29th - 31st May 2019

Friday, 31st May: A warm, but fairly cloudy, morning, with a fresh south-westerly breeze .....

Selsey Bill: We have a new name on the Pom-King trophy, in the form of Paul Bowley, who saw an impressive 59 of the spring's total of 61 Pomarine Skuas - a well-deserved reward for a lot of hours spent staring at an empty sea, many of which were in the company of close runner-up, John Faithfull, who finished with 55. Well done, chaps! (Eds)

New Pom-King, Paul Bowley, celebrating his triumph! (AH)

There was a bit of activity this morning, including a very late Great Northern Diver and 175 Common Scoters east and 13 Sanderling that dropped in on the beach before going off west. (PB/C&ME/AH/BI/IP et al)

(0615-1000hrs)

Great Northern Diver - 1E

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Fulmar - 3W

Gannet - 12E, 30W

Gadwall - 4W

Common Scoter - 175E

Sanderling - 13W

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern -15os

Common Tern - 5os

Little Tern - 5os

Razorbill - 1W

Guillemot - 1W

auk sp - 1E, 6W

Swallow - 2p

House Martin - 7p

Whitethroat - 1p

Sandwich Tern (above), Little Tern, Sanderling, Great Crested Grebe, Common Scoters & House Martin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A pair of Avocets and a Little Ringed Plover were on the concealed pool, but the main pool just held four Lapwings, four Black-tailed Godwits, six Redshank and c20 Shelducks, plus the youngsters, whilst a flock of seven Gadwall flew around several times overhead. (AH)

Avocet (above), Black-tailed Godwits & Gadwall at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were plenty of Little., Common and Sandwich  Terns in the harbour this morning, along with a Mediterranean Gull, a Grey Plover, two Bar-tailed Godwits, a Turnstone and half a dozen Ringed Plovers.

Also, one or two Whitethroats, Reed and and Sedge Warblers, plus a Reed Bunting and a few Linnets were along the first Several and the pair of Swallows were busy around the hide. (AH/IP/P&LH et al)

Reed Bunting (above) & Linnet at Church Norton (AH)

Selsey: There were a Pebble Prominent, a Poplar Hawk-moth and a Bee Moth in the trap this morning. (SH)

Pebble Prominent, Poplar Hawk-moth & Bee Moth in a Selsey garden (SH)

Thursday, 30th May: A warm and fairly sunny morning, with a brisk south-westerly breeze moving the clouds along.....

Selsey Bill: It was pretty quiet this morning, though an Eider was offshore again and 70 Gannets went east. Full log below..... 

(0645-0915hrs): (C&ME/AH)

Fulmar - 3W

Gannet - 70E, 14W

Common Scoter - 31E

Eider - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 21E

Common Tern - 3os

'Commic' Terrn - 32os

Guillemot - 1E

Swallow - 1p

House Martin - 10p

1640-1800hrs:  (SH)

Fulmar - 2E

Gannet - 12E, 11W

auk sp - 3W

Common Tern - 9os

Sandwich Tern - 47os

Kittiwake - 4W

Gannets (above) & House Martins at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The pool remains quiet, with just four Redshank, three Lapwings and 18 adult and seven young Shelducks being the sum, with a Goldcrest singing from the EA yard and a Lesser Whitethroat from the hedge opposite. (AH)

Shelduck-lings at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were at least a dozen Little Terns feeding offshore and half a dozen Common Terns were among the Sandwich Terns, but the only waders seen were six Turnstones, six Ringed Plovers and a Curlew.

The bushes were quiet, though Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat were all heard. (AH)

Little Tern (above), Common Tern & Turnstones and Oystercatcher at Church Norton (AH)

This evening there were two Bar-tailed Godwits and a dozen or so Ringed Plovers on the mud and a Gannet was offshore with a mix of terns. (AH)

Bar-tailed Godwit (above), Sandwich Tern & Common Tern at Church Norton (AH)

Chi GPs - Drayton House pits:  A female Marsh Harrier appeared twice over the reedbeds - briefly both times - and a pair of Bullfinches flew past me calling, whilst on the lakes were small numbers of Tufted, Pochard and Gadwall. Once again a large flock of Herring Gulls  built up (230), with six Lesser Black-backed Gulls amongst them, but otherwise it was mainly just the usual species present. (OM)

Wednesday, 29th May: Another cool and grey morning, with a moderate south-westerly breeze.......then rain and drizzle by afternoon.

