28th - 30th September 2022

Friday, 30th September: A still morning with the prospect of gale-force south-westerly winds arriving late in the afternoon...

Editorial note:  Please ensure all contributions to the blog this week are sent to selseybirdblog@gmail.com

Selsey Bill: There was a gathering of hirundines this morning before they all moved off west but it was generally quiet...full log below:(SR/IP)

(0645-0830hrs) (NNW F1)

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Gannet - 11W, 7os

Brent Goose - 34W

Shelduck - 4E

Wigeon - 4E, 7W

Grey Heron - 1W

Turnstone - 4E, 7ob

Common Sandpiper - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 1E, 1W 10os

House Martin - 225W

Sand Martin - 4W

Swallow - 205W

Meadow Pipit - 6W

Pied Wagtail - 12W

Yellow Wagtail - 3W

Chiffchaff -8p

dolphin sp. - 1 os

Two valiant seawatches in what were promising conditions later in the day were rather disappointing!

(1430-1530hrs) (SW F6-7) (BI)

Gannet - 15E, 9 os

Wigeon - 6W

Common Scoter - 1E

(1645-1745hrs) (SW F7) (SH):

Shag - 9W

Kittiwake - 2W

Hirundines, above, Brent Geese & Chiffchaffs at the Bill (BI)

Ferry Pool: The pool was dominated by a large mixed Gull flock of around 250, comprising of Black-headed, Mediterranean and Herring Gulls, the odd ones out being the Brent Goose and four Shelduck. A Buzzard was in the hedge and a Cetti's Warbler called but it was otherwise very quiet. (SR)

Medmerry: The Red-backed Shrike was still at the Earnley car-park this morning/afternoon. (N.Oliver)

Church Norton: The new boardwalk is now complete and runs from the end of the car-park path to the steps beyond the hide. At the Severals, there was no sign of the Wryneck but there were a few Chiffchaffs in the bushes, two Cetti's Warblers and a flock of Linnets. (/BIDB)

The new boardwalk at Church Norton (BI)

North Wall: Three Spotted Redshanks were in Whites Creek this morning with a Curlew Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 80 Redshank, 50 Lapwing, 20 Dunlin, 70 Wigeon and 20 Pintail.

A Grey Wagtail, three Rock Pipits, and six Chiffchaffs were by the sluice with a Kingfisher, eight Meadow Pipits, two Cetti’s Warblers, two Jays, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Sparrowhawk along the wall. Another Kingfisher was at Halsey’s Farm along with a Jay and a few House Martins and Swallows. (LP/PC/CT)

Spotted Redshanks (above), Greenshank,Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kingfisher & Rock Pipit at the North Wall (LP)

 Thursday, 29th September: A decidedly chilly start to the day with light north-north westerly winds remaining...

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Selsey Bill: The highlight this morning was a Snipe that flew in off the sea and over the observer's shoulder heading north-west, a scarce bird at the Bill. Also notable was a flock of 17 Shags that went east... full log below. (SR/IP)

(0700-0900hrs) (NNW, F3)

Gannet - 19W

Shag - 21E (inc. a flock of 17)

Wigeon - 4W

Turnstone - 8W, 29 ob

Kestrel - 1p

Snipe - 1 NW

lark sp. - 1NW

Mediterranean Gull - 2e, 1W

Sandwich Tern - 1E. 3os

House Martin - 100p

Sand Martin - 1p

Swallow - 150p

auk sp. - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 27N

Pied Wagtail - 6E, 4W

Grey Wagtail - 1W

Chiffchaff -9p

Chaffinch - 3p

Kestrel, House Martin and Snipe at the Bill (SR)

Ferry Pool: There was little on the pool today just the regular Brent Goose, two Shelducks, 55 Lapwings whilst nearby were a Stonechat, a Chiffchaff and a Buzzard. The channel held a Spotted Redshank, eight Wigeon and 16 Teal. (SR)

Medmerry: The Red-backed Shrike was showing wwell this morning and into the afternoon, 300yds south of Earnley car park and a Spoonbill was on the Stilt Pools. (SM/RP/MT et al)

Later in the day, the Spoonbill was joined by two Greenshank and six Cattle Egrets on the Stilt Pools with a Stonechat and a Dartford Warbler along the gorse nearby.

