29th - 31st October 2023

Tuesday, 31st October: After some early showers, a pleasant morning in just a light south-westerly breeze...........

Selsey Bill: It was a pretty quiet morning, with a Great Northern Diver on the sea and a slight passage of Brent Geese the highlights. Full log below. (SR/IP/AH/K Martin)

(0700-0845hrs) (SW, F3)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Gannet - 1E, 1W

Shag - 4E

Brent Goose - 91W

Common Scoter - 14W

Turnstone - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 7W

Common Gull - 2E

Razorbill - 1os

Skylark - 1W

Pied Wagtail - 3E

Meadow Pipit - 3W

Chiffchaff - 1

Goldfinch - 3W

Brent Geese (above), Common Scoters, Shags (AH) & a rainbow over Bill House (SR) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: There were just a handful of Shovelers and Teal on the pool late this morning, with the RSPB out hedge-cutting in the fields. (AH)

Selsey: A heavily moulting Peregrine was on the church this morning. (AW)

Peregrine on Selsey church (AW)

Church Norton: There were two Black Redstarts in the churchyard this morning, favouring the church roof and gutters, whilst at least ten Goldcrests, c20 Long-tailed Tits and half a dozen Chiffchaffs were also there, with another half dozen of the latter scattered around the hedges and the Severals. 

Also, at least eight Stonechats, a couple of Reed Buntings  and a few Meadow Pipits were along the front, with a few Jays widely scattered, too, whilst 36 Brent Geese, including quite a few juveniles, and c150 Curlews were in the fields at Greenlease Farm.

There were plenty of Grey Plovers, Dunlin and the other regular waders in the harbour on the rising tide, but a feeding flock of nine Avocets were the only unusual things, whilst at least 200 Brent Geese were in the harbour mouth, and there were plenty of Wigeon and Teal, plus a handful of Mediterranean Gulls, also present. (AH/KJ/KF et al)

Black Redstarts (above), Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Long-tailed Tit, Avocets & Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)

Monday, 30th October: A much calmer day, though still with the odd heavy downpour, and quite mild in the moderate south-westerly breeze...........

Selsey Bill: It was a much quieter morning today, though a Merlin traversed the horizon, a fair way out, heading west, and a close flock of seven Eider went west, too, along with a bit of visible overhead migration. Full log below. (CRJ/SR/AH/IP/AW)

(0635-0935hrs) (SW, F4-5)

diver sp - 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 2W

Gannet - 1E, 18W

Shag - 11E

Brent Goose - 8W

Eider - 7W

Merlin - 1W

Turnstone - 6

Mediterranean Gull - 12W

Common Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 3W

Sandwich Tern - 3W

Swallow - 3W

Pied Wagtail - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 18W

Siskin - 3W

Linnet - 146W

Goldfinch - 66W

Eider (above) & Mediterranean Gul at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were at least 400 Black-tailed Godwits present this morning, mostly in the flooded areas at the back of the field, whilst four Greenshanks and two Avocets were also about, along with 50+ Lapwings, c50 Teal and c75 Shovelers. (AH/BFF)

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

Church Norton: There were a few birds about this morning, including a very late female Redstart, a Dartford Warbler and six Stonechats along the front of the Severals, a Firecrest and a few Goldcrests in the churchyard and a Blackcap and a handful of Chiffchaffs near the hide, plus a Kingfisher along the west side and four Swallows over.

A Whimbrel was a surprise in the harbour, where there were also three Bar-tailed Godwits, c40 Grey Plovers, c300 Dunlin, c150 Brent Geese and lots of Wigeon and Teal. (AH/CRJ/BFF et al)

Kingfisher (above), Blackcap, Swallow, Whimbrel, Brent Geese & Dunlin at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Toe End - A female Black Redstart was around the caravans near the breach this afternoon. (TG-P)

North Wall: Church Lane is still flooded so access is difficult, and all of the north fields are flooded and the footpath to Honer is totally impassable.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker, eight Long-tailed Tits and a Chiffchaff were by the stables and two Marsh Harriers were up over the reeds, whilst a Rock Pipit and two Pied Wagtails were by the sluice and 12 Snipe flew off the fields and 12 Reed Buntings, a few Goldfinches, a couple of Stonechats and a calling Cetti's Warbler were along the wall.

