Thursday, 3rd March: A much nicer morning, quite warm in the hazy sunshine and light south-easterly........
Following on from yesterday's archive photo's, herewith as promised some of the 'portrait images' of the then regulars I snapped in spring 1992.....after all, people are a big part of the Peninsula's birding heritage and reflect the changes as much (or perhaps more) than the scenery! (OM)
Bill was a very regular visitor to the Bill during the early 1990's at least. I cannot now recall where he came from but he was always very cheery as can be seen from this shot...I even had to ask his name then so hope I got it right.
I think he stopped coming around the time that the Pontin's site was developed and I cannot recall the last time I saw him - but if anyone knows of his whereabouts and/or wellbeing, please do let me know.
Eric Soden.
A great birding/twitching friend and still resident in Surrey. Unfortunately, Eric had a bit of a knack at missing a good passage day, only to arrive the day after and face the inevitable "you should have been here yesterday!"
Eric and I have travelled many a mile together over many years - and I'm pleased to say he still comes to the Bill now and then. Will he arrive a day too late this year I wonder?
Jim Weston.
Jim is another long-standing local birder, now resident in Pagham, where he often favours the North Wall rather than the Bill - though he still frequents the latter for a bit of a sea-watch from time to time.
In earlier days we were (friendly?) rivals playing for local football teams and I can remember more than one occasion when I had to cut short a decent sea-watch in order to go and play against him and his spoiling tactics at Earnley!
One of the Hampshire boys and such a great character; he is much missed. There are many anecdotes that can be told, but his banter with the other Hampshire lads and the locals was a joy to behold - such fun and great times.
Although he was often late in arriving he is the Pom King who still holds the record for the most Poms seen in a day by an individual and in a season.... he managed 103. Perhaps it will be overtaken one year but John will never be forgotten.
John Faithfull.
Another Hampshire boy with a lively sense of humour, second to none at one-liners and always straight speaking. John may occasionally appear a little 'non-PC' at times but will often have you in stitches and can be always be relied upon.
His challenges to be Pom King always failed for many years throughout these times and there was an infamous occasion when he overdid the beers at a pre-Pom party run by Mervyn Jones, missing a good Pom movement next day...for which he blamed us.
He has since become Pom King recently in 2016 & 2017, after out-staying all the current locals in a tough competition!
There weren't many female birders on the Peninsula around these times - but of those with credibility and experience Leslie is one that immediately springs to mind (and of course the late Beryl James).
Leslie lived in the Middlesex area I think and would frequently visit the Bill, but she was a well-travelled lady making frequent birding trips abroad. She was also good at making flap-jacks which were much appreciated during a long sea-watch; the gent holding the cup in the picture is I think Chris Janman who had doubtless just scoffed one!
Mark Welfare visits the Bill. This shot is not actually one of the portrait gallery, having been taken in spring 1994, but shows a young Mark in a colourful outfit.
He had previously been on a trip to Israel with me and several of the local birders and subsequently came to visit. He was then qualifying to become a hospital doctor and subsequently moved north to follow his successful career.
Note the vegetation and far right some development underway at Pontins.
Selsey Bill: It remains quiet, though a few Great Northern and Red-throated Divers were about this morning. (SR/AH)
(0720-0850hrs) (SE, F3)
Great Northern Diver - 5os
Red-throated Diver - 4E, 3W, 1os
Fulmar - 1W
Gannet - 3E
Brent Goose - 32E
Common Scoter - 2E
Red-breasted Merganser - 5E
Oystercatcher - 1
Turnstone - 8
Mediterranean Gull - 1os
Sandwich Tern - 3os
Red-throated Diver (above) & Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: There were just c60 Shovelers and c30 Teal, plus six Shelducks and four Tufted Ducks, on the pool this morning, whilst the Kingfisher was again in the channel opposite. (AH)
Kingfisher at the Ferry (AH)
Church Norton: There was a big and noisy influx of c500 Black-headed and c200 Mediterranean Gulls into the harbour this morning, whilst wintering wildfowl included c500 Brent Geese, three Red-breasted Mergansers, a dozen Pintail and c25 Teal and Wigeon.
