10th - 11th August 2026

Tuesday, 11th August: Another warm and bright morning, though the fresh and blustery north-easterly breeze kept the temperature down a little.....

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of interest this morning, including three Wheatears along the front, three Swifts over the houses and a few Sandwich and Common Terns. Full log below. (AH/IP/P&LH)

(0650-0835hrs) (NE, F4)

Gannet - 3W

Oystercatcher - 3W

Dunlin - 3W

Turnstone - 6

Mediterranean Gull - 250os

Common Gull - 2E

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1E

Great Black-backed Gull - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 17W

Common Tern - 4E, 3W

Swift - 3

Swallow - 1E

Sand Martin - 6W

House Martin - 8

Wheatear - 3

Wheatears (above), Common Tern, Common Gull & Mediterranean Gulls at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were no birds on the dried out pool, but the adult and two juvenile Avocets, an  adult and two juvenile Oystercatchers, four Lapwings, three Whimbrel, seven Black-tailed Godwits, a dozen Redshanks and four Teal were in the channel opposite. (AH)

Avocet (above), Lapwing & Teal at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank were in White's Creek this morning, along with nine Yellow Wagtails, with a couple of Whimbrel in the harbour, with a couple more in the fields at Owl Point, along with a Wheatear on the fence, whilst a Kingfisher and c30 Cattle Egrets were at Halsey's Farm and a couple of Willow Warblers, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and four Whitethroats  were in the bushes. (JC/P&LH/PA)

East side and Pagham Spit: Among the waders seen along the side of the harbour on the rising tide were four Greenshanks, a Spotted Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, seven Whimbrel, six Knot, 12 Grey Plovers, 25 Ringed Plovers and 95 Dunlin, with a Peregrine, four Sand Martins and ten Swallows over.

Two Wheatears were on the spit, whilst there was a massive flock of c1500 Mediterranean Gulls roosting on the shingle off the harbour mouth, with c150 Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern there, too, plus a flock of 18 Teal. (PA)

Wheatears (above) & Teal at Pagham Spit (PA)

Church Norton: At least eight Whimbrel were in the harbour this morning, along with a dozen Curlews, c25 Ringed Plovers, c60 Dunlin and c25 Redshanks, with a group of 22 Little Egrets stood together out in the main channel, but the bushes were bereft of birds in the wind, with just a Whitethroat glimpsed. (AH)

Later on there were two Wheatears on the concrete blocks and two more in the horse field, with a couple of Meadow Pipits in the vicinity, whilst 34 Ringed Plovers and 55 Dunlin were on the beach, two Snipe and eight Sandwich Terns were in the harbour, three Swallows went over and a couple of Willow Warblers were in the car-park. (P&LH)

Whimbrel (above), Ringed Plover, Dunlin & Little Egrets at Church Norton (AH)

Monday, 10th August: A very warm morning of sun and white cloud in a moderate north-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: There was a huge feeding flock spread across half the horizon this morning, including at least 500 Mediterranean Gulls, and a few Common and Sandwich Terns went west. Full log below. (AH/IP)

(0700-0815hrs) (NW, F3-4)

Gannet - 1E, 4W

Common Scoter - 2E, 1W

Sanderling - 2E, 1W

Turnstone - 9

Mediterranean Gull - 500os

Black-headed Gull - 500os

Herring Gull - 1500os

Great Black-backed Gull - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 24W, 5os

Common Tern - 15W

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1

Swallow - 5W

Sand Martin - 14W

House Martin - 12

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

Ferry Pool: There were just the adult and two juvenile Avocets, two Lapwings and a Redshank on the pool this morning. (AH)

This evening the adult and two juvenile Avocets were in the channel opposite, along with two Oystercatchers, two Whimbrel,  three Lapwings, four Black-tailed Godwits, four Teal and 46 Mallards, whilst a Kingfisher dropped in, five Grey Herons went over and two Ravens put in an appearance nearby. (JC)

Lapwing on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A couple of Willow Warblers and Whitethroats were by the hide, with another half a dozen of the latter, a Sedge Warbler and a Reed Bunting along the Severals, but the bushes were generally very quiet, as was the harbour on the full tide, though c35 Sandwich Terns and c80 Mediterranean Gulls were present, along with up to ten Whimbrels and Curlews, a couple of Ringed Plovers and half a dozen Turnstones, plus 16 Little Egrets. (AH)

Willow Warbler (above), Sedge Warbler & Whitethroat & Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

East Side: There was a good selection of waders along the East Side on the rising tide this morning including c100 Dunlin, c80 Ringed Plovers, 22 Grey Plovers, eight Knot, three Greenshanks, two Spotted Redshanks, four Whimbrels, a Turnstone, a Common Sandpiper, six Black-tailed Godwits, and many Redshanks, Curlews, Oystercatchers, and Lapwings.

