Birding the Selsey Peninsula: 10th

Saturday, 12th September: A mix of sun and cloud on a blustery westerly this morning..........

Selsey Bill: There were a few Grey and Yellow Wagtails going west, but not much else going over, and little offshore beyond a couple of Sandwich Terns and a few Gannets. Full log below. (SH/BI/RP/IP/MO-W/AH/JA)

(0615-0900hrs) (W, F4)

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 26e, 76W

Teal - 3W

Turnstone - 2

Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 3W, 1os

Sandwich Tern - 3E, 4W

Swallow - 3E, 5W

House Martin - 3

Yellow Wagtail - 9W

Grey Wagtail - 9W

Meadow Pipit - 2N

Wheatear - 1

Chiffchaff - 1

Grey Wagtail (above), Sandwich Tern & Gannet at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, three Common Sandpipers, an Avocet, 36 Dunlin, 11 Shelducks, two Shoveler, c50 Black-tailed Godwits and c80 Teal on the pool at different times this morning, whilst a Kingfisher, a Snipe, a Knot and a few Redshank were in the channel opposite. (IMcK/AH)

Later this afternoon two Curlew Sandpipers were in the Ferry channel, showing well. (AW)

Greenshank (above), Avocet, Snipe & Shoveler and Teal around the Ferry (AH)

Juvenile Curlew Sandpipers in Ferry channel (AW)

Park Farm, Selsey: There were just two Yellow Wagtails and five Meadow Pipits over plus Kestrel and a Buzzard were about this morning. (S&SaH/IP)

Church Norton: Nine Yellow Wagtails and 14 Siskins went over the beach this morning, whilst a Redstart was by the first Several, a couple of Stonechats and five Whitethroats were along the front, and there were also plenty of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs about and 80 Linnets were on Tern Island.

There were also a Greenshank, a Whimbrel and 86 Curlews in the harbour, plus two Wheatears and two Greenshank on the Spit. (IMcK)

Whimbrel at Church Norton (IMcK)

Later, 11 Yellow Wagtails and a Chiffchaff were at Greenlease Farm, a Wheatear was on the beach, a Kingfisher and four Stonechats were in the horse field, several Whitethroats were along the beach and there was a steady trickle of Swallows going west, with the odd Sand and House Martin among them, and two Sparrowhawks went over.

Also, a Common Gull, a Bar-tailed Godwit, four Knot and three Grey Plovers were in the harbour, a Peregrine went over and two Sandwich Terns and three mediterranean Gulls were offshore. (S&SaH/IP)

Medmerry: Easton lane to the Breach: An Osprey was perched out in the middle first thing, before later hunting over the east side, and later still drifting over the north of the site and then apparently heading towards Sidlesham. All morning there was a steady westward passage of Meadow Pipits with a few Yellow Wagtails, and a smaller passage of Swallows going east.

We had three or four views of Peregrine, two Sparrowhawks, three Buzzards, three Kestrels and a female Merlin that charged off high after a Swallow before disappearing over towards the east side. Kingfisher, three Greenshanks, a few groups of Linnets and Yellowhammers were also noted, and down by the breach a few Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Turnstone. (PH/AP)

This evening five Spoonbills were resting in the flint barn area, whilst the Osprey was resting in a tree out on the reserve. Also, amongst other species were 80+ Yellow Wagtails, a Whinchat, three Stonechats and a Greenshank. (SH)

Osprey, Spoonbills and Greenshank at Medmerry (SH)

Pagham Beach and Spit: A Long-tailed Blue was on the beach-front this morning, along with two Common Blues and three Clouded Yellows. (BI)

Later, a juvenile Little Stint was feeding with a Dunlin flock on the mudflat off Pagham Spit at 16:50 this afternoon, and there were also two Greenshank s present and two Wheatears dropped in. (IMcK)

North Wall: Two Curlew Sandpipers, an Avocet and two Knot were in White's Creek this morning, along with a Greenshank, c20 Dunlin, two Knot, a Bar-tailed Godwit, c40 Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwing, 30 Ringed Plover, 12 Pintail, two Gadwall and c75 Wigeon, whilst two Spotted Redshanks, the same or another Avocet and three Greenshank were among the many Teal, Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwing on the Breech Pool.

Up to 50 Yellow Wagtails and at least seven Cattle Egrets were among the cows by the wall (with the same again of the latter in flight further inland), whilst a couple of Whinchats, two or three Stonechats and a few Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were also about.

Two Wheatears, another Stonechat and a Skylark were at Halsey's Farm, but beyond a few Swallows over, it was quiet there. (IH/SP/TH/CT/AH/BI/JDW et al)

Yellow Wagtail (above), Stonechat, Curlew Sandpiper and Dunlin, Cattle Egret, Little Egrets, Pintail, Gadwall & Wigeon around the North Wall (AH)

This evening, a Short-eared Owl was again present along the Wall and an Avocet was on the Breech Pool. (IH/NC)

Short-eared Owl at the North Wall (IH)

Friday, 11th September: A grey and fairly still morning, with just a light northerly breeze..........

