Monday, 15th June: A fairly grey, mild and humid morning, with just a light north-westerly breeze.....
Selsey Bill: Highlight undoubtedly was the Spoonbill that flew in from the west inland from the Bill-tip and headed over the town, presumably coming from Medmerry and heading for the harbour.
Otherwise it was just the usual fare, including a few Common Scoters and a Fulmar. Full log below. (AH/IP)
(0630-0800hrs) (NW, F2)
Fulmar - 1W
Gannet - 5E, 3W
Spoonbill - 1E
Common Scoter - 7E, 14W
Oystercatcher - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 1W
Sandwich Tern - c20os
Swift - 5
House Martin - 6
Ferry Pool: There were a family of two adult and two juvenile Avocets on the pool early on, along with two Black-tailed Godwits, five Redshank and eight Shelducks, but an hour later, there were just three Shelducks present.
The Tramway circuit held the usual Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats, including a family of newly fledged youngsters, and a family of Goldfinches, whilst a Reed Warbler was in Red Barn Ditch. (AH)
Long Pool: A Cuckoo was showing well along the pool this morning, with the usual selection of Reed and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats, Reed Bunting and Linnets about, plus a Roe deer in the adjacent fields. (AH)
North Wall: I almost certainly briefly saw the Spoonbill at about 7.30am heading past the Pagham church area just as I parked in the lane. (The time ties in with the bird past the Bill and suggests it did not linger in the harbour. Eds)
A beautiful warm still morning was full of birdsong but not many birds were showing. Three Cuckoos could be heard, two of which in the Halsey/Marsh Farm area seemed to be engaged in a calling competition. Two Cattle Egrets were visible in Owl Copse together with four Little Egrets and a Heron while the Breech Pool contained 20 Mallard and 2 Shelduck.
Sadly, but not unsurprisingly, it seems the 'no cycling' notices posted by the RSPB have been ripped down (again). (IH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Waders on the Stilt Pool this morning comprised of 12 Avocets, six Lapwings, a Redshank and a pair of Oystercatchers, whilst there were also seven Gadwall, a Grey Heron and a few Little Egrets present.
A juvenile was in the gorse opposite and a juvenile Sand Martin was among a sizeable gathering of Swallows on the fencelines, whilst the banks also held another couple of Stonechats, three Yellowhammers, a Reed Bunting, a Green Woodpecker and plenty of Skylarks and Whitethroats. (IP)
This evening the young Sand Martin was around still, along with 20+ Swallows, whilst among other sightings were a Cuckoo, a Lesser Whitethroat four Stonechats and at least ten Yellowhammers, including four young being fed by their parents and similar of Reed Buntings, including three newly fledged juveniles.
Also, the Stilt Pool held four Egyptian Geese, seven Avocets, six Lapwings and a Little Ringed Plover. (S&SaH)
Chi GPs - Drayton Pits: A Marsh Harrier, two Buzzards and a pair of Kestrels were all present this morning and a Common Tern was fishing over the lakes. There were also 20+ Pochard and similar of Gadwall spread between the pits, although with the exception of one family of Mallard, there were no duck broods on show yet.
Reed Warblers were well in evidence, plus several Cetti's Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Reed Buntings, whilst 10 Swifts dropped in for a while before moving on, but otherwise it was standard fare. Later in the day there were up to three Hobbies hunting over the north pit, a Red Kite drifted over and two Common Terns were on the south pit.
The non-avian highlights were 10 Marbled Whites, several small groups of Pyramidal orchids and the colony of 150+ Southern Marsh orchids. (OM/BI)
Sunday, 14th June: A mix of bright sun and heavy cloud this morning, though warm again in the sun with the breeze from the south.......
Selsey Bill: Highlight undoubtedly was the Spoonbill that flew in from the west inland from the Bill-tip and headed over the town, presumably coming from Medmerry and heading for the harbour.
Otherwise it was just the usual fare, including a few Common Scoters and a Fulmar. Full log below. (AH/IP)
(0630-0800hrs) (NW, F2)
Fulmar - 1W
Gannet - 5E, 3W
Spoonbill - 1E
Common Scoter - 7E, 14W
Oystercatcher - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 1W
Sandwich Tern - c20os
Swift - 5
House Martin - 6
Spoonbill (above), Common Scoters, Sandwich Tern & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: There were a family of two adult and two juvenile Avocets on the pool early on, along with two Black-tailed Godwits, five Redshank and eight Shelducks, but an hour later, there were just three Shelducks present.
