Sunday, 3rd November: A complete contrast to yesterday, with, after a cold start, light winds, sunshine and white cloud being the order of the day....
Selsey Bill: There were four Black Redstarts around the gardens this morning, along with a Firecrest, whilst three Great Northern Divers went west offshore and a flock of 14 Stock Doves went over. Full log below.
(0700-1100hrs) (wind N2 ~ WNW 3-4 ) (SH/BI/IP/AH/SR/OM)
Great Northern Diver - 3W
Red-throated Diver - 1W
Great Crested Grebe - 6W
Shag - 9E
Brent Goose - 21E, 4W
Wigeon - 19E
Teal - 1E
Mediterranean Gull - 3W, 8os
Common Gull - 9W
Razorbill - 1E
auk sp - 1W
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1
Stock Dove - 14W
Jay - 2
Jackdaw - 60
Meadow Pipit - 12W
Pied Wagtail - 2
Black Redstart - 4
Firecrest - 1
Goldcrest - 2
East Beach Pond: No excitements early this morning, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 10 Goldcrests being about the best on offer. (OM)
Ferry Pool: Very unusually, a Great Crested Grebe was on the pool this morning, along with an Avocet, c30 Shelducks and 50 or so Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon, whilst Lapwing numbers had risen to c250 birds. (AH)
There were also nine Snipe present around the concealed pool. (RN)
Medmerry: Toe End - There were three Black Redstarts around the caravans this morning, and a Swallow went over. (RJS/A&YF) Later on, there were five Black Redstarts around the rocks. (SR)
Birdham Pool: There were actually two female Mandarins tucked away on the far side of the pool this morning, whilst there were also a Kingfisher, at least 30 Little Grebes and 20 Tufted Ducks present. (BI/IP/AH)
Birdham: A Barn Owl was hunting along Sidlesham Lane this evening. (NH)
Ivy Lake complex: A Tree-creeper was on New Lake this morning. (BI)
North Wall: There was a Spotted Redshank in White's Creek this morning, along with 13 Brent Geese, whilst 60 Black-tailed Godwits and 40 Curlew were in the fields beyond the Breech Pool and one Song Thrush was in the hedgerow. (IH)
Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: There were 11 Cattle Egrets around the cattle today, and there was also a female Blackcap in a garden near the church. (SA)
Church Norton: There was a Long-tailed Blue butterfly along the beach this morning. (CRJ/S&SaH/RJS/A&YF/AB)
Out in the harbour, the pair of Peregrines were showing well, 13 Avocets were along the main channel, the Whimbrel was in its usual haunt and c150 Brent Geese, two Ringed Plovers and c20 Mediterranean and Common Gulls were among the regular waders and wildfowl, whilst three or four Great Crested Grebes were offshore.
Eight Mistle Thrushes, plus three Stonechats and four Pied Wagtails were around Greenlease Farm (with five more of the latter at Park Farm), whilst two black Redstarts were in the churchyard and up to 20 Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Linnets, plus six Greenfinches were along the spit. (CRJ/AH/IP/S&SaH/A&YF/RJS)
Later on, there were two Ravens on the spit. (SR)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to Stilt Pool - A Merlin and a very late Hobby were seen this afternoon, along with four Kestrels and three Buzzards.
