Thursday, 3rd January: Another cool and grey, but almost still morning, brightening up a little later....
Selsey Bill: There were five Great Northern Divers, all together at one point, on the sea, with 15 Red-throated Divers east and four west, plus a few distant Gannets and quite a few auk sp moving a long way out. (PD)
Ferry Pool: There were just c30 Shovelers, c50 Teal and c200 Wigeon present today. (AH)
Northcommon Farm: The Little Owl was again present, this time in the hedges just beyond the buildings. (BI)
Chi GPs - Drayton Pit: The Great White Egret was present again today, roosting on the island with a Grey Heron, (NBd/BI) and a Buzzard was also present (CRJ).
I arrived late afternoon, just in time to see the Great White Egret fly around, then soon after had some good fortune when a Jack Snipe unexpectedly flushed from a patch of damp grass. I decided to stay to dusk, hoping for a Bittern, but alas, there was no sign of that species. There were compensations however, including at least 5 squealing Water Rails, 2 Buzzards, a Coal Tit and 120 Lapwings, but then at 1615 I was treated to the delights of a Starling murmuration. Several flocks of a few hundred birds suddenly appeared, wheeling around in the sky, to be joined by others until there were perhaps 2-3000 or more birds involved. A spectacular show followed before they all descended into the distant reeds and bushes - wonderful! Then at 1645hrs, when it was almost dark, the Great White Egret suddenly re-appeared, flew into reeds on the North Pit, but soon took off again and headed over to the South pit. (OM)
Selsey Bill: There were five Great Northern Divers, all together at one point, on the sea, with 15 Red-throated Divers east and four west, plus a few distant Gannets and quite a few auk sp moving a long way out. (PD)
Ferry Pool: There were just c30 Shovelers, c50 Teal and c200 Wigeon present today. (AH)
Northcommon Farm: The Little Owl was again present, this time in the hedges just beyond the buildings. (BI)
Chi GPs - Drayton Pit: The Great White Egret was present again today, roosting on the island with a Grey Heron, (NBd/BI) and a Buzzard was also present (CRJ).
I arrived late afternoon, just in time to see the Great White Egret fly around, then soon after had some good fortune when a Jack Snipe unexpectedly flushed from a patch of damp grass. I decided to stay to dusk, hoping for a Bittern, but alas, there was no sign of that species. There were compensations however, including at least 5 squealing Water Rails, 2 Buzzards, a Coal Tit and 120 Lapwings, but then at 1615 I was treated to the delights of a Starling murmuration. Several flocks of a few hundred birds suddenly appeared, wheeling around in the sky, to be joined by others until there were perhaps 2-3000 or more birds involved. A spectacular show followed before they all descended into the distant reeds and bushes - wonderful! Then at 1645hrs, when it was almost dark, the Great White Egret suddenly re-appeared, flew into reeds on the North Pit, but soon took off again and headed over to the South pit. (OM)
Great White Egret at Drayton Pit, above, (AH) & below with Grey Heron (BI)
The first flock of Starlings arriving at Drayton...I tried a video, see below, best in full screen...then my camera battery died! (OM)
Medmerry: Breach and Toe End - The Hooded Crow was by the breach early on before again disappearing, whilst a Black Redstart remained around the caravans, the pair of Stonechats, plus a few Meadow Pipits were around the rough ground and a Peregrine was on the derelict building.
Offshore there were 102 Common Scoters, at least 16 Red-breasted Mergansers, two Great Northern Divers, two Red-throated Divers and a Razorbill, whilst around the tidal pools there were a few Shoveler and Wigeon, half a dozen Grey Plovers and Curlews and 20+ Ringed Plovers. (AH/BI/PD/J Harrington)
Later on, the two Marsh Harriers and two Buzzards were seen over the reserve. (CRJ)
Hooded Crow (above), Black Redstart, Common Scoters, Great Northern Diver, Linnet, Stonechat & Grey Plovers at Medmerry (AH)
Church Norton: A Black-throated Diver was feeding inside the harbour at high tide this morning, before disappearing - presumably back out to sea. (NBd/IL et al)
Later, two Velvet Scoters dropped in offshore, where there was also a good count of 18 Slavonian Grebes, plus at least two Red-throated Divers and a few Red-breasted Mergansers and Great Crested Grebes.
Also, in the harbour there were three Goldeneyes, a handful of Pintail and a dozen roosting Bar-tailed Godwits, plus the Whimbrel, among the commoner wildfowl and waders. (AH/BI/IL/NB/J Harrington et al)
Later, two Velvet Scoters dropped in offshore, where there was also a good count of 18 Slavonian Grebes, plus at least two Red-throated Divers and a few Red-breasted Mergansers and Great Crested Grebes.