Selsey Bill: There were a couple of unusual sightings for the Bill this morning, in the form of a Kingfisher west along the beach and a Snipe over east. Also, a Guillemot was offshore, there were a few Yellow and Grey Wagtails over and a huge gathering of Swallows and House Martins were feeding low over the water. Full log below. (BI/MO-W/SR/RP/AH/IP/JA)

(0630-0900hrs) (N, F2)

Gannet - 5E, 15W

Common Scoter - 7E, 14W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Ringed Plover - 1

Turnstone - 17

Snipe - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 6W

Sandwich Tern - 3E, 7W

Guillemot - 1os

Kingfisher - 1W

Swallow - 10E, 225W, 700 present

Sand Martin - 2E, 2W

House Martin - 19W, 300 present

Yellow Wagtail - 6E, 19W

Grey Wagtail - 3W

Pied Wagtail - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 1N

Chiffchaff - 5

Plus a big shoal of Bass offshore.

Guillemot (SR) (above), Sparrowhawk, Chiffchaff, Sandwich Ten & Swallows and House Martins (AH) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: There were still at least 30 Dunlin on the pool, along with 60 Black-tailed Godwits and 125 Lapwings, as well as a dozen Shelduck and c80 Teal.

Also, a Spotted Redshank and c20 Redshanks were in the channel opposite, whilst c200 House Martins and c100 Swallows went over. (AH)

Spotted Redshank (above), Dunlins & Lapwings, Black-tailed Godwits and Teal round the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: Two Green Sandpipers were visible along White's Creek late morning together with a further two in the Breech Pool, which also held a Snipe, about 20 Black-tailed Godwits and, for a short time, a Common Sandpiper. In the hedgerows were Blackcaps, Reed Buntings, a Willow Warbler and, towards Halsey's Farm, a male Redstart and a Lesser Whitethroat. At Owl Point two Spotted Flycatchers were feeding from the fence line, about 30 Yellow Wagtails were amongst the cattle and three Cattle Egrets were perched in a dead tree. A Kingfisher, Buzzard and Kestrel were also seen during the walk. Also, an interesting mobile flock in the south hedges contained c.40 Blackcaps, a Willow Warbler, ten Chiffchaffs, two Garden Warblers, three Spotted Flycatchers and c.10 Long-tailed Tits. Also noted were three Great Spotted Woodpeckers together and a Wheatear in the southern fields. (IH/SP/BI/LP)

East side: The immature Spoonbill was present off White's Creek early this morning but could not be refound by 8.00 am, though there were still a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, two Spotted Redshanks in White’s Creek, with five Greenshanks, three Avocets, 28 Knot and 73 Grey Plovers around the adjacent areas of the harbour.

A Tree Pipit, 12 Yellow Wagtails, six Grey Wagtails, 11 Siskins and a Yellowhammer went over, along with plenty of hirundines, including 400 House Martins in a single flock.

Among other species seen were three Reed Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, eight Blackcaps and three Whitethroats in trees around the edge of the Slipe Field, whilst a Sedge Warbler and 40 Linnets were towards the Breech Pool. (IMcK)

Curlew Sandpiper from the East Side (IMcK)

Church Norton: It was quiet here this morning, though two Whinchats and a Stonechat were by the horse field, 20+ Chiffchaffs and Long-tailed Tits were in the bushes, a Sparrowhawk went through and at least 200 Swallows and 100 House Martins were overhead. The Severals remained quiet with just a Lesser Whitethroat and two Chiffchaffs of note. (AH/MJ/A&YF/BI)

Chiffchaff (above) & Long-tailed Tit at Church Norton (AH)

West Wittering & Ella Nore: On Snowhill Marsh, three Greenshanks were roosting amongst c.50 Redshank and 30+ Black-tailed Godwits, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. Two Sandwich Terns were present in the harbour channel, whilst three Great Crested Grebes were on the water and two Bar-tailed Godwits were feeding on the muddy edges.

Along the hedgerows, up to 20 Chiffchaffs were active, plus a couple of Whitethroats and Blackcaps and a single Stonechat, whilst a Yellow Wagtail and a couple of Siskins went over.

Mediterranean Gulls were very numerous; a massive mixed flock of c.1000 gulls was roosting at Rookwood - viewed from Ella Nore - of which at least half must have been Mediterranean Gulls. (OM)

Medmerry Trail: This afternoon a single White Stork flew over the Medmerry Trail and headed north. Near the sewage works there was a flock of around 30 Yellow Wagtails, and a Merlin was seen over the fields. (AW)

Merlin (above), Yellow Wagtails & White Stork at Medmerry (AW)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - An Osprey was sat out in the middle of the reserve again this evening and was later seen hunting, whilst the Spoonbill count had risen to four, sat out on the mud near the poplars.

There was also a Peregrine out hunting, and a Buzzard and 50+ Yellow Wagtails were about, too, but the only hirundines seen were five Sand Martins. (S&SaH)

Osprey (above) & Spoonbill at Medmerry (SH)

Thursday, 10th September: A cool and fairly bright morning, as the wind freshened and shifted to the north-east..........