The regular Whimbrel was still present, but relatively few waders were about on the rising tide, though including c50 Grey Plovers and c200 Dunlin.
Also, a couple of Chiffchaffs were in the hedges, a Mistle Thrush was in Rectory Lane and two Skylarks were on the spit, but the only birds offshore were a pair of Shovelers and a Great Crested Grebe. (AH)
Whimbrel (above), Pintails, Teal, Shoveler, Skylark, Mediterranean Gull & Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton (AH)
North Wall: It was very quiet, bird wise, along the wall, with just a brief glimpse of the male Marsh Harrier over the reed beds, a Great Crested and a Little Grebe, plus a few Teal and Coots, on the Breech Pool, a couple of Curlews in the harbour and a few Wigeon and Redshank in White’s Creek.
The main spectacle was the sight of a Weasel carrying a dead rat along the North Wall to the sluice gates. (K Price)
Weasel on the North Wall (K Price)
Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: Four Glossy Ibises were busily feeding in a field at Chalder Farm, surprisingly close to the path, and there were also a Kestrel, a Buzzard, 38 Cattle Egrets, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, five Stock Doves, two Shelduck, eight Teal and 22 Wigeon about, along with several singing Skylarks. (SR)
Glossy Ibises at Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (SR)
Wednesday, 2nd March: A pretty dire morning of persistent, drizzly rain and a moderate easterly breeze......
Last week's delve into my scarcer archive photos seems to have been generally well received, including requests for more! So, before we reach the editorially busy days of spring, now seems a good time to feature some more, with a selection starting from the early 1990's....(OM)
Pontin's November 1991 where this Red-backed Shrike was present from 6th-16th, the latter date being the latest for the County. The photo is by Richard Prior, then a keen local birder who lived close by and who could always be relied on to start early and cover the area - and even fill your flask if your supplies ran out!
November 1991 and the rare sight of Richard Fairbank visiting the Bill, no doubt lured by the Shrike and the prospect of Little Auks that were around at the time.
Grafton Road, Selsey, looking north from the Seal Road junction, prior to the development of the Pontin's site. Sadly all the vegetation on the right has now long gone, having been replaced by housing and the road looks very different.
It's nice to document it, but I must now come clean on this pic. The more observant will have noted the large drawn on downward-pointing arrow which indicates a Glaucous Gull on the railings.. it was in fact the reason for the shot, a pathetic effort with a tiny camera!
Known as 'George' this bird was a regular winter fixture for several years.
Strong but gentle and a tad shy, Bob had a sharp wit especially for puns, but he was famous for, amongst other things, his unwillingness to adopt summer plumage and his doorstep sandwiches. Here he is shown in warm weather in spring 1991, in full winter garb, when everyone else is in shorts and summer gear, whilst tucking in to a sandwich with his tuck bag as ever by his side.
Happy days....RIP Bob.
In spring 1992 I had the bright idea of documenting the efforts at the Bill by taking a number of 'portrait' photos of the regulars of the time. Here's one of Sam Hill, who to his great credit is still watching there today. Nice scope Sam! (Perhaps a few more of other locals soon.....)
Selsey Bill: It was even quieter than yesterday, with four Common Scoters east the only birds of note. Full log below. (SR/AH)
(0730-0830hrs) (ESE, F4)
Great Crested Grebe - 1os
Fulmar - 1W
Common Scoter - 4E
Red-breasted Merganser - 1E
Mediterranean Gull - 1os
Common Seal - 1os
Common Scoters (above), Red-breasted Merganser & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: There were again at least 80 Shovelers on the pool, along with c40 Teal, six Shelducks and a pair of Gadwall, whilst at least six Snipe were still at the front.
Also, the Kingfisher was in the channel opposite and a Water Rail was in Red Barn Ditch. (AH)
Water Rail (above), Kingfisher & Gadwall at the Ferry (AH)
North Wall; Four Glossy Ibises came in to roost in Owl Copse this evening. (LP)
Birdham Pool: A flock of c80 Redwings - many singing - were in the trees and adjacent fields o the south of the pool this afternoon.