The banks were quite busy, too, with two Dartford Warblers, a Black Redstart, 13 Stonechats, a Reed Bunting and two Yellowhammers seen, and there were also a Kingfisher, 300+ Golden Plovers and c150 Lapwing on the reserve. (S&SaH)
Saturday, 2nd November: A pretty dire morning, with gale-force, and at times storm-force, south-westerly winds and persistent drizzly rain between the heavier squalls....(0700-1100hrs) (wind N2 ~ WNW 3-4 ) (SH/BI/IP/AH/SR/OM)
Great Northern Diver - 3W
Red-throated Diver - 1W
Great Crested Grebe - 6W
Shag - 9E
Brent Goose - 21E, 4W
Wigeon - 19E
Teal - 1E
Mediterranean Gull - 3W, 8os
Common Gull - 9W
Razorbill - 1E
auk sp - 1W
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1
Stock Dove - 14W
Jay - 2
Jackdaw - 60
Meadow Pipit - 12W
Pied Wagtail - 2
Black Redstart - 4
Firecrest - 1
Goldcrest - 2
Great Northern Diver (above), Shag, Common Gull & Stock Doves at the Bill (AH)
East Beach Pond: No excitements early this morning, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 10 Goldcrests being about the best on offer. (OM)
Ferry Pool: Very unusually, a Great Crested Grebe was on the pool this morning, along with an Avocet, c30 Shelducks and 50 or so Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon, whilst Lapwing numbers had risen to c250 birds. (AH)
There were also nine Snipe present around the concealed pool. (RN)
Great Crested Grebe (above) & Avocet on the Ferry (AH)
Medmerry: Toe End - There were three Black Redstarts around the caravans this morning, and a Swallow went over. (RJS/A&YF) Later on, there were five Black Redstarts around the rocks. (SR)
Birdham Pool: There were actually two female Mandarins tucked away on the far side of the pool this morning, whilst there were also a Kingfisher, at least 30 Little Grebes and 20 Tufted Ducks present. (BI/IP/AH)
Mandarin (above) & Cormorant at Birdham Pool (AH)
Birdham: A Barn Owl was hunting along Sidlesham Lane this evening. (NH)
Ivy Lake complex: A Tree-creeper was on New Lake this morning. (BI)
North Wall: There was a Spotted Redshank in White's Creek this morning, along with 13 Brent Geese, whilst 60 Black-tailed Godwits and 40 Curlew were in the fields beyond the Breech Pool and one Song Thrush was in the hedgerow. (IH)
Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: There were 11 Cattle Egrets around the cattle today, and there was also a female Blackcap in a garden near the church. (SA)
Church Norton: There was a Long-tailed Blue butterfly along the beach this morning. (CRJ/S&SaH/RJS/A&YF/AB)
Long-tailed Blue (SH, top, AF middle, AB lower) at Church Norton
Out in the harbour, the pair of Peregrines were showing well, 13 Avocets were along the main channel, the Whimbrel was in its usual haunt and c150 Brent Geese, two Ringed Plovers and c20 Mediterranean and Common Gulls were among the regular waders and wildfowl, whilst three or four Great Crested Grebes were offshore.
Eight Mistle Thrushes, plus three Stonechats and four Pied Wagtails were around Greenlease Farm (with five more of the latter at Park Farm), whilst two black Redstarts were in the churchyard and up to 20 Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Linnets, plus six Greenfinches were along the spit. (CRJ/AH/IP/S&SaH/A&YF/RJS)
Later on, there were two Ravens on the spit. (SR)
Peregrine (above), Whimbrel, Mediterranean Gull & Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to Stilt Pool - A Merlin and a very late Hobby were seen this afternoon, along with four Kestrels and three Buzzards.
The banks were quite busy, too, with two Dartford Warblers, a Black Redstart, 13 Stonechats, a Reed Bunting and two Yellowhammers seen, and there were also a Kingfisher, 300+ Golden Plovers and c150 Lapwing on the reserve. (S&SaH)
Dartford Warbler (above) & Kingfisher at Medmerry (AH)
Selsey Bill: Predictably little was on the move in such stormy conditions, though a Velvet Scoter went west and there was a steady westward movement of Gannets. Full log below. (SH/IP/BI/AH/SR)
0645-0900hrs: (wind gale SSW/SW8-9, gusting 10 or even 11 at times)
Red-throated Diver - 1E
Gannet - 7E, 106W
Shag - 1E
Common Scoter - 2E,1W, 4os
Velvet Scoter - 1E
Red-breasted Merganser - 6W, 1os
auk sp - 2W
Kittiwake - 3W
Common Gull - 1W
1245-1430hrs: (SH/AH)
Great Northern Diver - 1os
Shag - 2W, 1os
Teal - 1W
Common Scoter - 15W
Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 3W
Mediterranean Gull - 1W, 3os
Common Gull - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 1W
Birdham Pool: A female Mandarin - the first on the peninsula since March last year - was tucked away among the reeds late this afternoon, seen initially swimming along the back toward the right-hand corner, then again up under the trees at the waters edge.
