Friday, 15th September: After a chilly start, a very pleasant, warm and sunny day with a light north-westerly breeze....becoming cloudier with the odd shower by afternoon.
Pagham Harbour Visitor Centre: The juvenile Turtle Dove was showing very well again this morning, seen mostly in the trees by the pond outside the Visitor Centre.
Also, late this morning the two White Storks (seen earlier over Church Norton - see below) flew over high, heading west. (SR/IL/BI/AH et al).
Turtle Dove (above) & White Stork at Pagham Harbour Visitor Centre (AH/BI)
Thursday, 14th September: Another very windy day, coming from the west, with a mix of sunshine and fast-moving cloud....Also, late this morning the two White Storks (seen earlier over Church Norton - see below) flew over high, heading west. (SR/IL/BI/AH et al).
More Turtle Dove shots (J-PC)
Selsey Bill: (0700-0830hrs) (JA)
Gannet - 1E, 2W
Mediterranean Gull - 4W
Sandwich Tern - 3W
Swallow - 27W
House Martin - 5W
Meadow Pipit - 64W
Yellow Wagtail - 1W
Pied Wagtail - 1E, 1W
Willow Warbler - 1p
Chiffchaff - 4p
Gannet - 1E, 2W
Mediterranean Gull - 4W
Sandwich Tern - 3W
Swallow - 27W
House Martin - 5W
Meadow Pipit - 64W
Yellow Wagtail - 1W
Pied Wagtail - 1E, 1W
Willow Warbler - 1p
Chiffchaff - 4p
Goldfinch - 17W
Medmerry: Toe End - A Short-eared Owl flew over towards Selsey this morning, and also about were a Hobby, a Sparrowhawk, seven Wheatears, a Willow Warbler, 100+ Sand Martins and 300+ Swallows, with four Sandwich Terns offshore and three Buzzards overhead. (SH)
Ferry Pool: There were ten Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Lapwing and 12 Teal on the pool this morning. (AH)
Church Norton: A Red-rumped Swallow was seen briefly this morning, but could not be relocated later. Also the two White Storks went over (see above), and there were two Spotted Flycatchers, two Garden Warblers, a dozen Chiffchaffs and one or two Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroats and Whitethroats behind the hide. (A&YF)
Later on there was a Stonechat, a couple of Wheatears, a Lesser Whitethroat and one or two Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs along the Severals, plenty of Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows over, plus a Hobby, a Whimbrel was in the harbour and a couple of Sandwich Terns offshore. Also a stoat was near the orchard at Greenlease Farm. (AH/IP/SaH)
A single juvenile Yellow Wagtail was in field behind the hide this afternoon. It is almost certainly a normal Yellow Wagtail but it does seem to be very grey on the mantle ..... (causing me to question the possibility of an eastern-type Yellow Wagtail...!) (IL)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pools - There was a good selection of commoner migrants along the banks and hedges, including seven Whinchats, two Stonechats, eight Wheatears, two Sedge Warblers, a Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat and at least ten Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs, whilst there were up to 40 Yellow Wagtails in with the cows.
There were at least 500 Meadow Pipits present, mostly towards the Stilt Pool, though they weren't obviously on the move, and there were also 2-400 Sand Martins and House Martins, joined by 100+ Swallows, around the pools.
Among resident birds there were five Corn Buntings among the Yellowhammers on their favourite bush, a scattering of Reed Buntings and 200+ Linnets and Goldfinches.
