7th - 9th August 2020

Sunday, 9th August: Rather cloudy and breezy with a moderate northerly at first, but soon clearing to become warm and sunny again with some cloud and the wind easing, as the mini-heatwave continues....

Selsey Bill: A total of 40 Sand Martins and 29 Swallows went east, whilst three Meadow Pipits came in off the sea this morning. Full log below. (SH/BI/MO-W/AH/SR/IP)
(0545-0830hrs) (N, F4)

Gannet - 64E, 29W

Common Scoter - 2E, 5W

Turnstone -1W

Mediterranean Gull - 5W

Common Gull - 2E

Sandwich Tern - 19E, 8W

Swift - 25

Swallow - 29E

Sand Martin - 40E

House Martin - 8

Meadow Pipit - 3N

Pied wagtail - 1

Willow Warbler - 1

Willow Warbler at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Wood Sandpiper was at the back of the pool with a Green and two Common Sandpipers this morning.

Also present were 18 Black-tailed Godwits, two Gadwall, c30 Teal and eight Shelducks, whilst four Wheatears, a Whinchat and two Stonechats were at the back. 

A Common Sandpiper was in the channel opposite early on, whilst a couple of Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, a couple of Willow Warblers and a few Whitethroats were around the Tramway and Yeoman's Field. (AW/AH/AB/BI/AT et al)

 Wood Sandpiper (top two, AW, then RP, then AH), Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwits & Blackcap (AH) around the Ferry 

The Wood Sandpiper was still present this evening, but flew off with two Green Sandpipers at c1930hrs, heading for the harbour as the other two peeled off south. Also, the juvenile Water Rail showed again. (AW/MR/SR)

Wood Sandpiper (above) & Green Sandpipers at the Ferry (AW)

North Wall: A small party of three Green Sandpipers appeared briefly early on (0720hrs); first picked up by call, the birds were located flying fairly high over the Breech Pool, then heading on into the harbour towards Sidlesham.

Also present on the pool were four Spotted Redshanks (all now winter-plumaged), a Greenshank, 65 Common Redshank, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, six Lapwings and 18 Teal. A Kingfisher shot across the pool, whilst around the reed-beds two Sedge Warblers, a Reed Warbler or two and a Cetti's Warbler were all noted, plus a Willow Warbler in the hedges.

A dozen Cattle Egrets were spread along the saltmarsh near Owl copse, where two Whitethroats were also seen.

Owl Point and Halsey's Farm were disappointingly quiet, with just a couple more Whitethroats and a Willow Warbler, a Skylark, a Yellowhammer, two Kestrels and a couple of Greenfinches of note and 15 Curlew in the fields. (OM et al)

There were also 40 Swallows, 20 Sand Martins and ten House Martins on the wires along Rookery Lane, near to Halsey's Farm. (CRJ)

Spotted Redshank on the Breech pool (OM)

East side: A juvenile Peregrine briefly caused havoc around White's Creek, where a couple of Greenshank, two or three Whimbrels, 20 Redshank, 15 Black-tailed Godwits and a few Lapwings were flushed from the channel. 

The adult Yellow-legged Gull was in recumbent posture in its regular spot on the salt-marsh and c.40 Canada Geese were making their presence felt nearby, but small waders appeared to be absent on the mudflats. A single Willow Warbler and a Whitethroat were about it in the hedges. (OM)

Peregrine at White's Creek (OM)

Park Farm, Selsey: Four Swifts and c30 each of House Martins, Sand Martins and Swallows were over the farm this morning. (IP)

Church Norton:  At least one, and possibly two Peregrines were in the harbour this morning, whilst there were also half a dozen Sandwich Terns, 30 Dunlin, four Turnstones and a Common Gull present.

Three or four Wheatears were along the beach and spit, though beyond a couple of Whitethroats in the hedges, a Green Woodpecker between the Severals and a few Swallows and Sand Martins, over, it was quiet. (AH/IP et al)

Wheatear at Church Norton (AH)

Saturday, 8th August: Another very warm and humid morning, with a mix of hazy cloud and sunshine, with just a light and variable breeze....

