19th - 21st October 2026

Wednesday, 21st October: Another wet morning, with persistent drizzle interspersed with prolonged spells of rain, with the breeze initially from the south, before shifting to the west and freshening considerably.......

Selsey Bill: A very slow morning in poor visibility and poor conditions, with a Great Northern Diver dropping in well offshore being the highlight. Full log below. (AH)

(0745-0900hrs) (S, F4, veering to W, F5-6)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Gannet - 4W

Common Scoter - 2E

Turnstone - 8

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Great Black-backed Gull - 2os

Kittiwake - 1W

Razorbill - 8W

Razorbills at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were 24 Shovelers on the pool this morning, along with a pair of Gadwall, four Shelducks, c40 Wigeon, c75 Teal and c30 Mallards, with four Avocets, two Redshanks, c60 Lapwings, a Grey Wagtail and two Pied Wagtails also about.(AH)

Selsey: A Sparrowhawk was eating a pigeon in our garden this afternoon. (SaH)

Sparrowhawk in a Selsey garden (SaH)

Church Norton: There was not a lot to report this morning, with nothing but a roving Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit in the hedges and just c20 Grey Plovers and Dunlin among the Curlews, Redshanks and Oystercatchers, half a dozen Brent Geese, two Canada Geese and just a few Wigeon and Teal in the harbour. (AH)

Grey Plover at Church Norton (AH)

This evening three female-type Marsh Harriers went in to roost in the Severals, whilst three Greenshanks were in the harbour and a Stonechat was along Rectory Lane. (S&SaH/AH)

Greenshanks and Redshanks at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: There wasn’t too much about in the very windy conditions although a Water Rail was on the Breech Pool and three Rock Pipits were along the wall, whilst in White’s Creek there were two Bar-tailed Godwits, a Spotted Redshank, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, a Grey Plover, eight Dunlin, and the usual Redshanks, Lapwings, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Shelducks. (LP)

Rock Pipit (above) & Water Rail at the North Wall (LP)

East Side: Four Greenshanks were roosting along the East Side, and there were c100 Dunlin, c30 Ringed Plovers and c20 Grey Plovers out on the mud, and up near the harbour entrance there 22 Brent Geese. (LP)

Greenshanks (above) & Ringed Plover along the East side (LP)

Tuesday, 20th October: After a drizzly start, a morning of uninterrupted and often heavy rain in a moderate to fresh north-easterly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of interest this morning, despite the conditions, including a very probable Lapland Bunting in off the sea, along with three Redwings and a Song Thrush, a Red-throated Diver on the sea and a good selection of wildfowl on the move west, including five Greylag Geese, 21 Brent Geese, four Red-breasted Mergansers, 36 Pintail and 277 Teal. Full log below. (PA/AH)

(0745-1045hrs) (NE, F4-5)

Red-throated Diver - 1os

Gannet - 5E

Little Egret - 1

Greylag Goose - 5W

Brent Goose - 1E, 21W

Shelduck - 5W

Wigeon - 22E, 22W

Pintail - 2E, 36W

Teal - 2E, 277W

Common Scoter - 4W

Red-breasted Merganser - 4W

Turnstone - 20

Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 1W

Common Gull - 2W

Great Black-backed Gull - 3W

Sandwich Tern - 2E

Razorbill - 11E

auk sp - 2W

Grey Wagtail - 2E, then W

Pied Wagtail - 1

Rock Pipit - 1

Song Thrush - 1N

Redwing - 3N

Robin - 1N

Chiffchaff - 1N

starling - 9N

Chaffinch - 70E

Lapland Bunting - 1 probable N

Red-throated Diver (above), Sandwich Tern & Turnstone at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Two Snipe, two Black-tailed Godwits, a Redshank and c60 Lapwings were on the pool this morning, along with two Shelducks, 15 Shovelers, three Gadwall, c30 Wigeon, c80 Teal and 16 Mallards, whilst a pair of Stonechats were in the field. (PA/AH)

Black-tailed Godwits anjd Teal (above) & Shovelers, Teal and Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: Late this afternoon, there was a Short-eared Owl on the wing around the wall. (SP)

Church Norton: There wasn't much to report this morning, with two Firecrests and up to ten Song Thrushes about early on (MRe), and a Whimbrel, a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits and a few Dunlin and Grey Plovers, plus at Grey Heron, half a dozen Little Egrets and least 50 Teal, later (AH et al), being about it.