Selsey Bill: There were 70 Siskins over east, with 18 Meadow Pipits north and 13 Yellow Wagtails west this morning as highlights of visible migration, though offshore activity was retricted to three Sandwich Terns west, plus a few Gannets. Full log below. (SR/IP/MO-W/AH)

(0645-0835hrs) (NNE, F4-5)

Gannet - 6E, 2W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Kestrel - 1

Turnstone - 70

Sandwich Tern - 3W

Swallow - 58E

Yellow Wagtail - 4E, 13W

Grey Wagtail - 2E

Pied Wagtail - 1E, 1W

Meadow Pipit - 18N

Wheatear - 1

Chiffchaff - 4

Siskin - 70E

Wheatear at the Bill (AH above & SR below)

Ferry Pool: Despite good numbers of birds there wasn't too much of note this morning, though there were c40 Dunlin, c80 Black-tailed Godwits, c40 Lapwings, 16 Shelducks and c50 Teal present. also, c50 Swallows and c20 House Martins went over. (AH)

Shelducks (above), House Martins & Dunlin on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A Whinchat and a pair of Stonechats were near the horse field, with a passage of five Yellow Wagtails and a flock of Greenfinches overhead. Along the spit there were at least twenty Meadow Pipits, ten Wheatears, a couple of Skylarks and a flock of Linnets, whilst along the beach was a Clouded Yellow. (AW/A&YF)

Later, c50 Siskins, a half a dozen Meadow Pipits, a Peregrine, c100 Swallows and c25 House Martins went over east, whilst along the hedges were a dozen Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat and a handful of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, but the harbour was very quiet. (AH)

Whinchat (above), Stonechat, Wheatear and Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Clouded Yellow (AW), Wheatear & Blackcap (AH) at Church Norton

North Wall: About 100 Yellow Wagtails surrounded cattle at Owl Point this morning, six cattle Egrets accompanied another group of cattle at the end of the Wall while further Cattle Egrets could be seen flying in the Honer Farm area.

The Breech Pool contained many Mallard, Lapwing and Teal with a few Black-tailed Godwits and the hedgerows were quiet, perhaps due to the cool early morning breeze. White's Creek held mainly Wigeon and Redshank while for a time there were four Pintails. (IH)

Later, three Spotted Redshanks and 26 Black-tailed Godwits were in White's Creek, along with a Curlew Sandpiper, with a Wheatear, a Willow Warbler, three Chiffchaffs, two Whitethroats, six Reed Warblers and at least four Cetti's Warblers along the wall, whilst two Ravens, 25 Siskins, ten Meadow Pipits, c70 Swallows and 200 House Martins went over.

In the Halsey’s Farm area, there were 236 Yellow Wagtail around the feet of the cattle at Owl Point, with three Redstarts (including an adult male), two Spotted Flycatchers, a juvenile Whinchat, two Chiffchaffs, five Blackcaps and eight Whitethroats in the hedges. (IMcK/PB et al)

Redstart (above) & Spotted Flycatcher around the North Wall (IMcK)

East side: An immature Spoonbill was feeding in the harbour this morning, with four Avocets, four Greenshank, three Sandwich Terns, a Yellow-legged Gull, 36 Pintail, 280 Teal and 230 Wigeon also about.

Also, a Tree Pipit, a flock of 34 Yellow Wagtails, four Grey Wagtails and three Siskins went over, whilst a dozen Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps, two Cetti's Warblers and a Whitethroat were in the hedges. (IMcK/NM/PB)

Spoonbill from the east side (IMcK)

Pagham Spit: A couple of hours this afternoon over the high tide watching roosting waders from Pagham Spit produced a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 158 Dunlin, 136 Ringed Plovers and 53 Turnstones, including a flock of 46 roosting on the little lagoon.

Also about were a Kingfisher, two Sandwich Terns, a Peregrine resting on the smaller island, a juvenile Whinchat and seven Wheatears.

The Spoonbill was still present, too, and could be seen roosting off the North Wall. (IMcK)

Curlew Sandpiper from Pagham Spit (IMcK)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: Eight Cattle Egrets were about this afternoon, plus a single Whitethroat. (,CRJ)

East Head: A Grey Wagtail and a Chiffchaff were among the birds seen this morning around the area. (MR)

Chiffchaff (above) & Grey Wagtail at East Head (MR)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - An Osprey was sat out on the reserve this afternoon. (AT)

It was still present this evening, whilst all three Spoonbills were roosting on the Stilt Pool, along with a Greenshank, c20 Gadwall and c200 Canada Geese.

At least 200 Yellow Wagtails were among the cattle, with a few more near the poplars, whilst six Corn Buntings were sat out with 15 Yellowhammers on their favourite bush and at least six Whinchats, two Wheatears and two Stonechats were along the fences, but there were a maximum of just 100 Swallows overhead. (AH/GT)