Also, in the harbour there were three Goldeneyes, a handful of Pintail and a dozen roosting Bar-tailed Godwits, plus the Whimbrel, among the commoner wildfowl and waders. (AH/BI/IL/NB/J Harrington et al)
Slavonian Grebe (above), Red-throated Diver, Goldeneyes & Little Grebes at Church Norton (AH)
Medmerry: West - A Barn Owl was out and hunting over the west side for an hour and a half from 3.00pm today. (GT)
Dell Quay: The three Black-necked Grebes were present towards the Marina this morning (BFF/DM), whilst later six Goldeneyes and 10 Red-Breasted Mergansers were there. (CRJ)
The Black-necked Grebes off the Marina (DM)
Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: There were two Cattle and one Little Egrets feeding together and a further 19 Cattle Egrets were amongst the sheep at Chalder Farm. (JDW/J Harrington)
North Wall: In the fields to the west of Pagham Road were 2790 Brent Geese, but it was generally quiet along the Wall, with just Mallard, Teal and Wigeon on an overflowing Breech Pool, though at least 1000 Lapwing were out in the harbour to the west of White's Creek. The reservoir at Honer was very full but there were no wildfowl to be seen. There was a huge flock of Wood Pigeons to the south of Bramber Farm - I estimated at least 2500 birds. (JDW)
North Wall: In the fields to the west of Pagham Road were 2790 Brent Geese, but it was generally quiet along the Wall, with just Mallard, Teal and Wigeon on an overflowing Breech Pool, though at least 1000 Lapwing were out in the harbour to the west of White's Creek. The reservoir at Honer was very full but there were no wildfowl to be seen. There was a huge flock of Wood Pigeons to the south of Bramber Farm - I estimated at least 2500 birds. (JDW)
Brent Geese (above) & Wood Pigeons around the North Wall (JDW)
East Head: A Black-throated Diver, presumably the regular wintering bird, gave a good display late morning flying in from the yellow buoys near Hayling yacht club and landing mid-channel. There was little else on the water though, except a few Great Crested Grebes & Red-breasted Mergansers, but there were c.500 Brent Geese near the old cafe. (BI)
Wednesday, 2nd January: A fairly chilly and very grey morning, though with just a light westerly breeze....
Selsey Bill - We are as ever thankful to JA - our Log-keeper - for his ongoing efforts in keeping track of all sightings at the Bill and submitting the records to the County Recorder. He informs us that in 2018, a total of 289 days were covered, resulting in a total of 1041 hours watched....a fine effort by all concerned and far above the number of sea-watching hours carried out anywhere else in the County.
We should also acknowledge the assistance provided by IP, another of our stalwarts, for being our go to 'Stats man' and providing useful spread sheets of information on the occurrence of the Peninsula's birds. His professional training certainly marks him out as the man for the job!
So, our grateful thanks go to them both, and we know there are other unsung heroes who quietly help in different ways too. We value all contributions and it just goes to show that the blog is very much a team effort. Keep up the good work! (Eds)
Selsey Bill: It was fairly quiet, though a Sandwich Tern went west, two Eiders were on the sea and a Guillemot and one or two Razorbills were also about. Full log below.....
0750-0850hrs: (AH/IP/BI)
Red-throated Diver - 1E, 1W
Great Northern Diver - 1W
Slavonian Grebe - 1 os
Great Crested Grebe - 1E
Gannet - 3E, 1W
Brent Goose - 10W
Eider - 2os
Common Scoter - 5E, 1W, 1os
Red-breasted Merganser - 3E, 2W, 3os
Razorbill - 1E
Guillemot - 1os
Sandwich Tern - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 5W
Red-throated Diver (above) & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: A Green Sandpiper was tucked away on the concealed pool, whilst c30 Shoveler, c50 Teal and c100 Wigeon were on the pool and a couple of hundred Lapwing were on the field. (BI/AH/IP) Nearby, a Water Rail was in Red Barn ditch. (IP)
Northcommon Farm: The Little Owl was again around the buildings early this morning. (AH)
Chichester GPs: Westhampnett North Pit - A first-winter Yellow-legged Gull was present this morning. (GH) The Yellow-legged Gull was present at the east end until dusk when it flew with four Herring Gulls towards the west side of the pit. (BI)
Ivy Lake: A Chiffchaff was along the path (IP) and there was the first Kingfisher for a while along the lake edge but there was little on the water apart from a few Pochards, Great Crested Grebes, Canada Geese and Tufted Ducks. New Lake and the Trout lakes were also quiet with just a few Shovelers & two Greylag Geese of note. (BI)
Medmerry: Breach and Toe End - There was no sign of the Hooded Crow this morning, though there was still a Black Redstart among the caravans and a pair of Stonechats and a few Meadow Pipits on the rough ground.