Grey Plover (above) & Dunlin at Church Norton (AH)

Monday, 19th October: A cool morning in a fresh north-easterly breeze, with a mix of some heavy grey clouds among fast moving white clouds and sunshine......

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of activity both overhead and offshore this morning, including a Merlin in off the sea, 18 Siskins east among a bit of visible migration and 23 Kittiwakes and 100+ auks west offshore. Full log below. (BI/IP/AH)

(0715-0900hrs) (NE, F4-5)

Gannet - 7E, 15W

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 4E

Shelduck - 1E

Common Scoter - 9W

Merlin - 1N

Turnstone - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 8W

Great Black-backed Gull - 1E

Kittiwake - 23W

Razorbill - 42E, 88W

Wood Pigeon - 211S

Swallow - 6E

Grey Wagtail - 2E, 1W

Pied Wagtail - 9E

Meadow Pipit - 56E

Song Thrush - 1N

Stonechat - 1

Chiffchaff - 1

Siskin - 18E

Linnet - 17E

Chaffinch - 16N

Goldfinch - 37E, 50 present

Greenfinch - 1

Gannets at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Green Sandpiper was on the pool this morning, though hard to see between the new fence and the bank, whilst there were also a Redshank, c75 Lapwings, a pair of Shovelers, a pair of Shelducks, c40 Wigeon and c80 Teal. (TG-P/AH)

Green Sandpiper (above), Teal & Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: This evening two Firecrests were in the bushes and three Mistle Thrushes were flying around, whilst in the harbour there were five Bar-tailed Godwits, three Black-tailed Godwits, seven Knot, c30 Brent Geese, c40 Pintail, c150 Teal and a male Marsh Harrier. (PA/AH)

North Wall: A Kingfisher was by the sluice and three Song Thrushes were in the surrounding bushes, whilst two Marsh Harriers were further back over the reeds.

A Water Rail, two Snipe, a Redshank, a Black-tailed Godwit, two Pied Wagtails, and 68 Teal were on the Breech Pool, but it was quiet along the hedgerows with just a couple of Chiffchaffs and three Yellowhammers about. (LP/CT/SP/DHo)

Yellowhammer (above), Snipe & Water Rail at the North Wall (LP)

East Side: A Spotted Redshank and a Bar-tailed Godwit were along the East Side as well as c100 Dunlin, c50 Ringed Plovers, c20 Grey Plovers, and two Turnstones, whilst 15 Brent Geese flew out the channel and a few Pintail, Wigeon, Teal and Shelducks were along the banks.

Also it was busy along the bushes with 12 Chiffchaffs in the Tamarisk, and two Stonechats, a Reed Bunting and a Cetti’s Warbler were in the hedgerow. (LP/DHo)

Stonechat (above), Reed Bunting, Grey Plover & Dunlin and Ringed Plover at the East side (LP)

Two adult Yellow-legged Gulls were in the harbour this evening, along with two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and c15 Common and Mediterranean Gulls, whilst a good selection of waders included a Spotted Redshank, ten Bar-tailed Godwits, c30 Black-tailed Godwits, 45 Ringed Plovers, 20 Turnstones and c150 Dunlin, and there were also 32 Brent Geese, two Shovelers and a Marsh Harrier about. (AWi)

Yellow-legged Gull at the East side (AWi)

#

16th-18th October 2026

Sunday, 18th October:  A breezy day with northerly F4-5 winds, rain moving in by 1600hrs and lasting overnight...

Selsey Bill: Quality over quantity this morning: a male Goosander west, two Fieldfares, a Redwing and a Mistle Thrush in off the sea and a good number of Brent moving too.

(PB/SH/BI). Log below:

(0700-0900hrs) (N F5)

Gannet - 22E, 3W

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 94W

Pintail - 6E

Wigeon - 26W

Teal - 10W

Common Scoter - 5E, 1W

Goosander - 1W (adult male)

Oystercatcher - 1ob

Turnstone - 2

Great Black-backed Gull - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 6E

auk sp. - 10E, 60W

Wood Pigeon - 490S

Skylark - 11N

Meadow Pipit - 12N

Pied Wagtail - 8W

Grey Wagtail - 2E, 3W

Redwing - 1N

Fieldfare - 2N

Mistle Thrush - 1N

Chiffchaff - 2

Chaffinch - 5N

Linnet - 10p

Goldfinch - 20p

Siskin - 2W

Brent Geese, above, Wigeon and Grey Wagtail at the Bill (BI

Medmerry: Ham Farm - Two Marsh Harriers, a cream-cap and an adult male, were over the reedbeds, a Fieldfare came out of the trees and two Dartford Warblers were near the viewpoint. 

