Birding the Selsey Peninsula: 20th

Saturday, 22nd October: A pleasant morning of warm sun and some white cloud in a moderate westerly breeze.........

An update on the Tern Island Colony from the RSPB - This year saw the highest ever number of fledged Little Terns on the reserve (26 from 31 pairs), as well as the highest ever number of breeding Sandwich Terns (335 pairs), Black-headed Gulls (1434 pairs) and Mediterranean Gulls (282 pairs).

Sadly, there were up to 700 dead youngsters found on the island, but there were still large numbers of all three species successfully fledged, as we were just about spared the worst of the Avian Flu outbreak that decimated colonies elsewhere. (Eds)

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of variety this morning, including a Red-necked Grebe, an Arctic Skua and plenty of Razorbills west, 28 Shags east and two Great Northern Divers on the sea, with two Redwings east the pick of a very limited amount of overhead migration. Full log below. (SH/BI/AH/SR/OM)

(0710-0910hrs)( WSW, F4)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Red-necked Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 1E, 20W

Shag - 28E

Brent Goose - 5E, 15W

Teal - 2E

Common Scoter - 11E

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Oystercatcher - 2W

Dunlin - 1W

Turnstone - 6

Arctic Skua - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 3W

Common Gull -

Kittiwake - 4W

Razorbill - 17E, 255W

auk sp - 220E, 41W

Meadow Pipit - 11W

Pied Wagtail - 7W

Skylark - 2E

Redwing - 2E

Rook - 1

Linnet - 4W

Chiffchaff - 3

(1400-1500hrs) (SH)

Gannet - 45W

Shag - 1W

Kestrel - 1

Turnstone - 14

Mediterranean Gull - 4W

Razorbill - 3W

auk sp - 6W

Arctic Skua and Black-headed Gull (above) & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were two Spotted Redshanks and a Greenshank among c40 roosting Black-tailed Godwits and c60 Lapwings on the pool this morning, along with, ten Shelducks and plenty of Wigeon, Teal and Shovelers, with a Buzzard in the adjacent hedges, whilst a flock of 42 Brent Geese went over west..

Earlier, an Avocet was also on the pool and a Spotted Redshank was in the channel opposite, whilst a Grey Wagtail went over, too. (AH).

Later, along the Visitor centre cycle track, two Siskins went over and in the bushes were ten Long-tailed Tits, two Goldcrests and three Chiffchaffs. (OM)

Spotted Redshank, Lapwings and Black-tailed Godwits (above) & Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: There were ten Pied Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail and 30 Meadow Pipits in the ploughed field at the end of Church Lane, and around the stables there was a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, a Jay, and a Cetti’s Warbler.
A Marsh Harrier was behind the Breech Pool, which just held a female Pintail, whilst a couple of Rock Pipits were along the wall, and in the bushes there were four Stonechats, two Chiffchaffs, two Cetti's Warblers, a Song Thrush, Yellowhammer and a few Reed Buntings, plus a Sparrowhawk over and a Rush Veneer moth.
There wasn’t much in the harbour around high tide, although three Brent Geese were on the water along with two Great Crested Grebes and a few Wigeon, whilst at Halsey’s Farm it was quiet, with just five Cormorants, a Little Egret, and a Curlew and in one of the distant trees towards Marsh Farm there was a flock of 35 Fieldfares and a few Cattle Egrets were with the cows and sheep. (LP/CRJ)

Rock Pipit (above), Pied Wagtail, Cattle Egrets and Curlew at the North Wall (LP)

Late this afternoon a male and a female Marsh Harrier were busy interacting over the Breech Pool, and there were also a Redwing, a Kingfisher, three Stonechats and three Chiffchaffs about. (S&SaH/AD)
There was also a Short-eared Owl seen. (B Young per Twitter)

Kingfisher at the North Wall (AD)

East Side: There were 13 Pintail, 30 Lapwings and 15 Golden Plovers in the harbour this morning, with a Sparrowhawk, two Green Woodpeckers, a Skylark, 20 Blackbirds, a Song Thrush, a Redwing, a Cetti's Warbler, seven Chiffchaffs and a Reed Bunting along the hedges. (CRJ)

