20th - 22nd August 2023

Tuesday, 22nd August: Another grey and humid morning in a freshening westerly breeze, brightening up later on........

Selsey Bill: The highlight this morning was a group of seven Arctic Skuas, all visible at once at times, harrying the sizeable group of Sandwich, plus a few Common, Terns around the Mile Basket, though otherwise not much else was on the move, though a Kittiwake dropped in on the beach and three Yellow Wagtails went over west together. Full log below. (SR/MO-W/IP/AH)

(0655-0840hrs) (WSW, F3-4)

Gannet - 2E, 53W, 22os

Teal - 1W

Common Scoter - 3E

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 2W

Turnstone - 40

Arctic Skua - 7os (together)

Kittiwake - 1W

Sandwich Tern - c250os

Common Tern - 16os

Swallow - 1W

House Martin - 2

Yellow Wagtail - 3W

Kittiwake (above), Kittiwake and Sandwich Terns, Sandwich Terns & Gannets at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Common Sandpiper was on the pool this morning, along with 33 Black-tailed Godwits, 36 Teal and three Shelducks. (AH)

Later on, there was a Spotted Redshank on the pool. (CS)

Common Sandpiper (above) & Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: It was generally quiet this morning, though a Redstart was at Owl Point and another near Owl Copse and two Wheatears were along the wall, along with a couple of Lesser Whitethroats and Willow Warblers and half a dozen Whitethroats, whilst just a few Swallows and Sand Martins went over.

The Breech Pool was birdless, and just a few Cattle and Little Egrets were around Owl Copse,whilst a Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank, plus a few Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwings and 50+ Redshanks were in White's Creek and a Whimbrel was at the western end of the wall. (AH/LP/CT)

This evening a Barn Owl was out at Halsey's Farm, and there were also two Wheatears and 22 Swallows about. (SR)

Redstart (above), Wheatear (LP), Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Cattle Egret and Roe Deer (AH) at the North Wall

Church Norton: There were two Spotted Flycatchers behind the hide and two Chiffchaffs in the churchyard this evening, whilst at least 100 Sand Martins were feeding over the beach.

The harbour was quiet, despite the falling tide, with a Bar-tailed Godwit, two Whimbrel, c20 Curlews, a handful of Dunlin and Ringed Plovers, plus at least 100 Redshanks, all that was noted, with half a dozen Sandwich Terns offshore. (AH)

Spotted Flycatcher (above), Chiffchaff, Sand Martin, Bar-tailed Godwit & Whimbrel at Church Norton (AH)

Runcton: South of the village this morning there were a close fly-over Hobby, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Reed Warbler, three Whitethroats and a single Willow Warbler. (CRJ)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool -  Amongst the many Linnets and Yellowhammers this morning were several Whinchats and Stonechats, plus a Meadow Pipit, but the highlight was a Hobby hunting over the water. (TRH)

This evening a Whinchat, five Stonechats, a Dartford Warbler, three Willow Warblers,two Whitethroats and seven Yellowhammers were along the banks, with seven Yellow Wagtails and a Common Sandpiper on the reserve and 25 Swallows, 80 Sand Martins and a Buzzard over.

The Stilt Pools remain very quiet, with just a Common Sandpiper and he Egyptian Goose family of note. (S&SaH)

Hobby (above), Whinchat, Stonechat & Meadow Pipit at Medmerry (TRH)

Monday, 21st August: A mostly overcast, though warm and humid, morning in a fairly modest westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: There were at least 150 Sandwich Terns feeding well out to sea, though little else was on the move, whist three Swifts and three Wheatears was the best on the land side. Full log below. (KT /SR/MO-W/I/P&LH/AH)

(0650-0850hrs) (W, F3-4)

Gannet - 8E, 3W, 8os

Shag - 1W

Little Egret - 2W

Common Scoter - 5W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 2E, 4W

Ringed Plover - 1

Turnstone - 32

Sandwich Tern - 61E, 4W, c150os

Common Tern - 1E

Swift - 3

Swallow - 3W

House Martin - 13

Pied Wagtail - 1W

Wheatear - 3

Wheatears (above) & Swift at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Three Common Sandpipers were in the channel early on, then later on/over the pool, where otherwise thee were just 32 Black-tailed Godwits, an Avocet, six Lapwings, four Shelducks and c25 Teal. (MO-W/AH) 

