10th - 13th August 2021

Friday, 13th August: A fairly grey and breezy morning in a brisk south-westerly breeze.........

Selsey Bill: A Kittiwake sat on a groyne before drifting off west was an unusual start to a fairly quiet morning, though 90 or so Turnstones were together on the beach, and a few San Martins, Common and Sandwich Terns went west, with a big mixed flock sat on the rocks by the Mile Basket.. Full log below. (BI/IP/SR/AH/CRJ)

(0635-0830hrs) (WW, F5-6)

Gannet - 5E, 35W, c20os

Common Scoter - 3E, 9W

Oystercatcher - 1E, 1W

Curlew - 1W

Turnstone - 90

Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 2W

Kittiwake - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 3E, 22W, c50os

Common Tern - 7W, c20os

Sand Martin - 16W

House Martin - 3

Pied Wagtail - 3W

Kittiwake (above) (BI), Common Terns & Turnstones (AH) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: There was a fair selection again this morning, including a Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, three Common Sandpipers, c80 Lapwing, c120 Black-tailed Godwits, four Shoveler, eight Shelducks and c30 Teal on the pool, whilst three Spotted Redshanks and a Whimbrel were in the channel opposite. (AH)

Green Sandpiper (above), Common Sandpiper, Spotted Redshanks & Whimbrel around the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: Two juvenile Marsh Harriers were over the harbour together this morning, before drifting off, but there was just one Sandwich Tern on the mud, plus two offshore.

There were at least four Whimbrel, three Grey Plovers, c20 Ringed Plovers and c50 Dunlin in the harbour, along with several juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, but the only migrants were two Wheatears on the spit and c40 Sand Martins and a couple of Swallows over.

There were also still quite a few Childling Pinks in flower along the spit. (AH/BI/A&YF/CRJ)

Wheatear (above), Marsh Harrier, Grey Plovers, Sandwich Tern, Sand Martin & Childling Pink at Church Norton (AH)

This evening, at high tide, there were two Wheatears, four Common Sandpipers, five Grey Plovers and 20 Turnstones around the concrete blocks, but tern numbers had dropped to c40 Sandwich Terns and a dozen Common Terns, including a number of juveniles of both, as well as half a dozen young Mediterranean Gulls. (AH).

Common Sandpiper (above), Wheatear, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern & Mediterranean Gull at Church Norton (AH)

West Itchenor: The Nuthatch was again calling and showing in the vicinity of Birch Copse between Chalkdock and the horse pond this morning. (BI)

Nuthatch at West Itchenor (BI)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were a Greenshank and five Common Sandpipers around the Stilt Pool, which also contained two Shovelers, six Gadwall, a Pochard and around 30 Teal.

There were also at least 20 Sand Martins overhead, while there were four Wheatears along the beach towards the Breach and the hedges contained a few Stonechats, Yellowhammers and Linnets. (AW)

Greenshank and Common Sandpiper (above), Wheatear, Sand Martin, Stonechat & Linnet at Medmerry (AW)

Thursday, 12th August: A grey and humid morning, after a drizzly start, mild in a light south-westerly breeze.........

Selsey Bill: A flock of 57 Turnstones on the beach was the only thing of note on a quiet morning. (AH)

(0655-0755hrs) (SW, F3)

Gannet - 4E, 7W

Turnstone - 57

Mediterranean Gull - 2os

Sandwich Tern - 2E, 3W, 12os

Common Tern - 1E, 2W

Turnstones at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Green Sandpiper was on the pool again this morning, along with four Spotted Redshanks, three Common Sandpipers, a Snipe, half a dozen Dunlin and Redshank, c50 Lapwings, c100 Black-tailed Godwits, four Shoveler and a few Teal and Shelduck.

A Marsh Harrier went over, displacing many of the birds, whilst three Cattle Egrets also went over, heading west, but the Tramway circuit was very quiet beyond a Lesser Whitethroat and a couple of Whitethroats and Blackcaps. (AW/AH/IP/BFF/DM/DIS)

Green Sandpiper (above), Common Sandpiper, Whitethroat & Cattle Egret around the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A smart summer-plumage Curlew Sandpiper was on the mud this morning, among c40 Dunlin and 20 Ringed Plovers, whilst at least three Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper and the summer-plumage Grey Plover were still present, too.

A flock of 25 Sandwich Terns dropped in for a while before departing again, whilst 17 Common Terns flew in and circled round, but carried on west again, but otherwise it looks like the terns have mostly moved on, though there were still at least eight juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, with a handful of adults, in the harbour. 

