Tuesday, 28th August: A fairly pleasant morning, with light winds and quite mild despite the heavy cloud cover.....
For info: There was a flock of ca.110 Mediterranean Gulls roosting at Ella Nore spit (Chi Harbour) on Friday last week, in which there were at least 11 colour-ringed birds, mostly it seems of French or Belgian origin. If there are any birders out there that enjoy finding colour-marked gulls (!!) the next few weeks are likely to be a good time to find some Med' Gulls and improve our understanding of this species' movements. Large numbers have been using Chichester and Fishbourne Channels (and most likely other parts of the harbour) in recent weeks.
A falling tide is best - at high tide many are on the water and at low tide they are often too far away, but a couple of hours after high water they are often roosting on the mud within scoping distance. Any numbers/letters/colours read can be reported via www.cr-birding.org
For info: There was a flock of ca.110 Mediterranean Gulls roosting at Ella Nore spit (Chi Harbour) on Friday last week, in which there were at least 11 colour-ringed birds, mostly it seems of French or Belgian origin. If there are any birders out there that enjoy finding colour-marked gulls (!!) the next few weeks are likely to be a good time to find some Med' Gulls and improve our understanding of this species' movements. Large numbers have been using Chichester and Fishbourne Channels (and most likely other parts of the harbour) in recent weeks.
A falling tide is best - at high tide many are on the water and at low tide they are often too far away, but a couple of hours after high water they are often roosting on the mud within scoping distance. Any numbers/letters/colours read can be reported via www.cr-birding.org
(with thanks to Pete Hughes, Chi Hbr Conservancy). (There must be more! Eds)
Selsey Bill: There was a Garden Warbler, plus a couple of Whitethroats, in the 'secret garden,' but nothing really moving offshore. Full log below..... (OM et al)
0730-0930hrs: (OM/DS/DF/Noel)
Gannet - 5W
Common Scoter - 1 os
Turnstone - 10W
Sandwich Tern - 8 os
Sand Martin - 5 out S
Garden Warbler - 1 gardens
Whitethroat - 2 gardens
Willow Warbler - 4 p
Chiffchaff - 1 p
Northcommon Farm: The Little Owl was sat out again, early this morning, just west of the farm buildings. (AH)
Later on, three Redstarts were in the hedges at the back and side of the farm, though mainly distant, whilst 10+ Common Whitethroats were fairly conspicuous around the area plus a couple of Willow Warblers. (SH/OM)
Ferry Pool: There were up to 50 Yellow Wagtails among the cattle this morning, though the true number is only revealed when they all occasionally fly up.
Around the pool there were a Little Ringed Plover, three Dunlin, c50 Lapwing, c30 Black-taioed Godwits and Teal, along with 36 Shelducks, whilst in the channel opposite and in the harbour from the Tramway there were a Common Sandpiper, a couple of Whimbrel, a Greenshank and at least 40 Black-tailed Godwits and 100 Redshank.
The Tramway circuit was very quiet early on, with maybe a dozen Whitethroats and a couple of Lesser Whitethroats and Blackcaps, plus a few Linnets and Goldfinches at 30+ Long-tailed Tits, being the sum. (AH)
Church Norton: The Redstart was still in the oaks by the horse field, though generally elusive and a Wheatear was on the beach, with another couple on the concrete slabs, with a couple of Lesser Whitethroats and a handful of Whitethroats being the only other birds seen in the bushes. There was a huge flock of 1000+ hirundines over the Severals and Priory Wood, with a couple of Swifts among at least 500 Sand Martins, with the balance made up equally of Swallows and House Martins.
There wasn't too much of note in the harbour, though what appears to be the regular pair of Peregrines were both back in residence and there were a few summer-plumaged Grey Plovers among the large numbers of Redshank, Dunlin and Ringed Plovers, whilst a couple of Sandwich Terns dropped in briefly, too. (AH/IP/DF/DS et al)
The highlight came later when a Short-eared Owl flew in off the sea at 1230hrs, flew over the Peregrine island then landed in long grass in the centre of the harbour (IP/EL).
