Birding the Selsey Peninsula: 1st

Thursday, 3rd September: A pretty grey and gloomy morning, with a brisk south-westerly and leaden skies, though quite mild..........

Selsey Bill: A few Swallows and Sand Martins went west, but generally it was slow. Full log below. (RP/AH/MO-W/SR)
(0630-0800hrs) (W, F6)
Gannet - 14W
Shoveler - 1W
Common Scoter - 1E
Turnstone - 10
Mediterranean Gull - 1os
Sandwich Tern - 8W
Swallow - 45W
Sand Martin - 22W

Turnstone at the Bill (AH)

(1650-1750hrs) (SH)

Gannet - 10W

Common Scoter - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 9W

Ferry Pool: A Common Sandpiper and a dozen Dunlin were on the pool, along with usual mix of c70 Lapwings, c60 Black-tailed Godwits, 17 Shelduck and c80 Teal, whilst another Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, three Redshank and c40 Teal were in the channel opposite, and c20 Dunlin, three Grey Plovers and a Knot flew over when the Peregrine went across the harbour..

The Tramway circuit held a few Whitethroats and Blackcaps, but not much else, though a Kingfisher flew along Red Barn Ditch. (AH/MO-W)

Common Sandpiper (above), Grey Plovers and Knot & Whitethroat around the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: It was quiet this morning, though the short-billed Greenshank was in White's Creek, a Kingfisher was by the sluice at the far end of the wall, c30 Cattle Egrets were at Halsey's Farm and c40 Canada Geese were on the Breech Pool. (IH/PC)

Church Norton: The Little Stint was still present at some distance out on the mudflats, with Dunlin and Ringed Plovers early this morning, but an interesting second bird - initially considered as another potential Little Stint - was also present (AW) and was subsequently the subject of some debate. Superficially it appeared stint-like and seemed to be somewhat on the small side, even allowing for distance, but Sanderling was also considered a possibility and various opinions were sought. The general consensus is that the bird is in fact a juvenile Sanderling, but other opinions are welcome.......

(above) possible Sanderling or Little Stint (third from left) and Little Stint (second from right) with Dunlins, and (below) possible Sanderling or Little Stint (centre) with Dunlin. (AW)

Update: Debate still continues regarding the stint(s), but we understand that Birdguides & RBA are now reporting these as two juvenile Little Stints.....whilst some birders have doubts, based on the evidence of the photo's, admittedly taken in poor light and at some distance. A further two photos which may assist are now included herewith, with the bird in question looking notably smaller than the accompanying Dunlin..... (Eds)

Dunlins and Little Stint(s) (AW)

Two Greenshanks were also out on the mud, plus a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel in the channel which runs along from the footpath to the beach and a handful of scattered Grey Plovers. Also, four Sandwich Terns were sitting out and an adult Peregrine made a couple sorties over the harbour.

Three Spotted Flycatchers were behind the hide, with the odd Blackcap and Whitethroat, whilst the Swallows were busy nearby. (AW/AH/IH/PC/CRJ)

Also a Merlin, a Peregrine, 60 Wigeon and 40 Pintail were in the harbour and four Wheatears were on the beach. (BFF/DM/DS)

Bar-tailed Godwit (above), Whimbrel (AW), Sandwich Tern, Ringed Plover and Dunlin, Spotted Flycatcher & Swallow (AH) at Church Norton

Later, a bunting seen and photographed late afternoon, in vegetation at the front of the first Severals reedbed, was later identified by the observer as a Lapland Bunting, but it could not be re-located thereafter. (AW)

Lapland Bunting at Church Norton (AW)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Green Woodpecker was perched across the track from the poplars and further on there were a couple of Meadow Pipits and about half a dozen Swallows.

Arriving at the Pool, the three Spoonbills were still present but shortly after we arrived one flew off eastwards. In addition to the Swan family, Cormorants and Mallards, there were a number of Starlings and one each of Lapwing, Little Egret and Grey Heron.
On our return leg there were three Greenshanks, two Common Sandpipers and a Wheatear on the mud near the poplars, and as we started to walk away from the poplars, two Spoonbills appeared, heading south/southwest. They looked to be going to land in one of the reservoirs, until about half a dozen Canada Geese flew up and spooked them and we couldn’t clearly see where they headed after that. (CE et al)

Wednesday, 2nd September: A lovely 'Indian Summer' morning, with a light southerly breeze and plenty of sunshine between the white clouds.....

