7th - 9th March 2017

Thursday, 9th March: A grey start with a fresh WSW4-5 before the sun broke through, gradually becoming a much better day than yesterday as the wind decreased and the temperature increased to give things a spring feel....

Selsey Bill: The first proper indications of Brent Goose passage, with over 200 east this morning, including a long drawn-out flock of 90 birds, but there wasn't too much else on the move, though four Sandwich Terns put in an appearance. Full log below.....
0730-1100hrs:  (OM/AH/PC/A&YF et al)

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 1W
Great Northern Diver - 1 os
Great Crested Grebe - 1W, 2 os
Fulmar - 1W
Gannet - 5E, 3W
Brent Goose - 226E
Red-breasted Merganser - 5E, 2W, 2 os
Mediterranean Gull - 2os drifted E
Sandwich Tern - 4W
Razorbill - 1 os

Brent Geese (above) & Great Crested Grebe past the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Just three Curlews, four Shelduck and 20 Teal were on the pool, and 50 Lapwing, 20 Shoveler and c200 Wigeon were around the fields. (AH)

Long Pool: There were up to 72 Avocets at the far end of Ferry Channel this morning, along with four Pintail, 60 Shelduck and a few Curlews, whilst along the pool there were two Little Grebes, nine Tufted Ducks, six Linnets and four Reed Buntings, plus a Peregrine went over north. (AH)

Avocets (above), Shelducks & Linnet from Long Pool (AH)

Medmerry (west): Stilt Pool area - There were 32 Avocets here this morning, though not much else of note. (PLS) 

Given the timings these are almost certainly different birds, suggesting that there are in excess of 100 Avocets currently on the Peninsula. (Eds)

Ham Viewpoint: A fairly unobliging Corn Bunting was along the fence line, and in the area were several Meadow Pipits, at least six pairs of Skylark, two Yellowhammers and a pair of Stonechats. (OM)

Medmerry (east): Windmill/Breach area - No sign of the Black Redstart this morning, not helped by the fact that workmen were  busy moving the rubble pile, though a Rock Pipit was along the bottom of the cliff and there were still c60 Common Scoter offshore. (AB)

Rock Pipit (above) & Peacock butterfly at Medmerry (AB)

Church Norton: A quick look from the East Beach end produced very little - just four Great Crested Grebes on the sea, calling Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler, plus about 20 Tufted Ducks from the second Several and a handful of Linnets and Greenfinches in the bushes. (AH)

Great Crested Grebe off Church Norton (AH)

Wednesday, 8th March: A truly miserable morning, with persistent heavy drizzle driven on by a chill and blustery north-westerly breeze.....

The total number of species seen to the end of February (per IP, our official score-keeper!) was 142, one more than at the same point last year. (Eds)

Selsey Bill: (1330-1500hrs) (C&ME)
Great Northern Diver - 1os
Brent Goose - 4E
Shelduck - 1E
Common Scoter - 2E
Red-breasted Merganser - 1E
auk sp - 1W
Meadow Pipit - 2N

East Beach:  A group of five Slavonian Grebes were fairly close offshore, drifting west, this morning. (SR)

Ferry Pool: A Green Sandpiper and a Black-tailed Godwit were at the front, and there were also three Shoveler, two Shelducks and ten Teal on the pool, with 25 Shoveler, 40 Teal and 200 Wigeon around the creek in the field. (AH)

Green Sandpiper (above) & Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)

Pagham Beach: A solitary young male Eider was bobbing offshore at Pagham Beach this afternoon. (M Offer per SOS)

Church Norton: There was nothing but a lone Great Crested Grebe on the sea, and not too much in the harbour on the high tide, though the Whimbrel, along with a few Redshank, Curlew, Grey Plover and Dunlin could be found, plus a couple of dozen Teal and c400 Brent Geese. There were also one or two Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits and Goldfinches in the sheltered hedges, plus a singing Song Thrush. (AH)

Brent Geese (above), Redshank & Goldfinches at Church Norton (AH)

Tuesday, 7th March: A very pleasant day after a grey start, with just a light westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: Dead quiet today with virtually nothing moving....
(0740-1000hrs) (AH/OM)

Great Northern Diver - 3 os

Great Crested Grebe - 2W, 4 os

Gannet - 1E

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 8W, 4os

Mediterranean Gull - 1E
Turnstone - 22 ob

Red-breasted Mergansers past the Bill (AH)

Medmerry Windmill: The Black Redstart was around the rubble pile again this morning, and there were 65 Curlews and a displaying Meadow Pipit on the field behind the cliff. (OM)

Curlew flock in the field behind Medmerry cliffs/Coastguards (OM) 

Medmerry: Porthole Farm to Ham Farm - There were at least a dozen Yellowhammers around the hedges between Porthole Farm and Ham Farm, along with a few Reed Buntings and Linnets, 20+ Skylarks and 100+ Meadow Pipits, and up to a dozen Mediterranean Gulls were among 200 Black-headed Gulls on the beet field.

Two Corn Buntings were singing from the fence along the bank south of Ham Farm, and there were also a pair of Stonechats, a couple of Reed Buntings and 50+ Skylarks in the vicinity, and three Red-breasted Mergansers and a dozen Brent Geese were near the breach. (AH)

Corn Bunting (above), Yellowhammer, Stonechat, Linnets & Mediterranean Gulls at Medmerry (AH)

Church Norton: Not much to report on this morning's circuit - just a pair of Ravens high over the churchyard, which moved off east, and two Chiffchaffs. (CRJ)

Along the west side the long-staying Dartford Warbler was still present, at one time even giving a brief snatch of song. Other observers also reported at least 55 Avocets in the channel. (OM)

Record shot of the Dartford Warbler (well, most of it!) at Church Norton (OM)

Ferry Pool: There were two Avocets on the pool early on, along with 40 Lapwing, the Black-tailed Godwit and 20 Teal, with 200+ Wigeon on the field. (AH)

Avocets on the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: A Cetti's Warbler, half a dozen Reed Buntings, six Tufted Ducks and two Little Grebes were along the pool, with the Spotted Redshank and 50+ Avocets at the far end of Ferry Channel. (AH)

Spotted Redshank (above), Reed Bunting & Avocets and Shelduck from Long Pool (AH)