A juvenile Marsh Harrier was over the harbour, but the two Wheatears on the concrete blocks again were about the only passerines noted, though c50 Sand Martins and c20 Swallows moved through overhead. (AH/BFF/DM/DIS/AW)

Later, more terns were in the harbour, including an Arctic Tern among c80 Sandwich and 28 Common Terns, with other totals including 75 Dunlin and two Common Sandpipers, with a Swift, two House Martins and a Peregrine also seen, whilst four of the juvenile Mediterranean Gulls bore a yellow ring on the right leg. (BFF/DM/DIS)

Curlew Sandpiper (above), Marsh Harrier, Wheatear, Grey Plover, Whimbrel, Common Terns, Sandwich Terns & Mediterranean Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

This afternoon/evening, in addition to that reported earlier, there were also seven Knot, 16 Turnstones and five Grey Plovers in the harbour, with Sandwich Terns up to 100 in the harbour and offshore and Common Terns up to 40, including a number of juveniles. (SR/AH)

Knot (above), Ringed Plover, Wheatear, Common Terns & Common and Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

West Itchenor: The Nuthatch was heard calling again this morning from the birch copse between Chalkdock and the horse pond. (PH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Four Common Sandpiper, a Ringed Plover and an Avocet were the only waders on the Stilt Pool, which was dominated by 300+ Canada Geese, plus the Barnacle Goose like hybrid. (RBe)

Barnacle-type Goose and Canada Geese at Medmerry (RBe)

Wednesday, 11th August: After a fairly still, cool and grey start, a progressively warmer and brighter day in a freshening westerly breeze.........

Selsey Bill: A flock of seven Teal west was unusual, and there was quite a build up of Common and Sandwich Terns on and around the rocks by the Mile Basket. Full log below. (SR/IP/AH)

(0705-0820hrs) (W, f1-2)

Gannet - 1E, 1W

Teal - 7W

Common Scoter - 1E, 3W

Oystercatcher - 1E

Sanderling - 2

Turnstone - 14

Mediterranean Gull - 4E

Kittiwake - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 7E, 17W, 25os

Common Tern - 1E, 15W, 15os

Swift - 4

House Martin - 4

Pied Wagtail - 1W

Common Tern (above), Mediterranean Gull & Teal at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Green Sandpiper was on the pool, along with four Common Sandpipers, with another of the former flying over west out of the harbour, but otherwise, it was very similar to yesterday, with the two Spotted Redshanks and a Whimbrel in the channel again, and two Dunlin, c40 Black-tailed Godwits, c120 Lapwing and a few Teal and Shelduck on the pool. (AH)

Green Sandpiper (above), Common Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank & Whimbrel around the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: At last a few warblers were in the churchyard, including a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat and several Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. (AW)

Later on, there were two Wheatears along the concrete blocks by the spit. (NR)

Lesser Whitethroat at Church Norton (AW)

This evening there were at least 200 Sandwich Terns and 50 Common Terns in the harbour, and as many again offshore, along with 100+ Mediterranean Gulls and 500+ Black-headed and Herring Gulls. The terns in the harbour were very agitated, repeatedly getting up and flying around in big, tight flocks, suggesting they may shortly be on the move.

There wasn't much else about on the high tide, though the two Wheatears were on the concrete blocks and a Common Sandpiper and a few Ringed Plovers and Turnstone were nearby. (AH)

Common Terns (above), Common and Sandwich Terns, Wheatear & Ringed Plover and Herring Gull at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: A Whinchat was in the field between Halsey's Farm and Owl Point and a Wheatear was along the wall this morning, with a few warblers also showing, including a Lesser Whitethroat, a couple of Willow Warblers and quite a few Whitethroats, Reed and Sedge Warblers, whilst a handful of Swallows and Sand Martins went over.

At least 30 Cattle Egrets were around Owl Copse and Halsey's Farm, whilst 100+ Curlews and Black-tailed Godwits were in the fields before they were disturbed by a Peregrine, but waders were few elsewhere, though the short-billed Greenshank was back among the Redshank in White's Creek and a few Lapwing and a couple of Whimbrel were in the harbour.

Also, a Sparrowhawk was at Welbourne and a Painted Lady was along the wall.(AH/TG/CTJDW//LP/GHi et al)

Whinchat (above), Whitethroat, Black-tailed Godwits, Cattle Egrets & Painted Lady around the North Wall (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers, an Avocet, the Pochard, a Tufted Duck and a dozen Teal and Gadwall were on the Stilt Pool, along with 400+ Canada Geese, whilst 30+ Sand Martins and 20+ Swallows were feeding overhead.