Pintails along the East side (CRJ)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - It was fairly quiet this morning, with four Dartford Warblers, a Corn Bunting, a Reed Bunting, 15 Yellowhammers and 14 Stonechats the best along the banks, with otherwise a Kingfisher, three Brent Geese and c150 Golden Plovers on the reserve and two Kestrels over. (S&SaH)

Park Farm, Selsey: Most of the interest this morning was along Park Lane and Manor Lane, including a showy Firecrest, two Goldcrests, a male Blackcap and a Long-tailed Tit, whilst the fields held a Grey Wagtail, two Pied Wagtails and large numbers of Meadow Pipits, Linnets and Goldfinches around the dead Sunflower heads. (IP)

East Beach pool: Very quiet; three Chiffchaffs were the best on offer. (OM)

Church Norton: A pair of Ring Ouzels were along the front of the Severals early on, but quickly flew into cover towards Greenlease Farm. (BI)

A look for them around the farm later just produced two Chiffchaffs, a Pied Wagtail,, a Kestrel and three Green Woodpeckers. (SR)

At least 40 Brent Geese and 20 Pintail were among the many Wigeon and Teal in the harbour, though waders were fairly few on the high tide, but included a Knot among c20 Grey Plovers, c50 Dunlin and half a dozen Turnstones. A Kingfisher was seen a couple of times in the harbour, too, a Peregrine was on New Island and there were 40+ Skylarks and lots of Linnets and Meadow Pipits around the islands.

A Dartford Warbler, a Redwing, a Sparrowhawk, a Cetti's Warbler and up to half a dozen Stonechats and Reed Buntings were around the Severals, with two Swallows over west, whilst a Razorbill flew west close inshore and a bit later an Arctic Skua was seen off the second Several. (AH/IP/HG et al)

Kingfisher (above), Razorbill, Pintail, Stonechat & Reed Bunting at Church Norton (AH)

Friday, 21st October: A very blustery morning in a freshening southerly, mostly overcast and with the odd shower, though again very mild for the time of year.....

Selsey Bill: The first Great Northern Diver of the autumn went east and then back west, whilst an Arctic Skua and plenty of Razorbills went west, too, as did a lot of finches, with all those identified being Linnets. Full log below. (BI/SR/AH/P&LH/IP)

(0715-0915hrs) (SSW, F5-6)

Great Northern Diver - 1W

diver sp - 1E

Gannet - 8E, 15W, 20os

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 7E, 7W

Common Scoter - 4E, 2W, 2os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E

Kestrel - 1

Oystercatcher - 3W

Turnstone - 1W

Arctic Skua - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 17W

Common Gull -

Razorbill - 133W

auk sp - 31E, 133W

Skylark - 8W

Meadow Pipit - 6W

Pied Wagtail - 2W

Linnet - 344W

Goldfinch - 61W

Chaffinch - 7W

(1320-1450hrs) (P&LH)

Gannet - 238W

Shag - 3W

Brent Goose - 4W

Mediterranean Gull - 13W

Common Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 5W

Skylark - 5W

(1545-1715hrs) (SH)

Gannet - 6E, 22W

Shag - 6W

Common Scoter - 2E

Sanderling - 1

Arctic Skua - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 20W

Kittiwake - 5W

Sandwich Tern - 2os

Razorbill - 7E, 4W, 2os

auk sp - 10E

Great Northern Diver (above), Arctic Skua, Razorbills, Gannet & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Spotted Redshank and two Greenshanks were roosting on the pool at high tide, along with c40 Black-tailed Godwits, c75 Lapwings, ten Shelducks and 50+ Wigeon, Teal and Shovelers. (AH).

Greenshank at the Ferry (AH)

Fishbourne Creek: A Great White Egret flew south-west over the creek this morning. (SM)

Church Norton: Most of the action was offshore this morning, including 97 Gannets, two Brent Geese, 16 Razorbills, four Mediterranean Gulls and three Turnstones going west, with a Whimbrel, nine Teal, 26 Wigeon, 19 Brent Geese and a Kingfisher around the harbour and beach, with two Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel over the Severals area.