Also present were 12 Little Grebes , 2 Gadwall, 6 Teal that came in to roost, 7 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Egrets and the usual Mallards.(SR/BI)
Selsey, Park Farm: There were 20+ Goldcrests along the hedges this afternoon. (SH)
Ferry Pool: There were five Avocets on the pool this morning, along with 120 Lapwings, c40 Shelducks, c60 Shoveler and c50 Teal, whilst the channel opposite held a Kingfisher, a Spotted Redshank and at least 50 Teal and Wigeon. (AH)
A Tawny Owl few over the road near the Ferry this evening. (SH)
Church Norton: There were c150 Brent Geese near he harbour mouth, but the mud held few waders beyond the odd Curlew, Grey Plover and Redshank.
The bottoms of the sheltered hedges either side of the hide, though, were full of passerines, mostly in a big loose flock and including c40 Goldcrests and Long-tailed Tits, half a dozen Chiffchaffs and Great Tits, a dozen Wrens, c20 Blue Tits and three or four Chaffinches and Dunnocks, many of which were feeding along the sedges in the salt-marsh.
Late morning on the incoming tide there were 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Bar-tailed godwit and an Avocet in the harbour. (AH/AW)
This afternoon, seven Red-breasted Mergansers and 12 Great Crested Grebes were in the harbour on the big tide. (AH)
Friday, 1st November: A dismal morning with heavy cloud and persistent drizzle and light rain with intermittent periods of poor visibility, interspersed with some drier periods as the day progressed. Wind initially due south force 3-4, veering SSW to SW and increasing....0645-0900hrs: (wind gale SSW/SW8-9, gusting 10 or even 11 at times)
Red-throated Diver - 1E
Gannet - 7E, 106W
Shag - 1E
Common Scoter - 2E,1W, 4os
Velvet Scoter - 1E
Red-breasted Merganser - 6W, 1os
auk sp - 2W
Kittiwake - 3W
Common Gull - 1W
Gannets (above) (AH) & SH, AH & BI enjoying the weather!! (SR) at the Bill
1245-1430hrs: (SH/AH)
Great Northern Diver - 1os
Shag - 2W, 1os
Teal - 1W
Common Scoter - 15W
Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 3W
Mediterranean Gull - 1W, 3os
Common Gull - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 1W
Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)
Birdham Pool: A female Mandarin - the first on the peninsula since March last year - was tucked away among the reeds late this afternoon, seen initially swimming along the back toward the right-hand corner, then again up under the trees at the waters edge.
Also present were 12 Little Grebes , 2 Gadwall, 6 Teal that came in to roost, 7 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Egrets and the usual Mallards.(SR/BI)
Selsey, Park Farm: There were 20+ Goldcrests along the hedges this afternoon. (SH)
Ferry Pool: There were five Avocets on the pool this morning, along with 120 Lapwings, c40 Shelducks, c60 Shoveler and c50 Teal, whilst the channel opposite held a Kingfisher, a Spotted Redshank and at least 50 Teal and Wigeon. (AH)
A Tawny Owl few over the road near the Ferry this evening. (SH)
Avocets (above) & Spotted Redshank around the Ferry (AH)
Church Norton: There were c150 Brent Geese near he harbour mouth, but the mud held few waders beyond the odd Curlew, Grey Plover and Redshank.
The bottoms of the sheltered hedges either side of the hide, though, were full of passerines, mostly in a big loose flock and including c40 Goldcrests and Long-tailed Tits, half a dozen Chiffchaffs and Great Tits, a dozen Wrens, c20 Blue Tits and three or four Chaffinches and Dunnocks, many of which were feeding along the sedges in the salt-marsh.
