29th - 31st March 2023

Friday, 31st March: A gale force westerly was blowing from before dawn, bringing intermittent spells of prolonged drizzly rain and the odd brief lightening of the heavy grey cloud.... ...........

Selsey Bill: It was very quiet this morning, with just a few of the regular species seen. Full log below. (BI/IP/AH/SR)

(0700-0800hrs) (WSW, F8)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Common Scoter - 2W, 2os

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 2W

Turnstone - 5

Common Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 15os

(1615-1715hrs) (SH)

Great Northern Diver - 5os

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Common Scoter - 6E, 1W, 2os

Red-breasted Merganser - 5os

Sparrowhawk - 1

Sandwich Tern - 4os

Common Scoters at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were up to 150 Black-tailed Godwits roosting on the pool this morning, along with 18 Avocets, six Teal, four Shelducks and c60 Shovelers. (AH)

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

Chichester GPs: Ivy Lake complex - There was no sign of the Red-crested Pochards this morning, but hundreds of Sand Martins, with a lone Swallow among them, were feeding low over the lake. On New Lake were two Egyptian Geese and a Blackcap was singing nearby. (IP/BI)

North Wall: A Spoonbill that circled the Breech Pool before heading back along White’s Creek, was the highlight at lunchtime in the very strong winds. 

There were still a handful of Wigeon and Teal about, and a few Black-tailed Godwits were in the fields but apart from a gang of 20 Jackdaws along the wall and a couple of Grey Herons sheltering by the hedges, that was it. (LP)

Church Norton: There wasn't much to report this morning on the near full tide, with c40 Black-tailed Godwits and c50 Dunlin about the only waders seen, and a handful of Teal the only wildfowl, though there were still at least 50 Sandwich Terns and 100 Mediterranean Gulls with the many widely spread Black-headed Gulls.

Even the sheltered bushes were dead beyond a couple of Chiffchaffs and Long-tailed Tits. (AH)

Black-tailed Godwits (above), Mediterranean Gull, Sandwich Terns, Chiffchaff & Long-tailed Tit at Church Norton (AH)

Thursday, 30th March: A grey, but slightly milder morning, though with the south-westerly breeze fresh and blustery ...........

Selsey Bill: A steady flow of 183 Brent Geese east was the only significant movement, though a flock of 15 Knot east and a Peregrine heading out to hunt over the sea were  noteworthy, whilst five Fulmars in quick succession, and 54 Gannets went west. Full log below. (P&LH/AH)

(0735-0905hrs) (SW, F6)

Red-throated Diver - 2E

Fulmar - 5W

Gannet - 3E, 54W

Brent Goose - 183E, 1W

Common Scoter - 3W

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 2W

Peregrine - 1os

Knot - 15E

Turnstone - 11

Sandwich Tern - 17os

Razorbill - 1W

(1330-1400hrs) (P&LH)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Gannet - 13W

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 3

Kittiwake - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 6os

(1645-1800hrs) (SH)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Gannet - 2E, 2W

Red-breasted Merganser - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 8os

Fulmar (above), Common Scoters, Peregrine, Gannets & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were again c75 Black-tailed Godwits on the pool this morning, along with 14 Avocets, but there were otherwise just a handful of Teal, four Shelducks and c25 Shovelers present, whilst six Egyptian Geese went over, heading west and the Spotted Redshank was again in the channel opposite. (AH)

Spotted Redshank at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: There were 14 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, eight Redshank and a Grey Plover along White's Creek this morning, and a Wheatear was along the wall, whilst the pair of Great Crested Grebes were on the Breech Pool and two Marsh Harriers were over the reeds.

At Owl Copse there were 12 Cattle Egrets and three Grey Herons in the trees, but it was quiet along the hedgerows with just a couple Reed Buntings, six Goldfinches and two Greenfinches. (LP)

Wheatear (above), Marsh Harrier & Cattle Egrets at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: There was a bit of a selection of waders in the harbour this morning, including a Bar-tailed Godwit, c70 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Knot, two Ringed Plovers, c35 Grey Plovers and c80 Dunlin, with at least 50 Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls among the many Black-headed Gulls present.

Also, a Peregrine went over, eight Chiffchaffs were around the Mound and a Skylark and six Linnets were along the beach. (P&LH)

Chichester GPs: Ivy Lake complex - What must undoubtedly be last year's pair of Red-crested Pochards were tucked away in the north-east corner, near the chalets, this morning.

The only other wildfowl about were up to a dozen Pochards, c20 Tufted Ducks, an Egyptian Goose on the ramp, and a handful of Greylag and Canada Geese, plus eight Great Crested Grebes, whilst three Shelduck were unusual on New Lake and there were also a few Shoveler here.

Also, at least 100 Sand Martins, plus a few Swallows were feeding up high over the pits, with c20 Mediterranean Gulls over the adjacent paddocks, whilst a Willow Warbler was at East Trout Lake, three Blackcaps were at New Lake and half a dozen Chiffchaffs and at least four Cetti's Warblers were widely spread. (AH/BI/P&LH et al)

Red-crested Pochards (above), Sand Martins, Chiffchaff & Mediterranean Gull (AH) & Black Swan (LH) at Chichester GPs 

Wednesday, 29th March: Another cold and very grey morning, with drizzly mist early on slowly clearing in a light to moderate southerly breeze......