There were lots of birds in the flooded fields, including two Ruff, 50 Redshanks, two Spotted Redshanks, a Dunlin, 80 Lapwings, 20 Curlews and a very flighty flock of c500 Black-tailed Godwits in Honer 2, and c200 Black-headed and a few Redshanks and Curlews in Honer 3.

At Halsey’s Farm, a Greylag Goose was on the flooded fields along with over 300 Canada Geese, 30 Teal and a few Curlews, Lapwings and Wigeon, while on the fence posts at Owl Point, there were two Sandwich Terns, a Common Gull, six Meadow Pipits and a Skylark. (LP,JDW)

Black-tailed Godwits (top two JDW, lower LP) (above), Sandwich Tern, Rock Pipit, Greylag Goose,& Pied Wagtail (LP) at the North Wall

East Side: A Peregrine was sat on the outer spit early on, before relocating to the new Tern Island but there was just a few Brent Geese, Wigeon, Teal and Grey Plovers in the harbour on a very high tide.

A pair of Stonechats were by the Lagoon and further down the East Side, the group of Cackling type Geese were out on the mud and a few Pintail, and a single Gadwall were on the water.

A Flock of 20 Linnets flew over from the Slipe Field and four Green Woodpeckers were in the dog walking field. (LP)

Peregrine (above), Stonechat & Brent Geese along the East side (LP)

Sunday, 29th October: A pretty wild morning's weather, with some torrential downpours among the more or less ever-present drizzle and the brisk and blustery south-westerly reaching gale force during the frequent squalls........

Selsey Bill: It was another remarkable day at the Bill - with the Surf Scoter going west again early on, and four species of shearwaters recorded on the same day for the first time, comprising a Cory's Shearwater, 19 Sooty Shearwaters, five Balearic Shearwaters and a Manx Shearwater, all going west.

Also the first Great Northern and Black-throated Divers of the autumn were seen. Full log below. (SH/BI/PB/MRB/SR/IP/AH/MO-W/OM/CS)

(0630-1130hrs) (SSW, F6-7)

Great Northern Diver - 1W

Black-throated Diver - 1E

Great Crested Grebe - 2W

Cory's Shearwater - 1W (at 0842hrs)

Sooty Shearwater - 19W (5 at 0735, 3 at 0745, 3 at 0750, 5 at 0755, 2 at 0805 and 1 at 0900hrs)

Balearic Shearwater - 5W (4 at 0815 and 1 at 0820hrshrs)

Manx Shearwater - 1W

shearwater sp - 2W (at 0757hrs)

Gannet - 3E, 139W

Shag - 8E

Brent Goose - 8W

Surf Scoter - 1W (0640hrs)

Common Scoter - 2E, 2W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E

Sanderling - 1W

Knot - 1W

Turnstone - 35

Mediterranean Gull - 3W, 2os

Kittiwake - 29W

Sandwich Tern - 4E, 4os

auk sp - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 1N

Linnet - 7

Great Northern Diver (above), Sandwich Tern & Gannet at the Bill (AH)

A Purple Sandpiper went west, but it was otherwise back to normal service this afternoon! Full log below. (SH/SR/AW)

(1430-1530hrs)

Gannet - 3E, 11W, 10os

Shag - 7W

Purple Sandpiper - 1W

Kittiwake - 4W

Sandwich Tern - 1W

Purple Sandpiper at the Bill (AW)

Ferry Pool: There were a lot of birds roosting at the back, including at least three Spotted Redshanks, three Greenshanks, c80 Redshanks, 12 Avocets, c60 Black-tailed Godwits and c200 Lapwings, along with four Shelducks, c60 Shovelers and c100 Teal. 