Along the banks were five Yellowhammers, a Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff, a Cetti's Warbler and a Corn Bunting whilst c.150 Meadow Pipits, three House Martins, a Pied and a Grey Wagtail, and 23 Swallows went over. Also noted was a Common Sandpiper and two Egyptian Geese, and raptors included two Kestrels and a Barn Owl. (S&SaH)

Red-backed Shrike at Medmerry (top, RP, lower & Spoonbill, MT)

Wednesday, 28th September: A cool start to the day with light north-westerly winds...

Editorial note: OM & AH are off in search of rarities on the Shetland Islands for a week so please ensure all contributions to the blog are sent to: selseybirdblog@gmail.com

Selsey Bill: Two Woodlarks flew over heading north but it was generally quiet this morning. Full log below. (SR/IP/PD)

(NNW, F4)

(0700-0840hrs)

Gannet - 2E, 11W

Shag - 8E, 2os

Common Scoter - 3E

Turnstone - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 12e, 1os

Sandwich Tern - 16os

Woodlark - 2N

Swallow - 14e

Meadow Pipit - 91E

Pied Wagtail - 2E, 11W

Chiffchaff -1

Linnet - 4W

Ferry Pool/Tramway: A Grey Wagtail and a Grey Heron were at the back of the pool which also held the Brent Goose, four Teal, two Shelduck, one Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Laowi8ng, two Mediterranean Gulls and c.100 Black-headed Gulls. 

In the surrounding fields were three Stonechats, a Common Buzzard, a Cetti's Warbler and also a feeding flock of c.150 House Martins. The Tramway was generally quiet bar five Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and a few Meadow Pipits over the harbour whilst an elusive Water Rail was briefly in Red Barn Ditch. (SR)

Waders and Gulls at the Ferry, above, Chiffchaff and Water Rail at the Tramway (SR)

North Wall: Three Curlew Sandpipers were in Whites Creek this morning along with 20 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 40 Lapwing, 8 Grey Plovers, two Curlews and 60 Wigeon, with a Kingfisher and two Grey Wagtails around the sluice. Seven Black-tailed Godwits and 20 Teal were on the Breech Pool and a few House Martins and Swallows were overhead. At Halsey’s Farm, c100 Meadow Pipits were in the fields and a Lesser Whitethroat and a few Chiffchaffs and Reed Buntings were in the hedges with another Kingfisher along the Rife and two Buzzards and a Kestrel overhead. Five Grey Herons were also around the fields. (LP/CT/PC/GHi) 

This evening there were up to five Tawny Owls calling around Halsey's Farm and a Cetti's Warbler and five Chiffchaffs were in the vicinity. Also, 95 Little Egrets and 63 Cattle Egrets flew into roost at Owl Copse. (S&SaH)

Curlew Sandpipers and Grey Wagtail, above, and KIngfisher at North Wall (LP/GHi)

Medmerry: The 1W Red-backed Shrike was still present and showing well south of Earnley car park this morning. There were also 750 Mediterranean Gulls on the plough. (CRJ/AB/LGRE et al)

Red-backed Shrike at Earnley (top, CRJ, middle & lower SaH)

More of the Red-backed Shrike below (A.Dennis)

Church Norton: The Wryneck was still along the Severals this afternoon and two Dartford Warblers, six Stonechats and three Chiffchaffs were in the area. 

Early on, a Spotted Flycatcher was noted and a Tawny Owl was heard calling and at 1459 a migrant juvenile Goshawk flew out to sea. (LGRE/SaH)

Wryneck at Church Norton (SaH)

25th - 27th September 2022

Tuesday, 27th September: A mostly bright, but chilly, morning, with some showers moving through on a brisk north-westerly breeze........

Selsey Bill: There wasn't much on the move, though 28 Sandwich Terns were lingering offshore this morning. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0720-0835hrs) (NW, F5)

Gannet - 4W

Shag - 2E

Common Scoter - 2E

Kestrel - 1

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 24

Mediterranean Gull - 1W, 8os

Common Gull - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 28os

Swallow - 2W

Meadow Pipit - 33W

Pied Wagtail - 6W

Linnet - 14W

Sandwich Terns at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Just the lone Brent Goose and 38 Lapwings were on the pool this morning, with the channel opposite devoid of birds, too. (AH)

Medmerry: Earnley - The first-winter Red-backed Shrike was showing well again this morning, in and around the RDSPB car-park. (BFF/GWh et al)

Red-backed Shrike at Medmerry (BFF)

Church Norton: The Wryneck was still present his morning, though only showing sporadically along the front of the Severals.

