Wednesday, 13th October: A fine and sunny morning in a light north-easterly breeze, though clouding up later......
Selsey Bill: There wasn't too much moving, but there were some bits of interest, including four Eider and 63 Brent Geese west, an Arctic Skua east, a Mistle Thrush in the gardens and a flock of 45 Magpies going west. Full log below. (SR/AH)
(0725-0855hrs) (NE, F3)
Great Crested Grebe - 2E
Gannet - 2E, 1W
Shag - 1E
Brent Goose - 63W
Teal - 2W
Eider - 4W
Common Scoter - 2E, 11W
Sparrowhawk - 1
Arctic Skua - 1E (d/p)
Common Gull - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 2os
Sandwich Tern - 4E, 8os
Razorbill - 3E, 4W
auk sp - 2W
Skylark - 3E
Swallow - 8
Meadow Pipit - 5W
Pied Wagtail - 4E, 4W
Mistle Thrush - 1
Magpie - 45W
Eider and Teal (above), Sandwich Terns & Mistle Thrush at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: There were two Greenshanks roosting on the pool early on, with a handful of Lapwings and Black-tailed Godwits the only other waders present, among c40 Shovelers, c20 Teal and six Shelducks.
Five Spotted Redshanks, a Greenshank and a few Redshanks were in the channel opposite, along with a fleeting Grey Wagtail, whilst at least three Cattle Egrets were among the cows in Ferry Field. (AH)
Greenshank (above) & Spotted Redshanks, Redshank and Little Egret in Ferry Channel (AH)
Honer Reservoir: The Purple Heron was again in its regular field early on, whilst three Cetti's Warblers, four Chiffchaffs and a dozen Long-tailed Tits were in the hedges and two Little Grebes, seven Shovelers and 24 Gadwall were on the reservoir itself. (PB)
North Wall: There were two Knot, a Grey Plover and a dozen Black-tailed Godwits in the harbour this morning, along with four Pintail, c300 Wigeon and five Little Egrets, whist two Common Seals could be seen swimming along the main channel together. (PB)
Park Farm, Selsey: The first Black Redstart of the autumn and three Grey Wagtails were around the barns and three Chiffchaffs were in the hedges this evening. (S&SaH)
East Beach: Redwings were heard passing over this evening, after dark. (SR)
Church Norton. A Lesser Whitethroat was on the path between the Severals reedbeds, and later a vanishing Reed Warbler type was in the same area, whilst along the front there were two, and possibly three, Dartford Warblers, five Stonechats, up to 20 Chiffchaffs, two Reed Buntings, a handful of meadow Pipits and 43 Goldfinches, with a Water Rail, six Buzzards, two Sparrowhawks and 20+ Swallows also in the vicinity.
The regular Whimbrel was near the benches, but beyond a few Grey Plovers there wasn't much else in the harbour, whilst later a juvenile light phase Common Buzzard was over the beach being chased off by local birds as it gradually flew out over the bay in the direction of Bognor.
There were also four Roe Deer and a Small Copper butterfly about. (CRJ/AH)
This evening the harbour held 30 Brent Geese,60 Pintail, c150 Teal, c100 Wigeon, three Grey Plovers, 12 Dunlin and 14 Turnstones. (SR)
Dartford Warbler (above), Meadow Pipit, Whimbrel (CRJ), Lesser Whitethroat, Dartford Warbler, Chiffchaff & Whimbrel (AH) at Church Norton
Medmerry: Stilt Pool - A Great White Egret flew into the far side of the Stilt Pool this morning, staying for about 15 minutes and then flew off west. (B Brewer per SOS)
Great White Egret at Medmerry (B Brewer)
Tuesday, 12th October: Another bright morning, though less warm than of late, and with the light north-westerly breeze persisting......
