28th - 31st October 2019

Thursday, 31st October: Following overnight rain, it was another grey and fairly cool morning, with a brisk north-easterly breeze....

Selsey Bill: There were a few passerines about this morning, including three Black Redstarts (one in the Bill House garden, two in Barnes Close), a Jay and at least ten Chiffchaffs plus a dozen Swallows that went east and then back west. 
Offshore remained slow, though a Great Northern Diver, eight Gadwall and three Sandwich Terns went east. Full log below..... 
0720-1020hrs: (wind NE 4/5)  (OM/AH/SR)
Red-throated Diver - 1W
Great Northern Diver - 1E
Gannet - 6E, 5W
Shag - 8E, 1W
Brent Goose - 14E, 3W
Common Scoter - 14E, 4W, 7os
Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 1W
Wigeon - 2E, 20W
Gadwall - 8E
Sandwich Tern - 3E
Common Gull - 3E, 4W
Mediterranean Gull - 2E
auk sp - 2E
Swallow - 12E then W
Jay - 1
Starling - 18S, 83N
Pied Wagtail - 1N
Long-tailed Tit - 10
Black Redstart - 3
Chiffchaff - 10
Goldcrest - 2
Linnet - 9E
Chaffinch - 3E
1130-1230hrs: (OM)
Diver sp - 1E
Brent Goose - 13E, 14W
Common Scoter - 12E
Red-breasted Merganser - 1E
Wigeon - 35E, 6W
Teal - 1E
Mediterranean Gull - 1E
Common Gull - 2E

Black Redstart (above), Chiffchaff, Shags, Gadwall & Starlings on the Bill House roof at the Bill (AH)

 Black Redstarts at the Bill (Barnes Close) (OM)

Selsey, East beach and Pool: A walk from the Bill along the promenade to East beach pool and the adjacent hedgerows was all very disappointing, with just a solitary Chiffchaff, whilst around the pool were just another Chiffchaff and a couple of Goldcrests! (OM)

Ferry Pool: The only wader present was a roosting Avocet, though there were plenty of ducks including at least 60 Shoveler, c50 Teal, c20 Wigeon and a dozen Shelducks. (AH)

Medmerry - Coastguard Station – Toe End: We tried a different walk this morning as the wind was in the east making the sea calm on the west side of Selsey, walking from the old Coastguard Station to Toe End, Medmerry.
In the fields above the Medmerry Cliff there was a late flock of 25 Swallows hawking insects  plus 12 Meadow Pipits and two Rock Pipits. Around the private caravans fronting the beach we found at least six Black Redstarts, four Chiffchaffs and a windblown Goldcrest.
Offshore a single 1st winter Eider was present, but not much else was on the sea, whilst on the beach there were 25 Pied Wagtails and in the tidal area there were a single Greenshank and a female Peregrine.(BFF/DM)

Black Redstart at Medmerry (DM)

North Wall: At first light this morning White's Creek contained similar numbers to yesterday of Wigeon, Teal, Mallard and Black-tailed Godwits, whilst the Kingfisher was again active and a Grey Plover was unusually close to the sluice gates. 
There was little action in the hedgerows apart from a Song Thrush and the usual Reed Buntings. (IH)

Church Norton: There was a little mixed flock of thrushes on the airstrip at Greenlease Farm this morning, comprising at least five Mistle Thrushes, two Redwing and up to ten Fieldfares, whilst at least 30 Meadow Pipits were in the rape fields and one or two Goldcrests were in the hedges.
The harbour held at least 100 Brent Geese and 200 Wigeon, along with 50+ Grey Plovers and 200 Dunlin. (AH)

Mistle Thrushes (above), Mistle Thrush, Redwings and Fieldfares & Grey Plover at Church Norton (AH)

Wednesday, 30th October: After a little early drizzle, another cool and overcast morning, with a brisk easterly breeze....