As ever, waders were few, comprising a Common Sandpiper, a Ruff, three Dunlin and 25 Lapwing on the Stilt Pool and a Greenshank, a couple of Curlews and 20+ Black-tailed Godwits by the poplars, whilst wildfowl included 25 Wigeon, 20 Teal, three Shoveler and 15 Gadwall, plus at least 200 Canada Geese. (AH)
Snowhill Creek/Ellanore: Plenty of waders on Snowhill Creek this morning: 50+ Redshanks, three Spotted Redshanks, six Greenshanks, two Bar-tailed Godwits and ten Black-tailed Godwits all being present. There were also good number of Teal and around the bushes/reeds were two Stonechats, four Whitethroats and a female Blackcap. At Ellanore, a Kingfisher flew down the channel, a Curlew and a Whimbrel were out on the mud and there was a very large mixed Gull flock, probably numbering into the '000s. The flock consisted of mainly Black-headed & Herring Gulls but there were at least 250 Mediterranean Gulls at the south end as well as a few Sandwich Terns. (BI)
A video of the flock showing its extent is here: Gulls
Long Pool: This evening there were three Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, two Whimbrel, four Avocets, 12 Dunlin, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Curlews and c60 Redshank, plus c40 Teal, at the far end of Ferry Channel, plus a fly-by Kingfisher and four Sand Martins and ten Swallows over. (AH)
East side: Waders included 120 Black-tailed and two Bar-tailed Godwits, 120 Common and two Spotted Redshanks, three Greenshank and single Grey and Golden Plovers; ducks included eight Pintail (males in eclipse) and 40 Wigeon; terns were two Sandwich Terns and a first-winter Arctic Tern, which fished but was not seen to make a catch, and roosted on open mud. (ARK per SOS)
Medmerry: Toe End - A Short-eared Owl flew over towards Selsey this morning, and also about were a Hobby, a Sparrowhawk, seven Wheatears, a Willow Warbler, 100+ Sand Martins and 300+ Swallows, with four Sandwich Terns offshore and three Buzzards overhead. (SH)
Ferry Pool: There were ten Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Lapwing and 12 Teal on the pool this morning. (AH)
Church Norton: A Red-rumped Swallow was seen briefly this morning, but could not be relocated later. Also the two White Storks went over (see above), and there were two Spotted Flycatchers, two Garden Warblers, a dozen Chiffchaffs and one or two Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroats and Whitethroats behind the hide. (A&YF)
White Stork over Church Norton (AF)
Later on there was a Stonechat, a couple of Wheatears, a Lesser Whitethroat and one or two Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs along the Severals, plenty of Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows over, plus a Hobby, a Whimbrel was in the harbour and a couple of Sandwich Terns offshore. Also a stoat was near the orchard at Greenlease Farm. (AH/IP/SaH)
Hobby (above), Whimbrel (AH), Stonechat, Grey Heron and Little Egret & Stoat (SaH) at Church Norton
pale Yellow Wagtail at Church Norton (IL)
Park Farm, Selsey: A Grey Wagtail was on the balancing pool in Manor Lane. (SaH)
Grey Wagtail at Park Farm, Selsey (SaH)
There were at least 500 Meadow Pipits present, mostly towards the Stilt Pool, though they weren't obviously on the move, and there were also 2-400 Sand Martins and House Martins, joined by 100+ Swallows, around the pools.
Among resident birds there were five Corn Buntings among the Yellowhammers on their favourite bush, a scattering of Reed Buntings and 200+ Linnets and Goldfinches.
As ever, waders were few, comprising a Common Sandpiper, a Ruff, three Dunlin and 25 Lapwing on the Stilt Pool and a Greenshank, a couple of Curlews and 20+ Black-tailed Godwits by the poplars, whilst wildfowl included 25 Wigeon, 20 Teal, three Shoveler and 15 Gadwall, plus at least 200 Canada Geese. (AH)
Whinchat (above), Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Whitethroat, Corn Buntings, Meadow Pipits, Sand and House Martins, Ruff, Common Sandpiper & Wigeon at Medmerry (AH)
Snowhill Creek/Ellanore: Plenty of waders on Snowhill Creek this morning: 50+ Redshanks, three Spotted Redshanks, six Greenshanks, two Bar-tailed Godwits and ten Black-tailed Godwits all being present. There were also good number of Teal and around the bushes/reeds were two Stonechats, four Whitethroats and a female Blackcap. At Ellanore, a Kingfisher flew down the channel, a Curlew and a Whimbrel were out on the mud and there was a very large mixed Gull flock, probably numbering into the '000s. The flock consisted of mainly Black-headed & Herring Gulls but there were at least 250 Mediterranean Gulls at the south end as well as a few Sandwich Terns. (BI)
A video of the flock showing its extent is here: Gulls
Greenshanks at Snowhill Creek, above, & Black-headed & Mediterranean Gulls at Ellanore (BI)
Spotted Redshank (above), Greenshank & Avocets in Ferry Channel (AH)
Pagham Harbour Visitor Centre: The juvenile Turtle Dove was present again this morning, seen in the trees in the overflow car-park and showing very well. (IL)
Juvenile Turtle Dove near the Visitor Centre (IL)
Early this afternoon it was basking in the sun and then drinking from the small pond, barely ten yards from an appreciative audience. Let's hope it can make it back to Africa! (IL/BO'D/AH et al)
More Turtle Dove images (AF above & AH)
Selsey Bill: (0750-0930hrs) (SR)
Great Crested Grebe - 1os
Gannet - 2E, 1WCommon Scoter - 7E
Oystercatcher - 2p
Mediterranean Gull - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 4os.
Grey Wagtail - 2W
Pied Wagtail - 8W
Meadow Pipit - 87W
Swallow - 1E, 62W
House Martin - 12W
Sand Martin - 9W
Chiffchaff 1p
Carrion Crow - 9W
Ferry Pool: There were five young Shelducks on the pool, along with the regular half a dozen Black-tailed Godwits, eight Teal and c20 Lapwing, with a few Teal and Redshank in the channel opposite.