This evening there were three Knot in the harbour, a Wheatear on the concrete blocks, and two Ravens on the spit, whilst there were still two Whinchats and a Redstart in the old horse-field. (AW)
0730-0930hrs: (OM/DS/DF/Noel)
Gannet - 5W
Common Scoter - 1 os
Turnstone - 10W
Sandwich Tern - 8 os
Sand Martin - 5 out S
Garden Warbler - 1 gardens
Whitethroat - 2 gardens
Willow Warbler - 4 p
Chiffchaff - 1 p
Northcommon Farm: The Little Owl was sat out again, early this morning, just west of the farm buildings. (AH)
Later on, three Redstarts were in the hedges at the back and side of the farm, though mainly distant, whilst 10+ Common Whitethroats were fairly conspicuous around the area plus a couple of Willow Warblers. (SH/OM)
Little Owl at Northcommon Farm (AH)
Warner Lane paddocks: At least five Whitethroats were present this morning and a couple of Willow Warblers, whilst above the paddocks and adjacent marsh a mixed flock of c. 150 hirundines consisted of c.30 Sand Martins, perhaps similar of House Martins and the rest Swallows. (OM)Around the pool there were a Little Ringed Plover, three Dunlin, c50 Lapwing, c30 Black-taioed Godwits and Teal, along with 36 Shelducks, whilst in the channel opposite and in the harbour from the Tramway there were a Common Sandpiper, a couple of Whimbrel, a Greenshank and at least 40 Black-tailed Godwits and 100 Redshank.
The Tramway circuit was very quiet early on, with maybe a dozen Whitethroats and a couple of Lesser Whitethroats and Blackcaps, plus a few Linnets and Goldfinches at 30+ Long-tailed Tits, being the sum. (AH)
Yellow Wagtails (above), Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Common sandpiper, Whimbrel & Shelducks around the Ferry (AH)
Church Norton: The Redstart was still in the oaks by the horse field, though generally elusive and a Wheatear was on the beach, with another couple on the concrete slabs, with a couple of Lesser Whitethroats and a handful of Whitethroats being the only other birds seen in the bushes. There was a huge flock of 1000+ hirundines over the Severals and Priory Wood, with a couple of Swifts among at least 500 Sand Martins, with the balance made up equally of Swallows and House Martins.
There wasn't too much of note in the harbour, though what appears to be the regular pair of Peregrines were both back in residence and there were a few summer-plumaged Grey Plovers among the large numbers of Redshank, Dunlin and Ringed Plovers, whilst a couple of Sandwich Terns dropped in briefly, too. (AH/IP/DF/DS et al)
The highlight came later when a Short-eared Owl flew in off the sea at 1230hrs, flew over the Peregrine island then landed in long grass in the centre of the harbour (IP/EL).
Wheatear (above), Sand Martins & Grey Plover and Redshank at Church Norton (AH)
Redstart (above), Whinchat, Raven & Knot at Church Norton (AW)
North Wall: Not a great deal to report this morning, but in a brief visit a Wheatear was present along the Wall edge and two Whimbrel were out on the saltmarsh. Further along, two Whinchat were near Halsey's farm, and a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper were around the small pool on the edge of the field (near Owl Point?) (Ga&RH)
Wheatear and Whimbrel at the North Wall (GaH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were seven Whinchats along the fences this evening, with five Whitethroats, a Stonechat, three Corn Buntings and at least ten Yellowhammers along the banks, with 200+ Mediterranean Gulls in the fields and four Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk and 50+ Sand Martins and swallows over.
A Common Sandpiper was near the poplars, with three more, plus a Ruff, a Little Ringed Plover and a Dunlin on the Stilt Pool. (S&SaH/PB)
Medmerry: Ham Farm - Seven swifts were among 100+ Swallows over Ham this evening, and there were also a pair of Grey Partridges in the fields and a Peregrine went over. (BO'D)
Ivy Lake complex: A quick look at lunchtime produced eight Common Terns (five juveniles) on the main lake, with a Spotted Flycatcher, at least four Willow Warblers and a couple of Chiffchaffs, plus large numbers of Long-tailed Tits, along the hedges. Also, the Great Crested Grebe and noisy chick were on one of the smaller pits and two Pochards and 16 Shovelers were on New Lake. (AH)
Common Terns (above), Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler & Great Crested Grebe chick at Ivy Lake (AH)
Selsey Bill: There was a bit of variety this morning, including a distant Balearic Shearwater west at 9.05am, four Little Terns west and an Arctic Skua east. Full log below...
