Birding the Selsey Peninsula: 20th

Monday, 22nd August: Another fairly murky and humid morning, brightening up a little later, in a moderate south-easterly breeze.........

Selsey Bill: It was back to more normal fare this morning, though a Grey Wagtail and eight Common Terns went east, two Fulmars went west and there were plenty of Gannets and Mediterranean Gulls offshore. Full log below. (SR/AH/IP/OM)

(0645-0830hrs) (E, F1, veering to S, F3-4)

Gannet - 47E, 37W, 20os

Fulmar - 2W

Common Scoter - 1W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 2W

Turnstone - 4

Mediterranean Gull - 197E, 1W, 20os

Common Tern - 8E

Swallow - 6

House Martin - 39W, 4 present

Grey Wagtail - 1E

Fulmar (above), Gannet & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There wasn't much to report this morning early on - just the usual mix of two Avocets, half a dozen Redshanks, c40 Black-tailed Godwits, c80 Lapwings, c60 Teal, four Shelducks and the Brent Goose, though later a Common Sandpiper was at the back and at least four Spotted Redshanks and a Whimbrel were in the channel opposite, along with c20 Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks. (AH et al)

Avocet (above), Whimbrel and Redshank & Spotted Redshanks and Redshanks at the Ferry (AH)

This evening, a Grey Wagtail, a Kingfisher and a Common Sandpiper were in the channel, along with two Spotted Redshanks. (AH/AB)

Kingfisher (above) & Grey Wagtail at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were at least five Spotted Flycatchers behind the hide this morning, along with two Redstarts, a Garden Warbler, two or three Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroats and half a dozen Blackcaps, with a few Sand Martins and Swallows over.

It was quiet elsewhere, though, with just a couple of Whimbrel and a few Dunlin and Ringed Plovers in the harbour. (AH/OM et al)

Redstart (above), Spotted Flycatcher & Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat at Church Norton (AH)

Late this afternoon the bird seen previously behind the hide were joined by two Pied Flycatchers, whilst three Yellow Wagtails were out on the saltmarsh. (NBd)

Also seen in the harbour this evening were a Greenshank, a summer-plumaged Grey Plover and a Sandwich Tern. (SR)

Pied Flycatcher (above) & Redstart at Church Norton (NB)

Selsey: A Swift went over our garden to the north of the village this evening. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - This evening along the banks there were two Dartford Warblers, a Whinchat, five Stonechats, two Whitethroats, a Corn Bunting and two Yellowhammers, with c100 Sand Martins and ten Swallows overhead, whilst a Cattle Egret and c200 Mediterranean Gulls were out on the reserve and 18 Gannets and a Sandwich Tern were offshore.

The Stilt Pools remain quiet, though, with just a Common Sandpiper, two Snipe, two Avocets, two Dunlin and a Black-tailed Godwit noted. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Ham Farm - There was another big gathering of hirundines on the wires by the farm when the sun briefly came out, comprising c800 Sand Martins, c100 Swallows and just a handful of House Martins, though the only other migrants seen were five Yellow Wagtails, three Wheatears, half a dozen Whitethroats and a couple of Willow Warblers.

A family of Stonechats and a few Linnets were on the far side of the big barley stubble field, a few Yellowhammers were scattered about and half a dozen Sandwich Terns could be seen offshore beyond the breach, but that was about it. (AH)

Wheatear (above), Yellowhammer, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martins & mixed hirundines at Medmerry (AH)

North Wall: A Common Sandpiper flew out of White's Creek this morning, where there was also a Wigeon, a Whimbrel, a few Redshank, a pair of Great Crested Grebes and further out in the harbour, 20 Grey Plovers and a few Dunlin and Ringed Plovers.

A Kingfisher was by the sluice along with a Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler, whilst a Snipe was on the Breech Pool, together with a Lapwing and six Teal, with a couple of Cattle Egrets and three Yellow Wagtails around the cows. At Halsey’s Farm there were two Spotted Flycatchers and two Whitethroats, a Willow Warbler and a few Blue and Great Tits, whilst c50 Sand Martins and Swallows flew over and a Kestrel, A Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk were also about. (LP)

Spotted Flycatchers (above), Snipe, Sparrowhawk & Wigeon at the North Wall (LP)

Sunday, 21st August: A vey grey and humid morning, though mild and with only a light westerly breeze....