Three Great Crested Grebes were on the water along with four Teal and a Shelduck family, whilst over towards the west side, two Marsh Harriers drifted over the channel. (LP/SP/IH/DHo)

Spotted Redshank (above), Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Knot and Dunlin & Ringed Plovers along the East side (LP)

North Wall: It was busy around the paddocks, with c100 Swallows about, and plenty of smaller birds in the bushes, including Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers, Willow Warblers, a Reed Bunting and a Blackcap. A Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were about, and there was plenty of raptor action with five Buzzards, two Kestrels, two Sparrowhawks, and a Red Kite over the fields.

A Wheatear was briefly along the rocks, and at Halsey’s Farm a Little Ringed Plover was on the mud by the rife, and a family group of Long-tailed Tits moved along the hedgerow, also the Water Rail was again showing well, a Kingfisher flew through, and 48 Cattle Egrets were in the harbour. (MJa/CT/DHo/DHi/SP/IH/TRH/LP/GR/PB et al)

Willow Warbler (above), Reed Bunting, Red Kite & Sparrowhawk at the North Wall (LP)

Sidlesham: There was a nice flock of hirundines along Cow Lane this evening, totalling 45 swallows, c20 Sand Martins and 15 House Martins, all being periodically disturbed by a couple of juvenile Sparrowhawks. (PA/AH)

Sand Martin (above) & Sand Martins and House Martin in Sidlesham (PA)

7th - 9th August 2026

Sunday, 9th August: It remains very warm and sunny in just a light south-easterly breeze.......

Selsey Bill: A Sanderling on the beach and nine Swallows east were the only things of note this morning. Full log below. (IP/AH/JA)

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

Gannet - 4E

Sanderling - 1

Turnstone - 10

Mediterranean Gull - 5W

Great Black-backed Gull - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 3E, 2W, 1os

Swallow - 9E

House Martin - 10

Goldfinch - 25

Sandwich Tern (above), Sanderling & Turnstone at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just a Lapwing and c20 Black-headed Gulls on the dried-out pool this morning, with an adult and two juvenile Avocets, eight Redshanks and 14 Black-tailed Godwits, plus a fly-through Kingfisher, in the channel opposite. (AH)

Avocet and Redshank (above) & Lapwing at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: Four Green Sandpipers went over calling, early this morning, whilst a Water Rail was in the rife and a juvenile Marsh Harrier went over, but the only small birds about were two Willow Warblers and three Sedge Warblers and three Cetti's Warblers. (PJ/GJa)

East side: A moulting adult Curlew Sandpiper was at the far end of White's Creek either side of high tide this morning, with a good selection of waders there and further out in the harbour including two Spotted Redshanks, two Common Sandpipers, four Greenshanks, eight Knot, six Whimbrel, c30 Dunlin, 24 Ringed Plovers, c40 Grey Plovers, a Turnstone, a Black-tailed Godwit, 33 Curlews, a dozen Lapwing and 110 Redshanks.

Also, a Kingfisher, a Sandwich Tern, c20 Cattle Egrets and five Teal were about, and a Tree Pipit and a Yellow Wagtail went over. (PJ/GJa/AH/G Bagnall et al)

Curlew Sandpiper (PJ) (above), Dunlin and Ringed Plovers, Whimbrel & Knot and Grey Plovers (AH) along the East side

Church Norton: There wasn't much in the harbour this morning, with just seven Sandwich Terns, a Mediterranean Gull, a Whimbrel, a Ringed Plover and  a Dunlin of note, whilst a Raven went over, but a Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat were about the only small birds seen. (IP)

There wasn't much to report this evening, though a Greenshank, eight Whimbrel, a dozen Curlews, c30 Ringed Plovers and c75 Redshanks were out on the mud. (AH)