(0615-1145hrs) (SH/OM/BI/AH/RHa/SHa)
Balearic Shearwater - 1W (0905)
Gannet - 6E, 35W
Common Scoter - 1E, 1os
Eider - 1os
Curlew - 1W
Turnstone - 8W
Arctic Skua - 1E (d/p)
Mediterranean Gull - 3E, 1W
Sandwich Tern - 4E, 47W
Little Tern - 4W
Common Tern - 3W
Sand Martin - 3 out SW
Sand Martin - 3 out SW
Yellow Wagtail - 1W
Willow Warbler - 3p (in gardens)
Park Farm, Selsey: There were at least ten Yellow Wagtails and a couple of Pied Wagtails on the fields, with a Swift and a Sparrowhawk over. (S&SaH)
Common Scoter (above, AH), Eider (OM), Sandwich Tern & Gannet at the Bill (AH)
Sam Hill at the Bill, having just received his runner-up trophy for this year's Pom King challenge. Although he looked likely to be the outright winner, he was just edged out by JA in the closing stages...."I was robbed" he declared! The winner's trophy will be presented in the near future! (OM)
Park Farm, Selsey: There were at least ten Yellow Wagtails and a couple of Pied Wagtails on the fields, with a Swift and a Sparrowhawk over. (S&SaH)
Ferry Pool: This morning a Redstart and a Whinchar were on Ferry Field, along with seven Yellow Wagtails around the cattle. (M White)
There were a Little Ringed Plover, 36 Shelducks, c40 Lapwing, c30 Black-tailed Godwits and c30 Teal on the pool this morning, with a Greenshank, a Whimbrel, two Common Sandipers and c100 Redshank in the channel opposite. (AH)
There were a Little Ringed Plover, 36 Shelducks, c40 Lapwing, c30 Black-tailed Godwits and c30 Teal on the pool this morning, with a Greenshank, a Whimbrel, two Common Sandipers and c100 Redshank in the channel opposite. (AH)
Common Sandpipers (above) & Whimbrel in Ferry Channel (AH)
Church Norton: There few just a few migrants this morning, including a Redstart and three Whinchats around the horse field, two Wheatears on the spit and two or three Whitethroats along the front, with two Swifts among 50+ House Martins, plus a couple of Sand Martins and Swallows, over the Priory.
The two Ravens were around most of the morning, whilst on the beach there were 16 Grey Plovers and 17 Sandwich Terns, with three Knot, a Bar-tailed Godwit, several Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, another couple of Grey Plovers,eight Sandwich Terns and a few Mediterranean gulls in the harbour. (PB/AW/AH/IP/EL/P&JW et al)
Redstart (above), Ravens, Sandwich Terns, Grey Plovers (AW), Grey Plover, Knot & Wheatear (AH) at Church Norton
Later on, a Little Stint was among the Dunlin near the concrete slabs, two Wheatears were on the beach, the two Ravens were still about and showing very well, five Whimbrel went along the beach and 50+ House and Sand Martins were overhead. Also, a Redpoll was at Greenlease Farm. (S&SaH)
Raven at Church Norton (SH)
Late this afternoon two Common Sandpipers were in the harbour, along with 20 Sandwich Terns, several Grey Plovers and three Whimbrel, with 100+ Swallows and House Martins over the churchyard. (AH)
Sandwich Terns (above) & Swallow at Church Norton (AH)
Fishbourne Creek: A morning walk from Fishbourne to Apuldram produced few passerines, with just two Whitethroat briefly showing. In the harbour there were good numbers of shorebirds, with 100+ Curlew, 25 Black-tailed Godwits, seven Greenshank, seven Turnstones, a few Grey Plover and singles of Whimbrel, Ringed Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit.
