23rd - 25th August 2019

Sunday, 25th August: The lovely weather continues, with another warm and sunny morning, with just a light easterly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: There was not much going on offshore, but there were 16 Yellow Wagtails, three Swifts and plenty of hirundines going over eastwards and two Greenshank flew over east, too. Full log below. (SH/BI)

(0630-0830hrs)

Gannet - 9E, 7W

Shag - 1E

Teal - 5W

Sparrowhawk - 2p

Common Sandpiper - 1E

Greenshank - 2E

Sandwich Tern - 4E

swift - 3E

Swallow - 416E

Sand Martin - 274E

House Martin - 10E

Pied Wagtail - 1E

Yellow Wagtail - 16E
Silver Y moth - 1 in from the sea.

Park Farm, Selsey: There were still four Grey Wagtails present this morning, and a Greenshank went over. (S&SaH)

Ferry Pool: There was a Spotted Redshank present this morning, along with four Greenshank and two Little Ringed Plovers, plus the usual mix of c100 Black-tailed Godwits, c80 Lapwing, c50 Teal and half a dozen Shelduck. (AH/IP)

Greenshank on the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A visiting birder reported an Osprey passing through high up at 9.30am, but it was not picked up anywhere else.

There were plenty of passerines around this morning, though, including four Redstarts at Halsey's Farm, along with two Wheatears and two Whinchats, a few Blackcaps and Lesser Whitethroats and numerous Whitethroats, whilst the two Cattle Egrets, along with a lone Whimbrel, were again in the fields.

There were two more Whinchats and a Wheatear along the wall, with more Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats and Blackcaps, plus one or two Reed, Sedge and Willow Warblers and a couple of Reed Buntings. Also, three Yellow Wagtails went over, as did 20+ Sand Martins and a few Swallows

The Breech Pool held three Wigeon, but not much else beyond a few Mallard, though a Green Sandpiper flew over, whilst there weren't any unusual waders in the harbour, with just a few Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank and Lapwing around White's Creek, plus a Lesser Black-backed Gull further out. (AH/IP/IH/OM/PC et al)

Later in the morning, there were two Spotted Redshanks and a Greenshank in White's Creek. Along the East side it was much the same as the last few days; a Yellow-legged Gull, 30 Mediterranean Gulls, two Whimbrel, three Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, c.100 Dunlin and c.150 Ringed Plovers. 
The hedgerows were pretty quiet, with just a few Whitethroats, and a couple of Reed Warblers and Willow Warblers. At one time there was a mass panic in the harbour - I tried but just couldn't find the reason - though doubtless it was the Osprey mentioned above! (OM)

Redstarts (above), Whinchat, Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroats, Cattle Egret & Wigeon at the North Wall (AH)

This afternoon/evening a Yellow Wagtail and the leucistic Starling were at Halsey's Farm and a Redstart and a Wheatear were along the wall. (J Snell)

Redstart (above), Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail & Leucistic starling around the North Wall (JS)

Medmerry: Ham Farm and Porthole Farm - There were three Whinchats, two Wheatears, two Yellow Wagtails and four Whitethroats around the banks at Ham this morning, with another ten or more of the latter, plus a Stonechat, a Chiffchaff and two Willow Warblers around the hedges at Porthole Farm, with four Buzzards over. (SH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were eight Wheatears, two Whinchats, three Stonechats, two Lesser Whitethroats along the banks - mainly near the first viewpoint - this morning, with three Greenshanks near the Poplars, plus a couple of Yellow Wagtail, a Hobby and two Sparrowhawks over.

There were just a couple of Common Sandpipers and a couple of Wigeon of note on the Stilt Pool, along with lots of Canada Geese. (PB/PM)

Long Pool: This evening there were three spotted Redshank and a Greenshank on the pool itself. (AW)

Spotted Redshanks (above) & Greenshank along the Long Pool (AW)

Church Norton: There were up to three Redstarts between the Severals this morning, with two Spotted Flycatchers near the mound and three Wheatears along the spit, plus a few Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroats spread around, plus a few swallows and Sand Martins.