Greenshank (above) & Ringed Plover at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A fair selection along the banks this morning included a Wheatear on the rocks, seven Yellow Wagtails, two Meadow Pipits, a Dartford Warbler, two Sedge Warblers, four Reed Warblers, three Willow Warblers, c20 Whitethroats, 12 Stonechats, three Reed Buntings and c20 Yellowhammers, with a House Martin, c20 Swallows and c500 Sand Martins around the reservoir, and more of the latter looking at the artificial nest blocks on the Stilt Pool..
There were also still c40 Common Terns present, with three Greenshanks, a Green Sandpiper, eight Common Sandpipers, a Dunlin, eight Oystercatchers and ten Lapwings and Redshanks on the Stilt Pool, another Common Sandpiper on the reserve and a Marsh Harrier, three Buzzards and two Kestrels over. (SH/EB)

Sand Martins (above), Whitethroat, Green Sandpiper, Yellowhammer & Meadow Pipits at Medmerry (EB)

Saturday, 8th August: Another very warm and sunny morning after a cool start, with the breeze moderate and from the south-east.......

Selsey Bill: Yet another very slow morning! Full log below. (AH/IP)

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

Gannet - 2E

Turnstone - 15

Mediterranean Gull - 25os

Great Black-backed Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 2W

Swift - 1

House Martin - 3

Linnet - 1

Sandwich Tern (above), Turnstone & Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Two Common Sandpipers and a Pied Wagtail were on the shingle islands this morning, but, otherwise there were just an adult and a juvenile Avocet and c20 Black-headed Gulls. 

It was quiet again around the Tramway, with just a handful of Whitethroats and a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker noted.(AH)

Common Sandpipers (above) & Great Spotted Woodpecker at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: Two juvenile Willow Warblers were in the hedges early this morning, whilst a Kingfisher was on the Mill Pond and a Coal Tit was in the garden. (M&LL)

North Wall: There was a bit of activity in the bushes behind the sluice this morning, with a Willow Warbler, two Sedge Warblers, six Reed Warblers and four Whitethroats, whilst out in the harbour c50 Swallows were over the water and three Great Crested Grebes, eight Black-tailed Godwits, four Greenshanks, c20 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plovers, a Grey Plover and c120 Redshanks were along White’s Creek.

It was quiet along the wall although two juvenile Shelducks and six Gadwall flew over and two Sparrowhawks were over Owl Copse, whilst at Halsey’s Farm a Garden Warbler, two lesser Whitethroats, a Blackcap and multiple Whitethroats were along the hedgerows and five Buzzards were circling high overhead.

A few butterflies were also about with three Clouded Yellows, a Small Heath and a Comma being the highlights. (LP/SP/IP/MJa)

Great Crested Grebe (above) & Clouded Yellow at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: A few waders were in the harbour late this afternoon, including a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, ten Whimbrel, two Dunlin and 25 Ringed Plovers. (AH)

Greenshank (above), Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel & Dunlin and Ringed Plovers at Church Norton (AH)

East Head: A Swallowtail butterfly was reported from the  dunes this afternoon. (per AB)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There was quite a lot of activity early on, though it was quieter later, most notably a gathering of c1000 Sand Martins over the reservoirs opposite the poplars, with 200 more over the Stilt Pool, though only 20 Swallows were seen.

Also of note, three Marsh Harriers - possibly a female and two juveniles - were up together, with a Sparrowhawk and two Kestrels also about, whilst there were still c40 Common Terns present, too, and the Stilt Pool held three Greenshanks, four Common Sandpipers, two Dunlin, ten Lapwings, eight Redshanks and four Oystercatchers, with a Whimbrel on the reserve.

Along the banks there were nine Yellow Wagtails, a Pied Wagtail, two Meadow Pipits, nine Stonechats, a Lesser Whitethroat, c20 Whitethroats, two Dartford Warblers, three Willow Warblers, three Reed Warblers, a Sedge Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler, four Reed Buntings and nine Yellowhammers. (SH/PB/AH)

Greenshanks (above), Common Sandpiper, Common Tern & Whitethroat at Medmerry (AH)

Friday, 7th August: After a cool and faintly autumnal start, another very warm and sunny morning in a light to moderate north-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: It was another quiet morning, though 18 Turnstones were on the beach. Full log below. (AH/IP/P&LH)