Selsey Bill: There was less activity than yesterday, though a flock of five Velvet Scoters went west and several large flocks of Starlings went purposefully east, well offshore. Full log below..... 
(0645-0930hrs) (Wind E/NE 4-5) (C&ME/AH/PC)
Gannet- 20E
Shag - 5E
Brent Goose - 25E, 8W, 12os
Shelduck - 10W
Wigeon - 15E, 44W
Tufted Duck - 1W
Common Scoter - 5E, 35W
Velvet Scoter - 5W
Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 8W
Dunlin - 3E
Mediterranean Gull - 11E
Common Gull - 2E
Meadow Pipit - 10N
Pied Wagtail - 14E
Starling - 550E, 22N
Linnet - 250E

Brent Geese (above), Wigeon & Starlings at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Avocet was still on the pool, along with c100 Lapwings, c60 Shovelers, c20 Shelduck and c50 Teal, with 200 or so Jackdaws and Starlings on the field and six Long-tailed Tits near the hide. (AH/PB)

Shoveler on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A Firecrest, a Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff were along the path to the harbour, but otherwise it was fairly birdless, as it often is when the wind whips across the harbour from the east. (PB)
Later, the harbour held 50 Great Black-backed Gulls, whilst 25 Brent Geese went west along the beach and six Linnets went east.
Greenlease Farm offered a bit of shelter and was quite productive, with two Fieldfare, two Redwings and three Mistle Thrushes seen, along with a Chiffchaff and two Roe Deer. (CRJ)

  

North Wall: First thing this morning White's Creek was a replay of yesterday - with modest numbers of Wigeon, Teal,  Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit present, plus a few Pintail and perhaps 30 Shelduck in the distance.  
The Kingfisher was also again present, but there was little to be seen in the hedgerows apart from an occasional Reed Bunting and nor were the Curlew and Black-tailed Godwits feeding in the field. The Breech Pool confirmed its status as virtually Mallard-only when about 50 flew in from the west, and a Kestrel flew past as I ended my brief walk. (IH)

Medmerry - Coastguard Station – Toe End: There was a steady movement of Swallows around the Coastguard station with c30 feeding over the field alongside 6 House Martins, 5 Meadow Pipits and 8 Pied Wagtails. Two Black Redstarts were around the Oasis Centre area and a Raven headed east. At Toe End, there was another Black Redstart, one Wheatear, 12 Pied Wagtails, a pair of Stonechats, a hunting Kestrel and more Meadow Pipits. Beside the rocks at high tide I could only find 2 Ringed Plover and 7 Turnstones with 2 more Pied Wagtails. (SR)

Pied Wagtail at Toe End, Medmerry (SR)

Northcommon Farm: Three Swallows went over this morning (SH)

West Wittering: A Black Redstart was in a garden on the sea front to the east of Cakeham stables (between East and West Wittering this morning. (L Taylor)
Itchenor: A single Avocet was in with a small Curlew roost at Horse pond, before flying off towards Bosham/Itchenor. (PH)

Fishbourne Creek: There was nothing too unusual here this morning, though a Kingfisher and at least six Rock Pipits were present, along with a couple of Greenshanks and 100+ Common Gulls.
The rising tide held large numbers of the commoner, species, though, including around 300 Brent Geese, 400 Wigeon, 50 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Grey Plovers, 40 Dunlin, c60 Turnstones and c100 Redshank. (AH)

Rock Pipit (above), Wigeon, Dunlin and Black-headed Gulls, Black-tailed Godwits and Turnstones & Turnstones at Fishbourne Creek (AH)

Tuesday, 29th October: Another cool and grey morning, with a freshening and chilly north-easterly breeze....

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of movement offshore this morning, including three Red-throated Divers, 300+ Brent Geese and a few Wigeon and Common Scoter going west, whilst six Pochard - an uncommon species here - flew east.
There was also, a bit of overhead migration, including a few Skylarks, Siskins and Mistle Thrushes. Full log below..... 
0700-1130hrs:  (Wind NE 4-5)  (C&ME/GH/IP/OM/AH/DF)
Red-throated Diver - 1E, 2W
Great Northern Diver - 1W
Gannet - c.20 os
Shag - 7E
Brent Goose - 20E, 328W
Shelduck - 4W
Common Scoter - 42W
Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 12W
Wigeon - 16E, 52W
Teal - 1W
Pochard - 6E
Turnstone - 20 ob
Razorbill - 3E
auk sp - 1E, 4W
Sparrowhawk - 1
Mediterranean Gull - 16E
Wood Pigeon - 368 S
Stock Dove - 7 S
Skylark - 14N
House Martin - 1W
Swallow - 8E
Starling - 54N
Jackdaw - 70
Mistle Thrush - 5N
Meadow Pipit - 7N
Pied/alba Wagtail - 11N
Long-tailed Tit - 20
Chiffchaff - 2
Goldcrest - 2
Linnet - 75E
Goldfinch - 45E
Siskin - 7E
Chaffinch - 9E
  

Pochard (above) & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Turnstone at the Bill - one of several very tame birds walking within a couple of metres the observers present. (OM)