The two Marsh Harriers and a Buzzard were again out on the reserve and a Goldeneye (rare here) was on the tidal pools, along with a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a few Brent Geese. Also, the Common Scoter flock offshore totalled 87 birds this morning, with 15 Red-breasted Mergansers also present. (AH./IP)
Northcommon Farm: The Little Owl was again around the buildings early this morning. (AH)
Chichester GPs: Westhampnett North Pit - A first-winter Yellow-legged Gull was present this morning. (GH) The Yellow-legged Gull was present at the east end until dusk when it flew with four Herring Gulls towards the west side of the pit. (BI)
Ist-winter Yellow-legged Gull at Chi GPs - Westhampnett pit (GH)
Ivy Lake: A Chiffchaff was along the path (IP) and there was the first Kingfisher for a while along the lake edge but there was little on the water apart from a few Pochards, Great Crested Grebes, Canada Geese and Tufted Ducks. New Lake and the Trout lakes were also quiet with just a few Shovelers & two Greylag Geese of note. (BI)
Medmerry: Breach and Toe End - There was no sign of the Hooded Crow this morning, though there was still a Black Redstart among the caravans and a pair of Stonechats and a few Meadow Pipits on the rough ground.
The two Marsh Harriers and a Buzzard were again out on the reserve and a Goldeneye (rare here) was on the tidal pools, along with a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a few Brent Geese. Also, the Common Scoter flock offshore totalled 87 birds this morning, with 15 Red-breasted Mergansers also present. (AH./IP)
Black Redstart (above), Stonechat, Goldeneye & Common Scoters at Medmerry (AH)
Fishbourne Creek: The three Black-necked Grebes drifted some way north of the Marina and were viewable from Dell Quay later this morning, and there were also four Goldeneye and a few Red-breasted Mergansers, Little and Great Crested Grebes on the water, whilst six Greenshank were roosting on the far bank.
Along the creek there were 20+ Pintail, many hundreds of Wigeon and 50+ Black-tailed Godwits among the commoner waders, with three or four Rock Pipits and a Reed Bunting along the edges, plus a Cetti's Warbler calling by the the outflow.
A couple of Yellowhammers and a Grey Wagtail were near the riding school, whilst a Mistle Thrush, a Song Thrush, two Redwings and a dozen Fieldfares were around Apuldram car-park. (OM/AH/IP)
Along the creek there were 20+ Pintail, many hundreds of Wigeon and 50+ Black-tailed Godwits among the commoner waders, with three or four Rock Pipits and a Reed Bunting along the edges, plus a Cetti's Warbler calling by the the outflow.
A couple of Yellowhammers and a Grey Wagtail were near the riding school, whilst a Mistle Thrush, a Song Thrush, two Redwings and a dozen Fieldfares were around Apuldram car-park. (OM/AH/IP)
Black-necked Grebes in Fishbourne channel near Dell Quay (OM)
Greenshanks, Goldeneyes, Pintail and Wigeon, Redwing & Reed Bunting around Fishbourne Creek (AH)
Chichester Marina: The three Black-necked Grebes were present in the gloom first thing this morning looking towards Bosham as were 6+ Little Grebes and 15 Shelducks. (BI) A Kingfisher, several Red-breasted Mergansers and a few Little Grebes were also noted. (OM) The Black-necks then drifted northwards towards Dell Quay, but by late afternoon were back, visible distantly from the Yacht club area. (AW)
The Black-necked Grebes off Chichester Marina this afternoon (AW)
Runcton: There was only a single Dark-bellied Brent Goose on the wheat field today but nearby on the pasture by the stream were a good selection of thrushes with Redwing, Fieldfare, Song Thrush & Mistle Thrush all present. (BI)
Church Norton:Twenty Avocets were feeding along the west side at the far end, whilst 2 Peregrines were around their island and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits flew into the harbour. Offshore, over 1,000 waders flew towards Pagham, made up of Dunlin, Grey Plover and Knot. (IP)
Church Norton:Twenty Avocets were feeding along the west side at the far end, whilst 2 Peregrines were around their island and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits flew into the harbour. Offshore, over 1,000 waders flew towards Pagham, made up of Dunlin, Grey Plover and Knot. (IP)
New Year's Day, Tuesday, 1st January: The year started with a fairly bright, if chilly morning and just a light north-westerly breeze....
Just a reminder that the Review of the Year 2018 is available by clicking the link above.
Selsey Bill: Half a dozen Slavonian Grebes went east, a couple of Great Northern Divers and Eiders were on the sea and quite a few auks (mostly Razorbills) were moving about, as were a few Red-throated Divers and Gannets. Full log below....