Selsey Bill: A juvenile Eider west was unusual, as were 14 Common Terns east, but generally it was quite quiet. Full log below. (SH/BI/IP/MO-W/SR/AH)
(0545-0800hrs) (NW, F1-2)
Gannet - 8E, 8W
Mallard - 2W
Eider - 1W
Common Scoter - 3W
Sparrowhawk - 1
Curlew - 1E
Turnstone - 19W, 27 present
Sandwich Ten - 9E, 11W
Common Tern - 14E
Swift - 4
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1
House Martin - 3
Sand Martin - 36E
Willow Warbler - 2

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

Ferry Pool: The only waders on the pool were a dozen Black-tailed Godwits, along with a Shoveler, c30 Teal, c20 Mallards and eight Shelducks, whilst two Spotted Redshanks, the regular Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel, plus a few Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits were in the channel opposite.
The hedges around the Tramway circuit were quiet beyond 20+ Whitethroats, though two or three Reed and Sedge Warblers were in Red Barn Ditch and a dozen Swallows went over. (AH/AW)

Sedge Warbler (above), Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Common Sandpiper & Shoveler around the Ferry (AH)

This evening there were two Cattle Egrets in the trees along Long Pool as seen from the Tramway. They stayed for a few minutes before flying back over to the east side. A Hobby went over and there were two Kingfishers together near the inlet adjacent to Yeoman's Field. (AW)

 Cattle Egrets near the Long Pool, Hobby and Kingfishers near the Tramway (AW)

Warner Lane paddocks: A Whinchat was in the paddocks this morning. (BI)

Northcommon Farm: A Wheatear was present this afternoon. (SH)

Park Farm, Selsey: At least 20 Swifts, 50 House Martins and 200+ Sand Martins and Swallows were moving over east this morning, attracting a passing Hobby and three  Sparrowhawks, too, whilst a Wheatear was in the fields. (S&SaH/IP)

Church Norton:  A Whinchat was in the gorse near the horse field and six Wheatears were around the concrete slabs this morning, whilst two Meadow Pipits, c300 Sand Martins and c200 Swallows - including an albino bird - were flying east along the spit.
Also, a Hobby was over the Severals, two Ravens flew over the west side and a Green and a Great spotted Woodpecker were at Greenlease Farm. 
There were no terns in the harbour this morning for the first time in a very long time, whilst waders included four Whimbrel, two Turnstones, c50 Dunlin and the usual Curlews, Redshanks, Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers.(S&SaH/IP/AW et al)

This evening there was a huge gathering of Swallows and Sand Martins - very roughly estimated at 1000 and 500 respectively, feeding all across the harbour and gathering in huge flocks o the fencing on Tern Island.
Otherwise, there were just one Little Tern and two Sandwich Terns in the harbour, c50 Mediterranean Gulls and one Common Gull among the gulls on the beach, whilst a Greenshank, a Whimbrel and c30 Turnstones were among the roosting waders.
Also, at least half a dozen Wheatears, several Whitethroats and Skylarks and 20+ Linnets were around the start of the spit. (AH)

Sand Martin (above), Swallows, Sand Martins and Swallows, Wheatear & Sandwich Tern at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: White's Creek held two Greenshank and two Whimbrel, along with plenty of Common Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits, whilst the Breech Pool held a Greenshank early on, a Spotted Redshank, ten Black-tailed Godwits, a similar number of Common Redshanks, about ten Teal, a fly-through Kingfisher and a few Sand Martins and Swallows above. Also, a flock of nine Whimbrel flew north-west over Owl Copse.
Early on, there were eight Cattle Egrets, three of which appeared to be juveniles, in Owl Copse whilst another group of 14 were out in the harbour.
A Wheatear, a Whinchat, a Skylark and two Meadow Pipits were near Owl Point, a Linnet was among the rocks along the Wall, a couple of Willow Warblers were in the hedge behind and a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk were also encountered. Also, a Brimstone butterfly was sat out on the salt-marsh. (IH/SP/AH/JDW et al)

Whinchat (above), Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits, Cattle Egrets & Brimstone at the North Wall (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to Stilt pool - A few Yellowhammers and Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and a Willow Warbler were along the banks, whilst a Greenshank and two Little Ringed Plover were on the Stilt pool, where there was also a Reed Warbler and 20 Sand Martins passing over (S&SaH)

Friday, 7th August: A very warm morning of unbroken sunshine, with just a light breeze, north-easterly early on before veering to south-easterly.....

