Saturday, 3rd August: A mild, if fairly overcast, morning with a light easterly breeze.....
Ferry Pool: The Wood Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were on the pool, along with c30 Lapwings, c40 Black-tailed Godwits, two Shelduck and ten Teal, whilst in the channel opposite there was a fleeting Kingfisher, plus a Common Sandpiper, two Whimbrel and a few Black-tailed Godwits. (AH/IP/RP)
North Wall: The elusive Squacco Heron finally gave itself up this morning (well done, Mark Ireland and Martin Orchard-Webb!), first on one of the bushes and then in the first field from Halsey's Farm, eventually showing really well feeding in the long grass and roosting in the adjacent rife till late morning at least.
Also about were the two Cattle Egrets (one briefly on the same bush as the Squacco Heron!), along with 16 or so Whimbrels at Halsey's Farm and three Greenshank and plenty of Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank in White's Creek, plus a Green Sandpiper flying over the Breech Pool area. Several Kestrels - presumably a family party, were also reported from the North fields.
There were also a few passerine migrants about, including three Wheatears, a dozen or so Willow Warblers, three Lesser Whitethroats, 20+ Sand Martins and a few Reed and Sedge Warblers. A further three Wheatears were also present around Owl Point. (M-OW/MI/AH/OM/IP/BI/S&SaH/AB et al)
Also, a Barn Owl was hunting over Halsey's Farm late in the evening. (JDW)
This afternoon there was a Silver-washed Fritillary - a very rare butterfly on the Peninsula - on Buddleia by the Salt House. (ARK per SOS)
Birdham: A Ring-necked Parakeet flew south-west over our garden, calling as it went just before 8pm this evening. (AB)
Selsey, Park Farm: There were 50+ Pied Wagtails, 30+ Sand Martins and a Blackcap early this afternoon. (S&SaH)
Medmerry (east) - Breach area: A Spoonbill was present around the breach area, with a second bird also present, further out into the reserve, whilst 3 Wheatears were around the Toe end area. (HB)
Friday, 2nd August: Another lovely morning, with lots of sunshine and just a light north-westerly breeze.....
Ferry Pool: The Wood Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were on the pool, along with c30 Lapwings, c40 Black-tailed Godwits, two Shelduck and ten Teal, whilst in the channel opposite there was a fleeting Kingfisher, plus a Common Sandpiper, two Whimbrel and a few Black-tailed Godwits. (AH/IP/RP)
Wood Sandpiper on the Ferry (AH)
North Wall: The elusive Squacco Heron finally gave itself up this morning (well done, Mark Ireland and Martin Orchard-Webb!), first on one of the bushes and then in the first field from Halsey's Farm, eventually showing really well feeding in the long grass and roosting in the adjacent rife till late morning at least.
Also about were the two Cattle Egrets (one briefly on the same bush as the Squacco Heron!), along with 16 or so Whimbrels at Halsey's Farm and three Greenshank and plenty of Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank in White's Creek, plus a Green Sandpiper flying over the Breech Pool area. Several Kestrels - presumably a family party, were also reported from the North fields.
There were also a few passerine migrants about, including three Wheatears, a dozen or so Willow Warblers, three Lesser Whitethroats, 20+ Sand Martins and a few Reed and Sedge Warblers. A further three Wheatears were also present around Owl Point. (M-OW/MI/AH/OM/IP/BI/S&SaH/AB et al)
Also, a Barn Owl was hunting over Halsey's Farm late in the evening. (JDW)
Squacco Heron (above) (top three AH, lower SH), Wheatear (SH), Cattle Egret, Greenshank & Whimbrel (AH) around the North Wall
A happy band of local birders celebrate their Peninsula tick! (OM)
Kestrel at the North fields (CB)
More shots of the Squacco Heron (above) & Sparrowhawk and Magpie at the North Wall (AB)
Silver-washed Fritillary at the North Wall (ARK per SOS)
Church Norton: This lunchtime, with the rising tide, there were 200+ Sandwich, 70+ Common and 5 Little Terns in the harbour, plus around 50 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones and 3 Ringed Plovers.
Passerines included a Wheatear, 5 Chiffchaffs and 2 Willow Warblers, and a Peregrine went over. Painted Ladies were present in numbers all along the path in front of the Severals. (AW/S&SaH)
Little Terns amongst Common and Sandwich Terns and Painted Lady at Church Norton (AW)
Medmerry (east) - Breach area: A Spoonbill was present around the breach area, with a second bird also present, further out into the reserve, whilst 3 Wheatears were around the Toe end area. (HB)
Friday, 2nd August: Another lovely morning, with lots of sunshine and just a light north-westerly breeze.....