There wasn't too much of note in the harbour, though there were still 20+Sandwich Terns, with a few more along the beach. A Hobby went over, too, and other raptors included two Sparrowhawks, two Kestrels, five Common Buzzards and a Peregrine. (BI/PB/PM/P&JW/AH/IP/JS et al)

Swallow (AH) (above) & Spotted Flycatcher (J Snell) at Church Norton 

This evening an Arctic Skua came up over the beach chasing a Sandwich Tern, whilst just another ten or so were around the harb

There was a huge and spectacular feeding gathering of Gulls - say, very conservatively 1000 Mediterranean and 500 Black-headed - spread right along the beach, spit, offshore and harbour, many presumably feeding on flying ants.

There were also two Spotted Flycatchers, a Garden Warbler and a Blackcap around the Mound. (HB/AH/TB)

Spotted Flycatcher (above), Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean Gulls & Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

Saturday, 24th August: Another warm morning, with lots of sun, but a bit more high cloud as the gentle breeze shifted south-east....

Selsey Bill: It was quiet offshore, but a dozen Yellow Wagtails and nearly 150 Swallows moved east. Full log below.... 
(0630-0800hrs) (SH)
Gannet - 4W
Avocet - 3E
Sandwich Tern - 47os
Swallow - 148E
Sand Martin - 6E
Pied Wagtail - 2E
Yellow Wagtail - 12E
Wheatear - 1p
Willow Warbler - 1p

Ferry Pool: There were still five Greenshanks on the pool this morning, along with two Little Ringed Plovers and a Common Sandpiper, plus a Kingfisher, briefly, and the usual species, including 11 Shelducks, c50 Teal, c50 Lapwings and c100 Black-tailed Godwits. (AH/IP)

Greenshank on the Ferry (AH)

West Wittering: A Honey Buzzard flew east over our garden to the north of the village late this morning. And this afternoon a Pied Flycatcher was in the garden! (GM)

Pied Flycatcher in a West Wittering garden (GM)

Park Farm, Selsey: Five Grey Wagtails flew out from the compost heaps this morning, whilst four Yellow Wagtails were out on the fields. There was a lot of activity overhead, too, including ten Swifts, 50+ Swallows, 100+ House Martins and 200+ Sand Martins, plus two Sparrowhawks. (S&SaH)

Selsey: A Sparrowhawk was devouring its prey in the Rectory garden. (AW/SW)

Sparrowhawk in a Selsey garden (S Wilkes)

Church Norton: Twp Pied Flycatchers, three Spotted Flycatcher and a Redstart were seen around the hide/churchyard area, along with a couple of Garden Warblers and Lesser Whitethroats, plus a few Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Whitethroats, whilst a couple of Wheatears, a Chiffchaff and a handful of Whitethroats were along the Severals/beach area. Also ten Yellow Wagtails went east along the beach and 100+ Sand Martins and 50+ House Martins and Swallows were overhead.

Three Little Terns and up to five Common Terns were among 100 or so Sandwich Terns in the harbour, with at least another 200 of the latter on the beach, with similar of Mediterranean Gulls. There wasn't too much of note in the harbour, though a Spotted Redshank, a Common Sandpiper and a few Knot were among the commoner species.

 (AH/IP/RM/NM/S&SaH/AW/P&JW/CM/HB et al)

Little Tern (above), Knot and Dunlin (AW), Lesser Whitethroat, Swallow, Sparrowhawk & Sandwich Terns (AH) at Church Norton