Selsey Bill: Unsurprisingly quiet, though 16 Sand Martins went east together and 28 Turnstones were on the beach. Full log below. (BI/IP/AH)

(0605-0745hrs) (NE, F2)

Gannet - 8E

Common Scoter - 3E, 1W

Ringed Plover - 2W

Turnstone - 28

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 16E, 6W

Swift - 1

Swallow - 1E

Sand Martin - 16E

Willow/Chiff - 1

Sandwich Terns (above) & Turnstones at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Three Common Sandpipers were on the pool before flying into the channel opposite, where one was already present, along with the Kingfisher, the Greenshank, two Whimbrel and a few Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits. There were more of the latter on the pool, as well, along with six Shelducks and 26 Teal.

The adjacent hedges were quiet, though there were the odd Whitethroat and Blackcap present. (MO-W/AH)

Kingfisher (above), Greenshank and Redshank & Whitethroat around the Ferry (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The banks were quiet this morning, though a family of Meadow Pipits were sitting on the fences, a Sedge Warbler was by the first viewpoint and there were just a few Skylarks, Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings and Whitethroats about, along with lots of Linnets and Goldfinches. Also, c40 Swallows and a Sparrowhawk went over and a Jay and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were also present..

A Whimbrel and c30 Black-tailed Godwits were on the tidal area by the poplars, whilst the stilt Pool held two Greenshank, three Common Sandpipers, three Lapwings, c25 Gadwall and c125 Canada Geese, including a huge white (not albino) goose that may have been a hybrid or aberrant Canada Goose. 

Also, a Painted Lady - the first I have seen this summer - was along the bank near the car-park. (AH)

Common Sandpiper (above), Sedge Warbler, Linnet, Skylark, Meadow Pipits, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Gadwall, strange goose & Painted Lady at Medmerry (AH)

North Wall: Early on, the Breech Pool held a good number of waders, consisting of three Spotted Redshanks, a Greenshank, 98 Common Redshanks, 24 Black-tailed Godwits and eight Lapwing, as well as 18 Teal. Several Reed Warblers were moving about in the reeds but passerine numbers were otherwise fairly dismal apart from several Reed Buntings.

Cattle Egret numbers reached only 12 this morning - mainly in the cattle fields around Owl Point - though doubtless others unseen were in the area, whilst a Whimbrel was feeding close in on the saltmarsh opposite Owl Copse. (OM/IH/TH)

This evening a Short-eared Owl was out in the Owl Point area. Also, a Green Sandpiper went over and 18 Cattle Egrets and 53 Little Egrets went into the roost. (IL)

 Whimbrel feeding along the North Wall (OM)

East side: Threr Greenshanks were in White's Creek, together with a dozen Black-tailed Godwits and a few more Redshanks and Lapwings, but otherwise there was little of note.

Further out on the mudflats at low tide, a small party of Dunlin soon disappeared into the channels, but at least three more Whimbrel and four Greenshank were also present. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was also out on the saltmarsh - in its usual place (!) - where there were also plenty of Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls. At least three of the latter were ringed birds, all of which were initially too distant for full details to be obtained - although one did eventually get close enough for scope views to resolve the problem.

Then a Peregrine came whizzing low through the harbour and that was that! (OM/IH/TH et al)

Greenshank with Common Redshank in White's Creek and Yellow-legged Gull from the East side. (OM)

Northcommon Farm: A Little Owl was on the barn roof this evening. (SR)

Hunston: A Ring-necked Parakeet - presumably the one seen intermittently around nearby Birdham - flew north along the canal just past the bridge. (RP)

Church Norton: There was not much to report this evening on the high tide, though at least ten Sandwich Terns were around the harbour, and two Whimbrel, half a dozen Curlews and 20+ Turnstones and Dunlin were among the warders in the harbour.

There were at least 50 Swallows and a few Sand Martins about, but not much else. (AH)

Whimbrel (above) & Curlew at Church Norton (AH)