Selsey Bill: Not much was moving offshore, though a Wheatear was along the beach and a few Mediterranean Gulls were present as was a Painted Lady butterfly. Full log below:
(0700-0810hrs) (BI)
Great Crested Grebe - 2E
Fulmar - 2W
Gannet - 2E
Common Scoter - 2E
Mediterranean Gull - 26E, 5W
Sandwich Tern - 3E, 13W
Common Tern - 2os
Green Woodpecker - 1p Oval Field
Wheatear - 1ob
Sand Martin - 4E
House Martin - 5p
Painted Lady - 1ob
There were also a couple of Painted Ladies in my nearby garden. (IP)
Ferry Pool: The Wood Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper were on the very full pool this morning, along with a couple of Common Sandpipers, but otherwise there were just a few Teal and Lapwing present. (AH/IP)
The Wood Sandpiper was still present later on, though went missing for a while early afternoon! (AB/OM/BrJ)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were four adult Yellow-legged Gulls on the area being cleared for a farm reservoir, along with c30 Mediterranean Gulls, whilst c80 Black-tailed Godwits were by the poplars and a male Stonechat, plus an adult Reed Bunting feeding a fledged chick, were by the first viewpoint.
There were plenty of Yellowhammers (including several juveniles) and Whitethroats, plus a single Willow Warbler and just a few Skylarks along the banks, whilst a Wheatear and half a dozen Meadow Pipits were on the reserve opposite the Stilt Pools.
A Snipe on the Stilt Pool was a surprise, but there wasn't too much else beyond a couple of Greenshank and Common Sandpipers, a couple of Teal and a dozen Gadwall, though Canada Geese numbers were approaching 100 birds, plus a lone Greylag and c40 Sand Martins and a dozen Swallows went over..
Also, a Gannet was offshore, eight Sanderling were on the beach and two Ringed Plovers and c80 Dunlin flew in over the beach and a fresh-looking Painted Lady and several Emperor Dragonflies present, too. (AH/IP)
North Wall/East Side: Walking along the north wall today in Pagham Harbour at 09.00 I spotted and photographed a Squacco Heron, after about ten minutes it took off and headed west towards Sidlesham. (G Hicks per SOS)
There were c.50 Dunlin, a similar number of Redshank, two Greenshank and half-a-dozen Black-tailed Godwits along White's Creek and out on the mud were three adult Yellow-legged Gulls. The Breech Pool was very full and held no birds apart from a few motley ducks and three Cormorants whilst the two Cattle Egret were still present on the island roost. At least five Painted Lady butterflies were also seen. (BI)
Early this evening there was no sign of the Squacco Heron, though the two Cattle Egrets and numerous Little Egrets were around Halsey's Farm, where there were also six Whimbrel and two Curlews in the fields. Also, a Wheatear was reported by visiting birders and a Greenshank flew over, calling. (OM/AH)
Thursday, 1st August: There was hardly any breeze this morning, with bright sun early on and hazy sun and white cloud later.....(0700-0810hrs) (BI)
Great Crested Grebe - 2E
Fulmar - 2W
Gannet - 2E
Common Scoter - 2E
Mediterranean Gull - 26E, 5W
Sandwich Tern - 3E, 13W
Common Tern - 2os
Green Woodpecker - 1p Oval Field
Wheatear - 1ob
Sand Martin - 4E
House Martin - 5p
Painted Lady - 1ob
There were also a couple of Painted Ladies in my nearby garden. (IP)
Ferry Pool: The Wood Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper were on the very full pool this morning, along with a couple of Common Sandpipers, but otherwise there were just a few Teal and Lapwing present. (AH/IP)
The Wood Sandpiper was still present later on, though went missing for a while early afternoon! (AB/OM/BrJ)
Wood Sandpiper on the Ferry (AH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were four adult Yellow-legged Gulls on the area being cleared for a farm reservoir, along with c30 Mediterranean Gulls, whilst c80 Black-tailed Godwits were by the poplars and a male Stonechat, plus an adult Reed Bunting feeding a fledged chick, were by the first viewpoint.
There were plenty of Yellowhammers (including several juveniles) and Whitethroats, plus a single Willow Warbler and just a few Skylarks along the banks, whilst a Wheatear and half a dozen Meadow Pipits were on the reserve opposite the Stilt Pools.
A Snipe on the Stilt Pool was a surprise, but there wasn't too much else beyond a couple of Greenshank and Common Sandpipers, a couple of Teal and a dozen Gadwall, though Canada Geese numbers were approaching 100 birds, plus a lone Greylag and c40 Sand Martins and a dozen Swallows went over..
Also, a Gannet was offshore, eight Sanderling were on the beach and two Ringed Plovers and c80 Dunlin flew in over the beach and a fresh-looking Painted Lady and several Emperor Dragonflies present, too. (AH/IP)
Greenshank (above), Common Sandpiper, Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Ringed Plovers and Dunlin, Willow Warbler, Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings, Emperor Dragonfly & Painted Lady at Medmerry (AH)
North Wall/East Side: Walking along the north wall today in Pagham Harbour at 09.00 I spotted and photographed a Squacco Heron, after about ten minutes it took off and headed west towards Sidlesham. (G Hicks per SOS)
Squacco Heron from the North Wall (G Hicks)
There were c.50 Dunlin, a similar number of Redshank, two Greenshank and half-a-dozen Black-tailed Godwits along White's Creek and out on the mud were three adult Yellow-legged Gulls. The Breech Pool was very full and held no birds apart from a few motley ducks and three Cormorants whilst the two Cattle Egret were still present on the island roost. At least five Painted Lady butterflies were also seen. (BI)
Early this evening there was no sign of the Squacco Heron, though the two Cattle Egrets and numerous Little Egrets were around Halsey's Farm, where there were also six Whimbrel and two Curlews in the fields. Also, a Wheatear was reported by visiting birders and a Greenshank flew over, calling. (OM/AH)
Cattle Egrets (above) & Whimbrels at Halsey's Farm (AH)
Ferry Pool: The water level seems to be getting higher and higher at the moment, with almost no exposed edges on the main pool. The Wood Sandpiper was present again this morning, though, at the back of the pool and there were also three Common Sandpipers, a couple of Black-tailed Godwits and 20+ Lapwings present, along with a Shelduck and ten Teal. Also, a Hobby flew through low at the back and two Buzzards and a Stock Dove were around the fields..