There were also two Firecrests, a Chiffchaff, a Cetti's Warbler and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the vicinity, with the usual Little and Great Crested Grebes on the pool itself. (PH)
Fishbourne Creek: What looked like yesterday's Scandinavian Rock Pipit was along the harbourside this morning, along with half a dozen Rock Pipits, whilst there were also a par of Stonechats, four Meadow Pipits and a couple of Reed Buntings about.
A Jack Snipe flew around for an extended time before heading off, whilst also along the edges were a Kingfisher, a Water Rail and a few Black-tailed Godwits, with at least ten Red-breasted Mergansers, 25 Great Crested Grebes (including two displaying pairs), six Pintail, c50 Teal, c200 Wigeon and c500 Brent Geese on the water.
Also, a Spotted Redshank, two Greenshanks and an Avocet were among the many roosting waders on the far side, with c50 Turnstones on one of the pontoons. (AH).
Jack Snipe (above), Kingfisher, Scandinavian Rock Pipit, Black-tailed Godwit, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat & Reed Bunting at Fishbourne Creek (AH)
Tuesday, 1st March: The first day of spring proved a very dank and murky morning, if mild, with intermittent misty drizzle in a light north-easterly breeze......
Selsey Bill: It was very quiet this morning, with a couple of Slavonian Grebes west and a couple of Great Northern Divers on the sea the highlights. Full log below. (SR/AH/IP)
(0730-0900hrs) (NE, F3)
Great Northern Diver - 2os
Slavonian Grebe - 2W
Great Crested Grebe - 2E, 3os
Gannet - 1E
Common Scoter- 1E
Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 4W
Oystercatcher - 1W
Turnstone - 17
Mediterranean Gull - 6os
Mediterranean Gulls at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: At least 80 Shovelers and 30 Teal were on the pool, along with a handful of Shelducks, but the only other birds present were eight Snipe at the front. (AH)
Shovelers (above) & Snipe and Teal at the Ferry (AH)
North Wall: Around the horse paddock this morning there were 12 Teal, a Curlew and a Song Thrush, with a few Chaffinches and Greenfinches in the bushes, whilst a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Fieldfare were in the tree by the stables.
It was quiet in the harbour around high tide with just 12 Pintail, a few Teal and Shelduck, and a Little Grebe, whilst further out was a mixed flock of Grey Plover, Knot and Dunlin, with a few Lapwing and Redshank, and the Brent Geese were moving between the harbour and the fields.
There were two Water Rails in the reeds at the back of the Breech Pool, the nine Grey Herons were busy around Owl Copse and on Owl Water there were four Tufted Ducks and a pair of Little Grebes.
At Halsey's Farm there were 50 Black-tailed Godwits and a Kingfisher, along with a Stonechat, a Skylark and a couple of Chiffchaffs. (LP)
Fieldfare (above), Grey Heron & Tufted Ducks at the North Wall (LP)
Fishbourne Creek: There was what appeared to be a partially summer-plumaged Scandinavian Rock Pipit along the side of the creek at high tide today, with three Jack Snipe seen nearby and two Greenshank out in the channel. (SM/BI/IP et al)
Scandinavian Rock Pipit at Fishbourne Creek (SM)
Medmerry: Porthole Farm - A Grey Wagtail, half a dozen Pied Wagtails, two singing Chiffchaffs, three Stock Doves and a few singing Skylarks were about this morning. (SR)
Medmerry: Windmill to the Breach - The three Purple Sandpipers were among a roosting flock of c40 Dunlin and c20 Ringed Plovers near the Breach this morning, until pushed off by the high tide.
There were also c30 Grey Plovers and four Curlews present, along with c60 Brent Geese and two Red-breasted Mergansers, with two more of the latter and a Great Northern Diver offshore.
Also, a Rock Pipit was near the Breach, a pair of Linnets were among the caravans and a Stonechat and a couple of Meadow Pipits were towards the Windmill. (AH)
Purple Sandpipers, Dunlin and Ringed Plovers (above), Grey Plovers, Great Northern Diver, Brent Geese, Stonechat & Linnet at Medmerry (AH)
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