North Wall & Halsey's Farm: A look around the fields at Halsey's Farm and Owl Point this morning produced the two Cattle Egrets, about a dozen Yellow Wagtails among the cows, two Wheatears, an elusive Redstart, a couple of Lesser Whitethroats and half a dozen Whitethroats. (AH) 
There were plenty of birds in White's Creek early on, the highlights being two Spotted Redshanks, four Greenshanks and a Common Sandpiper. In the fields near the Breech Pool were 27 Curlews and four Whimbrel, and there were 12 Sand Martins and a few Swallows overhead, but the Pool itself remains bereft of excitement with just a few Mallards present.
Along the top path a Cetti's Warbler was heard, Reed Warbler and a Garden Warbler were with four Lesser Whitethroats and there were plenty of Common Whitethroats present. 
By the sluice was a Kingfisher and there were two Whinchats, two juvenile Stonechats and a Redstart nearby. Walking back, a Peregrine put up c.250 Dunlin in the harbour and a few Willow Warblers were near the stables. (BI)

Yellow Wagtails (above), Cattle Egrets, Wheatear & Swallow around Halsey's Farm (AH), Whinchat, Redstart & Yellow Wagtail (BI)

Medmerry: Ham Farm - There were four Whinchats together in the hedges by the farm, plus a couple of Whitethroats, but the banks were very quiet. Also, about 100 Swallows, plus a few Sand and House Martins, were beginning to gather on the wires before, first, a Sparrowhawk and then a Peregrine went over, putting them off the idea.
There were also four Gadwall - including two unseasonally pristine drakes - on the ponds, c50 Dunlin and c30 Ringed Plovers near the breach and two juvenile Grey Partridges were along Ham Road.. (AH)

Whinchat (above), Sand Martin & Gadwall at Medmerry (AH)

Friday, 23rd August: A fine and sunny morning, very warm and with barely any breeze.....

Selsey Bill: (0620-0845hrs) (BI/RP)
Gannet - 5W
Shag - 1E
Turnstone - 6ob
Sandwich Tern - 7E, 25os
Swallow - 4p
House Martin - 10p
Seal sp - 1os

Sandwich Terns at Selsey Bill (RP)

Ferry Pool: There were six Greenshank on the pool early on, before they decamped back into the harbour, and there were also a Common Sandpiper and two Little Ringed Plovers present, along with seven Shelducks. c60 Teal and c80 Lapwings and Black-tailed Godwits. (AH/IP)

Common Sandpiper (above) & Greenshank at the Ferry (AH)

This evening there was a Spotted Flycatcher near the hide at the Ferry. (AW)

Spotted Flycatcher at the Ferry (AW)

Church Norton: A Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher and two Garden Warblers were around the churchyard and hide area, along with half a dozen Whitethroats and two or three Lesser Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, plus 20 or so Swallows overhead. Also, a Tree Pipit went over and there were up to six Wheatears and a scattering of Whitethroats along the beach.

A Greenshank, a Whimbrel, three Grey Plovers and seven Knot were among the waders, in the harbour, along with half a dozen Sandwich Terns, with up to 200 more on the beach, along with at least 400 Mediterranean Gulls. (AH/IP/BI/A&YF et al)
Later on, a Curlew Sandpiper was among the Dunlin in the harbour. (IL)

Redstart (above), Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Swallow, Sandwich Tern, Grey Plover, Knot & Whimbrel at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to Stilt Pool - There was a steady stream of hirundines moving south-east this morning, mainly Sand Martins & Swallows but also a few House Martins, it was difficult to get an accurate count but c.750 birds would be a conservative estimate. On the Stilt Pool there were still the two Spoonbills, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, a few Lapwings and 400 Canada Geese. A Tree Pipit was briefly on the fenceline here and along the beach were seven Wheatears. The banks weren't particularly busy but there were a dozen Whitethroats about along with a few Yellowhammers whilst overhead there were 11 Common Buzzards up towards Ham. A Clouded Yellow butterfly was near Marsh Barn and there were better numbers of Common Blues on the wing as well. (BI)

Clouded Yellow & Greenshank at Medmerry (BI)

Breach Viewpoint: An hour off from grandchildren duties allowed a brief window of opportunity for a visit, where I was surprised to find a good number of terns and gulls present on the mudflats. I counted 118 Sandwich Terns and 2 Little Terns amongst the gathering, which included an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Common Gull and 80 Mediterranean Gulls. (OM) 

 Sandwich Terns with Little Tern in foreground. (OM)