Late morning on the incoming tide there were 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Bar-tailed godwit and an Avocet in the harbour. (AH/AW)
Brent Geese (above), Goldcrest & Chiffchaff at Church Norton (AH)
Grey Plover (above), Avocet, Bar-tailed Godwit & Great Crested Grebes at Church Norton (AW)
This afternoon, seven Red-breasted Mergansers and 12 Great Crested Grebes were in the harbour on the big tide. (AH)
Red-breasted Mergansers (above) & Red-breasted Mergansers and Great Crested Grebe at Church Norton (AH)
Selsey Bill: An interesting day which started with a bang when a redhead Smew went east at close range, to the joy of the single observer present (BI) and the chagrin of others who had just arrived and were unpacking their cars! This is a rare prize indeed at the Bill; to put it into context, the last sighting here we have on record was on 8th January 1985!
Three Velvet Scoters also moved through as did 80+ Common Scoter and a couple of Great Northern Divers, whilst Shags maintained their recent double-figure appearance and a Black Redstart and half a dozen late Swallows were also logged. Full log below....
0710-0940hrs: (wind S3-4, then SSW-SW5-6) (BI/C&ME/OM/IP/AH/SR)
Red-throated Diver - 2E
Gannet - 6E, 3W
Shag - 18E
Brent Goose - 2E
Shelduck - 3W
Common Scoter - 24E
Velvet Scoter - 3E
Smew - 1E (redhead, 0712hrs)
Sandwich Tern - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 4E
Common Gull - 6E
Meadow Pipit - 17E
Swallow - 6
Black Redstart - 1
Linnet - 20E
Swallow (above) & Shag at the Bill (AH)
1015-1200hrs: (C&ME/OM/BI)
Great Northern Diver - 1E, 2W
Great Crested Grebe - 1W
Gannet - 2E, 32W
Brent Goose - 12E, 11W
Common Scoter - 58E
Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 1W
Teal - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 3W
Swallow - 1
Pied Wagtail - 2W
Black Redstart - 1
Chiffchaff - 8
Goldcrest - 6
Later, another Black Redstart was in a garden in Ursula Square (RP)
Selsey, East Beach pond: Continuing on the morning's theme of scarce wildfowl at Selsey, a delightful party of five Red-crested Pochards (three adult drakes, a first-winter drake and a female) was found on the pond at about 0950hrs (SR). Given the date and circumstances, these wary birds were likely to be of good provenance, so cue a mad scramble by the regulars to get to the site before they departed. Sadly though, without warning the whole flock suddenly took flight less than ten minutes later and headed south towards the sea until lost from view.
A Grey Wagtail, a couple of Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff were also present around the pond. (OM/C&ME)
Red-crested Pochards at Selsey East Beach Pond (SR)
North Wall: Whites Creek at mid morning contained a Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Grebes, 20 Teal, about the same number of Black-tailed Godwits and an occasional Wigeon, whilst a Grey Plover fed on the mud with the usual Redshanks.
Seven Brent Geese were in the field beyond the Breech Pool and there was quite a lot of activity in the hedgerows, with 12 Goldfinches, 2 Greenfinches, 3 Stonechats and several Reed Buntings. (IH)
Ferry Pool: The Avocet and c80 Lapwing were on the pool this morning, along with c60 Shovelers and similar of Teal, though Shelduck numbers had risen to 51 birds.
There were also at least a dozen Goldcrests around the adjacent hedges. (AH)
Avocet and Shelducks on the Ferry (AH)
Church Norton: There were up to 30 Goldcrests around the car-park and nearby hedges this morning, though little else indicating migration, save a flock of ten Redwing that went over south-west.
There were plenty of Wigeon and Teal in the harbour, along with good numbers of Dunlin and Grey Plover, plus a few Knot and the regular Whimbrel. (AH/IP)
Goldcrests (above), Whimbrel & Knot and Dunlin at Church Norton (AH)
This afternoon there was a Red-throated Diver offshore with one (and possibly two) Slavonian Grebes, though they were very distant! (AW)
Red-throated Diver (above) & Slavonian Grebe at Church Norton (AW)
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