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: (0600-0900hrs) (ESE F3) (SH/JA/PM/PB/IP/MRe/AGB/JB/MRB/HR/NM/JF/BI et al)

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:

Mallard – 2e
Common Scoter – 44e
Red-breasted Merganser – 2e 4w 3os
diver sp. – 1w
Red-throated Diver – 3e 1os
Great Northern Diver – 1e 9os
Great Crested Grebe – 1w
Gannet – 3e 6w
Oystercatcher – 4e
Curlew – 1w
Turnstone – 10
Great Skua – 1os
Arctic Skua – 1e
Great Black-backed Gull
Mediterranean Gull – 4e 2w
Common Gull – 5e
Kittiwake – 1w
Sandwich Tern – 78e 12 os
auk sp. – 2w
Swallow – 1n
Meadow Pipit – 1n
Pied Wagtail – 2n 1e
Wheatear – 3ob

(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 1 w

Turnstone - 1

Arctic Skua - 1e

Mediterranean Gull - 4e

Common Gull - 1e

Sandwich Tern - 59e

In the Crablands 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)

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

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 vistor 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-taield 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: (0630-0900hrs) (W F5) (SH/IP/P&LH/BI) 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:

Brent Goose - 35e 1w
Teal - 2e

Common Scoter - 19e

Red-breasted Merganser - 2e

Red-throated Diver - 1os

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Great Crested Grebe - 1e 1w

Gannet - 11e 32w

Manx Shearwater - 1w

Oystercatcher - 1w

Curlew - 1w

Turnstone - 18

Sanderling - 1ob

Great Black-backed Gull - 3w 7os

Mediterranean Gull - 5e

Kittiwake - 3w
Sandwich Tern 7e 19w
Meadow Pipit - 19n
Linnet - 48w
Redpoll - 1w

Goldfinch - 5w

This afternoon was as follows: (1430-1530hrs) (W F5) (P&LH)

Great Crested Grebe - 1e

Great Black-backed Gull - 4os

Mediterranean 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: (0625-0815hrs) (SW F3-4) (SH/IP/BI) 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:

Long-tailed Duck - 1os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1e 3w

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 1e 1w

Fulmar - 1w

Shag - 1e

Oystercatcher 1e 7w
Turnstone - 7

Great Black-backed Gull - 10os

Mediterranean Gull - 2e
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

Sandwich Tern - 1w

Turnstone - 8

Dunlin - 10e

Grey Plover - 25e

Pied Wagtail - 1

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

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

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)

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)

1st - 3rd April 2026

Friday, 3rd April: A really dismal morning's weather, with persistent drizzly rain pushed through by a fresh and blustery south-westerly........

Selsey Bill: There was almost nothing to see in the poor visibility this morning. Full log below. (SH/BI/JA./IP/AH)

(0615-0815hrs) (SW, F5-6)

Red-throated Diver - 1os

Gannet - 5W

Oystercatcher - 9W

Turnstone - 6

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Great Black-backed Gull - 1W, 7os

Sandwich Tern - 5W

Meadow Pipit - 1N

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

This afternoon, a Long-tailed Duck went west, three Common Scoters went east and a flock of 14 Meadow Pipits flew in off the sea. Full log below. (PB/SH/AH)

(1400-1600hrs)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 1E, 14W

Long-tailed Duck - 1W

Common Scoter - 3E

Turnstone - 12

Great Black-backed Gull - 7W

Sandwich Tern - 2E, 20W

Meadow Pipit - 14N

Sandwich Tern (above), Gannet & Great Crested Grebe at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Three Avocets, a couple of Lapwings and c40 Black-tailed Godwits on the pool this morning, with a couple of Redshanks and a Curlew in the fields, and there were also a dozen Shelducks, eight Gadwall, c25 Teal and c50 Shovelers present.

Also, eight Black-tailed Godwits were in Ferry Channel, with a couple of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers around the Discovery Area and Visitor Centre. (AH)

Blackcap (above), Black-tailed Godwit & Avocets at the Ferry (AH)

This afternoon there were a pair of Egyptian Geese on the pool, whilst the Spotted Redshank, 22 Black-tailed Godwits and a pair of Gadwall were in Ferry Channel. (AH)

Spotted Redshank (above), Gadwall & Egyptian Geese at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There was a big increase to c120 Sandwich Terns in the harbour this morning, though not that many Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls were about, and the harbour just held c40 Black-tailed Godwits and a few Curlews, Redshanks and Oystercatchers, plus c25 Shelducks.

Also, a Blackcap and a couple of Chiffchaffs were in the sheltered hedges, but that really was about it. (AH)

Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

Chichester GPs: There were three Little Gulls - two adults and a first winter - on East Trout Lake this afternoon. (AB)

North Wall: Two Mistle Thrushes, a Song Thrush and a Chiffchaff were in the small copse at Halsey’s Farm this afternoon, and earlier an Avocet was along the Rife, but it was generally very quiet in the windy conditions, with just a few Curlews and a pair of Gadwall in the fields, and two Marsh Harriers further back over the reeds. (MRi/LP)

Thrushes and Avocet at Halsey's Farm (LP)

Thursday, 2nd April: A morning that started cool and grey in a fresh northerly, but slowly warmed and brightened up as the breeze abated........