Black-tailed Godwit on the Ferry (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: Nine Yellow Wagtails were around the fields this morning. (SaH)

Church Norton: A Redstart was briefly in the hedges by the horse field and a Spotted Flycatcher was by the concrete wall and two more were behind the hide, though migrants were generally few, with otherwise just a handful of Blackcaps and Willow Warblers and perhaps a dozen Whitethroats seen, along with a Swift and just a few Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows. There was also a Mistle Thrush in the vicinity of the Mound.

A Greenshank, two Bar-tailed Godwits and half a dozen Whimbrel were the best in the harbour, with a couple of Grey Plovers and c30 Ringed Plovers and Dunlin also about. (AH/KT/BFF/P&LH/SaH et al)

Willow Warbler (above), Whitethroat, Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit (AH) & Mistle Thrush (KT)at Church Norton 

North Wall: A Pied Flycatcher was along the new path at Halsey’s Farm and there were Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers in the hedges, and a couple of Swallows were overhead, whilst a good selection of small birds were along the bushes on the wall, including a Redstart, a Whinchat, two Willow Warblers, two Sedge Warblers, a handful of Whitethroats and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

There were also 82 Linnets on the telephone wires along Church Lane, and a Buzzard and a Green Woodpecker were by the Slipe Field.

A Spotted Redshank and two Greenshanks were along White’s Creek, among lots of Redshanks and a few Lapwings and a Whimbrel was at the Halsey's Farm end, whilst c200 Canada Geese flew into the harbour and settled on the mud, three Gadwall were the only birds on the Breech Pool and in the newly mown fields there were 22 Curlews and 20 Cattle Egrets. (LP/ TRH)

Pied Flycatcher (KT top & LP lower) (above), Redstart, Whinchat, Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat & Spotted Redshank (LP) at the North Wall 

This evening a Whinchat, a Wheatear, a Redstart, two Lesser Whitethroats and half a dozen Whitethroats were around the field and hedges at Owl Point, and a mix of 136 Cattle and Little Egrets were visible in Owl Copse. (SP/AH et al)

Whinchat (above), Wheatear & Whinchat and Wheatear at the North Wall (AH)

West Itchenor: A Tree Pipit, a Grey Wagtail and a Raven went over Chalkdock Copse this morning, with an impressive count of c1100 Mediterranean Gulls, five Turnstones and c20 Ringed Plovers and Black-tailed Godwits also seen. (PH)

Runcton: South of the village this morning there were two Common Buzzards, a Green Woodpecker, two Redstarts and four Common Whitethroats, plus a flycatcher sp that got away! (CRJ)

Redstart at Runcton (CRJ)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were four Whinchats, six Stonechats, three Dartford Warblers, five Willow Warblers, four Yellow Wagtails, a Corn Bunting and eight Yellowhammers along the banks this evening, with 75 Sand martins, 25 Swallows, a buzzard and two Kestrels going over.

Also, two Common Sandpipers and the pair of Egyptian Geese and their three well-grown young were on the Stilt Pool and c75 Sandwich Terns were offshore. (S&SaH)

Sunday, 20th August: A pleasant and warm morning of sun and white cloud, in a moderate westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of a selection this morning, including the first Tree Pipit of the year and a Yellow Wagtail over and a Little Tern and a Fulmar west. Full log below. (SH/BI/SR/AH)

(0600-0800hrs) (W, F3)

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 7E, 18W

Common Scoter - 2W

Kestrel - 1

Oystercatcher - 1W

Sanderling - 1W

Turnstone - 21

Kittiwake - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 6W, 77os

Common Tern - 3W, 3os

Little Tern - 1W

Sand Martin - 4W

House Martin - 3

Yellow Wagtail - 1W

Tree Pipit - 1W

Hummingbird Hawk-moth - 2

Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Green Sandpiper and two Common Sandpipers were on the pool this morning, along with 20 Black-tailed Godwits, six Lapwings, four Shelducks and 22 Teal, with another Common Sandpiper in the channel opposite. (AH/JMo)

