Birding the Selsey Peninsula: 1st

Sunday, 3rd April: Another morning starting with frost, though quite pleasant thereafter in a mix of sun and white cloud in a light north-easterly.........

Selsey Bill: A few small flocks of Brent Geese came in from way to the south before heading east, but six Bar-tailed Godwits east were the only other migrants, though six Great Northern Divers were sat on the sea. Full log below. (SH/IP/AH)

(0615-0900hrs) (NNE, F3)

Great Northern Diver - 1E, 6os

Gannet - 9E, 5W, 4os

Brent Goose - 29E

Common Scoter - 11E

Red-breasted Merganser - 4E, 1W, 6os

Grey Plover - 1E

Bar-tailed Godwit - 6E

Turnstone - 11E

Mediterranean Gull - 53E, 63os

Sandwich Tern - 5E, 6os

Brent Geese (above) & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

(1700-1730hrs) (AW)
Brent Goose - 10E, 1W
Eider - 3W

Eider (above) & Brent Goose at the Bill (AW)

Ferry Pool: A single Avocet was the only wader on the pool, with otherwise just the drake Gadwall, 12 Shelducks, c25 Wigeon and Teal and c60 Shovelers present. (AH)

Gadwall, Shovelers and Coot (above) & Shelducks on the Ferry (AH)

This evening both Spotted Redshanks were again in the channel, along with dozen Black-tailed Godwits. (AH)

Spotted Redshank at the Ferry (AH)

Chichester GPs: The Bonaparte's Gull re-appeared on West Trout Lake this evening. (AW)

Bonaparte's Gull at Chichester GPs (AW)

Church Norton: The pair of Garganey were present again today, marking a two week stay on the second Several, but the only other migrants were a Blackcap between the Severals and a couple of Chiffchaffs, whilst two Reed Buntings, two Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and Buzzard were also around the Severals.

Around 50 Sandwich Terns were in the harbour, with two seen bringing in fish, along with c500 Mediterranean Gulls, whilst waders included c50 Black-tailed Godwits, two Ringed Plovers, a Grey Plover and two Turnstones.

Also c60 Wigeon and12 Brent Geese were in the harbour mouth and another four of the latter were out on the mud. (IP/RJS)

Garganeys at Church Norton (IP)

East Head: A Wheatear was at Snowhill Creek this morning, and there were also two Snipe, two Greenshanks, four Black-tailed Godwits and 16 avocets around the creek, along with at least six calling Cetti's Warblers. (GM)

Avocet at Snowhill Creek (GM)

Sidlesham: A Blackcap and two Chiffchaffs were singing in the garden today. (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There was no evidence of migration this morning, with the banks generally quiet, though a Dartford Warbler and two or three Cetti's Warblers and Chiffchaffs were seen/heard and just small numbers of the usual Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings, Skylarks, Linnets and Stock Doves were about.

A total of 28 Avocets were on the Stilt Pool, though the only other waders were a Ringed Plover, two Lapwings and 15 Black-tailed Godwits, with otherwise just a few Teal, Wigeon and Tufted Ducks, plus a Lesser Black-backed Gull and c30 Mediterranean Gulls, with at least another 50 of the latter flying around high up and calling constantly.

Also, visiting birders reported a Barn Owl out hunting early on. (AH/S&SaH/P&JW)

Yellowhammes (above), Linnet, Skylark, Stock Dove, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull & a fine show of gorse at Medmerry (AH)

North Wall: The Short-eared Owl was out and showing well around the Breech Pool again this evening. (C Bowley)

Short-eared Owl at the North Wall (C Bowley)

Saturday, 2nd April: After a sharp frost, another cold and bright morning, though with the northerly breeze a little lighter than the last couple of days.........

Selsey Bill: A total of 147 Brent Geese going east and a Black Redstart in the gardens were the only indications of migration this morning, whilst 70 Mediterranean Gulls was an unusually large gathering offshore. Full log below. (BI/SR/IP/AH)

(0640-0830hrs) (N F3)

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Gannet - 6E, 7W

Brent Goose - 147E, 1W

Common Scoter - 3E, 8W

Red-breasted Merganser - 9E

Ringed Plover - 3

Dunlin - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 70os

Common Gull - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 5os

Meadow Pipit - 4N

Black Redstart - 1

Linnet - 7E

(1600-1700hrs) (SH)

Gannet - 4E, 7W

Velvet Scoter - 1E

Red-breasted Merganser - 4E, 20s

Mediterranean Gull - 7E

Sandwich Tern - 3E

Common Seal - 1os

Black Redstart (SR) (above), Mediterranean Gull, Red-breasted Mergansers & Brent Geese (AH) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: A Snipe and a Black-tailed Godwit were the only waders on the pool, though c30 of the latter were in the channel opposite, whilst wildfowl included a female Pintail, a drake Gadwall, eight Shelducks, c30 Wigeon and Teal and c60 Shovelers.