Also, the mystery concerning the three-masted vessel off the Bill (see yesterday's blog) seems to have been resolved. We are grateful to those who made the effort to contact us and especially to Geoff Cater who states that it "seems likely that this is the superyacht 'Black Pearl', currently en-route to Gibraltar. The yacht is one of the largest in the world - over 100m long, and the three masts are 70m high." A quick bit of research on the web suggests he is spot-on! Thanks again (Eds)

Ferry Pool: An Avocet was again on the pool this morning, along with c60 Lapwing, a dozen Shelduck, c30 Wigeon and Shoveler and c50 Teal. (AH)

Avocet at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A straggle of Wigeon and Teal bordered White's Creek this morning with Redshank feeding on the mud and 150 or so restless Lapwing constantly taking to the air.  A Kingfisher was active at the sluice gates and six Pintail were visible in the distance along with a dozen or so Shelduck. 
The bushes were fairly quiet with a few Reed Buntings and a report by a visiting birder of two female Yellowhammers, whilst a Kestrel hovered above, a Snipe flew over and in the fields some 30 Curlew and a similar number of Black-tailed Godwits fed. (IH)

This evening a Ring Ouzel was seen going in to roost at Halsey's Farm (J Davis per SOS)

Medmerry: Easton Lane - A Great White Egret was seen roosting in a tree on the reserve near Easton Lane this morning. (J Davis per SOS)

East Head: Around 1500 Brent Geese were around the fields and harbour, with birds dropping in all morning, and there were certainly some youngsters among them.
Otherwise, a Short-eared Owl flew right along the main channel in the harbour, heading for Thorney Island, a couple of Sanderling were on the foreshore, three Swallows went over and c100 Linnets, a Reed Bunting, c50 Skylarks and just a few Meadow Pipits were spread around the dunes and tidal areas.
Snowhill Creek held a Greenshank, two Snipe and plenty of roosting waders, including c30 Grey Plovers, c50 Dunlin, 200 Lapwing and c80 Black-tailed Godwits, whist a group of 25 Golden Plover came up from the fields and six Red-breasted Mergansers were feeding together in the adjacent harbour.. (AH)

Short-eared Owl (above), Greenshank, Snipe, Sanderling, Red-breasted Mergansers, Linnets, Grey Plovers & Brent Geese around Eat Head (AH)

Birdham Pool: An early afternoon visit produced two Swallows over the pool and the now-regular tree roost held 30 Cormorants and two Jays. On the water were 75 Mallards, two Wigeon and 12 Little Grebes, whilst a Kingfisher also flashed past. (OM)

Monday, 28th October: After the first frost of the autumn, a dry but chilly and mostly grey morning, with a moderate north-easterly breeze....

Selsey Bill: Over 12,000 Wood Pigeons went over this morning, mostly heading out to sea and the greater part of the total before 8.30am. Otherwise, although there was some variety of species it was still fairly quiet, though a Cattle Egret flew east offshore, a Merlin came in from way out, and a Great Northern Diver was on the sea. Full log below..... 
0700-1300hrs:  (Wind NE 3-4/5)  (C&ME/IP/BI/AH/OM/CN)
Great Northern Diver - 1E settled os
Shag - 8E
Cattle Egret - 1N
Brent Goose - 6E, 5W
Common Scoter - 15E, 9W
Red-breasted Merganser - 6E, 4W
Wigeon - 5W
Merlin - 1N with prey
Razorbill - 1E, 1W
auk sp - 9W
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 Oval field
Stock Dove - 130 mainly S
Woodpigeon - 12,170 mainly S
Sandwich Tern - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 18E, 5W
Common Gull - 5E, 3W
Meadow Pipit - 26N
Pied/alba Wagtail - 17N
Skylark - 6N
House Martin - 3E
Swallow - 3E
Jackdaw - 100
Magpie - 25E (inc. loose flock of 22)
Starling - 28N
Long-tailed Tit - 20
Chiffchaff - 5
Blackcap - 1
Goldcrest - 3
Greenfinch - 3
Siskin - 7
Goldfinch - 25E

Merlin (above) & Wood Pigeons at the Bill (AH)

So...just what is this then? This peculiar vessel spent ages drifting very slowly westwards past the Bill, right along the horizon. When first seen passing the wind farm it looked like three giant towers (maintenance ship?) or a distant three-masted galleon, but eventually the enormous 'sails' appeared wider and darker. Despite our speculation - and several queries to us from members of the public - we are none the wiser. Any ideas??  (OM)

Ferry Pool: An Avocet, three Black-tailed Godwits and c80 Lapwing were on the pool early on, along with a dozen Shelducks, c40 Shoveler, c60 Wigeon and similar of Teal, whilst at least 500 Wood Pigeons went over heading towards the coast.

