried-up pool at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: There were five Little Ringed Plovers and two Snipe present this morning, along with the Green Sandpiper and two Common Sandpipers, four Little Grebes, a calling Water Rail and eight Teal, with a Garden Warbler among a handful of Reed Warblers and Whitethroats at the front. (AH/PA)

Snipe (above), Garden Warbler & Whitethroat at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

Pagham Spit: A Goshawk - only the second record this century, after one in August 2022 - was seen flying across the harbour and headed off towards Church Norton.

Also seen were two Common Terns, three Little Terns, c30 Sandwich Terns and c750 Mediterranean Gulls. (PA)

Goshawk at Pagham Spit (PA)

North Wall: The Glossy Ibis was in Owl Copse again early on, and the Spoonbill was on the Breech Pool, along with a Little Ringed Plover, two B black-tailed Godwits, a Grey Heron and three Little Egrets, plus a Common Tern. A Common Sandpiper was by the sluice and further along White’s Creek, a Spotted Redshank was with the Redshanks, four Whimbrel were on the mud a Common Tern briefly dropped in. (MJa/LP/TRH/SP/IH/PA/AH)

Spoonbill (above), Little Ringed Plover (LP) & Common Tern (LP above, AH lower) at the North Wall

East side: The Spoonbill ended up in the harbour, but there were relatively few waders seen, though including three Spotted Redshanks, two Greenshanks, a Common Sandpiper, nine Knot, eight Turnstones, seven Whimbrel, c40 Dunlin, two Bar-tailed Godwits, 45 Black-tailed Godwits and c70 Redshanks. (LP/TRH/SP/IH/PA/AH)

Spoonbill (above) & Common Sandpiper along the East side (AH)

Sunday, 26th July: A return to more typical English summer weather this morning, with a blustery westerly pushing through lots of grey cloud, with the odd sunny spell in between, and even the odd hint of drizzle......

Selsey Bill: A few Gannets and Sandwich Terns, plus three Common Terns, went west offshore this morning, and five Sanderlings and three Turnstones were on the beach.. Full log below. (IP/AH/SH)

(0700-0930hrs) (WNW, F6)

Gannet - 20W

Common Scoter - 8E

Oystercatcher - 1W

Sanderling - 5

Turnstone - 3

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 4W, 6os

Great Black-backed Gull - 1E, 2W

Sandwich Tern - 2E, 29W, 23os

Common Tern - 3W

Swift - 7

House Martin - 3

Sandwich Terns (above) & Gannet at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just two adult and four young Avocets and an adult and a juvenile Oystercatcher on the pool this morning, whilst at least 23 Cattle Egrets were with the cows at the back and in the channel opposite there were a Common Sandpiper, a Dunlin, c30 Black-tailed Godwits and c20 Redshanks, plus a flock of c40 Lapwings that flew out from the far end, heading for the fields. (AH/IP)

Common Sandpiper at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: The Green Sandpiper and two Common Sandpipers were still present this morning, along with a Snipe and six Teal, but the bushes were quiet in the wind. (AH)

Later, all of the above were still present, and there were also three Little Ringed Plovers and a Black-tailed Godwit present, too. (M&LL)

Snipe (above), Green Sandpiper & Common Sandpiper at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

Church Norton: A Spotted Redshank was seen from the benches this morning and there was also a steady westward movement of Swifts over the harbour. (MPh)

North Wall: The Spoonbill was still on the Breech Pool and a Little Ringed Plover was also about early on, with three Common Terns, including a juvenile, fishing over the water, whilst a Spotted Redshank, a Whimbrel, and a Common Sandpiper were along White’s Creek, and four Swallows were still around the paddocks, where there was also a Green Woodpecker on the fence.

At Halsey’s Farm, 14 Cattle Egrets and a Kingfisher were along the rife, and a Yellowhammer, six Linnets, a Whitethroat, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were around the trees and bushes, whilst at Owl Copse, a few more Cattle Egrets were in the trees and the Glossy Ibis flew out early on. (LP/MJa/SP/GaJ/AH)

This evening the Glossy Ibis flew in to roost in Owl Copse again, whilst the Spoonbill,  three Spotted Redshanks, a Little Ringed Plover,  Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Marsh Harrier, three Yellow Wagtails, two Sand Martins and ten Swallows were seen from the wall and an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 11 Knot and 58 Dunlin were in the harbour. (AWi/MRe)

Spoonbill (LP top two, AH lower two), Common Terns (AH), Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper & Green Woodpecker (LP) at the North Wall

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Around 20 Common Terns, including four juveniles, were on the Stilt Pool this morning, along with three Greenshanks, four Common Sandpipers, three Dunlin, eight Redshanks, ten Lapwings and eight Oystercatchers, whilst at least one, and possibly two, Green Sandpipers were on the path-side pools.

The banks were slow in the wind, but there were still three Whitethroats, a Cetti's Warbler, a Reed Warbler, a Stonechat, two Pied Wagtails, eight Meadow Pipits and half a dozen Yellowhammers seen, along with three Mediterranean Gulls, a Marsh Harrier, a Kestrel, six Swallows and 20 Swifts going over. (SH)

Chichester GPs: A quick look at New Lake this afternoon produced three Shovelers, two Gadwall, two Pochard and five Little Grebes. (AH)

Shoveler at Chichester GPs (AH)