There were up to six Yellow Wagtails and 50+ Swallows in with the cattle on Ferry Field, and similar of Meadow Pipits went over west, but a look round the tramway circuit only produced a handful of Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs. (AH/AB)
This evening the Egyptian Goose flew out with four Shelducks. (AH)
Long Pool: Along Ferry Channel there were a Spotted Redshank, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Kingfisher, with a Lesser Whitethroat in the hedges. (AB)
Medmerry: Toe End - Around 350 Meadow Pipits and six Grey Wagtails went west over the breach area this morning, and there was also a Wheatear and a Bar-tailed Godwit about. (SH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to Greenwood Farm - A female Merlin was out chasing passerines this afternoon, and there were also three Whinchats along the banks, a flock of 80 House Sparrows going to roost and the Egyptian Goose flew over with three Shelducks. (BO'D)
Church Norton: It was generally fairly quiet this morning, though five Yellow Wagtails in with the sheep behind the hide was unusual. Otherwise it was a usual mix of a few Whitethroats and Blackcaps and 20+ Chiffchaffs and the odd Willow Warbler and Goldcrest in the bushes and a few Meadow Pipits, Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows over westwards, whilst along the beach/Severals there were three Whinchats, two Stonechats and two Wheatears, with a Spotted Redshank in the channel by the horse field.
Up to four Sandwich Terns were in the harbour, along with two Bar-tailed Godwits, a few Grey and Ringed Plovers and 12 Great Crested Grebes, with two Buzzards and a Peregrine going over. (AH/JD/PC/A&YF et al)
North Wall: On White's Creek there were 40 Wigeon, the usual Common Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, Oystercatchers and a lone Greenshank, but the Breech Pool held just 40+ Mallard, 8 Teal, a Great Crested Grebe and 5 Cormorants.
In the field immediately north of Owl Copse there was a Cattle Egret and seven Yellow Wagtails amongst the cattle, before the egret flew off in a south-easterly direction.
At Honer Reservoir there were nine Tufted Ducks and three Little Grebes, whilst there was a small but steady westwards movement of hirundines, consisting of 48 Sand Martins, 28 House Martins and 16 Swallows. Around Honer Farm there were six Chiffchaffs, three Willow Warblers, a Goldcrest and, a pleasant surprise - a Bullfinch. Also, 44 Collared Doves were feeding in the field north of Church Lane. (JDW)
Wednesday, 13th September: A very windy day, though mostly with bright sunshine after a very stormy night....Sandwich Tern - 4os.
Grey Wagtail - 2W
Pied Wagtail - 8W
Meadow Pipit - 87W
Swallow - 1E, 62W
House Martin - 12W
Sand Martin - 9W
Chiffchaff 1p
Carrion Crow - 9W
Ferry Pool: There were five young Shelducks on the pool, along with the regular half a dozen Black-tailed Godwits, eight Teal and c20 Lapwing, with a few Teal and Redshank in the channel opposite.
There were up to six Yellow Wagtails and 50+ Swallows in with the cattle on Ferry Field, and similar of Meadow Pipits went over west, but a look round the tramway circuit only produced a handful of Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs. (AH/AB)
This evening the Egyptian Goose flew out with four Shelducks. (AH)
Yellow Wagtails (above), Teal and Shelducks around the Ferry (AH)
Long Pool: Along Ferry Channel there were a Spotted Redshank, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Kingfisher, with a Lesser Whitethroat in the hedges. (AB)
Medmerry: Toe End - Around 350 Meadow Pipits and six Grey Wagtails went west over the breach area this morning, and there was also a Wheatear and a Bar-tailed Godwit about. (SH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to Greenwood Farm - A female Merlin was out chasing passerines this afternoon, and there were also three Whinchats along the banks, a flock of 80 House Sparrows going to roost and the Egyptian Goose flew over with three Shelducks. (BO'D)
Church Norton: It was generally fairly quiet this morning, though five Yellow Wagtails in with the sheep behind the hide was unusual. Otherwise it was a usual mix of a few Whitethroats and Blackcaps and 20+ Chiffchaffs and the odd Willow Warbler and Goldcrest in the bushes and a few Meadow Pipits, Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows over westwards, whilst along the beach/Severals there were three Whinchats, two Stonechats and two Wheatears, with a Spotted Redshank in the channel by the horse field.