Selsey Bill: The first two Balearic Shearwaters of the year went through west this morning, shortly after a very unexpected Red-necked Grebe did likewise, with all three seen at a reasonable range. The Red-necked Grebe is the earliest autumn bird recorded at the Bill. Full log below. (SH/JA/BI/SR/AH/IP/CN)

(0550-0830hrs) (W, F3)

Red-necked Grebe - 1W (0814hrs)

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Balearic Shearwater - 2W (0818 and 0825hrs)

Gannet - 37E, 228W

Common Scoter - 1W

Ringed Plover - 3E

Turnstone - 8

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 24W, 20os

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1os

Common Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 1E, 1W

Common Tern - 3E, 1W

auk sp - 3E

Swallow - 10W

Sand Martin - 1

House Martin - 7

Yellow Wagtail - 6W

Common Seal - 1os

(1430-1530hrs) (SH)

Gannet - 9E, 41W

Mediterranean Gull - 16W, 3os

Razorbill - 1os

Gannet (above) & Turnstone at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were a Common Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover on the pool again this morning, along with two Avocets, five Redshanks, c50 Lapwings and Black-tailed Godwits, c60 Teal, three juvenile Shelducks and the Brent Goose, whilst there were six Spotted Redshanks, all together at one point, along the channel opposite. (AH)

Little Ringed Plover (above) & Spotted Redshanks at the Ferry (AH)

Selsey: The second Striped Hawk-moth for the garden this year was trapped overnight. (JA)

Striped Hawk-moth in a Selsey garden (BI)

Park Farm, Selsey: There was a Spotted Flycatcher in the hedges this morning, along with a Willow Warbler and a Sparrowhawk, whilst a Yellow Wagtail flew across the fields, and two Sand Martins were among c25 each of Swallows and House Martins overhead. (IP)

Also in Selsey, three Swifts went over East Street. (SR)

Church Norton: There was a bit of activity again behind the hide this morning, including the Pied Flycatcher, three Spotted Flycatchers, two Redstarts, a Garden Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat, with another of the latter the only bird of note along the Severals, other than a Jay and a Gadwall, whilst Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were in the orchard at Greenlease Farm.

A lone Gannet was offshore, whilst in the harbour there were just a summer-plumaged Grey Plover, a Whimbrel and c20 Dunlin and Ringed Plovers. (BI/IP/CN et al)

This afternoon, three Black Terns were reported offshore (per Birdguides), with one still sat on a buoy a bit later on (NM)

This evening, the Pied Flycatcher, two Spotted Flycatchers and a Lesser Whitethroat, along with a big, mixed Long-tailed, Blue and Great tit flock were around the churchyard and hide area, with a dozen or so Sand Martins and Swallows feeding overhead. (AH)

Pied Flycatcher (above), Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit, Sand Martin & Swallow at Church Norton (AH)

North Mundham: The first Coal Tit for a numbers of weeks was in the garden today. (MJ)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There weren't too many migrants around this morning beyond a Wheatear on the beach, half a dozen Yellow Wagtails, a couple of Whitethroats and a Swift and 200+ Sand Martins, with just a handful of Swallows among them.

At least four Corn Buntings were in their usual area, with similar of Reed Buntings in the same area and a dozen Yellowhammers more widely spread, whilst there were also three Stonechats, a Meadow Pipit, a Kingfisher, 20+ Linnets, 60+ Goldfinches and a Pied Wagtail seen, whilst a Marsh Harrier and half a dozen Cattle Egrets were out on the reserve and a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and a few Stock Doves were near the poplars.

Three Common Sandpipers, a Snipe, a Dunlin, an Avocet, two Black-tailed Godwits and a handful of Lapwings were the only waders on the Stilt Pool, which was dominated by c250 Canada Geese, with a Black Swan, a Greylag Goose and a Barnacle-type hybrid among them. (AH/SH/HB/LP)

This afternoon, a flock of nine Spoonbills, seen earlier off of Widewater (Shoreham), dropped down, looking as if they would settle on the Stilt Pool, before thinking better of it and carrying on west. (CN)

Corn Buntings (above), Yellow Wagtail, Marsh Harrier, Sand Martin, Swift, Common Sandpiper, Sparrowhawk & Black Swan at Medmerry (AH)

Saturday, 20th August: A fairly mild morning of some sunshine amongst a fair amount of fast moving cloud in a freshening westerly breeze....