Also, what was presumably the flock of eight Cackling-type Geese, that have been intermittently present for a long time, went over west. (AH)

Spotted Redshank (above), Spotted Redshank, Lapwings and Teal, Avocets & Cackling Geese at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There wasn't much to see in the harbour on the very big tide, though a Marsh Harrier went over and c100 Brent Geese were along the west side, with otherwise, just a few Grey Plovers, Redshanks, Curlews, Wigeon and Teal seen, and not much in the bushes beyond a handful of Goldcrests and a couple of Jays. (P&JW/AH)

Grey Plover (above) & Teal at Church Norton (AH)

26th - 28th October 2023

Saturday, 28th October: A morning of heavy showers and pleasant interludes in a moderate westerly breeze.............

Selsey Bill: A Purple Sandpiper among a flock of Dunlin and 102 Brent Geese west were the highlights. Full log below. (SH/BI/AH/SR)

(0745-0915hrs) (W, F4-5)

diver sp - 1W

Gannet - 10W

Brent Goose - 102W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W, 1os

Purple Sandpiper - 1W

Dunlin - 30E, 41W

Turnstone - 31

Mediterranean Gull - 8W, 2os

Common Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 13W

Mediterranean Gull (above) & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Out of no-where, a fairly astonishing afternoon of rarities unfolded at the Bill, with, amazingly, a female-type Surf Scoter, a Cory's Shearwater, a Sooty Shearwater and a juvenile Pomarine Skua all going through, fairly close in, to a variety of different observers.

There were also a Little Gull,  nearly 400 Gannets and 73 Kittiwakes west. Full log below. (P&LH/AW/SH/AH)

(1300-1700hrs) (SSW, F4-5)

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Red-throated Diver - 2W

Cory's Shearwater - 1W (1552hrs)

Sooty Shearwater - 1W (1346hrs)

shearwater sp - 1W

Gannet - 3E, 372W

Shag - 1W

Brent Goose - 31W

Surf Scoter - 1W (1344hrs)

Common Scoter - 4E

Sanderling - 1W

Dunlin - 1W

Turnstone - 14

Pomarine Skua - 1W (1411hrs)

Mediterranean Gull - 10W

Kittiwake - 73W

Little Gull - 1W

Razorbill - 1E, 7W

auk sp - 4W

Meadow Pipit - 1N

Surf Scoter (LH) (above), Cory's Shearwater (AH), Pomarine Skua (AW top two, LH lower), Little Gull, Kittiwake, Red-throated Diver & Shag (AW) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: There were a lot of birds on and around the pool and flooded fields, including at least two Spotted Redshanks, c20 Redshanks, c80 Lapwings and c300 Black-tailed Godwits, along with a pair of Gadwall, c30 Wigeon, c50 Shovelers and c80 Teal. (AH)

Gadwall (above) & Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)

East Beach: A Black Redstart was briefly on a neighbour's roof this morning. (SR)

Medmerry: Medmerry Trail - A juvenile Common Tern flew over the trail, heading for the Ferry and a Ring Ouzel was still near the WTW but it was generally quiet in more damp conditions.

Otherwise, a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk went over,  and a Yellowhammer, c60 Linnets, a few Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were also about. (P&LH/BI)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A 'Commic' Tern was feeding out over the reserve - presumably the Common Tern seen later over the Medmerry Trail, whilst two Egyptian Geese and two Dunlin were on the reserve and 12 Brent Geese west and a Buzzard went over.

Along the banks there were a Dartford Warbler, a Goldcrest, ten Stonechats and nine Yellowhammers. (S&SaH)

Selsey Town: A juvenile Peregrine was in a Selsey Garden today. (M.Woodland)

Peregrine in a Selsey garden (M Woodland)

Friday, 27th October: After yet more heavy overnight rain, and a blustery start, a mild and muggy day in just a light westerly breeze.............

Selsey Bill: A very quiet morning! Full log below. (SR/AH)

(0745-0845hrs) (W, F4-5)

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 1W

Brent Goose - 3W

Common Scoter - 4E, 2W

Dunlin - 5W

Turnstone - 5

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Ferry Pool: There were just 14 Avocets, c40 Lapwings, five Shelducks and c50 Teal and Shovelers on the pool his morning. (AH)

Shovelers and Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: Two Short-eared Owls were over the fields this morning before heading out over the harbour towards Church Norton, whilst a Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard were sat in the bushes, and in the field behind the Breech Pool there were c500 Black-tailed Godwits, with c300 Lapwings and 30 Golden Plovers in the fields behind that.