There were also good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls on the exposed mud, along with a group of 14 Little Egrets and 32 Carrion Crows, whilst on the water there were 123 Mute Swans and a single Teal. (RW)
There were also good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls on the exposed mud, along with a group of 14 Little Egrets and 32 Carrion Crows, whilst on the water there were 123 Mute Swans and a single Teal. (RW)
Sidlesham: A Raven went north over our garden this evening, cronking loudly as it went. (AH)
Sunday, 26th August: A pretty dire morning's weather, and due to get worse, with a strong southerly bringing increasingly heavy rain in its wake.....
Selsey Bill: There were two Bonxies east and two west, plus a dark phase Arctic Skua west, a Little Tern west, plus a couple of shearwater spp east and west, but too distant to confirm identity. Full log below. (PB/CN/AH)
(0630-1000hrs)
Fulmar - 2W
shearwater sp - 2E, 2W
Gannet - 29E, 49W
Teal - 3W
Gadwall - 6W
Common Scoter - 4E, 1os
Eider - 1os
Ringed Plover - 1W
Bonxie 2E, 2W
Arctic Skua - 1W
Mediterranean Gull 8E, 11W
Kittiwake - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 8E, 24W
Common Tern - 6W
Little Tern - 1W
1000-1200hrs: (SH/AH)
Gannet - 2E, 8W
Fulmar - 3W
Grey Plover - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 6E, 16W
Mediterranean Gull - 1W
1000-1200hrs: (SH/AH)
Gannet - 2E, 8W
Fulmar - 3W
Grey Plover - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 6E, 16W
Mediterranean Gull - 1W
Common Scoter (above), Eider, Fulmar, Sandwich Tern, Gannets & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill
Park Farm, Selsey: There were seven Yellow Wagtails on the lettuce fields this morning and five Whitethroats in the ditches/hedges. (S&SaH)
Ferry Pool: There were two Dunlin, 25 Black-tailed Godwits, c40 Lapwing, c20 Teal and 31 Shelducks on the pool this morning, with a Whimbrel, , another 20 Black-tailed Godwits and c40 Redshank in the channel opposite. (AH)
Black-tailed Godwit (above), Dunlin, Shelducks & Whimbrel and Redshanks around the Ferry (AH)
North Wall: Two Spotted Redshanks were in White's Creek and three Whinchats were at Owl Point this morning. Also, a Sparrowhawk, a Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler and a Bullfinch were in Owl Copse, with a Common Buzzard over and there were good numbers of Black-tailed Godwits in the area, (CRJ)
Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: At least 50 Yellow Wagtails were present this morning, plus a Buzzard. (SH) There was also a Wheatear in the farmyard along with numerous Pied Wagtails and c.100 hirundines feeding over the fields with a large flock of Starlings nearby. (BI)
Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: At least 50 Yellow Wagtails were present this morning, plus a Buzzard. (SH) There was also a Wheatear in the farmyard along with numerous Pied Wagtails and c.100 hirundines feeding over the fields with a large flock of Starlings nearby. (BI)
Church Norton: The Osprey was in the harbour again early this morning, plus a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk, but otherwise it was quiet in the dismal weather, with the only migrant seen being a handful of Swallows and Sand Martins and a couple of Willow Warblers and Whitethroats.
There were a lot of the commoner waders in the harbour, including a Bar-tailed Godwit and a couple of Black-tailed Godwits, two or three Grey Plovers, c50 Ringed Plovers and at least 400 Dunlin. At least 5 Sandwich Terns also went west offshore..There was also a total of 48 Red-legged Partridges in the corner of the field behind the church. (BI/AH/IP/EL/S&SaH/A&YF/RJS/MJ/P&JW et al)
Ringed Plovers at Church Norton (AH)
This evening there were two Black Terns in the harbour, along with c50 Common Terns and c20 Sandwich Terns, and there were also a couple of Knot and a couple of Whimbrel present. (AH/AW)
Black Terns & Black Tern with Common and Sandwich Terns at Church Norton ( top four AH, lower two AW)
Ivy Lake: There were also two Black Terns on the lake this evening, along with three Common Terns, 20+ House Martins and 100+ Sand Martins and Swallows. (AB)
Black Tern on Ivy Lake (AB)
No comments:
Post a Comment