(0650-0820hrs) (NW, F3)

Common Scoter - 4W

Oystercatcher - 1E

Turnstone - 18

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 1W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1W, 3os

Sandwich Tern - 3E, 8W

Swift - 2

Green Woodpecker - 1

Sand Martin - 2

House Martin - 16

Pied Wagtail - 3

Goldfinch - 25

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

Ferry Pool: There were just two adult and three juvenile Avocets, a juvenile Oystercatcher and a Lapwing on the pool this morning. (AH)

Avocets on the Ferry (AH)

Later, a Snipe, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, three Lapwings, four Oystercatchers and c20 Redshanks were in Ferry Channel and five Cattle Egrets were roosting in the harbour, whilst a Kingfisher, a Song Thrush and nine Swallows were around Red Barn Ditch. (P&LH)

:

Mill Pond Marsh: There were just two Lapwings and six Moorhens on the flooded field this morning, with a Willow Warbler, a couple of Reed Warblers and half a dozen Whitethroats in the bushes and ten Swallows and a Sparrowhawk over. (AH)

A look around Sidlesham Quay early this morning found a Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler in a mixed flock by the stone wall towards Owl Point. (BI)

Sparrowhawk (above), Lapwings & Whitethroat at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

North Wall: Two Common Sandpipers and a Snipe were in White’s Creek first thing this morning, with a Greenshank further out in the harbour, whilst two Whimbrel were in the channel towards Halsey’s Farm, along with several Curlews, of which three were tagged. 

A Grey Wagtail was in the paddocks, 12 Swallows were around the stables and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker and a Jay were in the surrounding trees, whilst a few Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats and Linnets were along the bushes and a Kingfisher flew through but it was generally quiet along the wall.

At Owl Copse four Sparrowhawks were high over the trees and the three young Cattle Egrets were still on their nest, whilst at Halsey’s Farm there was just a Lapwing on the mud and 58 Cattle Egrets were split between the harbour and the rife. (JC/LP/SP/MJa/MaJ/EB/JDW/CT/TS/S&SaH et al)

Reed Warbler (above), Common Sandpiper, Lapwing, Cattle Egrets (LP) & Wasp Spider (SaH) at the North Wall

East side: A Wheatear was along the East Side this morning and a few Willow Warblers were in the tamarisk, whilst out in the harbour there was a good number of waders including c100 Dunlin, 24 Ringed plovers, four Grey Plovers, four Greenshank, c150 Redshanks, a Whimbrel and a few Curlews, Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwits. (LP/SP et al)

Wheatear (above), Greenshank & Ringed Plover along the East side (LP)

Church Norton: It was very quiet this morning, with a Ringed Plover, three Whimbrel, half a dozen Curlews and c40 Oystercatchers about it for the harbour, and with just the odd Whitethroat to be found in the bushes, plus two Sparrowhawks and a Jay. (P&LH/AH)

Whimbrel (above) & Sparrowhawk at Church Norton (LH)

This evening a female Marsh Harrier was hunting over the harbour and there was also a Wheatear on the beach and a single Sand Martin was among c20 Swallows.

Also, a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper were in the harbour, along with a good dozen Whimbrel, similar of Turnstones and c30 Redshanks. (AH/NBd/R Phillips)

Marsh Harrier (above), Sand Martin, Greenshank & Whimbrel at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were still c40 Common Terns, including at least five juveniles, around the Stilt Pool this morning, along with four Greenshanks, four Common Sandpipers, a Dunlin, ten Lapwings and eight Oystercatchers, with another Common Sandpiper, a Whimbrel and two Snipe on the reserve and four sandwich Terns offshore.

Also, eight Yellow Wagtails and nine Meadow Pipits were along the banks, together with seven Stonechats, a Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Whitethroats, five Willow Warblers, a Reed Warbler, five Sedge Warblers and eight Yellowhammers, with c50 Swallows and c200 Sand Martins going over, along with two Sparrowhawks, a Buzzard and a Kestrel. (S&SaH)

Fishbourne Creek: There were a few waders along the creek this morning, including a Greenshank, three Whimbrel, two Turnstones, six Black-tailed Godwits, c40 Curlews, c80 Redshanks and c75 Oystercatchers, as well as a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and a wallow and a Sand Martin went over. (P&LH)