Along the old Tramway there were a few Chiffchaffs, Reed Buntings and Goldcrests, with a Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine flying over. (AW/AH)

Marsh Harrier (above), Peregrine, Avocet & Reed Bunting around the Ferry (AW)

Long Pool: A Short-eared Owl was in the fields by the Long Pool this evening, as was a Sparrowhawk. (SH)

North Wall: White's Creek this morning contained the usual fare of Wigeon, Teal, Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits, plus a Grey Plover and at least 100 Lapwing wheeled overhead. 

A walk along the wall produced Reed Buntings, a pair of Yellowhammers, a calling Cetti's Warbler, one Great Spotted Woodpecker and a couple of Wrens, whilst about 50 Curlew and a dozen Black-tailed Godwits were feeding in one of the fields, and a flock of about 50 Mallard flew in from the north, some landing in the Breech Pool, which contained little other than a pair of Tufted Ducks. 

There were large flocks of Wood Pigeons overhead here, too, heading both east and west. (IH)

Medmerry: Breach area - Just one Black Redstart could be found around the caravans at Toe End this morning, though a Merlin was seen from the Viewpoint. (CN)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The banks were fairly quiet this morning, though two Dartford Warblers were seen - one just south of Marsh Barn and the other by the Stilt Pool, and there were also at least a dozen scattered Stonechats present, along with a few Goldcrests and Long-tailed Tits, 20 Skylarks and 50+ Meadow Pipits and Linnets.

A Greenshank and c40 Lapwings were on the Stilt Pool, with another Greenshank near the poplars, plus a mix of Gadwall, Teal and Wigeon, plus a few Shovelers, and two Swallows went over. (AH/CN)

Stonechat (above), Meadow Pipits and Linnet, Long-tailed Tits, Swallow & Greenshank, Wigeon, Shoveler and Teal at Medmerry (AH)

25th - 27th October 2019

Sunday, 27th October: A complete turnaround in the weather this morning, with a much cooler, but bright and still, morning.....

Selsey Bill: Numbers were low this morning, but there was a bit of variety, with the highlight being a Long-tailed Duck that dropped in offshore. Full log below. (SH/JA/PB/BI/IP/OM/AH/SR)
(0630-0930hrs) (NNW F1)
Great Northern Diver - 1os
Gannet - 5E
Shag - 17E
Brent Goose - 4W
Tufted Duck - 2W
Long-tailed Duck - 1os
Common Scoter - 2W
Red-breasted Merganser - 14W
Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 6W
auk sp - 1W
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1
Skylark - 4N
Meadow Pipit - 9W
Pied Wagtail - 1W
Chiffchaff - 4
Goldcrest - 2
Long-tailed Tit - 27
Greenfinch - 2
Goldfinch - 60

Red-breasted Mergansers (above) & Shags at the Bill (AH)

Also, a female-type Black Redstart was in the Broadreeds Estate this morning along with two Chiffchaffs and five Long-tailed Tits, and two Pied Wagtails came in off the sea. (SR) Later on a Short-eared Owl came in off the sea over East Beach being well mobbed by Gulls as it did so (CVB)

Short-eared Owl coming in over East Beach (CVB)

Park Farm, Selsey: At least one Black Redstart was around the buildings this morning, whilst the fields held a Grey Wagtail, eight Pied Wagtails, 20+ Meadow Pipits, two Stonechats, a Jay, a Sparrowhawk and two Buzzards. (S&SaH)

Selsey: A Black Redstart was briefly on the roof of St Peter's Church this morning. (AW)

Black Redstart on St. Peter's Church, Selsey (AW)

Ferry Pool: There were four Spotted Redshanks roosting on the pool at high tide this morning, along with two Snipe, five Avocets, c30 Redshanks, c60 Lapwings and six Black-tailed Godwit, whilst wildfowl included c40 Shoveler, c30 Wigeon, c60 Teal and 24 Shelducks. (AH)

Later a possible Goshawk went over. (IL)

Spotted Redshanks, Lapwing and Teal (above), Avocets, Lapwing and Teal & Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)