Selsey Bill: A flock of 30 Brent Geese east were the only thigs moving on a very quiet morning in poor conditions. Full log below. (AH)

(0755-0855hrs) (SSW, F2-3)

Gannet - 3E, 8W

Brent Goose - 30E

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Common Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 8os

(1200-1330hrs) (MD)

Red-throated Diver - 3E

Gannet - 1W

Brent Goose - 38E

Common Scoter - 5E

Red-breasted Merganser - 6os

Turnstone - 4

Kittiwake - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 12os

This afternoon an Arctic skua went east, after chasing the Sandwich Terns. Full log below.  (SR/SH) 

(1530-1730hrs)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 2E

Gannet - 2E, 1W

Brent Goose - 15E

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 2os

Turnstone - 4

Arctic Skua - 1E

Common Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 17os

Sandwich Tern (above), Common Gull & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were c75 Black-tailed Godwits roosting on the pool this morning, with, otherwise, just five Avocets, six Teal, two Shelducks and c50 Shovelers present, whilst the Spotted Redshank was again in the channel opposite. (AH)

Also, the first Sedge Warbler of the year was heard singing this morning, and this afternoon a Jack Snipe and a Little Ringed Plover were on the pool. (TG-P et al)

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

Park Farm, Selsey: Three Wheatears were on the fields this afternoon. (SaH)

Fishbourne Creek: On the low tide this morning wildfowl seemed thin on the ground, with no geese seen, and just c50 Wigeon and Teal and ten Pintail at the Lavant outfall and a similar number of Mallard along the creek, whilst 3 Red-breasted Merganser were at Dell Quay with 6 Great Crested Grebe further down the channel.

Wader numbers were dominated by 100+ Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit, a few Curlew, Dunlin and Oystercatcher and singles of Grey Plover, Greenshank and Spotted Redshank, the latter at the Lavant Outfall.

Herring Gull seemed the most numerous gull, with small numbers of Black-headed, Common and Meditteranean Gulls, nine Lesser Black-Backed Gull and one Great Black-backed Gull.

Also, three Cetti's Warblers were heard, with one at the Fishbourne Mill Pond where I don't recall hearing one before. (RW)

Chichester GPs: Ivy Lake - There were at least Swallows among c40 Sand Martins over the back of the lake early this afternoon, and a Willow Warbler was singing along the path. (AB)

Earnley: Two Ravens went over today. (SH)

Church Norton: There was little change from yesterday in the harbour, with a handful of Ringed Plovers, c40 Black-tailed Godwits and c20 Dunlin the only waders beyond the regular Curlews, Redshanks and Oystercatchers, whilst a pair of Gadwall and c30 Teal were the only wildfowl seen.

Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls were all present in numbers, but a handful of Linnets and a couple of Skylarks were the only passerines seen. (AH)

Ringed Plover (above), Dunlin & Black-tailed Godwits at Church Norton (AH)

27th - 28th March 2023

Tuesday, 28th March: A fairly horrible morning, cold despite the fresh southerly breeze, with long spells of drizzly rain after a grey but dry start......

Selsey Bill: A dark-phase Arctic Skua passed east this morning, mugging a Sandwich Tern as it went, and the two Long-tailed Ducks popped in briefly, but there was again not much indication of migration. Full log below. (SR/AH/KT/OM et al)

(0720-0920hrs) (S, F5)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 4E, 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 1W, 2os

Fulmar - 1E, 1W

Gannet - 9E, 34W

Brent Goose - 6E

Long-tailed Duck - 2W

Common Scoter - 37E, 3W

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 1W

Oystercatcher - 2W

Arctic Skua - 1E

Common Gull - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 10os

(1630-1800hrs) (SH)

Great Northern Diver - 1E

Red-throated Diver - 4E

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 8E, 3W

Long-tailed Duck - 2W

Common Scoter - 21E

Sandwich Tern - 2E, 21os

auk sp - 1E

Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Green Sandpiper was back in the concealed roadside pool this morning, whilst 12 Avocets were on the main pool, along with a couple of Gadwall, ten Shelducks and Teal and c50 Shovelers. The Spotted Redshank was also once again in the channel opposite. (OM/AH et al)

It is also pleasing to report that the Tawny Owls are back in their nest box, with the female currently sat on one egg. There is a nestcam on screen in the Visitor Centre if anyone wishes to see them. (RN)

Green Sandpiper (above), Spotted Redshank & Avocets at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There wasn't much to report here this morning, with just a couple of dozen Black-tailed Godwits and a few Dunlin on the mud and the usual bustle of Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls around the island, with nothing more than a couple of Jays in the hedges. (AH)

Mediterranean Gull (above), Black-tailed Godwit & Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

Chi GPs: Ivy Lake complex - Hirundines were the only highlight, with at least 12 Sand Martins and two Swallows fairly high over the lakes. 