Selsey Bill: Another slow morning, with three Grey Wagtails and some hirundines the only evidence of visible migration, though a Wheatear, a Willow Warbler and a couple of Chiffchaffs were about, too. Full log below....

0630-0900hrs: (wind light variable NE2 - SSW3) (RP/MO-W/SR/AH/OM)

Teal - 5W

Common Scoter - 3W

Sanderling - 8W

Turnstone - 58 ob

Mediterranean Gull - 4E

Common Tern - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 3 os

Sand Martin - 60E

House Martin - 20

Swallow - 180E

Grey Wagtail - 3E

Wheatear - 1

Chiffchaff - 2

Willow Warbler - 1

The Broadreeds Estate was alive with c50 House Martins this morning, many of them appeared to be prospecting next year's nest sites. (SR)

Willow Warbler (AH) (above) & House Martins (SR) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: There were a Greenshank and six Common Sandpipers around the pool early this morning, as well as six Dunlin.

Later on, two Curlew Sandpipers were fairly briefly.on the pool, but by late morning there were just 12 Dunlin present.

There were also plenty of the regular species, including c70 Lapwing, c60 Black-tailed Godwits, six Shelducks, c100 Teal and a lone Wigeon, plus at least 50 Sand Martins and 100 Swallows going over.

Also, a Swift and a Hobby went over the channel opposite, whilst a Lesser Whitethroat and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were in the Discovery Area. (AH/AB/AT/IL/P&LH et al)

Common Sandpipers (above), Lapwings, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits & Swallows at the Ferry (AH)

This evening a Spotted Redshank, a Common Sandpiper and ten Dunlin were among the regular species on the pool, whilst a Kingfisher and another Common Sandpiper were in the channel opposite. (AH)

Kingfisher (above), Kingfisher and Mute Swan & Spotted Redshank around the Ferry (AH)

Northcommon Farm: A Pied Flycatcher and three Spotted Flycatchers were in the first hedge, and later a Redstart too, but there wasn't much else in the vicinity bar a Willow Warbler and a couple of Whitethroats, plus a steady trickle of Swallows and Sand Martins passing through. (OM/AB)

Pagham Lagoon: A Hobby went over the lagoon this morning, whilst four Wigeon were on the water and a Whitethroat was seen carrying food. (TG-P)

Church Norton: Five Spotted Flycatchers were behind the hide, with another between the Severals, whilst a Garden Warbler, half a dozen Lesser Whitethroats and Blackcaps and at least 30 Whitethroats were spread around the reserve, particularly the Severals/beach area, where there was also a Wheatear and a Whinchat.

Hirundines were moving over all morning, with fairly equal numbers of Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows, with the pair of latter in the hide attempting to raise a third brood.

The Little Stint, among the Dunlin and Ringed Plover, was the only highlight from the harbour. (AW/AH/A&YF/P&LH et al)

This evening a Merlin was in the harbour with prey, but there was no sign of the Little Stint.(AW)

Spotted Flycatchers (above), Whitethroat, Sand Martin, Swallow (AH), Spotted Flycatcher, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler & juvenile Swallows (AW) at Church Norton

Merlin with prey this evening (AW)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The three Spoonbills were still present on the Stilt Pool this evening, suggesting the one in Pagham Harbour earlier was a different bird.

There were also a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper on the pool, with one of the former and two of the latter also by the poplars.

The banks were fairly quiet, though there were still three Wheatears, a Whitethroat, three Yellowhammer and 21 Yellow Wagtails seen. (S&SaH)

Spoonbills (above) & Wheatear at Medmerry (SH)

Tuesday, 1st September: A fairly cool and grey start to the month, with the moderate north-easterly breeze eventually pushing the cloud away to leave a pleasant day....