Selsey Bill: Two dark-phase Arctic Skuas and an Eider offshore were the highlights this morning. (C&ME/PC)

(0645-0945hrs)

Gannet - 20E, 14W

Common Scoter - 5E, 4W

Eider - 1os

Arctic Skua - 2os (d/p)

Sandwich Tern - 14E

Common Tern - 4os

'Commic' Tern - 54os

(1630-1800hrs) (SH)
Manx Shearwater - 7W
Gannet - 15E, 4W
Sandwich Tern - 40os
Common Tern - 11os

Ferry Pool: There were just four Black-tailed Godwits, three Redshank, a Lapwing and 20 Shelducks on the pool early this morning. (AH)

Black-tailed Godwits (above) & Lapwing on the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: Ferry Channel held half a dozen Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits, plus a dozen Shelducks and four Gadwall, with another pair of the latter on the pool.

Warblers were quite subdued in the blustery wind early this morning, though several Reed and Sedge Warblers, plus two Lesser Whitethroats were singing and four Swallows went over. (AH)

Sedge Warbler (above) & Gadwall on the Long Pool (AH)

26th - 28th May 2019

Tuesday, 28th May: A fairly cool morning, with a blustery north-westerly breeze and plenty of fast-moving cloud.......

Selsey Bill: An Arctic Skua chasing gulls well offshore and a flock of eight Kittiwakes west were the highlights of a slow morning, though there were c50 Gannets and a lot of large gulls feeding distantly offshore. Full log below..... 
0635-1000hrs:  (AH/OM/C&ME/IP/BFF/DM)
Gannet - 78 os
Common Scoter - 35E
Guillemot - 2E
Commic Tern - 38os
Sandwich Tern - 42E
Kittiwake - 13W
Arctic Skua - 1 os (l/p)

Kittiwakes (above), Sandwich Tern, House Martins & Grey Seal at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There was just a Little Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, three Lapwings, three Redshank and c25 Shelducks, including families of three and two youngsters on the pool this morning. (AH)

Lapwing (above) & Shelducks on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A sub-adult Little Gull popped up among the 60+ Sandwich Terns, 20+ Little Terns, 10+ Common Terns that were disturbed from the islands by a passing Peregrine this morning, but the harbour held next to no waders, early on at least.
The usual selection of Whitethroats, Linnets and Reed Buntings was along the beach, whilst a pair of Buzzards and a few Swallows were around overhead, and there was a large group of young Long-tailed Tits in the first Several. (AH/IP/BFF/DM/OM)
Later, on the falling tide, a large flock of c.100 mixed waders were flying back and forth, before settling at distance on a mud bank part way along the west side. There were seven Grey Plover, 60+ Dunlin, 20+ Ringed Plover and a couple of pale, active waders which caused some debate but initially appeared to be Little Stints. However, these 'stints' eventually got nearer and larger, prompting a review of that ID and on closer inspection they soon morphed into six Sanderlings! (BFF/DM/OM)

Whitethroats (above), Sandwich and Little Terns & Sandwich and Common Terns at Church Norton (AH)

Chichester Marina: The Mute Swans by the Marina had three cygnets with them today. (MR)

Mute Swans at Chichester Marina (MR)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The banks just held a Cuckoo of interest, with eight Swallows and four Buzzards over, whilst there were 13 Avocets on the Stilt Pool. (SH)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - There were c60 Swifts, c20 Swallows and c100 House Martins over the settling tanks this evening, with a couple of pairs of Whitethroats, two Buzzards, four Mediterranean Gulls and a calling Cuckoo also noted. (AH)

Swifts (above) & Swallow at Medmerry (AH)

Bank Holiday Monday, 27th May: A day of sunshine and cloud, being pushed through on a fresh north-westerly breeze...

Selsey Bill: Two Cattle Egrets going west, well offshore, at 6.30am was a big surprise on an otherwise quiet morning, dominated by a reasonable gathering of Gannets. Full log below...
(0545- 0900hrs)  (SH/BI/IP/AH)
Great Northern Diver - 1W
Fulmar - 2E, 3W
Gannet - 62os
Cattle Egret - 2W
Common Scoter - 32E
Sanderling - 3W
Kittiwake - 13W
Sandwich Tern - 7os
Little Tern - 2os
Razorbill - 1W
Guillemot - 2E
auk sp - 7E, 3W
Swift - 11p
Swallow - 2p
House Martin - 8p

Sandwich Tern (above), House Martin & Gannet at the Bill (AH)

1600-1730hrs:  (SH)

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 12E, 20W

auk sp - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 34os

Kittiwake - 24W

Arctic Skua - 1E (d/p)

Ferry Pool: There was a Little Ringed Plover and three Lapwings on the pool this morning, along with four Redshank and a dozen Shelducks, plus at least three youngsters. (AH)

Little Ringed Plover on the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: There were still three Lesser Whitethroats and lots of Reed and Sedge Warblers along the pool, plus a Reed Bunting carrying young and a dozen Linnets, but Ferry Channel just held a handful of Black-tailed Godwits, Gadwall, Redshank and Shelduck. (AH)