Selsey Bill: Two Pintail - presumably different to yesterday's birds - were the only things heading east offshore again this morning, whilst two Wheatears were seen flying in off the sea and landing on the groynes, one of which remained in situ for at least ten minutes. Full log below. (PM/AH/IP)

(0700-0900hrs) (N, F4-5)

Great Northern Diver - 5os

Gannet - 7W

Pintail - 2E

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W, 2os

Oystercatcher - 4E, 5W, 3os

Turnstone - 2

Mediterranean Gull - 5E, 2W

Sandwich Tern - 10os

auk sp - 3W

Wheatear - 2

Chiffchaff - 1

Wheatears (PM top two, AH lower) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: There were two Little Ringed Plovers on the pool this morning, whilst the Ruff was roosting with 59 Black-tailed Godwits and there were also three Avocets, four Lapwings, a Snipe, two Redshanks, a Curlew, 11 Shelducks, seven Gadwall, c30 Teal and c50 Shovelers about.

Also, the Greenshank and the Spotted Redshank were well up Ferry Channel, a Water Rail was in Red Barn Ditch, a Peregrine went over, a Mistle Thrush was near the adjacent houses and up to five singing Blackcaps and at least three Chiffchaffs were around the Discovery area/ Tramway. (AH/PM/AW)

Greenshank (above), Water Rail (AW), Little Ringed Plovers, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwits and Teal, Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits & Wren (AH) at the Ferry

Late this afternoon, the Spotted Redshank and the Greenshank were again in Ferry Channel, along with 64 Black-tailed Godwits. (AH)

Spotted Redshank (above) & Black-tailed Godwit at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A Glossy Ibis dropped into Owl Copse at 0820hrs this morning and then preened itself for about 20 minutes before heading out north and appearing to drop into the ditches in Honer 3, before later being seen flying into White's Creek, where there was also a Spotted Redshank.

Also, a Kingfisher was along the water at Owl Copse, a Corn Bunting was at Owl Point, and the male Marsh Harrier was over the Breech Pool, where there were just a Shoveler, a Shelduck, two Great Crested Grebes present, plus the pair of Mute the Swans, busy building up their nest, whilst Halsey's Farm there were just a couple of Skylarks and three Buzzards. (GHi/EB/CS et al)

Glossy Ibis (above), Great Crested Grebe, Kingfisher, Shoveler (GHi), Glossy Ibis, Corn Bunting, Marsh Harrierd & Buzzard (EB) at the North Wall 

Church Norton: This evening there were 16 Bar-tailed Godwits in the harbour, along with six Black-tailed Godwits, but very few other waders, whilst c30 Sandwich Terns and c50 Mediterranean Gulls were among the Black-headed Gulls. (AH)

Bar-tailed Godwit (above) & Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

Wednesday, 1st April: A hazily grey morning, quite mild in a moderate north-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: A pair of Pintail were the only birds heading east this morning, through three Wheatears, two Willow Warblers and four Chiffchaffs moved through. Full log below. (AH/IP/MO-W)

(0710-0855hrs) (NW, F3-4)

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Gannet - 2W

Pintail - 2E

Red-breasted Merganser - 7W, 5os

Turnstone - 8

Mediterranean Gull - 12E, 11W

Black-headed Gull - 133W

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1W

Great Black-backed Gull - 3os

Wheatear - 3

Willow Warbler - 2

Chiffchaff - 4

Linnet - 2

Chaffinch - 2

Wheatears (above) & Chiffchaff at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Ruff was still at the back this morning, with a pair of Avocets, a Redshank, a Curlew, four Lapwings and c30 Black-tailed Godwits about, but wildfowl were reduced to c30 Shovelers, a dozen Teal, six Gadwall and eight Shelducks. (AH/GSh)

Lapwings (above) & Shelducks and Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

This evening the Spotted Redshank and the Greenshank were again in Ferry Channel. (AH)

Spotted Redshank (above) & Greenshank at the Ferry (AH)

Pagham Spit: There were six Wheatears along the spit this morning. (LP)

Wheatears at the Pagham Spit (LP)

North Wall: This morning, a Sedge Warbler was in the Breech Pool, whilst a Spotted Redshank was in White's Creek and four Bar-tailed Godwits, 25 Knot, 130 Grey Plovers, four Red-breasted Mergansers and four Pintail were out in the harbour, along with seven Common Seals. 

Also, there were two male Wheatears in Owl Point field, two Red Kites, two Marsh Harriers and five Buzzards were over the fields and the first Grey Heron chick of the year was seen in the visible nest at Owl Copse. (LP/BFF/AB/SP et al)

Red Kite (above), Cattle Egret & Little Grebe at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: There were up to 50 Sandwich Terns and 200 Mediterranean Gulls among c500 Black-headed Gulls in and around the islands this morning, whilst in the harbour there were 20 Bar-tailed Godwits, c50 Black-tailed Godwits, two Knot, three Dunlin and 25 Grey Plovers, along with a male Red-breasted Merganser, a dozen Teal and a flock of seven Brent Geese that were flying around.

A Willow Warbler, a Blackcap and a few Chiffchaffs were around the Mound area, but a Reed Bunting, half a dozen Linnets and a couple of Long-tailed Tits was about it along the front, whilst a female Marsh Harrier was sat out at the Severals and a Green Woodpecker and a Great spotted Woodpecker were about, too. (AH/CRJ/GR/EB/BFF et al)

Bar-tailed Godwits, Knot and Grey Plovers (above), Black-tailed Godwits, Bar-tailed Godwits and Red-breasted Merganser, Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls (AH) & Long-tailed Tit (CRJ) at Church Norton

Medmerry: Windmill area - There were two male Wheatears on the beach this morning, with a Reed Bunting, a Skylark and half a dozen Linnets about, too, whilst offshore there were a Great Northern Diver and four Red-breasted Mergansers. (AH)

Wheatears (above), Reed Bunting & Great Northern Diver at Medmerry (AH)