Also of note, a Firecrest was between the churchyard and the hide, but three Jays and five Red-legged Partridges around Greenlease Farm was otherwise about it. . (P&LH)

North Wall: There wasn't much along a windy wall this morning, though a Yellowhammer was briefly with a couple of Reed Buntings, up to half a dozen Stonechats were keeping low, a Kingfisher was at the Halsey's Farm end and a couple of Meadow Pipits went over.

There were large numbers of Wigeon and teal in the harbour, but not much else to see on the big tide beyond a couple of Little and Great Crested Grebes in White's Creek. (AH/LP)

Stonechat (above), Little Grebe & Wigeon at the North Wall (AH)

Thursday, 20th October: After heavy overnight rain lingering past dawn, a mainly overcast morning with some sun and some prolonged [periods of heavy, drizzly rain, though it was warm and mild throughout.....

Selsey Bill: Over 400 Brent Geese went west this morning, as did 19 Pintail, but there wasn't too much else on the move. Full log below. (SR/AH/MO-W)

(0750-0935hrs) (W, F2-3)

Great Crested Grebe - 2W, 2os

Gannet - 4E, 4W

Shag - 3E

Brent Goose - 409W

Wigeon - 21E,

Teal - 2W

Pintail - 19W

Common Scoter - 2E

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E

Oystercatcher - 1E

Turnstone - 10

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Razorbill -12W

auk sp - 38E, 105W

Brent Geese (above), Razorbills & Shag at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Three Snipe and two Avocets were on the pool this morning, together with a dozen Black-tailed Godwits, c40 Lapwings, eight Shelduck and 50+ Shovelers, Wigeon and Teal. (AH)

Snipe (above) & Avocet at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool and West side: A female Brambling was briefly feeding along the path this morning among half a dozen Greenfinches and c20 Reed Buntings, whilst a Redwing flew out from the hedges, where there were also a couple of Song Thrushes and up to ten Blackbirds.

There were also a couple of Blackcaps and at least eight Stonechats around the pool, with another six of the latter along the west side, where a Kingfisher was along the rife and a Cetti's Warbler was calling, but not much more than 20+ Dunnocks could otherwise be found.

Also, a Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank were in Ferry Channel, along with plenty of Redshanks, Wigeon and Teal, and a Snipe flew over. (AH)

Brambling (above), Kingfisher, Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Spotted Redshank & Greenshank along the Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: Six Avocets were in the harbour this morning, along with four Brent Geese, 40 Pintail and large numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Dunlin, Grey Plovers and the other regular waders, but there were no small birds around at all. (AH)

Avocets (above), Grey Plover & Pintails at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: A Cetti’s Warbler was by the sluice and a flock of 20 Long-tailed Tits were moving along the hedgerow, whilst a mixture of Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Mallards were in White's Creek,and a few Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks, Grey Plovers and Curlews were along the banks.

Further out on the mud 24 Golden Plovers were with 60 Lapwing and there were also 20 Shelduck and a few Dunlin.

Also, a Peregrine was sat in one of the dead trees at Halsey’s Farm and a Kestrel was hunting behind the Breech Pool. (LP)

This evening around 100 Fieldfares were in the hedges, along with seven Stonechats, with a Snipe and two Swallows seen, too, but just one female-type Marsh Harrier went into roost, whilst a Sparrowhawk and two Kestrels were also about. (S&SaH)

Peregrine (above), Teal & Wigeon at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There wasn't too much going on this evening, with neither a raptor or an owl seen, though eight Egyptian Geese flew out from the reservoirs and at least 15 Stonechats, c100 Linnets and just one or two Meadow Pipits were along the banks.

A Raven was sat out on the reserve, whilst a Greenshank, three Snipe and c80 Lapwings were the only waders on the Stilt Pool, where at least 100 Teal and 200 Wigeon were feeding. (AH)