Around the fields were plenty of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks and c.10 Stonechats were along the fenceline. (BI)

Marsh Harrier with Skylark, above, and Marsh Harrier at Ham (BI)

Mill Lane: A cronking Raven flew over this morning as did at least one Redwing and at least one Siskin. (ML)

Sidlesham, Cow Lane: The highlights of vizmig here this morning were 1100+ Wood Pigeons, 31 Redwings and a Fieldfare. (PA)

North Wall: A Spotted Redshank, four Grey Plovers, seven Black-tailed Godwits, and eleven Dunlin were along White’s Creek, along with numerous Redshanks, Lapwings, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Shelducks and Mallards. Two Rock Pipits were along the wall, and on the Breech Pool, 12 Teal were on the water and two Water Rails, two Snipe, two Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail were out on the mud. 

Elsewhere it was fairly quiet with just eight Stonechats, four Chiffchaffs, six Reed Buntings, two Cetti’s Warblers and a Song Thrush along the bushes, with a Kestrel and a Red Kite over the fields. (LP/MRi/EB/SBr)

Teal, above, Rock Pipits, Stonechat, Kestrel, Grey Wagtail & Snipe (LP), Red KIte, Water Rail & Pied Wagtail (EB) at the North Wall

Medmerry: West side - A Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier and two Kestrels were about today and ten Brent and four Egyptian Geese were with the Canada Geese near the Stilt Pool. Along the banks were two Cetti's Warblers, two Chiffchaffs, 16 Stonechats, four Dartford Warblers, three Yellowhammers and eight Pied Wagtails. Offshore, six Sandwich Terns went west as did 39 Wigeon. (SaH/SH/PB)

Saturday, 17th October:  A chilly start with northerly winds c.F3 veering North-easterly as the day progresses...dry with sunny spells...

Selsey Bill: An excellent morning for vizmig today with the northerly winds bringing out the finches, pipits and larks and although offshore was quite quiet, 130 Brent Geese still moved west. Wood Pigeons were also on the move, a Blackcap dropped into the bushes as did a Budgerigar (!) and two Clouded Yellow were on the wing. 

(SH/PB/MRB/P&LH/BI et al). Log below.

(0730-0930hrs) (N F3-4):

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Gannet - 3E, 20W

Shag - 2E

Canada Goose - 3W

Brent Goose - 131W

Shoveler - 1W

Wigeon - 14W

Teal - 1W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Peregrine - 1E

Turnstone - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 1W

Great Black-backed Gull - 2E

Sandwich Tern - 6E

auk sp. -10E

Wood Pigeon - 690S

Skylark - 30N

Swallow - 3E

Meadow Pipit - 57W

Pied Wagtail - 11W, 7 on Oval Field

Grey Wagtail - 2W

Stonechat - 2

Blackcap - 1

Chiffchaff - 5

Magpie - 14E

Chaffinch - 12N

Brambling - 2N

Linnet - 10E

Redpoll - 1N

Greenfinch - 4p

Siskin - 14W

Goldfinch - 40p

Reed Bunting - 1

(1215-1330hrs) (P&LH)

Gannet - 3E, 12W, 11os

Shag - 1W

Brent Goose - 75W

Wigeon - 3W

Teal - 1W

Common Scoter - 1os

Meadow Pipit - 2N

Pied Wagtail - 8p

Stonechat - 2

Chiffchaff - 1

Brent Geese, above, Sandwich Tern, Stonechat, Budgerigar and Clouded Yellow at the Bill (BI)

Ferry Pool: There was nothing but Lapwings and Black-headed Gulls present on the pool early on but a Grey Wagtail dropped into the fenceline near the road. In the channel was an Avocet and the usual mix of wildfowl. (BI) 

Later, a Stonechat was in the hedges and 18 Ringed Plover were noted and 35 Redwings flew north. (R.Shelley/MP)

Avocet, above, and Grey Wagtail at the Ferry (BI)

Sidlesham Churchyard: A Mistle Thursh was here this morning but notable were the number of Yews & Ilexs laden with berries-a good sign for the winter perhaps. (BI)

