Thursday, 24th October: After a mild and drizzly start, a morning of persistent heavy rain in almost flat calm conditions.....
This winter the SOS will again be monitoring the distribution of Brent Geese around the vicinity of the harbour. It would therefore be greatly appreciated if observers could please include extra information about the geese in their reports, ie accurate numbers and precise locations (ideally with a grid reference). Other information such as what they were foraging on and any disturbance noted will also be helpful. (Eds)
Selsey Bill: There was another very obvious fall of Black Redstarts this morning, with at least a dozen birds spread along the gardens and roof-tops from the Bill House to Hillfield Road, and later, another six were to the east on the Broadreeds estate, along with three Wheatears. Most if not all were clearly new arrivals from the misty conditions, moving on (northwards) reasonably soon afterwards.
There were also a dozen or so Goldcrests and a few Chiffchaffs present, but few other indications of migration beyond a few Swallows, whilst a Guillemot on the sea and a Great Northern Diver and a few Shags east was the sum offshore. Full log below.....
0720-1120hrs: (NW1-2) (OM/C&ME/IP/AH/SR)
Great Northern Diver - 1E
Shag - 13E
Redshank - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 1W, 2 ob
Guillemot - 1 os
Swallow - 14
Pied/alba Wagtail - 5N
Black Redstart - 18+
Wheatear - 3 Broadreeds estate
Chiffchaff - 8
Goldcrest - 12
East Beach: Two Black Redstarts were around the fishermens' huts this morning, with another three around the houses along nearby Broad View. (SR)
Ferry Pool: There were at least 40 Shovelers on the pool this morning, along with c20 Teal, eight Shelducks, six Black-tailed Godwits and c40 Lapwings. (AH)
Church Norton: Two Great White Egrets went over the harbour and then headed east along the shoreline this morning. (M Read)
Later, there was very little to report on a high tide in the rain, though 25 Brent Geese were in the harbour, along with 30+ Wigeon and Teal, and a few roosting Grey Plovers and Redshank, whilst a dozen or more Goldcrests were in the hedges. (AH).
Wednesday, 23rd October: A fairly cool, grey and gloomy morning, with a just a few spots of rain and a light north-easterly breeze.....excellent-looking conditions for a fall of migrants......
In the end Black Redstarts stole the show today with almost 20 birds logged - most on the southern end of the Peninsula - though doubtless there were others present but unrecorded. (Eds)
Selsey Bill: Two Ring Ouzels that went over north together were the highlight this morning, though there were also a Black Redstart and a Stonechat around the Oval Field and a Firecrest and a few Goldcrests in Ursula Gardens, plus at least 15 widely spread Chiffchaffs. Full log below. (C&ME/OM/AH/IP)
This winter the SOS will again be monitoring the distribution of Brent Geese around the vicinity of the harbour. It would therefore be greatly appreciated if observers could please include extra information about the geese in their reports, ie accurate numbers and precise locations (ideally with a grid reference). Other information such as what they were foraging on and any disturbance noted will also be helpful. (Eds)
Selsey Bill: There was another very obvious fall of Black Redstarts this morning, with at least a dozen birds spread along the gardens and roof-tops from the Bill House to Hillfield Road, and later, another six were to the east on the Broadreeds estate, along with three Wheatears. Most if not all were clearly new arrivals from the misty conditions, moving on (northwards) reasonably soon afterwards.
There were also a dozen or so Goldcrests and a few Chiffchaffs present, but few other indications of migration beyond a few Swallows, whilst a Guillemot on the sea and a Great Northern Diver and a few Shags east was the sum offshore. Full log below.....
0720-1120hrs: (NW1-2) (OM/C&ME/IP/AH/SR)
Great Northern Diver - 1E
Shag - 13E
Redshank - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 1W, 2 ob
Guillemot - 1 os
Swallow - 14
Pied/alba Wagtail - 5N
Black Redstart - 18+
Wheatear - 3 Broadreeds estate
Chiffchaff - 8
Goldcrest - 12
Black Redstarts (above), Guillemot, Shags & Goldcrests at the Bill (AH)
East Beach: Two Black Redstarts were around the fishermens' huts this morning, with another three around the houses along nearby Broad View. (SR)
Park Farm, Selsey: The dogs flushed a Woodcock up from the path around the waste ground to the rear of the Ocean Air factory this evening, and there were also c10 Goldcrests in the hedgerow there.
The farm itself just held a Chiffchaff, three Skylarks and a Sparrowhawk. (SH)
Medmerry: A Ring Ouzel flew east towards Easton Lane car park this morning (AT)
Ferry Pool: There were at least 40 Shovelers on the pool this morning, along with c20 Teal, eight Shelducks, six Black-tailed Godwits and c40 Lapwings. (AH)
Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)
Church Norton: Two Great White Egrets went over the harbour and then headed east along the shoreline this morning. (M Read)
Later, there was very little to report on a high tide in the rain, though 25 Brent Geese were in the harbour, along with 30+ Wigeon and Teal, and a few roosting Grey Plovers and Redshank, whilst a dozen or more Goldcrests were in the hedges. (AH).
Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)
Wednesday, 23rd October: A fairly cool, grey and gloomy morning, with a just a few spots of rain and a light north-easterly breeze.....excellent-looking conditions for a fall of migrants......
In the end Black Redstarts stole the show today with almost 20 birds logged - most on the southern end of the Peninsula - though doubtless there were others present but unrecorded. (Eds)
Selsey Bill: Two Ring Ouzels that went over north together were the highlight this morning, though there were also a Black Redstart and a Stonechat around the Oval Field and a Firecrest and a few Goldcrests in Ursula Gardens, plus at least 15 widely spread Chiffchaffs. Full log below. (C&ME/OM/AH/IP)
(0730-1030hrs)
Gannet - 2E, 11W
Shag - 15E
Brent Goose - 3E, 16W
Common Scoter - 6E, 24W
Red-breasted Merganser - 3os
Turnstone - 14
Mediterranean Gull - 5E
Razorbill - 15E, 29W
auk sp - 2W
Swallow - 14E
Meadow Pipit - 32N
Pied Wagtail - 17
Ring Ouzel - 2N
Black Redstart - 1
Stonechat - 1
Chiffchaff - 15
Firecrest - 1
Goldcrest - 4
Jackdaw - 402
Goldfinch - 60
Ferry Pool: At least a dozen Snipe appeared out of the roadside reeds as a Fox sneaked by early this morning, whilst a Spotted Redshank and three Black-tailed Godwits were among the c150 roosting Lapwing, and there were also a Buzzard, half a dozen Shelduck and c50 Teal about. (AH)
Northcommon Farm: Two Black Redstarts were on the paddocks along Golf Links Lane this morning. (OM)
By early afternoon, this had increased to four birds - two males and two females - in the horse fields. (SR/AH/SH/AB)
Selsey, Park Farm: Perhaps surprisingly there were no Black Redstarts this afternoon, but a Dartford Warbler was in the cabbage field. (SH)
Runcton: There were two Black Redstarts in Saltham Lane this morning. (CRJ)
Medmerry: Coastguard Station to the Breach had a total of 7 Black Redstarts, with two pairs around the Toe End caravans, one pair on the go-kart track and one female around the Oasis Centre. Also noted were 11 Pied Wagtails, 3 Stonechats,15 Meadow Pipits and a single young Swallow on the wires at the Coastguard Station. (SR)
West Itchenor: There was a bit of visible migration this morning, including a Green Sandpiper, a Mistle Thrush and a few Siskins and Redwings. (PH)
Church Norton: What was presumably last week's Bearded Tit surprisingly re-appeared this morning, flying between the Severals, whilst there was a bit of movement along the beach, including nine Lesser Redpolls, c80 Linnets, c25 Meadow Pipits, six Reed Buntings and c250 Goldfinches.
Also, a female Marsh Harrier went over the harbour, the two Peregrines were on their island and there were two Swallows over the beach. (AH/IP)
Later, there were two Black Redstarts at Greenlease Farm and another two at Pagham House, Rectory Lane. (AW)
Gannet - 2E, 11W
Shag - 15E
Brent Goose - 3E, 16W
Common Scoter - 6E, 24W
Red-breasted Merganser - 3os
Turnstone - 14
Mediterranean Gull - 5E
Razorbill - 15E, 29W
auk sp - 2W
Swallow - 14E
Meadow Pipit - 32N
Pied Wagtail - 17
Ring Ouzel - 2N
Black Redstart - 1
Stonechat - 1
Chiffchaff - 15
Firecrest - 1
Goldcrest - 4
Jackdaw - 402
Goldfinch - 60
Ring Ouzels (above), Firecrest, Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Swallow & Jackdaws at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: At least a dozen Snipe appeared out of the roadside reeds as a Fox sneaked by early this morning, whilst a Spotted Redshank and three Black-tailed Godwits were among the c150 roosting Lapwing, and there were also a Buzzard, half a dozen Shelduck and c50 Teal about. (AH)
Snipe on the Ferry (AH)
Northcommon Farm: Two Black Redstarts were on the paddocks along Golf Links Lane this morning. (OM)
By early afternoon, this had increased to four birds - two males and two females - in the horse fields. (SR/AH/SH/AB)
Black Redstarts at Northcommon Farm (AH)
Runcton: There were two Black Redstarts in Saltham Lane this morning. (CRJ)
Medmerry: Coastguard Station to the Breach had a total of 7 Black Redstarts, with two pairs around the Toe End caravans, one pair on the go-kart track and one female around the Oasis Centre. Also noted were 11 Pied Wagtails, 3 Stonechats,15 Meadow Pipits and a single young Swallow on the wires at the Coastguard Station. (SR)
Black Redstart at Medmerry, Toe End (SR)
West Itchenor: There was a bit of visible migration this morning, including a Green Sandpiper, a Mistle Thrush and a few Siskins and Redwings. (PH)
Church Norton: What was presumably last week's Bearded Tit surprisingly re-appeared this morning, flying between the Severals, whilst there was a bit of movement along the beach, including nine Lesser Redpolls, c80 Linnets, c25 Meadow Pipits, six Reed Buntings and c250 Goldfinches.