Common Sandpiper at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: Two Whinchats and two Stonechats were along the west side, the first Water Rail of the autumn was on the pool and a Kingfisher was in Ferry Channel. (MPr/S&SaH)

Park Farm, Selsey: There were two Willow Warblers, three Pied Wagtails, three Buzzards and a Kestrel about this morning, along with c20 Swallows and House Martins and c50 Sand Martins going over. (IP/S&SaH)

Church Norton: Highlight of the morning was a female-type Pied Flycatcher in the large trees around Greenlease Farm, and there were also three Yellow Wagtails in the bean field and a Great Spotted Woodpecker on the feeder, whilst the 'Whitethroat bush' was living up to its' name this morning, with even a Lesser Whitethroat present there, and there were also a Reed Warbler and a Chiffchaff about.

Along the spit, another Yellow Wagtail flew south, whilst in the harbour there were two Whimbrels and a Common Sandpiper, together with c75 Ringed Plovers, 25 Dunlin and the usual Redshank, Oystercatcher and Curlews.

Also, a Kingfisher flew through and a Lesser Black-backed Gull was on the mud, whilst a Peregrine was sat at the back of Tern Island amongst the Little Egrets present, with four Sandwich Terns and a Mediterranean Gull offshore.

There were good numbers of hirundines around all morning, with all three species well represented, a lone Buzzard and Sparrowhawk were flying distantly over Priory Wood whilst a Kestrel hunted the Severals. (IP/AW)

Reed Warbler (above), Chiffchaff & Whitethroat at Church Norton (AW)

Chalder and Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: Two Spotted Flycatchers were seen rather distantly along a hedgerow near the milking parlour, with a Lesser Black-backed Gull nearby.

Also seen were five Willow Warblers, a Kestrel, a party of Long-tailed Tits, five Pied Wagtails, 16 Cattle Egrets, a Stock Dove, two House Martins, six Swallows, plus a Jay in the churchyard. (SR)

Spotted Flycatcher at Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (SR)

Runcton: South of the village this morning there were two Common Buzzards, a Wheatear, a Reed Warbler, 12 Whitethroats, three Goldfinches and three buck Roe Deers.

Also, a local lady birder reported that two Pied Flycatchers were in her garden yesterday. (CRJ)

North Wall: Two Spotted Redshanks, the short-billed Greenshank, two Whimbrel and 50 Redshanks were along White's Creek, whilst a Grey Plover and two adult Yellow-legged Gulls were further out in the harbour.

At least 20 Cattle Egrets were around, including two barely fledged youngsters in Owl Copse, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Lapwing were at Halsey's Farm, but the Breech Pool was full of water and the hedges were very quiet, with just a Chiffchaff and a handful of Whitethroats about, plus just a few Sand Martins and Swallows over. (AH/LP/DHi et al)

Yellow-legged Gull (above), Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Cattle Egrets, Chiffchaff & Migrant Hawker at the North Wall (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Yellow Wagtail and four Common Sandpipers were on the reserve this afternoon, with a female Marsh Harrier, three Sparrowhawks, a Kestrel, c30 Swallows and c120 Sand Martins over, but the banks just held a Dartford Warbler, two Whitethroats, a Willow Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler and half a dozen Yellowhammers, and the Stilt Pools just held another Common Sandpiper and an adult and three juvenile Egyptian Geese. (S&SaH)

East Head: At least 30 Swallows were over Ellanore Lane, with three Common Sandpipers, half dozen Mediterranean Gulls and half a dozen Sandwich Terns around the shingle bank at Ella Nore, along with c200 Oystercatchers.

Another 20+ Sandwich Terns were at Snowhill Creek, along with a couple of Greenshanks, c30 Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits and c50 Lapwings, but no birds were seen at all in the hedges. (AH)

Common Sandpipers (above), Sandwich Tern & Swallow at East Head (AH)