7th - 9th December 2020

Wednesday, 9th December: A cool, grey morning, with a light, but freshening westerly breeze...........

Selsey Bill: There were quite a few auks, mainly Razorbills going to and fro offshore this morning, with a couple of Slavonian Grebes on the sea. Full log below. (AH/IP/RP/SR)

(0735-0850hrs) (W, F3)

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 1W

Slavonian Grebe - 2os

Gannet - 2E, 4W

Common Scoter - 1W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1os

Oystercatcher - 4E

Turnstone - 2W

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 7W

Common Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 5W

Guillemot - 1E

Razorbill - 6E, 7W

auk sp - 35E, 52W

Pied Wagtail - 1

Ferry Pool: A dozen Snipe were in the roadside reeds, whilst at least 500 Lapwings were about the pool and fields, along with c40 Black-tailed Godwits, c150 Wigeon, c40 Teal and c60 Shovelers.

Also, a Kingfisher was in the channel opposite, with a Spotted Redshank further up the channel. (AH/A&YF)

Kingfisher (above) & Snipe around the Ferry (AH)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: The Richard's Pipit was again in the field by the derelict barn on Church Farm Lane, with at least a dozen Cattle Egrets around the farm. (C Holter/R Grimshaw et al)

The Richard's Pipit was still present late this afternoon. (TG-P)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The flock of 24 White-fronted Geese were in a field at the Earnley end of the path from Marsh Barn, along with a large flock of 750 - 1,000 Brent Geese. 

To the left of Marsh Barn was a Dartford Warbler, with another in the gorse edging the scrape to the right of the Stilt Pool which also held four Stonechats. 

The Stilt Pool, itself though,  held very little of interest - just 68 Canada Geese, seven Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, c40 Teal, c20 Wigeon, four Pintail, 92 Lapwings and four Ringed Plovers, whilst along the banks there were three Kestrels, two Green Woodpeckers, six Skylarks, three Pied Wagtails and a Song Thrush.. (SR)

Dartford Warbler (above) & White-fronted Geese at Medmerry (SR)

East Head: At least one of the Snow Buntings was still present this morning at the far end and five Eider were offshore, too. (RP)

Snow Bunting at East Head (RP)

North Wall: Brent Geese were active this morning, with several hundred flying in groups generally north-east from the harbour while by mid-morning about another three hundred remained scattered in Whites Creek and beyond. 

 The Creek also contained good numbers of Wigeon and Teal, about 20 Pintail as well as Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwing and a distant Peregrine perched on the mud.

At the sluice gates a Goldcrest was found, while the hedgerows along the Wall still contained a good number of thrushes, with about 20 Fieldfares and small numbers of Redwing, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds with also five Greenfinches, two Chaffinches and a half dozen or so Reed Buntings. (IH).

Church Norton: A flock of 21 White-fronted Geese flew into the harbour from the south-east and settled on the mud near Tern Island for a few minutes before taking flight again and heading north until lost to view.

Also, a redhead Goosander was in the harbour mouth, what would appear to be our regular pair of Peregrines were on their island and at least 1000 Brent Geese were coming and going from the fields as the scarers and the shoot repeatedly disturbed them.

There were many hundreds of Dunlin and 50+ Grey Plovers on the mud, with a few Wigeon and Teal about, whilst half a dozen Goldcrests were behind the churchyard, but there was nothing offshore at all save a couple of Mediterranean Gulls. (AH/TG-P/C Holter et al)

White-fronted Geese (above), Goosander, Peregrines, Dunlin & Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)

North Mundham: A Tree-creeper was seen here today. (MJ)

Fishbourne Creek: This afternoon there were six Greenshanks, three Spotted Redshanks and five male Pintails from the Lavant outfall, with two Goldeneye well downstream from Dell Quay. (RW/TH)

Spotted Redshank at Fishbourne Creek (RW)

Tuesday, 8th December: After a murky, misty start, a cold and bright morning with some pleasant sunshine and just a light northerly breeze...........