Also, a female Marsh Harrier went over the harbour, the two Peregrines were on their island and there were two Swallows over the beach. (AH/IP)
Later, there were two Black Redstarts at Greenlease Farm and another two at Pagham House, Rectory Lane. (AW)
Marsh Harrier at Church Norton (above AH, below AW)
Black Redstarts at Church Norton (AW)
Our thanks to BI for holding the fort so well with the running of the blog during our absence and for support from all the regular observers. (OM/AH)
Selsey Bill: Three Eider west were the only birds of note offshore, but visible migration included four Bramblings, seven Lesser Redpolls and 19 Siskins, whilst there were also plenty of Stock Doves, Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws drifting around overhead and a busy of flock of 30 Long-tailed Tits in the Bill House garden. Full log below...
(0730-1030hrs) (C&ME/IP/AH)
Gannet - 12W
Shag - 10E
Brent Goose - 60W
Common Scoter - 5E, 18W, 6os
Eider - 3W
Red-breasted Merganser - 1W
Sparrowhawk - 1
Turnstone - 9
Sandwich Tern - 3E
auk sp - 1E, 3W
Wood Pigeon - c500
Stock Dove - 220
Skylark - 2N
Swallow - 26W
Pied Wagtail - 28
Chiffchaff - 3
Long-tailed Tit - 30
Magpie - 12
Jackdaw - c300
Brambling -4N
Siskin - 19N
Lesser Redpoll - 7N
Shags (above), Long-tailed Tits, Jackdaws & Magpies at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: There were five Snipe, 28 Shoveler, six Shelduck, c30 Teal and c60 Lapwing around the pool this morning. (AH)
Snipe (above) & Shoveler at the Ferry (AH)
Medmerry Trail: The Yellow-browed Warbler re-appeared briefly on a couple of occasions near the stile again this morning, and there were also three Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap in the bushes, along with a very skulking pair of Bullfinches, whilst a Raven dropped in on the adjacent field. (AH)
Later, a Ring Ouzel was in the bushes, but there was no sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler. (CRJ)
A Fieldfare was also down the cycle track near the left-hand bend (MJ)
A Fieldfare was also down the cycle track near the left-hand bend (MJ)
Blackcap (above) & Raven from the Medmerry Trail (AH)
North Wall: Around 50 Swallows headed south-east over Pagham Village this morning. Along the North Wall were a Wheatear, a Rock Pipit, 6 Stonechats, 7 Reed Buntings, 2 Linnets, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs. The Breech Pool is full to overflowing and held 2 Little Grebes, 30 Mallard and 8 Wigeon. In Owl Copse there were 2 Chiffchaffs and a further 5 at Bremere Copse. (JDW)
Wheatear on the North Wall (JDW)
Warner Lane, Selsey: A Little Owl was in the hedge by the Bunn's reception building until flushed by a Grey Squirrel. (CRJ)
Record shot of the Little Owl at Warner Lane (CRJ)
Medmerry: Two Jack Snipe and c25 Common Snipe were in the wet ground east of Ham, whilst a female-type Goldeneye was on the tidal areas north of Toe End.
Also, a Dartford Warbler was near Marsh Barn and a Whitethroat was near the Earnley viewpoint. (HB)
Chainbridge - Ham Farm: Late afternoon a Ring Ouzel was present and also logged were 13 Stonechats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, a Sparrowhawk and 4 Buzzards. (SH)
Also, a Dartford Warbler was near Marsh Barn and a Whitethroat was near the Earnley viewpoint. (HB)
Chainbridge - Ham Farm: Late afternoon a Ring Ouzel was present and also logged were 13 Stonechats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, a Sparrowhawk and 4 Buzzards. (SH)
Church Norton: It was quiet here, with the Severals area producing half a dozen Stonechats, four Reed Buntings and a dozen Meadow Pipits, but not much else beyond 14 Brent Geese over west and a couple of Sparrowhawks tussling with the crows. (AH)
Reed Bunting (above), Stonechat & Meadow Pipit at Church Norton (AH)
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