Selsey Bill Bird Observatory: Recently we
received three photos from Dave Flumm – who now lives in Cornwall – reminiscing
on the early days at Selsey Bill, when he was a young lad and the Bill was
actually a formal Observatory, where ringing and ‘scientific monitoring’ took
place between 1959-1964. Many of the experienced talents of today either
regularly watched, or at least visited, the Obs, which basically operated from
a rather rickety wooden hut, constructed from oddments of scrap timber. The
need for brevity prevents a fuller explanation here, but Dave and others occasionally
slept in the hut, although this was apparently forbidden following neighbourly
objections!
Dave is probably unknown to many of the newer Peninsula
observers, but he certainly put in many hours in those early days and well
beyond. I particularly recall his later observations from Selsey West Fields
(now Medmerry) when I kept the Log in the late 1970’s-early 80’s.
Below are the photo’s he sent, for which we are most
grateful, with brief notes of explanation, which we feel sure will be of
interest. (OM/Eds)
Hard to make out in this pic, but this is the sign from the Selsey Bill Bird Observatory, which was retained by Dave and still exists to this day, adorning his garden shed! (all pic's courtesy of DF)
A young Dave Flumm, back in the day, at the famous Obs Hut. It was actually situated on a strip of land between houses now occupying the 'south-east corner' and a peppercorn rent was paid for the privilege. Note all the vegetation around then, which has now long gone, together with the mode of transport and optics of the time.
Harry Robinson - known by his initials HPKR - outside the hut drinking a brew. Harry worked for a bank in Reading but would ride to Selsey every weekend on his scooter. When they moved him to the Isle of Wight he still kept coming! (Brews were made on the Obs Primus stove, and note no windows). Dave thinks this photo dates back to winter 1969. After 1964, some observers moved from the Bill to other places largely due to the encroachment of development and the holiday industry, while other such as HPKR and DF still remained loyal to the area for a good few years. The Observatory status has now gone, but this loyalty to the Bill in particular has carried on to the present day by a newer generation - although most of the birding habitat has gone due to the continuing pressure of development.
Found: A lens cap to a Swarovski Optik was found at the North Wall today, by the Salt House on the bench. If it is yours and you wish to reclaim it, please advise and we'll put you in touch with the finder. (Eds)
Selsey Bill: It was much quieter this morning than of late, with just a dozen Brent Geese and a flock of 11 Teal west offshore and little overhead activity, though Swallows just reached double figures and a loose flock of 70 Jackdaws heading west was noteworthy. Full log below. (SR/MO-W/AH/AF)
(0725-0840hrs) (NW, F3)
Gannet - 1E, 2W
Brent Goose - 12W
Shelduck - 2E
Teal - 11W
Common Scoter - 1E
Sparrowhawk - 1
Oystercatcher - 1W
Turnstone - 7W
Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 8os
Sandwich Tern - 3E
Razorbill - 4W
Swallow - 10
Meadow Pipit - 6W
Pied Wagtail - 16W
Chiffchaff - 4
Jackdaw - 70W
Chaffinch - 6E
Sandwich Tern (above) & Chiffchaff at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: The seven Spotted Redshanks were roosting on the pool early on, before dispersing back into the channel, where there were also a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail and c80 Teal.
A Snipe and a handful of Lapwings were the only other waders on the pool, whilst wildfowl included c40 Shoveler, c60 Teal and c100 Wigeon. (AH)
Spotted Redshank and Redshank (above), Snipe & Grey Wagtail around the Ferry (AH)
Honer Reservoir: The Purple Heron was again in the field south of the path between the bridge and the reservoir between 0830 and 1030hrs, and seemed remarkably good at catching large rodents - voles or possibly even moles - in the long grass.