The Tramway circuit held the usual Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats, including a family of newly fledged youngsters, and a family of Goldfinches, whilst a Reed Warbler was in Red Barn Ditch. (AH)
juvenile Avocets, Reed Warbler, juvenile Whitethroat & Goldfinches around the Ferry (AH)
Long Pool: A Cuckoo was showing well along the pool this morning, with the usual selection of Reed and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats, Reed Bunting and Linnets about, plus a Roe deer in the adjacent fields. (AH)
Cuckoo (above), Reed Warbler & Roe Deer along Long Pool (AH)
North Wall: I almost certainly briefly saw the Spoonbill at about 7.30am heading past the Pagham church area just as I parked in the lane. (The time ties in with the bird past the Bill and suggests it did not linger in the harbour. Eds)
A beautiful warm still morning was full of birdsong but not many birds were showing. Three Cuckoos could be heard, two of which in the Halsey/Marsh Farm area seemed to be engaged in a calling competition. Two Cattle Egrets were visible in Owl Copse together with four Little Egrets and a Heron while the Breech Pool contained 20 Mallard and 2 Shelduck.
Sadly, but not unsurprisingly, it seems the 'no cycling' notices posted by the RSPB have been ripped down (again). (IH)
Sign of the times!! (IH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Waders on the Stilt Pool this morning comprised of 12 Avocets, six Lapwings, a Redshank and a pair of Oystercatchers, whilst there were also seven Gadwall, a Grey Heron and a few Little Egrets present.
A juvenile was in the gorse opposite and a juvenile Sand Martin was among a sizeable gathering of Swallows on the fencelines, whilst the banks also held another couple of Stonechats, three Yellowhammers, a Reed Bunting, a Green Woodpecker and plenty of Skylarks and Whitethroats. (IP)
This evening the young Sand Martin was around still, along with 20+ Swallows, whilst among other sightings were a Cuckoo, a Lesser Whitethroat four Stonechats and at least ten Yellowhammers, including four young being fed by their parents and similar of Reed Buntings, including three newly fledged juveniles.
Also, the Stilt Pool held four Egyptian Geese, seven Avocets, six Lapwings and a Little Ringed Plover. (S&SaH)
Sand Martin (above), Sand Martin and Swallows, Stonechat & Reed Bunting at Medmerry (SH)
Chi GPs - Drayton Pits: A Marsh Harrier, two Buzzards and a pair of Kestrels were all present this morning and a Common Tern was fishing over the lakes. There were also 20+ Pochard and similar of Gadwall spread between the pits, although with the exception of one family of Mallard, there were no duck broods on show yet.
Reed Warblers were well in evidence, plus several Cetti's Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Reed Buntings, whilst 10 Swifts dropped in for a while before moving on, but otherwise it was standard fare. Later in the day there were up to three Hobbies hunting over the north pit, a Red Kite drifted over and two Common Terns were on the south pit.
The non-avian highlights were 10 Marbled Whites, several small groups of Pyramidal orchids and the colony of 150+ Southern Marsh orchids. (OM/BI)
Marbled White, Pyramidal orchid and (lower two) Southern Marsh orchids. (OM)
Fishbourne Creek: A morning walk along the Creek found an Egyptian Goose at Fishbourne and a Curlew off the Lavant Outfall. There were 5 Great Crested Grebes in the channel with a Sandwich Tern passing along there.
The reedbeds still hold singing Reed Warblers and Reed Buntings, with vocal Cetti's Warblers nearby. The bushes by the seawall held a few Whitethroat and a singing Yellowhammer. (RW)
Medmerry: Ham Farm - There were still three singing Corn Buntings around the banks and barley field this evening, along with half a dozen Reed Buntings and Linnets, including several juveniles.
The reedbeds still hold singing Reed Warblers and Reed Buntings, with vocal Cetti's Warblers nearby. The bushes by the seawall held a few Whitethroat and a singing Yellowhammer. (RW)
Egyptian Goose in Fishbourne Creek (RW)
Medmerry: Ham Farm - There were still three singing Corn Buntings around the banks and barley field this evening, along with half a dozen Reed Buntings and Linnets, including several juveniles.
There were also half a dozen scattered Stonechats of different ages about, along with a family of freshly fledged Whitethroats, a handful of Swallows and 20+ Skylarks. (AH)
Stonechats (above), Corn Bunting & Linnets at Medmerry (AH)
Sunday, 14th June: A mix of bright sun and heavy cloud this morning, though warm again in the sun with the breeze from the south.......