There were also four Chiffchaffs and a couple of Cetti’s Warblers, but otherwise it was disappointing, even though I checked most of the pits, with a total of c.25 Pochard (most on Runcton Lake) and 50 Tufted Ducks the only wildfowl of note, and several pairs of Great Crested Grebes.  (OM)                                                

North Wall: It was bleak along the wall this morning with just a few Wigeon, Teal, Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits along White’s Creek, and four Tufted Ducks and a Canada Goose on the Breech Pool.

Both Marsh Harriers were about, and a Cattle Egret flew into Owl Copse, whilst a Linnet, two Reed Buntings and a Stonechat were along the wall and a pair of Gadwall, and a few Skylarks were at Halsey’s Farm. (LP)

Stonechat (above), Linnet, Skylark, Gadwall & Wigeon at the North Wall (LP)

Monday, 27th March: A bright, but chill, start in a light north-easterly breeze, warming up, but clouding up, as it shifted to the south......

Selsey Bill: There were a few birds about, and a bit of variety, too, including six Great Northern Divers, an Eider and the two Long-tailed Ducks, but a Willow/Chiff in off the was about the only thing obviously migrating. Full log below. (SR/AH/P&LH/IP)

(0730-0915hrs) (ENE, F2-3)

Great Northern Diver - 6os

Red-throated Diver - 2E

Great Crested Grebe - 1E, 2W, 2os

Gannet - 7E, 14W

Brent Goose - 7E, 1W

Gadwall - 3W

Eider - 1os

Long-tailed Duck - 2E

Common Scoter - 13E, 13W, 23os

Red-breasted Merganser - 12E, 5W, 12os

Curlew - 1E

Turnstone - 8

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Common Gull - 2E

Sandwich Tern - 20os

Chiffchaff - 1

Willow/Chiff - 1N

(1000-1045hrs) (BI)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Gannet - 1E, 2W

Brent Goose - 2os

Shelduck - 2os

Sandwich Tern - 1E

Pied Wagtail- 1N

(1315-1415hrs) (P&LH)

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Gannet - 4E

Common Scoter - 15E, 14os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E

Kestrel - 1

Turnstone - 6

Common Scoters (above), Gadwall & Red-breasted Mergansers at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Spoonbill was feeding at the back of the pool again early this morning. (RS)

It had moved on again later on, when there were ten Avocets and two Black-tailed Godwits on the pool, but just a handful of Teal and barely 20 Shovelers were present.

Also, the Spotted Redshank and several Redshanks were in the channel opposite, up to six Chiffchaffs were around the Tramway and a male Sparrowhawk was in the field. (AH/TG-P)

Spotted Redshank (above), Avocet & Shoveler at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: There were 40 Black-tailed Godwits and 18 Redshank along White’s Creek together with a dozen Teal, further out on the mud there were 20 Grey Plovers, six Pintails and a few Dunlin.

A Weasel was along the wall and on the Breech Pool there were two Little Grebes and a Great Crested Grebe, whilst both Marsh Harriers were over the reeds and in the fields, there were 80 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 36 Curlew 14 Black-tailed Godwits, two Stock Doves, two Shovelers and two Gadwall.

There was a lot of activity at Owl Copse with ten Grey Herons and 12 Cattle Egrets constantly coming and going, whilst three Buzzards were high over Halsey’s Farm, a Meadow Pipit and a few Skylarks were around the fields and a Reed Bunting and a Cetti’s Warbler were along the bushes. (LP/CT)

Cattle Egret (above), Grey Herons, Reed Bunting & Weasel at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: Two Wheatears were on the beach this morning, along with a Skylark, and four Chiffchaffs were in the hedges by the Mound, but there wasn't much else doing beyond at least four Sparrowhawks and four Buzzards.

The harbour was quiet, too, with c50 Black-tailed Godwits being the most conspicuous waders, with otherwise, just c50 Sandwich Terns, c75 Mediterranean Gulls and eight Teal of note. (P&LH)

Medmerry: Windmill area - A male Wheatear and a female Black Redstart were around the old go-kart track this morning. (AW)

Black Redstart (above), Wheatear & Black Redstart and Wheatear at Medmerry (AW)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - It was very quiet here, too, this morning, with a couple of Dartford Warblers, a pair of Stonechats, two or three Chiffchaffs, half a dozen Yellowhammers and Skylarks and c100 Linnets about it along the banks, whilst a few Stock Doves were around the buildings, a Raven went over east and four Buzzards were up together.

A total of 18 Avocets were on the Stilt Pools, with several pairs prospecting the small island on the northern pool, but otherwise there were just a handful of Black-tailed Godwits and Teal and c25 Tufted Ducks present, plus a few Canada Geese, with more of the latter along the various path-side pools. (AH et al)

All we could add this evening were c200 Mediterranean Gulls and a Dunlin on the Stilt Pool, and two Barn Owls - the darker one hunting the banks and a paler bird off of Easton Lane, near the Ham junction. (S&SaH)

Raven (above), Avocets, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Stonechat & Stock Dove at Medmerry (AH)