Up to four Sandwich Terns were in the harbour, along with two Bar-tailed Godwits, a few Grey and Ringed Plovers and 12 Great Crested Grebes, with two Buzzards and a Peregrine going over. (AH/JD/PC/A&YF et al)
Sandwich Terns (above) Sandwich Tern and Black-headed Gull, Blackcap, Whitethroat & Chiffchaff at Church Norton (AH)
North Wall: On White's Creek there were 40 Wigeon, the usual Common Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, Oystercatchers and a lone Greenshank, but the Breech Pool held just 40+ Mallard, 8 Teal, a Great Crested Grebe and 5 Cormorants.
In the field immediately north of Owl Copse there was a Cattle Egret and seven Yellow Wagtails amongst the cattle, before the egret flew off in a south-easterly direction.
At Honer Reservoir there were nine Tufted Ducks and three Little Grebes, whilst there was a small but steady westwards movement of hirundines, consisting of 48 Sand Martins, 28 House Martins and 16 Swallows. Around Honer Farm there were six Chiffchaffs, three Willow Warblers, a Goldcrest and, a pleasant surprise - a Bullfinch. Also, 44 Collared Doves were feeding in the field north of Church Lane. (JDW)
Greenshank & Cormorant (above) & Collared Doves around the North Wall (JDW)
Sidlesham: This evening, when the rain stopped, about 12 Chiffchaffs and 30 Long-tailed Tits sped through our garden and around 50 Sand Martins and 100 Swallows appeared overhead. (AH)
Pagham Harbour Visitor Centre: An amazing sight of a juvenile Turtle Dove drinking from the tiny pond outside the centre at lunchtime today. (IL)
Turtle Dove outside Pagham Harbour Visitor Centre (IL)
Selsey Bill: (0710-0740hrs) (AH)
Mediterranean Gull - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 3E, 8os
Swallow - 7W
Meadow Pipit - 12W
(0830-0920hrs) (BI)
Gannet - 8E
Shag - 2E
Common Scoter - 7E
Sandwich Tern - 6W
Pied Wagtail - 1ob
Meadow Pipit - 11W
(1700-1800hrs) (SH)
shearwater sp - 2W (very distant, but probably Balearic)
Gannet - 1E, 2W
Tufted Duck - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 4W
Common Tern - 4W
Commic Tern - 2W
auk sp - 1E
(0830-0920hrs) (BI)
Gannet - 8E
Shag - 2E
Common Scoter - 7E
Sandwich Tern - 6W
Pied Wagtail - 1ob
Meadow Pipit - 11W
(1700-1800hrs) (SH)
shearwater sp - 2W (very distant, but probably Balearic)
Gannet - 1E, 2W
Tufted Duck - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 4W
Common Tern - 4W
Commic Tern - 2W
auk sp - 1E
Medmerry: Toe End - A Kingfisher flew across and into the rife, and there were three Yellow Wagtails and five Wheatears about. (SH)
Ferry Pool: Just two, Avocets, eight Black-tailed Godwits, seven Teal and 25 Lapwings on the pool and c80 Teal and c60 Redshank in the channel opposite, with a Kingfisher flying through and a few Swallows and a Sand Martin over. (AH)
Avocet (above) & Black-tailed Godwits on the Ferry (AH)
Sidlesham: A Wheatear flew across our garden on the west of the village this morning, though it didn't settle. (AH)
Church Norton: No sign of any Curlew Sandpipers this morning, with waders restricted to a dozen or so Grey Plovers, Redshank, Ringed Plovers and Dunlin.
There were still a couple of Spotted Flycatchers and a Lesser Whitethroat along the sheltered hedges, along with half a dozen Whitethroats and Blackcaps, a couple of Willow Warblers and at least 20 Chiffchaffs, plus the family of Swallows. (AH/A&YF et al)
Spotted Flycatcher (above), Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Swallows & Grey Plovers at Church Norton (AH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - This morning there were seven Whinchats, eight Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail, a Green Woodpecker, four Chaffinches, one or two Reed Buntings and plenty of Yellowhammers, Linnets, Goldfinches and Meadow Pipits along the banks, with a few Sand Martins and Swallows over, plus three Kestrels and two Buzzards.
Around the various pools and tidal areas there were a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Bar-tailed Godwit, seven Black-tailed Godwits, 20+ Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plovers, 12+ Wigeon and a few Gadwall and Tufted Ducks, plus the pair of Bar-headed Geese. (PB/SaH)
Halsey's Farm: This evening there were c100-120 Yellow Wagtails around the cattle in the fields before the North Wall. (AH)
Yellow Wagtails at Halsey's Farm (AH)
Ivy Lake: Much the same as yesterday with c.20 Common Pochards & half a dozen Tufted Ducks on the water and a few Chiffchaffs & Long-tailed Tits along the paths. (BI)
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