Sedge Warbler (above) & Reed Bunting along the Long Pool (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The banks were very quiet in the blustery conditions, whilst the Stilt Pool just held ten Avocets, two Little Ringed P;overs and 33 Black-tailed Godwits. (S&SaH)

Church Norton: There were 13 Knot in the harbour, along with four Bar-tailed and two Black-tailed Godwits, a Curlew, a Brent Goose and a few Dunlin and Ringed Plovers, whilst the Little and Sandwich Terns, plus a few Common Terns, were active both in the harbour and offshore.
One or two Whitethroats and Blackcaps, plus a couple of Skylarks, were seen, too, and a Roe Deer with two young fawns was in the horse field. (AH/IP/RM)

Sandwich Terns (above), Sandwich Terns and Knot, Ringed Plover & Whitethroat at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall/Halsey's farm: Generally quiet again this morning. A dozen Black-tailed Godwits were on White's Creek, plus a single Wigeon, with another Wigeon nearby in the horse paddocks. The Breech pool was looking perfect for waders, with some nice muddy margins, but 29 Black-tailed Godwits were the only such birds present to take advantage, with two Teal, four Shelduck and several Mallard for company. The usual Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers were present, with a singing Lesser Whitethroat and plenty of Common Whitethroats at Halsey's.
There was nothing at Owl Point itself, but viewing from there towards the west side of the harbour there was a somewhat distant mixed flock of waders on the mudflats, consisting of several Grey Plovers, c. 60 Dunlin and 20+ Ringed Plovers.  (OM) 

Fishbourne Creek - Dell Quay: This morning on the low tide was rather quiet with 4 Wigeon at Fishbourne,  plus 3 Brent Geese and 19 Great Crested Grebes well below Dell Quay being the highlights. The only waders seen were an Oystercatcher and 2 Redshank. At Apuldram, 10 House Martins were low over the foreshore, while at the Lavant outfall at least 2 Reed Warblers were singing from the reedbeds. (RW)

Sunday, 26th May: A mild and mostly bright, if blustery, day in a fresh westerly breeze...

Selsey Bill: Eight Manx Shearwaters and an Arctic Skua east were the best birds this morning. Full log below. (SH/PB/CRJ/IP/BI/AH/RJS)
(0520-0930hrs)
Red-throated Diver - 1E

Manx Shearwater - 8E

Fulmar - 1E, 5W

Gannet - 57E, 56W, 30os

Common Scoter - 68E

Arctic Skua - 1E (d/p)

Kittiwake - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 17os

Common Tern - 5os

Guillemot - 1E, 1W

auk sp - 9E, 3W

Swallow - 5p

House Martin - 10p

Whitethroat - 1p

Common Tern (above), Gannet & House Martins at the Bill (AH)

(1315-1415hrs) (SH)
Gannet - 15E
Common Scoter - 15E
Sandwich Tern - 12os
Common Tern - 2os
Guillemot - 1E

Ferry Pool: There were just four Redshanks and 29 Shelduck on a fast drying out pool this morning, with up to ten Gadwall and a dozen Black-tailed Godwits between the channel opposite and the main channel.

The Tramway circuit held at least three Lesser Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs, plus a handful of Blackcaps and Whitethroats and a vocal Song Thrush. (AH)

Redshank (above), Gadwall, Black-tailed Godwits & Chiffchaff around the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A very late Whinchat was in the first Several, along with a couple of Reed Buntings and the usual Whitethroats, Reed and Sedge Warblers, whilst Linnets and a couple of Skylarks were along the beach and Blackcaps were between the Severals and in Bluebell Wood.

The harbour held good numbers of Little and Sandwich Terns, along with up to ten Common Terns and one or two Mediterranean Gulls, but waders consisted of four Bar-tailed Godwits, a Turnstone and a few Dunlin and Ringed Plovers. (AH/IP/RM)

Whinchat (above), Blackcap, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Little Tern & Dunlin and Ringed Plovers at Church Norton (AH)

Pagham west side: A Reed Warbler was singing to the left of the hide this morning and there were a few Whitethroats around the hedges. At Reedy Marsh there were good numbers of Linnets around the gorse and a Small Copper was on the Sea Thrift nearby. (BI)

Small Copper along the west side (BI)

Ivy Lake: There was only one Common Tern to report today and this was soon flushed by the water-skiers; otherwise it was generally quiet on both water and bank. On Nunnery Lake there were two Pochard and two Gadwall with six Tufted Ducks also present and Deep Lake, while quiet for birds, held a group of surface feeding Common Carp. (BI)