Sidlesham, Cow Lane: A Redpoll, a Siskin, six Redwing, 8 Song Thrush, 10 Chaffinch, 22 Meadow Pipits, 19 Pied Wagtails, 66 Skylarks and 682 Wood Pigeons all flew over this morning. (PA)

Hunston, Church Farm: There were plenty of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks in the fields today but the bushes only held a few Chiffchaffs and Chaffinches. (BI)

Church Norton: The highlights today were on Rectory Lane where at least 175 Pied Wagtails and 26 Meadow Pipits were on the newly tilled fields. Sixteen Red-legged Partridges were behind the church, six Stock Dove flew over, as did six Linnets, two Skylarks and a Swallow, and a Kestrel was hovering. In the hedges were five Long-tailed Tits, two Chiffchaffs and a Green Woodpecker whilst the harbour held 30 Oystercatchers, a Grey Plover, a Little Egret, 20 Curlew and eight Redshank. (P&LH)

North Wall: A Spotted Redshank and two Greenshanks were along White’s Creek, but the Breech Pool was quieter than of late with just a Pied Wagtail there. Three more Pied Wagtails were along the rocks, and the bushes along the wall were full of Stonechats with at least 15 seen, as well as a few Reed Buntings and Long-tailed Tits. 

A Marsh Harrier was over the reeds, and at Halsey’s Farm, a Kestrel, a Green Woodpecker, two Jays, a Song Thrush and a Kestrel were around the fields, and a few Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were along the fences. (LP)

Stonechats, above, Kestrel & Pied Wagtail at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: West side: - Three Barnacle Geese were with the Canada Geese this afternoon and four Egyptian Geese were also in the area. C.130 Golden Plover were out in the reserve, a Water Rail and two Snipe were on the marsh and a Marah Harrier, a Peregrine, four Buzzards and three Kestrels were all seen. 

The banks held five Chiffchaffs, a Dartford Warbler, two Cetti's Warblers, 17 Stonechats, six Pied Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail and three Yellowhammers and three cronking Ravens went overhead. (SaH/SH)

Barnacle Geese with Canada Geese. (SH)

Friday, 16th October:  A wet start to the day in F4 NNW winds, forecast to dry up from 1000hrs onward...

Selsey Bill: There wasn't a great deal going on for the lone observer in inclement conditions this morning! (BI) Log below:

(0730-0930hrs) (NNW F4)

Gannet - 11E

Shag - 1E, 1os

Common Scoter - 2E, 2os

Turnstone - 7ob

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1ob

Great Black-backed Gull - 1W ,3os

Rock Pipit - 1p

Meadow Pipit - 8N

Pied Wagatil - 2W

Grey Wagtail - 1W

Goldfinch - 80p

Rock Pipit, above, & Shag at the Bill (BI)

Ferry Pool: There were 27 Teal, five Shelduck, c.30 Black-headed Gulls and c.70 Lapwings on the pool this morning. A surprise was a Jack Snipe flushed from the road end and which dived down into the reedbed. (BI) 

Later on, an Avocet was on the pool along with three Greenshank, and a Chiffchaff and a Cetti's Warbler were in the nearby hedges. (E.Horsley)

Mill Lane: A Blackcap was near the pumping station and two Chiffchaffs and c.10 Goldfinches were in the conifers today. (BI)

North Wall: A Kingfisher was by the sluice and White’s Creek was full of Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Shelducks and Mallards, with a spotted Redshank, 24 Black-tailed Godwits, a Grey Plover and c80 Redshanks along the banks.

Six Snipe were on the Breech Pool, as well as a Water Rail, five Lapwings, a Curlew, a Redshank, four Pied Wagtails and two Stonechats, while two Marsh Harriers were over the reeds and a Rock Pipit was along the rocks.

Another Water Rail was along Owl Water, and at Halsey’s Farm, five Stonechats, 12 Meadow Pipits and three Skylarks were around the fields. (LP/SP)

Pintail, above, Curlew, Water Rail, Snipe, Pied Wagtail & Meadow Pipit at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: The Whimbrel and a few Curlews were along the saltmarsh and a c.5 Chiffchaffs and a Jay were in the churchyard. Thirty Wigeon were out in the harbour along with five Little Egrets and a Greenshank, and two Great Crested Grebes were in the channels. From the Severals could be seen 20 Pintail, ten Skylarks, three Stonechats and 71 Goldfinches.  (BI/E.Horsley)

Chiffchaff, above, & Curlew at Church Norton (BI)