There were a couple of Yellowhammers and three families of Whitethroats along the banks, with a Greenshank and three Green Woodpeckers around the poplars, an Egyptian Goose and two Grey Herons on the reservoir, a Swift, 30 Sand Martins and a dozen Swallows  over, and a pair of Little Grebes with four young were on one of the path-side pools. (IP)

This evening a Kingfisher and a Green Sandpiper were in the Marsh Barn area, whilst a Marsh Harrier was hunting over the reserve and three Yellow Wagtails and 200+ Sand Martins went over.

The only birds of note on the Stilt Pool were a Whimbrel, an Avocet and four Common Sandpipers. (S&SaH)

Tuesday, 10th August: At long last, a change in the weather, with a fairly still and overcast start to the morning giving way to warm sunshine and just a light to moderate south-westerly breeze....

Selsey Bill: There was a big feeding flock offshore this morning, including at least 34 Common and a dozen Sandwich Terns, but very little was on the move. Full log below. (AH/SR/IP)

(0700-0800hrs) (WNW, F2-3)

Gannet - 1E, 1W, 1os

Sparrowhawk - 1

Turnstone - 28

Mediterranean Gull - 6os

Sandwich Tern - 1E, 6W, 14os

Common Tern - 34os

Swift - 2

Green Woodpecker - 1

House Martin - 4

Pied Wagtail - 1

Common Seal - 1os

Turnstone (above), Sparrowhawk, Sandwich Tern & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The two Spotted Redshanks and a Whimbrel were in the channel this morning, whilst the pool held three Common Sandpipers, c40 Black-tailed Godwits, c120 Lapwing, seven Shovelers, six Shelducks and c20 Teal. (AH)

Later on, there were four Spotted Redshanks feeding at the back, and there were two Avocets present, too. (LGRE)

Spotted Redshank (above) & Whimbrel around the Ferry (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - An Osprey carrying a fish was sat on top of a telegraph pole along Easton Lane early this morning, before briefly settling on another pole and then flying off north with its breakfast.

There was also a juvenile Marsh Harrier over the reserve, but the banks were fairly quiet, though a few Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler, a couple of Willow and Reed Warblers, at least four Stonechats and a few Yellowhammers appeared when the sun came out.

A Wheatear was by the Stilt Pool, where a dozen or so Sand Martins and Swallows were feeding overhead, but the only waders on the pool were five Common Sandpipers, an adult and juvenile Avocet and four Lapwings. The Pochard was again present along with at least a dozen Gadwall, but everything was dominated by the 400+ Canada Geese that flew in over the morning.

Also, a Greenshank and c15 Redshanks were by the poplars and a Clouded Yellow and several Emperor dragonflies were also about. (AH)

Osprey (above), Marsh Harrier, Common Sandpiper, Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Sand Martin, Swallow & Clouded Yellow at Medmerry (AH)

East Head: An adult and two juvenile Avocets were on Snowhill Creek this morning, with the adult flying around and calling as it protected its young. (MR)

Avocets at East Head (MR)

North Wall: Along White's Creek there were plenty of Redshanks still around, but other waders included three Black-tailed Godwits, three Grey Plovers in summer plumage, 30+ Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plovers, several Turnstones, four Whimbrel and the usual Curlews and Oystercatchers. whilst two Great Crested Grebes were in the channel and a Common Tern was fishing.

Along the Wall there was not a single bird to be seen on the whole of the Breech pool during my visit this morning, and only a couple of Reed Warblers and a Cetti's Warbler around the reeds to show any sign of life, plus four Linnets in the bushes! 

At Owl copse a number of egrets were still present, including a family group of three Cattle Egrets, plus another four of the latter at the roost point nearby and a further eight in with the cattle at Halsey's Farm. Two Whimbrel were out on the mudflats, then a Yellow-legged Gull briefly showed itself well before settling down to sleep, and finally a couple of Wheatears were around the fences at Owl point. (OM/IH)

Yellow-legged Gull in typical resting mode on the North wall mudflats (OM)

Church Norton: There were still at least 100 Sandwich Terns and 25 Common Terns in the harbour, but nothing unusual with them this evening.

A Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, three Whimbrel and a handful of Curlew, Dunlin and Ringed Plovers were the only waders of note, whilst half a dozen Swallows and Sand Martins were feeding high over the harbour. (AH)

Bar-tailed Godwit (above), Grey Plover, Ringed Plover & Common and Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)