Also, a handful of Chiffchaffs were along the hedges and c30 Gadwall, c30 Shovelers and a few Tufted Ducks were among the Coots on the reservoir until a Buzzard spooked everything. (CRJ/AH/IH et al)
Later on, the Purple Heron could be seen along the rife at the back of the Breech Pool (though not viewable from the North Wall) and a Hobby was in the vicinity, too. (LGRE)
Purple Heron (above), Shovelers & Shoveler and Gadwall at Honer Reservoir (AH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Dartford Warbler was in the gorse opposite the Stilt Pool this evening, whilst the banks also held five Stonechats, three Yellowhammers, two Chiffchaffs, two Cetti's Warblers, two Skylarks and at least ten Meadow Pipits, and seven Cattle Egrets were out on the reserve. (S&SaH)
West Wittering: The joys of working from home - sitting in my garden office watching a family of three very young Weasels hunting for rodents (successfully!) under the decking and around the bird bath. Amazing to watch, so fast! (GM)
Weasel in a West Wittering garden (GM)
Monday, 11th October: A pleasant morning, after a chill start, with hazy sunshine and a light north-westerly breeze......
Selsey Bill: A Great Northern Diver and a few Brent Geese west were the highlights offshore, whilst two Wheatears were on the beach and a Stonechat was in the bushes, but there was only a modest amount of vis-mig activity. Full log below. (AH/MO-W)
(0730-0900hrs) (NW, F3)
Great Norther Diver - 1W
Great Crested Grebe - 1E, 1os
Gannet - 2W, 2os
Brent Goose - 25W
Dunlin - 1W
Turnstone - 67W
Herring Gull - c500os
Black-headed Gull - c1000os
Mediterranean Gull - 10os
Sandwich Tern - 4os
Swallow - 9W
Meadow Pipit - 3E, 26W
Yellow Wagtail - 2E
Pied Wagtail - 3E, 32W
Wheatear - 2
Stonechat - 1
Chiffchaff - 4
Magpie - 14
Linnet - 3E, 20W
Goldfinch - 50
Great Northern Diver (above), Wheatear, Chiffchaff, Sandwich Tern & Turnstones at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool:There were seven Spotted Redshanks in the channel opposite again, early this morning, but the pool just held a handful of Lapwings and Shelduck, along with 40+ Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon. (AH)
Spotted Redshank (above) & Lapwing around the Ferry (AH)
Honer Reservoir: The Purple Heron was again present this morning in the fields to the south. (TG/GHi et al), A Fieldfare and s Brambling were also reported from the same area (per Twitter).
Purple Heron at Honer Reservoir (GHi)
Long Pool: Half a dozen Reed Buntings, a Chiffchaff and a couple of Cetti's Warblers were along the pool, whilst at least four Spotted Redshanks, c40 Redshank, a couple of Grey Plovers and c75 Teal were along Ferry Channel and four Snipe and a Grey Wagtail flew over. (AH)
Snipe (above), Teal, Reed Bunting & Chiffchaff around the Long Pool (AH)
Park Farm, Selsey: There were two Wheatears and two Stonechats on the fields this afternoon. (SaH)
Bramber Farm and North Wall: There were several Redwings - the first of the autumn - near Bremere Rife, with 42 Cattle Egrets at Bramber Farm and a striking white cock Pheasant east of the lane from Fisher to Bramber .
There were also a pair of Rock Pipits north of the sluice on Bremere Rife. (RBe)
Rock Pipit (above) & Pheasant around the North Wall (RBe)
Sunday, 10th October: The breeze remains light and from the north-east, and it remains mild, but it was a very murky, misty morning overall......