Selsey Bill: There were a few divers about, plus a Slavonian Grebe and a Shag. Full log below. (SR/MO-W/IP/RP)

(0745-0845hrs) (NNW, F2-3)

Great Northern Diver - 4E, 2W, 3os
Red-throated Diver - 4E, 1W
Slavonian Grebe 1os
Oystercatcher - 1E
Great Crested Grebe - 1os
Shag - 1E
Gannet - 3W
Brent Goose - 1E, 17W
Pintail - 6E
Mediterranean Gull - 1W
Chiffchaff - 2

Ferry Pool: Up to 100 Fieldfares were in the hedges by the Medmerry Trail this morning. (A&YF)

Also, at least eight Snipe were in the roadside reeds again this morning, whilst the pool and field held c40 Black-tailed Godwits, c200 Lapwings, c150 Wigeon, c60 Teal and c80 Shovelers. (AH) 

Later this afternoon, 18 Snipe were roosting  at the pool. (SR)

Snipe on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: Early this morning a large number of Brent Geese flew into the harbour. I took a pic on my phone with still more out of the frame. A Marsh Harrier was hunting over the Severals, a Water Rail ran across the path to the beach, and there was a Firecrest, two Goldcrests and a very pale Chiffchaff in the hedgerow between the churchyard and the mound. (AW)

The pale Chiffchaff, pictured below, would superficially appear to show some of the characteristics of 'Siberian Chiffchaff' tristis  - however whilst the overall plumage tones look promising, the legs and bill look rather pale (perhaps a trick of the light), it's hard to decide if there are any faint greenish tones to retrices or remiges and as far as we are aware it has not been heard calling or responding to call. Perhaps a degree of caution is wise for now, but other opinions would be welcomed. (Eds)

Pale Chiffchaff at Church Norton this morning (AW) 

Brent Geese and Marsh Harrier at Church Norton (AW)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: The Richard's Pipit was still present in the field by the derelict barn this morning, whilst three Egyptian Geese flew over. (BL/MJBFF et al)

Richard's Pipit at Marsh farm, Sidlesham (BFF)

North Wall: A Kingfisher at the sluice gates, Wigeon, Teal, Dunlin, Redshanks and Lapwing in Whites Creek and at least 24 Shelduck further out were present during a brief visit late morning. 

 The hedgerows contained three Fieldfares, a Redwing, three Song Thrushes and at least half a dozen Blackbirds. (IH)

East Head: The two Snow Buntings were again present at the northern end this morning. (IH/IP)

Snow Bunting at East Head (IP)

Runcton: A male Blackcap was eating spindle berries in our front garden today. (CRJ)

Ivy Lake: There wasn't much too report this morning, with a few more wildfowl than recently, but nothing unusual, including c20 Pochard and Tufted Ducks, eight Shovelers and c40 Gadwall, plus at least 200 Coots.

Also, a couple of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests and a few Long-tailed Tits were in the bushes. (AH)

Pochard (above) & Gadwall on Ivy Lake (AH)

Fishbourne Creek: A fairly quick look this morning produced a flock of five Spotted Redshanks and three Greenshanks feeding in the main channel, many hundreds of Dunlin, 50+ Grey Plovers and Black-tailed Godwits and 200+ Wigeon.

Also, half a dozen Rock Pipits were along the side and two Red-breasted Mergansers were off of Dell Quay. (AH)

Spotted Redshanks and Greenshank (above), Greenshanks, Spotted Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwit, Rock Pipit & Red-breasted Merganser at Fishbourne Creek (AH)

Chi GPs - Drayton Pits: The highlights were a Woodcock which flew up from damp woodland, at least 110 Pochard (of which about 75% seemed to be drakes), at least eight calling Water Rails from various reedbeds, two Kestrels, two Buzzards and a Bullfinch. (OM)

Medmerry: Windmill to the Breach - This afternoon there were three Black Redstarts on the beach near the Oasis centre, whilst offshore there were an Eider, a Great Northern Diver and 28 Common Scoters.