A Whimbrel and a few Black-tailed Godwits were in the channel opposite, whilst there were plenty of warblers around the Tramway circuit, including two or three Blackcaps and Willow Warblers, at least five Lesser Whitethroats and 20+ Whitethroats, with half a dozen Reed Warblers in Red Barn Ditch. (AH/IP)
The Wood Sandpiper remained present, if often elusive, for the rest of the day. (BFF/DM/AB)
The Wood Sandpiper remained present, if often elusive, for the rest of the day. (BFF/DM/AB)
Wood Sandpiper (top- DM) (above), Common Sandpiper, Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat & Stock Dove around the Ferry (AH)
North Wall: The two Cattle Egrets were present again this morning, whilst there were a Spotted Redshank, a couple of Greenshank and 130 Dunlin, along with a Yellow-legged Gulls and 420 Mediterranean Gulls in White's Creek. (BFF/DM)
Mediterranean Gulls (above) & Yellow-legged and Mediterranean Gulls from the North Wall (BFF)
Chichester Harbour: There was a large gathering of c50-55 Little Terns out in the harbour on the south end of Stakes Island at high tide today, with c30 Common Terns also present. (PH)
Church Norton: There were at least half a dozen Willow Warblers, plus a Chiffchaff and a couple of Blackcaps around the churchyard/hide area, with a couple more Blackcaps by the concrete wall, along with several Whitethroats, with a couple more of the latter along the beach. There were also two adult and five juvenile Swallows in the trees by the hide.
Church Norton: There were at least half a dozen Willow Warblers, plus a Chiffchaff and a couple of Blackcaps around the churchyard/hide area, with a couple more Blackcaps by the concrete wall, along with several Whitethroats, with a couple more of the latter along the beach. There were also two adult and five juvenile Swallows in the trees by the hide.
There were still 200+ Sandwich Terns and 50+ Common Terns and Mediterranean Gulls in the harbour, along with a couple of Whimbrel, eight Turnstones, six Ringed Plovers and 100+ Dunlin. (AH//IP)
Also seen later were two Yellow Wagtails over north, a Peregrine and three Whimbrel, as well as a juvenile Arctic Tern among c45 Common and c200 Sandwich Terns. (BFF/DM)
Also seen later were two Yellow Wagtails over north, a Peregrine and three Whimbrel, as well as a juvenile Arctic Tern among c45 Common and c200 Sandwich Terns. (BFF/DM)
Sandwich Tern (above), Dunlin, Ringed Plovers, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat & Swallows at Church Norton (AH)
North Selsey: At least 50 Sand Martins went south over the village this evening. (SH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Three Yellow-legged Gulls were near the first viewpoint, with 72 Black-tailed Godwits and 300+ Mediterranean Gulls nearby.
Three Green Sandpipers flew up from one of the small pools, a Yellow Wagtail and 10+ Meadow Pipits were along the banks and 50+ Sand Martins and ten Swallows went over, but a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper were the only migrant birds around the Stilt Pool. (S&SaH)
Medmerry: Ham Farm - A gathering of Sand Martins along the wires by the farm this evening reached c300, with c50 Swallows among them.
At least half a dozen unusually flighty Corn Buntings were in the barley field, including several probable juveniles, and a pair of Grey Partridges flew across the field, but there wasn't too much else beyond a few Skylarks, whilst at least a dozen Yellowhammers were spread along Ham Road. (AH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Three Yellow-legged Gulls were near the first viewpoint, with 72 Black-tailed Godwits and 300+ Mediterranean Gulls nearby.
Three Green Sandpipers flew up from one of the small pools, a Yellow Wagtail and 10+ Meadow Pipits were along the banks and 50+ Sand Martins and ten Swallows went over, but a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper were the only migrant birds around the Stilt Pool. (S&SaH)
Medmerry: Ham Farm - A gathering of Sand Martins along the wires by the farm this evening reached c300, with c50 Swallows among them.
At least half a dozen unusually flighty Corn Buntings were in the barley field, including several probable juveniles, and a pair of Grey Partridges flew across the field, but there wasn't too much else beyond a few Skylarks, whilst at least a dozen Yellowhammers were spread along Ham Road. (AH)
Corn Bunting (above) & Sand Martins at Medmerry (AH)
No comments:
Post a Comment