25th - 27th June 2014

Friday, 27th June: Another dull and cloudy morning, but largely dry.....so where was all the heavy and thundery rain that was forecast? As the day progressed the weather actually improved, becoming sunny and fairly warm by mid-late afternoon. Perhaps tomorrow then!  Meanwhile, the brisk W wind lured me down for another look at the sea, but this was the worst yet and I only managed to last and hour and a half today (OM).

Selsey Bill (0810-0940hrs): Dry, cloudy, wind W4.  (Obs: OM/AH)
A poor watch, producing only four species worth a mention....
Gannet - 3E, 2W
Common Scoter - 3E
Common Tern - 4 os fishing, and
Sandwich Tern - 7 os, fishing back and forth

 

Ferry Pool: The interesting selection of waders were still present this morning, namely Spotted Redshank, Ruff and two Green Sandpipers, along with about 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Redshank (2 chicks), 11 Avocets and 6 Lapwings, plus up to 8 Teal and up to 20 fast-growing young Shelduck. (AH/OM)

 

Spotted Redshank and Ruff with Redshank (above) & a Shelduck(ling) on the Ferry (AH)

 

Church Norton: A couple of Gannets along with a few Little, Common and Sandwich Terns were offshore, and along the Severals there were one or two bursts of Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler song. (AH) 

 

Medmerry: There was a pair of Ringed Plovers just east of the breach this morning with 4 chicks. Later on, the Black-winged Stilts were seen out in the middle, still chasing off anything encroaching too near. (PH)

On the Avocet pools at Medmerry, ten or so Avocets, singles of Ringed Plover and Little Ringed Plover, plenty of Linnets and Skylarks about and a constantly singing Corn Bunting. A Little Tern over the pools and a few Sandwich Terns fishing just offshore. About ten Common Scoter were still offshore from the Coastguard station at high water. (BI)

 

At Porthole Farm this evening there were about half a dozen Yellowhammers and similar of Stock Doves, at least 50 each of Swift, Swallow and House Martin were over the sewage farm, and a young Hare along Ham Lane somehow ended up on somebody's doorstep as it retreated from the middle of the road. (AH)

 

Swift and House Martin over Sidlesham SF (above) & a young Hare on a Ham Lane doorstep (AH)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, 26th June: A real contrast to recent days - cool, breezy and with heavy cloud cover..... and a forecast of rain later. The fresh ESE wind tempted me to put in a bit of time sea-watching, but it didn't pay off today with no hint of any shearwaters! (OM).

 

Selsey Bill (0805-1135hrs): Dry, cloudy, wind fresh E/SE 3-4.  (Obs: OM/PC). A small movement of Common Scoter and a trickle of Gannets and Sandwich Terns was about it...

Gannet - 26E

Common Scoter - 74E

Sandwich Tern - 14E

Common Tern - 1W

House Martin - 2 local birds over Oval field
Additional watch 1530-1700hrs: (Obs: SH)

Gannet - 64E, 9W, 28os
Fulmar - 1E
Common Scoter - 27W
Common Tern - 6E, 4W
Sandwich Tern - 12E, 2W
Little Gull - 1E
Kittiwake - 1E
Med Gull - 1E, 1ob 
 

 

 View from the Bill-tip, looking west: you know it will be a slow sea-watch when the Isle of Wight stands out this clearly! Note how prominent the white Culver cliff appears (centre) (OM).

 Sandwich Terns heading east and fishing off the Bill (OM) 

 

 Classic view of a local fishing boat passing the Bill-tip, close in and followed by an entourage of mainly Herring Gulls - not a hint of a petrel with them, but always worth a check! (OM)

 

 Ferry Pool: The Spotted Redshank, Ruff and a Green Sandpiper all still present this morning, along with 20+ Black-tailed Godwits, 40+ Redshank (including the two chicks), 6 Lapwings, 4 Avocets, 8 Teal and a pair of Stock Doves. (AH/OM)

Ruff (above), Black-tailed Godwit & Redshank with chick on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A young Grey Heron upsetting all the birds in the harbour revealed at least 60 Curlew and 20 Shelducks. There were also a few Little and Common Terns feeding in the harbour, and 2 singing Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff and a Great Spotted Woodpecker around the car-park. (AH)

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Church Norton (AH)

 

North Wall: A Kingfisher flew across the wall and on the saltings was an adult Yellow-legged Gull, at first with the Great Black-backed Gulls but then flew off towards the Ferry, and there were say 150 Curlew here too (ARK/per SOS)

Wednesday, 25th June: Another pleasant summer's day, fine and sunny with a variable light-moderate breeze, though feeling a little fresher than of late.
Not much birding news received by early evening; my excuse is that I spent most of the day gardening, so I can hardly complain! (OM)

Selsey Bill 1700 to 1800hrs: Sunny and quite warm, wind light E/SE  (Obs: SH)
Gannet - 2E, 3W
Eider - 6 os
Sandwich Tern - 5E
Common Tern - 5E, 7os
Med Gull - 2W

Ferry Pool: The Spotted Redshank and Ruff were still at the back of the pool early this morning. Also present were half a dozen juvenile Lapwings, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Avocets, 40+ Redshank (including 2 chicks) and 8 Teal. (AH)

Juvenile Lapwings on the Ferry (AH)

 

Church Norton: A Peregrine over the Severals this evening, 4 Sandwich Terns offshore, a couple of Blackcaps singing, and 15 Curlew and 6 Common Terns in the harbour. (AH)