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of action this morning, including the Bill's first two Wheatears and Whinchats of the autumn, as well as an Arctic Skua and a big gathering of Gannets offshore. Full log below. (SR/AH/IP/P&LH)

(0640-0800hrs) (W, F4)

Gannet - 18W, 250os

Oystercatcher - 1E, 1W

Turnstone - 9

Arctic Skua - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 4E, 9W, 20os

Sandwich Tern - 1E, 8W

Wheatear - 2

Whinchat - 2

Willow Warbler - 1

(1025-1125hrs) (SH)

Gannet - 50os

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 1E, 3W

House Martin - 1

Arctic Skua (above), Gannet, Whinchat & Wheatears at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were two Common Sandpipers and a Little Ringed Plover on the pool this morning, along with a Dunlin, two Avocets, 63 Black-tailed Godwits, five Redshanks, c50 Lapwings, c60 Teal and the Brent Goose, with c50 Sand martins and Swallows feeding over the fields at the back.

The Tramway circuit was quiet, though, beyond a couple of Lesser Whitethroats and Whitethroats. (AH/P&LH)

Little Ringed Plover (above), Teal & Whitethroat at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: There were four Spotted Redshanks in Ferry Channel this morning, but otherwise just a Reed Warbler and four Long-tailed Tits. (P&LH)

Park Farm, Selsey: Five Sand Martins were amongst c50 Swallows this morning, and a Willow Warbler was also present. (IP)

Church Norton: There were two Redstarts behind the hide this morning, with another in the stunted oak by the horse field, whilst other migrants included a Spotted Flycatcher, along with the odd Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff by the hide, a Garden Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher were along the Severals and a Wheatear was on the beach, with ten Yellow Wagtails flying over the harbour..

Two Sandwich Terns went east offshore, both carrying fish, with another dozen and 25 Mediterranean Gulls among a gathering on the beach, whilst a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Turnstone flew out of the harbour, with other waders including a Whimbrel, a summer-plumaged Grey Plover and c50 Dunlin and Ringed Plovers, with eight Black-tailed Godwits on the second Several.

Also, a Kingfisher was sat out briefly on the metalwork, eight Shelducks were near Tern Island, a Sparrowhawk, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and two Buzzards were around the Severals, five juvenile Red-legged partridges were at Greenlease Farm and a Mistle Thrush was along Rectory Lane. Also, along the spit were two Wheatears, with another on the concrete blocks, and six Skylarks, whilst forty each of Sand Martins and Swallows went over heading north-east.(GM/IP/BI/P&LH et al)

Later, the Pied Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler were seen again behind the hide. (CM)

Redstarts (above) & Redstart and Whitethroat at Church Norton (GM)

This evening, two Redstarts were sitting out near the hide, though neither were the male seen earlier, making at least three birds present in total during the day.

There were no other passerines seen beyond a few Swallows and Goldfinches, with the harbour empty save a few Ringed Plovers and Dunlin, but there was a huge gathering of Black-headed and Herring Gulls offshore, with a handful of Common Gulls, 100+ Mediterranean Gulls, two Common Terns and six Sandwich Terns among them and c30 Gannets further out. (AH)

Redstart (above), Sandwich Tern, Mediterranean Gull & Common and Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There was a good selection of raptors this morning, including the first Merlin of the autumn, a Hobby, a Marsh Harrier, three Sparrowhawks, two Buzzards and three Kestrels, with four Cattle Egrets, three Swifts, three Green Woodpeckers and a Kingfisher also seen.

Two Dartford Warblers and a Corn Bunting were along the banks, with four Wheatears, eight Yellow Wagtails, two Willow Warblers,four Stonechats, five Whitethroats, two Willow Warblers, a Cetti's Warbler and c20 Yellowhammers seen, with c200 Sand Martins and c50 Swallows going over.

The Stilt Pool was quiet, though, with just four Common Sandpipers, two Avocets, a Dunlin, two Black-tailed Godwits and two Egyptian Geese seen, whilst c20 Gannets were feeding offshore. (S&SaH/PB)

Honer Reservoir: There were a Green Sandpiper and a Greenshank on the reservoir this morning and a Chiffchaff was singing nearby. (BI)

North Wall: There was no sign of the Squacco Heron at Halsey's Farm this morning, though at least 20 Cattle Egrets were in the fields there and a Common Sandpiper was in the rife, with the bushes holding two Redstarts, three Spotted Flycatchers, several Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroats, a Blackcap and a couple of Willow Warblers, as well as a Grasshopper Warbler, with a few Sand Martins and Swallows feeding overhead.

The wall itself, though, was very quiet, with just a Kingfisher a Greenshank and a Whimbrel in White's Creek, and another of the latter, a few Dunlin, Ringed Plovers, Curlews and Lapwings in the harbour and nothing of note on the Breech Pool or the bushes, though a Sparrowhawk and three Yellow Wagtails went over. (SP/LP/AH/MRE et al)