Selsey Bill: A fairly quiet morning, though a flock of nine Avocets, 11 Yellow Wagtails and a few Swallows and House Martins went over. Full log below. (RP/IP/AH/SR)

(0630-0810hrs) (NE, F2-3)

Gannet - 6E, 3W

Common Scoter - 5E

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 1E

Avocet - 9E

Turnstone - 40

Sandwich Tern - 10E, 4W

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1

Swallow - 11E

Sand Martin - 7E

House Martin - 20

Yellow Wagtail - 11E

Willow Warbler - 2

Ferry Pool: Three Common Sandpipers, four Dunlin, c30 Lapwing, c60 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Shelducks and c100 Teal were on the pool, with two more Common Sandpipers in the channel opposite, whilst two Whinchats, a Wheatear and at least three Stonechats were in the field at the back and c30 Swallows and c20 Sand Martins went over. (AH/IL/BFF/DM/CRJ)

Long Pool: Four (and possibly five) Spotted Redshanks were on the pool, with three Black-tailed Godwits, but the hedges contained just a handful of Whitethroats. (AH/BFF/DM)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to theStilt Pool - Three Spoonbills were on the Stilt Pool this afternoon. (IL)

An early evening stroll from Easton Lane confirmed the presence still, of the three Spoonbills on the Stilt Pool
The other highlight was a Short-eared Owl out on the reserve, distant from the Easton viewpoint. It was eventually mobbed by two corvids and headed west.
Also seen were a Willow Warbler, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, a pair of Yellowhammers, six corn Buntings and several Whitethroats and Stonechats. (GT)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: A total of nine Cattle Egrets were around the farm, including two juveniles, with a Spotted Flycatcher and three Reed Buntings nearby, and three Redstarts were on the track back towards Fisher. (CRJ).

North Wall: Along White's Creek were two Spotted Redshanks (one still largely in summer plumage) plus Stumpy the short-billed Greenshank and the usual Redshanks.

The Breech Pool was holding more water again early this morning, the only waders present being 27 Black-tailed Godwits and 21 Lapwings amongst the Mallards, Teal and Canada Geese flock, which included a single Greylag Goose.

It appeared that there had been a good clear-out of migrants overnight and it was notably quiet, apart from a couple of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, six Whitethroats, two Blackcaps, two Sedge and four Reed Warblers. In the Honer field behind the pool there was a flock of at least 50 Yellow Wagtails with the cattle, and just six Cattle Egrets.

Around Halsey's Farm there seemed to be none of the excitements of recent days, the best on offer being another 20 Yellow Wagtails, four Whitethroats, 50 Swallows and 20 Sand Martins

Also, a Curlew Sandpiper was reported from the far end of White's Creek.

Later, the Cattle Egret count increased to 31 Cattle and six little Egrets in the fields next to Honer Farm, with four still behind the wall

A lot of birds were in a mixed feeding flock at Macracarpa Copse including a Spotted Flycatcher, two Chiffchaffs, a Lesser Whitethroat, two Blackcaps and 16 Long-tailed Tits, plus a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Common Buzzard, whilst two Common Darters were mating at Owl Water. (OM/IH/JDW et al)

Spotted Redshank (above), juvenile Reed Warbler (OM), Cattle Egrets, Cattle and Little Egrets & Common darters (JDW) around the North Wall

East side: Not too much to report this morning; 20+ Wigeon and eight Pintail were in the channel and four Great Crested Grebes were also present nearer the harbour end. Waders included two Whimbrel, two Greenshank, 15 Knot and 25 Grey Plover amongst the Dunlin and Ringed Plovers, whilst two Willow Warblers were in the hedgerow and a Lesser Black-backed Gull with a blue colour ring was just too distant for details to be obtained.(OM)

Church Norton: An Osprey went over the harbour late this morning and there was a report of a Short-eared Owl sat out on the salt-marsh, where the Little Stint and a Sanderling were among the waders present.

There were decidedly fewer migrants around this morning, though up to six Spotted Flycatchers and a Garden Warbler were still present, along with a few Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats and Blackcaps, with a couple of Wheatears seen on the beach and Tern Island and another on the west side, where there was also five Yellow Wagtails and a Reed Bunting..

A Swift was among the many hirundines - again a fairly even mix of Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows - going over, and at least 20 Siskins dropped in briefly as they headed north. (AW/IP/TB/NR/AH/CRJ/KJ/IL/A&YF et al)