16th - 18th June 2021

Friday, 18th June: A very wet morning, with uninterrupted and fairly heavy rain from first light, easing slightly later on as the north-easterly breeze freshened......

Selsey Bill: A Fulmar west, then east, and three Common Scoters east was about it beyond a few terns and Gannets this morning. (SR/AH/IP)

(0700-0800hrs) (NE, F3-4)

Fulmar 1W, then E

Gannet - 15E, 6W

Common Scoter - 3E

Sandwich Tern - 50os

Common Ten - 6os

Little Tern - 11os

Swift - 2

Little Terns (above), Common Tern, Fulmar, Gannet & Common Scoters at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Spotted Redshank was on the pool early this morning, but not later, as was a Little Ringed Plover, whilst otherwise there were 12 Avocets, 18 Black-tailed Godwits, eight Redshank, four Gadwall and 25 Shelducks.

Also, a few Swallows went over and a Cuckoo, a Blackcap and a Whitethroat were heard. (AH)

Spotted Redshank (above) & Avocets at the Ferry (AH)

Later, a walk around the Visitor centre area was disappointing at first as no owlets were visible, but on closer inspection I realised they'd branched and one was looking down at me. When I returned later they were still in the same position, looking absolutely drenched! 

Ferry Pool still held the Spotted Redshank but it was right at the back and had a Common Redshank, three Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Avocets and 22 Shelduck for company, whilst a Swallow flew overhead. 

Along the path near the hide a small bird shot out of the undergrowth across the path, revealing itself as a very recently fledged Blackcap. (SR)

Tawny Owlets branching out near the Visitor centre and an endearing fledgling Blackcap! (SR) 

The Tawny Owlets were still there this evening! (AH)

Tawny Owlets at the Visitor Centre (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: The first returning Sand Martin was among the Swallows and House Martins over the fields late this afternoon, with two Green Woodpeckers in the vicinity, too, whilst a few Sandwich Terns went over, heading to and from the harbour. (S&SAH)

Church Norton: Apart from the Little and Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls there was nothing to report in the harbour beyond a Ringed Plover and a Curlew. (AH)

Sandwich Tern at Church Norton (AH)

Thursday, 17th June: After heavy overnight rain, a vey grey and murky morning in just a light north-westerly breeze....

Selsey Bill: Two Arctic Skuas going east together was a surprise on an otherwise quiet morning, dominated by Sandwich Terns heading off west and returning east with fish. Full log below. (SR/IP/AH)

(0700-0800hrs) (NW, F2)

Arctic Skua - 2E (1 d/p & 1 l/p)

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 60os

Swift - 2

Swallow - 1

House Martin - 10

Common Seal - 1os

Arctic Skuas (above) & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The first returning summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank was on the pool this morning, along with a Little Ringed Plover, ten Avocets, six Redshank, two Lapwings, c25 Black-tailed Godwits and c20 Shelducks.

Also, a male Bullfinch and a Cuckoo were in the nearby hedges. (AH/BFF/DIS)

Spotted Redshank and Redshank at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: Thee were still three Cuckoos present, but more widely spread and mobile this morning, whilst plenty of bedraggled Sedge and Reed Warblers were showing early on in the reeds, with a couple of Whitethroats and a few Linnets in the hedges. (AH)

Cuckoo (above), Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler & Linnet around the Long Pool (AH)

Sidlesham: A Red Kite went over the B2145 in the village at lunchtime today. (NH)

Church Norton: The harbour remains dominated by terns, with a constant stream of Sandwich Terns bringing in fish, along with just a few Common and Little Terns and the odd Mediterranean Gulls.

There were few waders about beyond a couple of Curlews on the mud, whilst just a Lesser Whitethroat and the odd Reed Warbler and Whitethroat were singing along the front, though a couple of pairs of Skylarks and plenty of Linnets were along the beach and spit. 

There were also lots of Childling Pinks along the spit (AH/BFF/DIS)

Little Terns (above), Common Tern, Sandwich Terns, Lesser Whitethroat & Childling Pink at Church Norton (AH)

Wednesday, 16th June: A fine and sunny morning in just a light south-easterly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: A few Gannets were about, along with the usual mix of terns. Full log below. (AH/SR/IP)

(0650-0750hrs) (ESE, F2)

Gannet - 9E, 1W

Common Scoter - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 20os

Common Tern - 3os

Little Tern - 2os

House Martin - 6

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

Ferry Pool: There were 12 Avocets, 15 Black-tailed Godwits, two Lapwings, two Redshanks and 25 Shelducks on the pool this morning. 

Also, the pair of Shelducks and nine ducklings were in the channel opposite again. (AH)

Avocets (above) & Shelduck-lings at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: A pair of Cuckoos were looking like they were prospecting the reeds this morning before a third bird appeared, causing a lot of agitation, with all three repeatedly flying about, with a Carrion Crow joining in, too! (AH)

Cuckoos along the Long Pool (AH)

Remarkably, all three Cuckoos were still around the hedges this evening, flying about and being very conspicuous. 

There was also a Marsh Harrier over the fields, with another and a Barn Owl seen distantly in the vicinity of Owl Point, whilst seven Gadwall were on the pool and three Sandwich Terns went west along Ferry Channel and over the Ferry. (AW/AH)

Cuckoos along the Long Pool (AH)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: Around the farm and Chalder Farm there were a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, six Swallows around the barns, a Song Thrush, two Stock Doves and two Cetti's Warblers, plus Reed Warblers, Whitethroats and calling Chiffchaffs, but no Cattle Egrets! (SR)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Barn Owl was out hunting the banks this evening, whilst a Stonechat was also seen. 

The pair of Little Ringed Plovers were on the Stilt Pool with four chicks, and two Greenshank and the lone Brent wee also there. (S&SaH/SR)

North Wall: A minimum of 17 Cattle Egrets were spread around Halsey's Farm and Owl Copse this morning, whilst both Marsh Harriers were on the wing at different times and a Cuckoo was calling north of Halsey's Farm.

The unusually showy Cetti's Warbler was in the bushes opposite the Salthouse this morning, with several more along the wall, together with the regular Reed and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats and Reed Buntings, but the only waders seen were a couple of Lapwings in Honer 1 field.  (AH/JDW)

Cetti's Warbler (above), Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Marsh Harrier, Cattle Egret, Roe Deer & Southern Marsh Orchid around the North Wall (AH)