Medmerry: Chainbridge to Breach area - There were still four Black Redstarts at the far end of the caravans at Toe End, (one male, 3 fem/imm's) with a Wheatear, seven Stonechats, five Reed Buntings, two Pied Wagtails and 30+ Meadow Pipits in the vicinity.. (PB/MJ/SH)

Black Redstart (above) & Stonechat at Medmerry (SH)

Sidlesham Quay: A Wryneck was seen and photographed by a visiting birder on the wall that runs eastwards from the last buildings towards Owl Point. (per IL)

North Wall: The presence of three fishermen meant that White's Creek was devoid of life this morning apart from a few Wigeon, Teal and Mallard.
A walk along the wall produced a smart pair of Yellowhammers, at least three Stonechats  and numerous Reed Buntings, whilst about 20 Black-tailed Godwits and 12 Curlews were feeding in one of the fields and a perched Sparrowhawk, two Song Thrushes and two calling Cetti's Warblers completed the tally. (IH/PC)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: At least 3 Cattle Egrets were present (there may have been more but difficult viewing) plus 2 Little Egrets and a Buzzard. (CRJ)

Church Norton: A Short-eared Owl went over the spit, heading high to the east. (M Read)

Also, two Black Redstarts were around the concrete blocks in the harbour, at least 14 Stonechats were around the rape fields at Greenlease Farm, with another four along the beach, whilst the spit also held at least 20 Skylarks, c40 Meadow Pipits and a few Linnets.

A Water Rail was in the first Several, with one or two Reed Buntings nearby, a few Goldcrests were in the churchyard, with a few more, plus a couple of Chiffxhaffs around Greenlease Farm, whilst five Buzzards were overhead.

The harbour was fairly quiet on the big tide, though five Red-breasted Mergansers flew over the beach and a Peregrine, c25 Brent Geese, 40 Pintail, c40 Mediterranean Gulls and a few Knot and Grey Plovers were seen among the regular species. (S&SaH/P&JW/AH/IP)

 Goldcrest, Reed Bunting, Mediterranean Gull & Grey Plovers, Dunlin and Knot at Church Norton (AH)

Chi GPs - Drayton House pits: Rather quiet today, the most notable species logged being 90 Pochard, 15 Shoveler, a Water Rail, 4 Snipe, 2 Buzzards, 12 Chiffchaffs, 6 Cetti's Warblers and a Bullfinch. (OM)

Saturday, 26th October: A very cloudy and windy day, with a near gale-force southerly picking up during the morning, though mild and remaining dry till lunchtime, but with the prospect of heavy rain moving through for the rest of the day.....

Selsey Bill: A fairly quiet morning, though there were two Great Northern Divers offshore. 
(0730-0900hrs) (SSW F5)  (SH/PB/BI/JA/IP)
Great Northern Diver - 2os
Great Crested Grebe - 3W
Gannet - 4E, 17W
Common Scoter - 2E, 2W
Sandwich Tern - 1E
Razorbill - 1W
auk sp - 8W
Meadow Pipit - 16W

Ferry Pool: There were an Avocet and at least five Snipe on the pool this morning, along with six Black-tailed Godwits, c30 Lapwing, c40 Shoveler, six Wigeon, c60 Teal and 12 Shelducks, whilst a Kingfisher was in the channel opposite. (AH)

Kingfisher (above), Avocet & Wigeon around the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: There were two Spotted Redshanks and six Avocets at the far end of Ferry Channel, along with a few Grey Plovers, c60 Redshank,10 Pintail and plenty of Wigeon and Teal. (AH)

Spotted Redshank and Redshank (above) & Avocets in Ferry Channel (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: Around the fields this morning there were a Stonechat, two Grey Wagtails, five Pied Wagtails and 30+ Meadow Pipits. (S&SaH)

Church Norton: An Arctic Tern went west offshore this morning, and there were also a Razorbill, a Guillemot, three Red-breasted Mergansers and two Gannets seen.
A Black Redstart and two Stonechats were along the beach, with another 11 Stonechats spread around the rape fields between the Severals and Greenlease Farm. (S&SaH)

Medmerry Trail: In the windy conditions there was little showing other than a Grey Wagtail at the water treatment works and a couple of Stonechats and Goldcrests along the hedgerows. (AW)

Grey Wagtail along the Medmerry Trail (AW)

Medmerry: Windmill to the Breach - There were five Black Redstarts - two males and three females - at the far end of the caravans at Toe End, whilst a Wheatear was among c20 Meadow Pipits and a dozen Linnets along the track by the viewpoint and a pair of Stonechats were by the go-kart track..
There was a lot of water in the breach area, the sea having fully taken hold of the area, with consequently few birds beyond a Curlew, a couple of Grey Plovers and half a dozen Great Crested Grebes. (AH)

Black Redstarts (above), Wheatear and the view inland from the breach at Medmerry (AH)

Drayton Pits: A Bullfinch was around the north pit this morning, whilst over 100 Pochard were on the water. (IP)

Fishbourne Creek: At least ten Rock Pipits were around their usual area, but the only wader of note was a Greenshank. (IP)

Friday, 25th October: Dull and overcast but dry most of the morning, with a moderate SW breeze, increasing and with showers by early afternoon.....