Selsey Bill: There were a few Brent Geese going west, but there wasn't too much overhead migration, though two Reed Buntings, a Stonechat and a couple of Yellow and Grey Wagtails were among the Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits feeding around the beach. Full log later. (SH/BI/SR/AH/AF)
(0700-0845hrs) (NE, F3)
Great Crested Grebe - 1os
Gannet - 5W
Little Egret - 1
Brent Goose - 33W
Wigeon - 1os
Sparrowhawk - 1
Turnstone - 3
Mediterranean Gull - 5W
Sandwich Tern - 2os
Razorbill - 1W
Swallow - 4E
Meadow Pipit - 52E
Yellow wagtail - 1W, 4 present
Grey Wagtail - 2W, 2 present
Pied Wagtail - 12 present
Stonechat - 1
Chiffchaff - 8
Magpie - 12
Goldfinch - 40
Linnet - 35E, 20 present
Reed Bunting - 2
Yellow Wagtail (above), Grey Wagtail, Stonechat, Chiffchaff, Meadow Pipit & Linnets at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: Early on, there were seven Spotted Redshanks in the channel opposite, whilst the pool itself held 14 Egyptian Geese, six Snipe, c20 Black-tailed Godwits, c60 Lapwings, eight Shelducks, c20 Wigeon and c40 Shovelers and Teal. (AH)
Spotted Redshank (above), Egyptian Geese & Snipe and Wigeon around the Ferry (AH)
Park Farm, Selsey: A Woodlark went over south this morning, whilst around the fields and hedges there were a Grey Wagtail, ten Pied Wagtails, two Chiffchaffs and 50+ Meadow Pipits. (S&SaH)
Church Norton: A Short-eared Owl was on the spit early this afternoon before flying over the other side of the harbour. (MP)
Also, 17 Brent Geese were in the harbour, three Stonechats were still around the horse field and a few Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails, Linnets and Goldfinches were moving east along the beach. (S&SaH)
Long Pool and West side: A Hobby went over this afternoon and the hedges held a Yellowhammer and eight Reed Buntings, whilst a Brent Goose was also nearby. (S&SaH)
Honer Reservoir: The Purple Heron flew around over the end of Summer Lane early this morning, but it didn't settle and retreated towards the harbour....and soon after two Egyptian Geese did likewise! (OM)
There was no sign later on and it was generally quiet, with just a lone Swallow over the sewage works, a couple of Goldcrests and half a dozen Chiffchaffs in the hedges and a few Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails moving about.
The reservoir itself was low on water, but full of ducks, including 24 Shovelers, 27 Gadwall, eight Tufted Ducks and four Wigeon, plus a Little Grebe and lots of Coots. (AH/LP)
Purple Heron at Summer Lane this morning. In the absence of any decent shots, herewith my pathetic record-shot efforts, awaiting more competent replacements (sorry, I had a bit of a camera crisis!!) (OM)
Chiffchaff (above), Swallow & Shovelers, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Coot around Honer Reservoir (AH)
At 1345hrs the Purple Heron was again re-located, showing well in the stubble field on the right (cross the bridge to look at field). It then showed again late afternoon in the same general area before flying off towards the harbour. (NR/AB)
Purple Heron at Honer Reservoir (AB)
Marsh & Chalder Farm: Twenty-three Cattle Egrets were around the milking parlour, and there were two Kestrels, a Buzzard, four Great Spotted Woodpeckers (one drumming, then calling) and five House Martins in the vicinity.
Large flocks of small birds were feeding in the stubble fields, consisting c100 Meadow Pipits, 40 Skylarks (one optimistically singing), 50 Goldfinches, 18 Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail, whilst the hedges held good numbers of Chiffchaffs and Chaffinches. (SR)
Chi GPs: Drayton Pits - It was notably quiet with low totals of wildfowl today on the WeBS count - for unknown reasons - but perhaps mainly because of the mild weather? Two Water Rails, a Bullfinch and a dozen Chiffchaffs were the meagre highlights, whilst several Cetti's Warblers were also notably vociferous. (OM)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A visiting birder reported a Great White Egret in the tidal area by the poplars, whilst the Spoonbill was on the Stilt Pool, along with three Snipe, two Egyptian Geese, a few Lapwings and lots of Canada Geese.
Two Ravens went over west, but the banks were very quiet, with just a Stonechat and the odd Yellowhammer seen. (HB/AH et al)
Raven (above), Stonechat & Egyptian Geese at Medmerry (AH)
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