0745-0930hrs: (JA/SH/PB/IP/AH et al)
Red-throated Diver - 8E, 4W
Great Northern Diver - 2os
Slavonian Grebe - 6E, 1W
Great Crested Grebe - 1os
Gannet - 19E, 168W
Brent Goose - 1E, 6W
Eider - 2os
Red-breasted Merganser - 7E, 12W, 6os
Wigeon - 2E
Guillemot - 1E, 2W
Razorbill - 13E, 26W, 4os
auk sp - 57E, 649W
Kittiwake - 1W
Common Gull - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 1E
Guillemot (above), Red-throated Diver & Razorbills and Red-breasted Mergansers at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: A Golden Plover and a pair of Stock Doves were among the 300+ Lapwings on the feld and there were c30 Shoveler, c60 Teal and c150 Wigeon, plus a Shelduck on the pool. (AH/IP et al)
Later, a Kingfisher was by the pump opposite and a couple of Avocets were along the channel. (AB)
Golden Plover and Lapwings (above) & Stock Dove at the Ferry (AH)
Medmerry: Breach and Toe End - The Hooded Crow was present near the breach early on, but not later, whilst two Black Redstarts were among the caravans and two Stonechats, a Pied Wagtail, c.30 Linnets and a few Meadow Pipits were on the rough ground.
Also a Velvet Scoter went west as did a close Razorbill, around 75 Common Scoters, plus a couple of Wigeon and a few Red-breasted Mergansers, were offshore, two Marsh Harriers were hunting the north of the reserve together, c30 Ringed Plovers, a Black-tailed Godwit and a few Dunlin and Curlews were on the mud and four Little Grebes and three Great Crested Grebes were on the tidal areas. A mixed flock of 20+ Golden Plover and 100 Lapwing also took to the air over the area, having presumably been disturbed. (BI/OM/AH/IP/NM/SH/PB/AB et al)
Black Redstart (above) & Common Scoters at Medmerry (AH) & Hooded Crow (BI)
Church Norton: A Marsh Harrier appeared to come in off the sea and go across the harbour, two Slavonian Grebes and three Red-breasted Mergansers were on the sea, a Goldeneye was in the harbour and the two Stonechats were in the horse field. (D,M&JB/P&JW/AW/AB et al)
Slavonian Grebes (above) & Goldeneye at Church Norton (AW)
Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: All 26 Cattle Egrets were present again around the farm, though mobile at times, with other birds seen in the vicinity including a Chiffchaff, a Redwing, a Reed Bunting, a pair of Stonechats, six Yellowhammers, a couple of Skylarks and a dozen Meadow Pipits.
Also, a pair of Coal Tits and a Mistle Thrush were in the nearby Sidlesham Churchyard. (BI/OM/AH/SH/PB et al)
Cattle Egrets (above) & Meadow Pipit at Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (AH)
Fishbourne Creek: A Jack Snipe was seen early this morning and later in on the day a Bullfinch and a Grey Wagtail were near the riding school and a few Rock Pipits and a Kingfisher were around the saltmarsh. In the creeks were a mix of Common, Mediterranean , Herring & Black-headed Gulls as well as plenty of Wigeon and Teal. Waders included Dunlin, a Greenshank, two groups of Golden Plover, Grey Plovers and Curlew.(BI/CG et al)
Ivy Lake: A Common Crane, presumably the one seen earlier over Arundel WWT, flew over at 1518hrs. (IB)
Itchenor Pond: A Coal Tit and a Tree-creeper were among the trees this morning as were a Green and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. (BI)
Itchenor Pond: A Coal Tit and a Tree-creeper were among the trees this morning as were a Green and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. (BI)
Hunston: Two Tree-creepers and a pair of Coal Tits were in 'Wilf's Copse' this morning, whilst a Raven was also present. (S&SaH/PB/BI)
Raven at Hunston (S&SaH)
Chichester Marina: This afternoon a walk along the canal from Donnington to the Marina found a Water Rail, a flock of 30+ Pied Wagtails, a flock of 20+ Redwings, and a pair of Bullfinches.
From the Marina lock gate, looking out towards Bosham, was a Goosander - before being flushed by a canoe - but best of all were three Black-necked Grebes. (AW)
Black-necked Grebes in Chichester channel at the Marina (AW)
Bullfinch, Water Rail and Redwings along the canal (AW)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to Marsh farm area - In comparison to the east side, this side of the reserve was fairly dead - just a Grey Wagtail, a Reed Bunting, a Corn Bunting, 10+ Yellowhammers and three Stonechats. (S&SaH)
Medmerry: Porthole Farm to Ham Farm - It was very quiet this afternoon here, too, with half a dozen Yewllowhammers and Linnets between the farms, a few Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails in the fields and a dozen or so Redwings, with a couple of Song Thrushes and Blackbirds at Ham. (AH)
Yellowhammer at Medmerry (AH)
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