Selsey Bill: It was fairly slow this morning, though two Avocets went east early on and 39 Common Scoters also went east. Full log below. (SH/BI/AH/MO-W/SR/JA)
(0530-0900hrs) (SSE, F4)
Fulmar - 5E
Gannet - 34E, 5W
Common Scoter - 39E
Sparrowhawk - 1
Avocet - 2E
Curlew - 1E
Mediterranean Gull - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 34os
Common Tern - 5os
Razorbill - 3E
auk sp - 3E
Swift - 22
Swallow - 3
House Martin - 5
Ferry Pool: There were just a dozen Shelduck and a Black-tailed Godwit present early on, and another look late morning failed to find a bird!
Unfortunately, as if often the case, when the pool is refilled from the harbour, as it was recently, the number of waders present appears to drop away very quickly. (AH)
And there were still no birds on the pool this afternoon! (S&saH)
Park Farm, Selsey: There were plenty of Swifts, Swallows and House Martins, plus a Sparrowhawk, over the farm this morning. (S&SaH)
Sidlesham: A Red Kite went over the B2145 near the Anchor pub this morning. (IP)
Church Norton: A Fulmar went over the beach by Bluebell Wood this morning. Also about the Severals were three Reed Buntings and a few Reed Warblers, whilst three Buzzards went over. (S&SaH)
Medmerry: Stilt Pool - A Spoonbill was on the Stilt Pool this afternoon. (MW)
Medmerry: Northcommon Farm, Ham Farm and Medmerry Trail - A count of Corn Buntimngs around the Ham area this afternoon found a total of nine birds. (HB)
At least 50 swifts went over, with a few swallows and House Martins, and there were also plenty of Skylarks and Whitethroats, one or two Reed Warblers, a Stonechat, two Reed Buntings, two Chiffchaffs and two Buzzards, one of which was perched on top of a telecom aerial. (S&SaH)
A look along the Medmerry Trail at lunchtime today - not the most productive time to be out but there were signs of a successful breeding season with two families of Whitethroat, a family of Long-tailed Tits and one of Blue Tits, with adult Skylark and Yellowhammer both seen carrying food, fledgling Carrion Crows begging for food and a juvenile Skylark sitting on a post.
Butterflies seen were Large Skipper, Large White, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown and there was a Cinnabar Moth. (SR)
North Wall: A Cattle Egret was at Honer Farm, whilst another two flew towards Owl Copse from the north of Marsh Farm, whilst there were plenty of Little Egrets around Owl Copse.
There were a few Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Reed Warblers singing, but keeping low, with a couple of Reed Buntings and Linnets about, too, plus a Cetti's Warbler near Honer Farm, and a few Swifts and Swallows, along with six Mediterranean Gulls, went over.
A very full Breech Pool was devoid of birds, whilst the only waders seen out in the harbour were a dozen Grey Plovers, a Knot, two Dunlin, six Lapwings, a couple of Curlews and a few Oystercatchers. (AH)
Saturday, 13th June: A bright and sunny morning, and warm despite the fresh south-easterly breeze....(0530-0900hrs) (SSE, F4)
Fulmar - 5E
Gannet - 34E, 5W
Common Scoter - 39E
Sparrowhawk - 1
Avocet - 2E
Curlew - 1E
Mediterranean Gull - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 34os
Common Tern - 5os
Razorbill - 3E
auk sp - 3E
Swift - 22
Swallow - 3
House Martin - 5
Avocet (BI), Common Scoters (above), Gannet & Sparrowhawk at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: There were just a dozen Shelduck and a Black-tailed Godwit present early on, and another look late morning failed to find a bird!
Unfortunately, as if often the case, when the pool is refilled from the harbour, as it was recently, the number of waders present appears to drop away very quickly. (AH)
And there were still no birds on the pool this afternoon! (S&saH)
Black-tailed Godwit at the Ferry (AH)
A birdless Ferry! (AH)
Park Farm, Selsey: There were plenty of Swifts, Swallows and House Martins, plus a Sparrowhawk, over the farm this morning. (S&SaH)
Sidlesham: A Red Kite went over the B2145 near the Anchor pub this morning. (IP)
Church Norton: A Fulmar went over the beach by Bluebell Wood this morning. Also about the Severals were three Reed Buntings and a few Reed Warblers, whilst three Buzzards went over. (S&SaH)
Medmerry: Stilt Pool - A Spoonbill was on the Stilt Pool this afternoon. (MW)
Spoonbill at Medmerry (MW)
Medmerry: Northcommon Farm, Ham Farm and Medmerry Trail - A count of Corn Buntimngs around the Ham area this afternoon found a total of nine birds. (HB)
At least 50 swifts went over, with a few swallows and House Martins, and there were also plenty of Skylarks and Whitethroats, one or two Reed Warblers, a Stonechat, two Reed Buntings, two Chiffchaffs and two Buzzards, one of which was perched on top of a telecom aerial. (S&SaH)
A look along the Medmerry Trail at lunchtime today - not the most productive time to be out but there were signs of a successful breeding season with two families of Whitethroat, a family of Long-tailed Tits and one of Blue Tits, with adult Skylark and Yellowhammer both seen carrying food, fledgling Carrion Crows begging for food and a juvenile Skylark sitting on a post.