Three Red-breasted Mergansers were at the breach, whilst two Greenshank, 24 Ringed Plovers and c100 Brent Geese were in the tidal area. (P&BJ/GaJ)

Monday, 7th December: After a murky, misty start, a cold and grey morning, with just a light northerly breeze............

Just a reminder to park considerately if you are going to Marsh Farm, Sidlesham. There is some additional parking at the village hall, between the main road and the church. (Eds)

Selsey Bill: There was little to report in poor visibility this morning, though a Merlin came in from offshore. Full log below. (AH/IP/RP)

(0740-0840hrs) (N, F2)

Great Northern Diver - 1E

Common Scoter - 2E

Merlin - 1N

Mediterranean Gull - 10W, 8os

Common Gull - 5W, 4os

Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Eight Snipe were in the roadside reeds together this morning, whilst c20 Black-tailed Godwits and c400 Lapwing were spread between the pool and the fields, and there were also  four Gadwall, six Shelducks, c60 Wigeon, c40 Teal and c70 Shovelers present, along with a dozen Canada Geese. (AH)

Snipe on the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: There were well in excess of 20 thrushes at the Wall this morning - Redwings, Fieldfares, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds - as well as a flock of 11 Greenfinches, a Rock Pipit, a few Long-tailed Tits and Reed Buntings and a Marsh Harrier. 

Whites Creek held at least 20 Pintails as well as the usual Wigeon and Teal while the Breech Pool contained about 20 Tufted Duck and a Shoveler. (IH/LP)

On the Breech Pool were nine Tufted Ducks, two Little Grebes and a few Mallard. Also, on Honer reservoir, were 12 Gadwall, six Shoveler, seven Tufted Ducks and two Shelduck, whilst a Jack Snipe was in the field that frequently floods just south-east of the reservoir. 

It was a good morning for Stonechats and I saw pairs at Welbourne stables, North Wall, Honer Reservoir and Pagham Rife, as well as those seen around the Marsh Farm area. (JDW)

           

Stonechats around the North Wall (JDW)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: The Richard's Pipit was still in its favoured field between Cycleway 88 and the derelict barn, showing well intermittently, and often in the company of a pair of Stonechats, and there were still at least 30 Cattle Egrets around the farm, along with an Egyptian Goose, another pair of Stonechats  and 20 Skylarks.

At least 200 Fieldfares and 20 Redwings were spread along the hedges between Marsh and Bramber Farms, and there were also a dozen Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits, c50 Linnets and c20 Greenfinches and Chaffinches around the dung heaps. (AH/IH/JDW et al)

Richard's Pipit (above), Cattle Egrets, Fieldfare, Redwings, Stonechat & Egyptian Goose at Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (AH)

Fishbourne Creek area: Large numbers of waders and waterfowl were present this morning between Apuldram Church and Lavant outfall, with the clear highlight being five Spotted Redshanks and two Greenshanks having a mad feeding session in the channel! 
A Kingfisher hovered perfectly for nearly half a minute before catching something, also two Pintail were near the Lavant Outfall, plus a male Yellowhammer and at least four Rock Pipits. (AM)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The 24 White-fronted Geese were along the track to Earnley, along with maybe as many as a thousand Brent Geese. (AM)

Also, a Raven went over east, a Dartford Warbler was in the gorse by the first viewpoint and a Greenshank briefly showed on the Stilt Pool, where there were also two Shovelers and ten Gadwall. (RW)

East Head: The Snow Buntings were showing well this morning at East Head and there were three Sanderlings along the shoreline. (AW)

Later, there were four Sanderlings at the waters edge along the harbour entrance and four Reed Buntings were in the dunes, but no sign of the snow Buntings.

Snowhill Marsh held five Avocets and a Greenshank, whilst in the harbour off here were three Knot in a flock of Dunlin and off Ella Nore Point there were 13 Great Crested Grebes and a Sandwich Tern. (RW)

Snow Buntings (above) & Sanderling at East Head (AW)