7th - 9th November 2013

Saturday, 9th November: Dry early on, but as I write this at home (0915hrs) the sky is black, the rain torrential and a thunderstorm is going on! Birding activity is therefore currently suspended, for me at least! Further update on the weather...heavy rain most of the morning then becoming showery with drier interludes =  a lousy day! The wet weather prompted me to catch up on some paperwork, so many thanks to all those who answered my request for information on the Peninsula 2013 year list. It is hoped to publish these details on this site at the end of the year; hopefully also with a summary of the year's highlight.
 

Selsey Bill 0840-0940hrs: Cloud, rain. W3-4.  (Obs: AH)  The only report so far!

Gannet - 250W
Great Northern Diver - 3 os
Great Crested Grebe - 2 os

Shoveler - 1W

R/b Merganser -  5 os

Common Scoter - 5W
Mediterranean Gull - 12 os
 

 

Pagham Hbr: The Juv Red-backed Shrike is still present on the Reserve at 12.30. It has now relocated slightly as it has moved on the north wall just east of the footpath to Halsey's Farm. It was present in a rose bush and hawthorn at the corner with Owl Copse. Also 4 Rock Pipits, a Kingfisher and 2 Water Rails (Ivan Lang).

 

Friday, 8th November: A dry morning but wet and miserable again by afternoon. A sea-watch at the Bill produced nothing exceptional but a variety of species including three species of diver and another late flurry of Swallows.

Selsey Bill 0645 to 1010hrs: Dry, cloudy, wind S2 then SSW4. (Obs: JA/GH et al)

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Black-throated Diver - 1W

Red-throated Diver - 4W

Great Crested Grebe - 1E,1W, 2os

Gannet - 9E, 19W

Brent Goose - 2E, 63W

Shelduck - 1W

Teal - 4E

Common Scoter - 6E, 52W

Red-breasted Merganser - 9W

Oystercatcher - 4ob

Great Skua - 1E

Med' Gull - 9os, 7W

Kittiwake - 1E, 5W

Little Gull - 1 adult E

Common Gull - 5W, 3os

auk sp - 4W

Woodpigeon - 6E, 25W, 21S

Stock Dove - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 4E, 9W

Pied Wagtail - 9W

Skylark - 2W

Swallow - 27 S

Chiffchaff - 1p

Linnet - 7E

Goldfinch - 19E, 26W, 133S

Greenfinch - 11E, 12W

Reed Bunting - 2W

 

 

 

Stonechat at the Severals, Church Norton (A. House)

 

Pagham Hbr: Church Norton: A Stonechat on the 1st Several, a Kingfisher over the horsefield creek, a couple of Chiffchaffs in the hedges and a Red-breasted Merganser on the sea was it for a quick look (AH).

 

Thursday, 7th November: Overnight rain gave way to a dry and fairly cool morning with a light-mod NW wind, giving periods of sunshine. It was good to be out birding on a nice day even if the wind was not in a favourable quarter, so I headed to the Bill where I was soon joined by three-quarters of the Worthing contingent (Bernie, Dave Smith and Dorian). Best birds there were three Great Northern Divers offshore, a small movement of Med Gulls and a group of late Swallows; then with the wind easing, we decided to head for East Head and West Wittering to check through the waders on the rising tide - especially Ringed Plovers!

Selsey Bill (0750-1020hrs): Dry, cloud then sun, NW 5-6, decreasing. (Obs: OM/BFF/DIS/DM).

Gannet - 3E, 15W

Great Northern Diver - 3 os

Brent Goose - 4E, 53W

Common Scoter - 2E, 8W

Shoveler - 1W

Med Gull - 36W, 18 os

Swallow - 5

Pied Wagtail - 4W

Rock Pipit - 1 ob

Meadow Pipit - 9SE, 10W

Goldfinch - 60W

 Distant record shot of 4/5 of the Swallow flock at the Bill

 

An all too familiar sight now on Selsey Bill beach, hence many migrants don't stick around; just a minute before this bit of beach was busy with Med Gulls and Turnstones!

 

A Black Redstart played hide and seek with me late this afternoon around the fishermans' huts at East Beach, Selsey (SR).

At East Head the first bird of note was a Black-throated Diver off the northern end; the others got onto it before me and it took a little time before I could make out the clear white 'flank patch,' lack of bill bulk and clean black/white face pattern that surely clinched it. A couple of R/b Mergansers and a few Great Crested Grebes were present in the channel but little else, although a distant flock of Bar-tailed Godwits was noted across the water on Pilsey sands. Our plan to check out the waders roosting on the very high tide was not successful as most would not settle, perhaps due to the lack of exposed mud at the time. A pair of Stonechats, a few Meadow Pipits and a few Skylarks were all we could find on the Head, so we moved to the car park area where a good number of Brent and waders were now roosting (when not being disturbed by walkers). At least 30 Golden Plover were flying around, whilst 140 Ringed Plovers were scrutinised for a smaller congener without success. We then checked Snowhill Marsh and West Wittering and logged 2 Spotted Redshanks, a Greenshank and 6 Snipe, then another late flock of 4 Swallows, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Firecrests and 2 Goldcrests (BFF/DIS/DM/OM).

 

Last of the summer wine tour: Above (left-to-right) - Dave Smith, Bernie Forbes and me!

below: Dorian  in action - ooh what a big one!

Andy House also visited East Head and added 8 R/b Mergansers, up to 20 Great Crested Grebes and a Shag.

R/b Mergansers and Skylark, East Head (A. House)