Butterflies seen were Large Skipper, Large White, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown and there was a Cinnabar Moth. (SR)
Skylark at Medmerry (SR)
North Wall: A Cattle Egret was at Honer Farm, whilst another two flew towards Owl Copse from the north of Marsh Farm, whilst there were plenty of Little Egrets around Owl Copse.
There were a few Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Reed Warblers singing, but keeping low, with a couple of Reed Buntings and Linnets about, too, plus a Cetti's Warbler near Honer Farm, and a few Swifts and Swallows, along with six Mediterranean Gulls, went over.
A very full Breech Pool was devoid of birds, whilst the only waders seen out in the harbour were a dozen Grey Plovers, a Knot, two Dunlin, six Lapwings, a couple of Curlews and a few Oystercatchers. (AH)
Cattle Egrets (above), Lapwing, Reed Bunting, Mediterranean Gull & Dunlin, Knot and Grey Plovers from the North Wall (AH)
Selsey Bill: There was a bit of a selection this morning, including a Manx Shearwater, seven Fulmars, six Shovelers, three Kittiwakes and two Guillemots east. Full log below. (SH/BI/AH/MO-W/IP)
(0530-0830hrs) (SE, F4)
Manx Shearwater - 1E
Fulmar - 7E
Gannet - 81E, 4W
Shoveler - 6E
Common Scoter - 3E
Sparrowhawk - 1
Curlew - 1E
Kittiwake - 3E
Sandwich Tern - 43os
Common Tern - 3os
Guillemot - 2E
Razorbill - 1W
auk sp - 3E
Swift - 4
Swallow - 1
House Martin - 10
Sandwich Tern (above), Swift & House Martins at the Bill (AH)
North Selsey: A Hobby went over our house this afternoon, chasing Swifts. (SH)
Ferry Pool: A Little Ringed Plover was at the back again, but otherwise there were just a lone Redshank and 14 Shelducks present. (AH)
Ferry Pool: A Little Ringed Plover was at the back again, but otherwise there were just a lone Redshank and 14 Shelducks present. (AH)
Little Ringed Plover (above) & Redshank at the Ferry (AH)
Long Pool: Two Sedge Warblers were singing at and sparring with each other in the Small Pool, whilst half a dozen Reed Warblers, a Reed Bunting, two Whitethroats and a few Linnets were along the main pool.
Also, a pair of Gadwall and at least two ducklings were on the pool and a Black-tailed Godwit and two Redshanks were the sum in Ferry Channel. (AH)
Sedge Warbler (above), Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting & Gadwalls at the Long Pool (AH)
Church Norton: There were still plenty of Little, Common and Sandwich Terns in the harbour, whilst waders consisted of five Turnstones, two Black-tailed Godwits, a Curlew, three Lapwings and a handful of Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers.
There were also a pair of Great Crested Grebes, a Grey Heron and a few Little Egrets present. (IP)
Drayton Pit: Two Marsh Harriers and a Hobby were over the pit this afternoon, as well as a Kestrel and three Buzzards. (S&SaH)
Ivy Lake: A Marsh Harrier went over this afternoon, and a female Pochard was on the water with three ducklings.
There were also an Egyptian Goose, several Common Terns, two Cetti's Warblers, three Chiffchaffs and 20+ Long-tailed Tits about. (S&SaH)
Pochard family on Ivy Lake (SH)
North Wall area: A circular walk taking in Halsey and Honer Farms was rewarded with singing Common and Lesser Whitethroats, a Song Thrush, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, a Yellowhammer, a Reed Bunting, Reed Warblers, a Stonechat as well as young Long-tailed Tits.
There were also two close encounters with a Cuckoo and a few Swallows, a Kestrel and a Buzzard overhead. (IH/SP)
Along the Wall there were also a flock of 15 Long-tailed Tits, most of whom were juveniles, whilst the six Cattle Egrets were still amongst cattle at the southern end of Honer Lane. (JDW)
Cattle Egret at Honer Lane (JDW)
Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: A pair of Yellowhammers, at least two singing Reed Warblers, a Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were along Church Farm Lane, whilst around the farm there were a few Linnets, half a dozen Swallows, another Blackcap and Chiffchaff and at least half a dozen Buzzards. There was also a Brown Hare in the fields. (AH)
Yellowhammer (above), Linnet, Swallows & Brown Hare at Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (AH)
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