Selsey Bill: With the wind having swung back to the SW it was 'business as usual' this morning with no real visible migration and few passerines on offer. One Black Redstart was still present, but most of what action there was occurred offshore, with nearly 400 Gannets, 18 Shags, over 150 auks and a few late terns, including a Common. Full log below. (C&ME/AH/IP/BI/BFF/DM)

0730-1030hrs:  (SW F3-4, increasing 5 or 6)  

Great Crested Grebe - 1E, 1W

Gannet - 383W

Shag - 18E

Common Scoter - 8E, 17W

Turnstone - 22W

Razorbill - 11E, 57W

auk sp - 103E, 7W

Kestrel - 1

Common Tern - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 1E, 8W

Mediterranean Gull - 6W

Meadow Pipit - 30N

Pied Wagtail - 2

Swallow - 1

Black Redstart - 1

Goldcrest - 2

Goldfinch - 20

Sandwich Tern (above) & Shag at the Bill (AH)

(1630-1730hrs) (SH/JA/AH)

Gannet - 3E, 7W

Shag - 15W

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Razorbill - 1E

Shags at the Bill (AH)

Sidlesham Churchyard and Church Farm Lane: A Firecrest was in the churchyard today and at least 10 Yellowhammers were along Church Farm Lane. (SA)

Medmerry (east) - Coastguard Station to the Breach: Two Black Redstarts were at the go-kart track by the windmill along with 17 Meadow Pipits and a flock of c20 Goldfinches. Along at Toe End was a group of four Black Redstarts, consisting of one adult male and three female/juveniles feeding together on the grass amongst the caravans. 
There was also a hunting Kestrel, a couple of Pied Wagtails, a Reed Bunting, c30 Meadow Pipits and more Goldfinches. Few other birds about on the high tide but a huddle of c30 Ringed Plover and 8 Turnstones were by the rocks. (SR)

 Black Redstart (male) at Medmerry (Toe End) (SR) 

North Wall: A short early-morning visit to the area around the Breech Pool was not productive and the best I could find was two Chiffchaffs, two Stonechats, 10 Reed Buntings, four Cetti's Warblers and three Goldcrests. 

I also checked out the Slipe Field area, which looked promising but actually held few birds today; just two more Stonechats, 30 Linnets and a Sparrowhawk were a meagre return for my efforts! (OM)  

Stonechat at the Slipe field (OM)

Pagham Churchyard: There were 10+ Goldcrests and similar of Long-tailed Tits in the trees, plus two Chiffchaffs in the hedgerows; also several Skylarks went over calling whilst a couple of Green Woodpeckers and a Kestrel were about it (OM)

Pagham Lagoon: It was slow-going here too! The lagoon held 22 Tufted Ducks, c.10 Little Grebes but nothing else of note, whilst along the hedgerows were two Chiffchaffs, 10 Long-tailed Tits, four Goldcrests and a Cetti's Warbler. (OM)

Ferry Pool: There was a good selection of ducks present this morning - including 22 Shelduck, c40 shoveler, c60 Teal, and c20 Wigeon - on the pool, but the only waders noted were 25 Lapwings. (AH)

Church Norton: A dozen Gannets and a Common Scoter went west offshore this morning, whilst the regular Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a few Curlews were in the harbour, along with three Pintail and a few Wigeon and Teal.

Four Swallows, half a dozen Meadow Pipits and c40 Linnets went west along the beach, but the bushes were quiet beyond the odd Goldcrest. (AH/IP)

Common Scoter (above), Gannets & Whimbrel and Curlew at Church Norton (AH)

Fishbourne Creek: There were at least ten Rock Pipits around the saltmarsh this morning and there were c.25 Wigeon out on the water. There was a scattering  of roosting waders such as Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits & Curlew along the high water mark and a noticeably small wader was seen flying with a Dunlin flock but frustratingly avoided a positive ID... (BI)