Otherwise, it was quiet, with just a scattering of Chiffchaffs to be found in the bushes, though 100+ House Martins, 20+ Swallows and a couple of Sand martins went over.

Two Shovelers and c20 Teal were on the second Several, but the  harbour only held a few Grey Plovers and Dunlin among plenty of Redshank, along with a few more Teal and c50 Wigeon. (AH/CRJ/J Dart et al)

Later on the Wryneck was still showing occasionally and there was a Spotted Flycatcher along the path between the Severals. (KT)

Wryneck (J Dart, top & PJ) (above) & Spotted Flycatcher (KT) at Church Norton

House Martin (above), Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, Grey Plover & Wigeon at the Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: It was quiet along the Wall in the wet and windy conditions, with just a few Chiffchaffs and Reed Buntings in the bushes, whilst on the Breech Pool there were four Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Lapwing and a few Teal and a Marsh Harrier was hunting over the reeds behind.

In White's Creek there were two Grey Wagtails, ten Grey Plovers, 30 Redshank, 70 Wigeon, 20 Pintail, five Dunlin and a Kingfisher, with two more Kingfishers along the rife at Halsey’s Farm. (LP)

Chiffchaff (above), Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwits & Redshank at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - a Dartford Warbler, nine Chiffchaffs, three Cetti's Warblers, eight Yellowhammers and 15 Stonechats were along the banks, with three Swallows and 20 House Martins over and a Kingfisher and c20 Pied Wagtails were on the reserve, along with three Cattle Egrets.

Also, a Marsh Harrier and four Kestrels were out hunting and there was a big gathering of 700+ Mediterranean Gulls on the fields. (S&SaH)

Monday, 26th September: A cool, cloudy and very windy morning, after heavy overnight rain, brightening up a little as the day progressed, but with the wind shifting from west towards north.....

Selsey Bill: A quiet morning except for a few Swallows on the move. Full log below.(SR/IP/AH)

(0715-0830hrs) (W, F6-7)

Gannet - 7E, 4W

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 1E

Common Scoter - 1E

Kestrel - 1

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 13

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 1E

Swallow - 93W

Sand Martin - 1W

House Martin - 13W

Grey Wagtail - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 7W

Turnstone at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The few birds on the pool this morning comprised c30 Lapwings, eight Shovelers, c40 Teal, four Shelducks and the Brent Goose. (AH)

Shovelers and Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The Wryneck was showing well along the front  of the first Several again late this morning, with a Sparrowhawk, 35 House Martins and 50 Swallows also seen. (CRJ)

The Wryneck showed well again at the Severals,this afternoon, with two Stonechats nearby. (B&MC)

It was very quiet earlier in the poor weather, with c100 Swallows over the only passerines seen, whilst the harbour held lots of Wigeon and Teal, a dozen Pintail, five Grey Plovers, a dozen Ringed Plovers and c50 Dunlin. (AH)

Wryneck (CRJ) (above), Grey Plover & Dunlin (AH) at Church Norton

Medmerry: Earnley - The first-winter Red-backed Shrike was showing well again intermittently this morning, mostly in the bits of sheltered hedge around the RSPB car-park.

Also, c50 Swallows went over and visiting birders reported a Wheatear and plenty of Chiffchaffs along the track to he reserve. (AH/CRJ/OM et al)

Red-backed Shrike at Medmerry (AH)

North Wall: Two Grey Wagtails were around the sluice this morning and a Spotted Redshank was in White's Creek, along with a Grey Plover, 20 Redshanks, 70 Wigeon and 20 Pintail.