Also, a Blackcap and a couple of Chiffchaffs were singing in the Discovery Area. (AH)

Pintail, Wigeon and Shovelers (above), Gadwall and Shovelers, Shoveler & Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

Two Spotted Redshanks were in the channel again this evening. (AW)

Spotted Redshank at the Ferry (AW)

Long Pool: At least five Reed Buntings were along the hedges, together with a couple of Cetti's Warblers and Linnets, whilst two calling Little Grebes were on the pool.

Also, a Snipe flew out from the rife, a pair of Lapwings were on the fields and c30 Teal and Wigeon were in the channel. (AH)

Reed Bunting (above), Linnet, Lapwing & Little Grebe at the Long Pool (AH)

Birdham: A Willow Warbler - the first of the year - was singing in the garden this afternoon. (AB)

Medmerry: Stilt Pool - A Great Northern Diver and a Red-throated Diver were both offshore from the beach by the Stilt Pool this morning. (TB)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - A Barn Owl was out briefly this evening towards Wilson's Farm. (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: A Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were the only birds of note this morning. (IP/S&SaH)

Church Norton: At least 40 Sandwich Terns and 200 Mediterranean Gulls were in the harbour this morning, along with four Brent Geese, two Red-breasted Mergansers, a dozen Teal and c60 Wigeon, whilst waders included c40 Black-tailed Godwits and up to ten Ringed and Grey Plovers.

The odd Chiffchaff singing was the only hint of migration, whilst otherwise pairs of Mistle Thrushes were in Rectory Lane and at Greenlease Farm, where there was also a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard. (AH/IP/S&SaH)

Also, the pair of Garganey - not seen since 28th March - were reported on from the second Several. (per Birdguides)

Mistle Thrush (above), Grey Plover & Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: A Sparrowhawk was in Church Lane this morning, while there were a few Chaffinches, Goldfinches and Greenfinches around the horse paddock along with a Song Thrush.

There were still a few Wigeon and Teal in White's Creek and in the Breech Pool there were 38 Teal and ten Shovelers, whilst in the trees at Owl Copse there were two Grey Herons and a few Little and Cattle Egrets.

At Halsey’s Farm the pair of Gadwall were still in the rife with 12 Wigeon and eight Teal, whilst in the surrounding fields were a pair of Stonechats and some singing Skylarks, and in the fields towards Marsh Farm there were ten Cattle Egrets and six Meadow Pipits. (LP/PC)

There was no sign of the Short-eared Owl this evening, though both Marsh Harriers showed briefly and two Water Rails were on the Breech Pool (IP)

Cattle Egret (above) & Shoveler at the North Wall (LP)

Friday, 1st April: Another cold and blowy day, with the wind remaining fresh and from the north-east....

Selsey Bill: Two flocks, comprising 37 Brent Geese going east was the only suggestion of migration on another very quiet morning. Full log below. (BI/SR/AH/RP)

(0640-0840hrs) (NNE, F5)

Gannet - 7E, 7W, 1os

Brent Goose - 37E

Red-breasted Merganser - 6E, 2os

Oystercatcher - 1E, 1W

Turnstone - 17

Mediterranean Gull - 10W

Common Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 8os

Brent Geese (above), Sandwich Tern & Red-breasted Mergansers at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Two Avocets and c30 Black-tailed Godwits were on the pool this morning, along with the usual mix of c70 Shoveler, c50 Wigeon and a few Teal and Shelducks. (AH)

Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits and Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)

The Spotted Redshank was at the end of the channel again this afternoon, along with 56 Black-tailed Godwits, eight Wigeon and six Teal.

Also, a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard flew overhead, whilst two families of Long-tailed Tits and five Chiffchaffs were in the hedges. (SR)

Spotted Redshank at the Ferry (SR)

Chichester Canal Flood: Early this morning there were two Little Ringed Plovers and a Lesser Black-backed Gull present with the regular wildfowl. Later, however, there was just a single Black-tailed Godwit and a Mediterranean Gull on the flooded field. (BI/IP)

Chichester GPs: Four Sand Martins turned up on West Trout Lake this evening, whilst the pair of Red-crested Pochards were again on Ivy Lake. (AB)

Church Norton: A Blackcap and a Chiffchaff were the only migrants seen, with otherwise just a Mistle Thrush in Rectory Lane and a few Linnets and Greenfinches along the front.

There seemed to be less Sandwich Terns than of late among the vast numbers of Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls, with just a handful of Teal and Wigeon about, whilst waders included a Knot, four Black-tailed Godwits, a dozen Ringed Plovers, c30 Grey Plovers and at least 100 Dunlin. (AH/BI)

Blackcap (above), Linnet, Mistle Thrush, Knot, Back-tailed Godwits & Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: A brief early evening visit in the windy conditions produced a bit of interaction between a Short-eared Owl and a Marsh Harrier. (CB)

Also about were a Water Rail, three Pintail and c50 Teal on the Breech Pool and at least 20 Cattle Egrets in Owl Copse, with, two Snipe, eight Gadwall and 40 Wigeon in the adjacent creek, whilst a flock of c60 Bar-tailed Godwits came up from the harbour a couple of times. (AH)