On the Breech Pool there were 32 Lapwing, 13 Black-tailed Godwits and a few Teal and at Owl Water a Kingfisher was along the bank and three Little Grebes were on the water, but it was quiet at Halsey’s Farm, with just a few Swallows and House Martins overhead and a Jay busily planting acorns in the field. (LP)

This evening Tawny Owls were heard in six different locations at Halsey's Farm, including three birds in Owl Copse, whilst c100 Swallows went over and 11 Cattle Egrets and 92 Little Egrets flew in to roost. (S&SaH)

Kingfisher (above), Jay & Grey Wagtails at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - A Snipe flew out from one of the rifes this evening, whilst a dozen Chiffchaffs and four Buzzards were along the hedges and c50 House Martins and c30 Swallows were feeding overhead. (AH)

House Martin (above), Chiffchaff & Buzzard at Medmerry (AH)

Sunday, 25th September: A chilly, crisp and bright morning with a cool northerly breeze force 3-4 and some scattered cloud.....

Selsey Bill: A fairly slow morning offshore, with a bit of vis-mig to maintain interest. Full log below. (SH/BI/SR/L&PH/IP) 

(0630-0900hrs)  (N, F3)

Gannet - 4E, 6W

Shag - 5E

Brent Goose - 49W

Wigeon - 8W

Turnstone - 1

Kestrel - 1

Sparrowhawk - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 5W

House Martin - 864E

Sand Martin - 3E

Swallow - 81E

Meadow Pipit - 135NE

Pied Wagtail - 5NW

Yellow Wagtail - 1E, 1 on Oval Field

Grey Wagtail - 2W

Chiffchaff - 2

Siskin - 2E

Linnet - 9

Kestrel and Brent Geese at the Bill (BI/SR)

Medmerry: Earnley - A first-winter Red-backed Shrike was found in the easterly-running hedgerow opposite Earnley car-park this morning (HR) and showed well to an ever-increasing gallery of watchers before gradually becoming more elusive. (HR/BI/SR/GM/AHu/M&LH/SaH/SH/IP et al).

The bird was still present this afternoon, sometimes showing very nicely in the roadside bushes. (AB)

Red-backed Shrike at Earnley (D.Camp/GM/BI)

For a video of the Red-backed Shrike click HERE

Elsewhere at Medmerry, a female type Common Redstart was near Flint Barn, as were six Mediterranean Gulls, and four Cattle Egrets were, unsurprisingly, with the livestock. A female Marsh Harrier flew over as did five Kestrels, two Sparrowhawks and two Buzzards. The banks held four Yellowhammers, a Corn Bunting, a Cetti's Warbler, five Chiffchaffs, a Whinchat, a Wheatear and 17 Stonechats. "Viz-mig" included 50 each of Swallows, House Martins and Meadow Pipits, and five Yellow Wagtails and a lone Pied Wagtail were noted. The only birds of note on the Stilt Pools were two Egyptian Geese. (SaH/SH/P&LH)

Ferry Pool: This morning the pool held two Snipe, 59 Lapwings, an Avocet, nine Black-tailed Godwits, a Grey Heron, the single Brent Goose, three Shelduck and 12 Teal. A mixed flock of around 75 Swallows and House Martins was feeding over the field, where there were still two Stonechats, some Long-tailed Tits and a Cetti's Warbler. (SR)

Lapwings over the Ferry Pool (SR)

North Wall: Early this morning, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank and a Ruff were in the White's creek/Salthouse area, whilst a little later a Glossy Ibis flew over Halsey's Farm (CS)

Park Farm, Selsey: The North East corner of the fields held some interest again this morning with a pair of Grey Wagtails in the rife and a Whinchat in the sunflowers; two Pied Wagtails also flew over the general area and virtually all the hirundines present were House Martins (circa 100). (IP)

Church Norton: An oak tree at Greenlease held a minimum of 12 Chiffchaffs, whilst a minimum of five Stonechats were around the Horse Field with a lone Whitethroat and a Grey Wagtail went over here. A single Wheatear was on the beach opposite the second Several, which itself was empty except for a Mute Swan and a Moorhen. A Sparrowhawk was also in the area as were a few Greenfinches. All of the ducks seemed to have relocated to the Harbour, where there were a minimum of 100 each of Wigeon and Teal along with 12 Pintail, whilst just the normal waders were present except for the now fairly regular Greenshank and two Sanderling. (IP/L&PH/BI et al) 

Later this afternoon, the Wryneck was reported as present by visiting birders and around the first Several were c.10 Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps, two Whitethroats, three Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Green Woodpecker and a Sparrowhawk. A flock of 13 Pintail also went east offshore. (SaH/SH et al)

Stonechat, top, Greenfinch & Greenshank at Church Norton (BI/LH)