On the very high tide there were lots of Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Shelducks on the water, with an increasing number of Brent Geese further out. Along the wall there were 20 Long-tailed Tits, 12 Reed Buntings, two Chiffchaffs and two Stonechats, with 30 Snipe flying over, whilst a Kingfisher was at Owl Point and in the fields there, there were two Yellowhammers, six Reed Buntings, five Skylarks, a Meadow Pipit, a Jay, a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. 

Also, a Water Rail was calling by Owl Copse, and two Song Thrushes were behind the paddock. (LP/SP/JDW)

Short-eared Owls (above), Marsh Harrier, Kingfisher, Reed Bunting & Long-tailed Tit at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm, Ham Farm & Wilson's Farm - Late news was received yesterday from AW, of a grey shrike sp by the junction of the Medmerry Trail and Ham Road, late in the afternoon. It was seen only briefly and just one photograph was obtained, sadly.

Despite a thorough search of the area this morning, there was no sight of the bird across the area. 

grey shrike sp at Medmerry (AW)

There were plenty of other birds about this morning, though nothing rare, including a Redwing, c20 Stonechats, a dozen Goldcrests, half a dozen Chiffchaffs, a dozen Yellowhammers, c30 Meadow Pipis, c50 Skylarks and at least 500 Linnets.

Also, a Green Sandpiper was around the sewage works, a Marsh Harrier and 22 Bent Geese went over, with 50+ Lapwings, ten Gadwall, c50 Wigeon and three Buzzards also seen. (AW/BI/AH/SH et al)

Later on, a Ring Ouzel was seen along the Medmerry Trail, a Short-eared Owl was along the banks at Ham and 500 Brent Geese took to the air from the reserve. (IP/SR)

For anybody going to search, please note,that Ham Road is a private road with strictly no parking - access to the area is best achieved along the Medmerry Trail from the Visitor Centre, or from walking east along the banks from the Easton Lane car-park. (Eds)

Green Sandpiper (above), Redwing (AW), Marsh Harrier, Stonechat, Skylark, Linnets & Bent Geese (AH) at Medmerry

Thursday, 26th October: The blustery westerly breeze eased as the morning progressed, leaving a pleasant autumnal morning of sun and white cloud.......

Selsey Bill: A Purple Sandpiper dropped in briefly, before heading on west, with 49 Brent Geese and a few mixed ducks also going west, including a female Pochard. Full log below. (SR/IP/AH)

(0745-0915hrs) (WNW, F6-7)

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 1W

Shag - 2E

Brent Goose - 49W

Wigeon - 7W

Teal - 1W

Pintail - 4W

Pochard - 1W

Common Scoter - 6W

Purple Sandpiper - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 1W

Razorbill - 1E

auk sp - 2E

Pied Wagtail - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 10W

Linnet - 1W

Goldfinch - 20W

Purple Sandpiper (above), Common Scoters and Pochard & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were two Greenshanks, 18 Avocets, six Black-tailed Godwits, c40 Lapwings, five Shelducks and c50 Shovelers and Teal around the pool this morning. (AH)

Greenshanks (above) & Avocets and Shoveler on the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A Black Redstart was briefly on the roof of the stables at the end of Church Lane before moving into the garden of the new build house, whilst a Grey Wagtail and a Kestrel were around the paddock and along the wall there were three Rock Pipits, 12 Long-tailed Tits, four Stonechats, six Reed Buntings, two Chiffchaffs and a Greenfinch.

In the flooded fields there were four Brent Geese, four Pintail, 52 Canada Geese, 24 Curlew, 250 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Lapwing and 120 Golden Plovers, but it was quiet at Halsey’s Farm with just a couple of Stonechats on the fence and a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the trees. (LP)

Stonechat (above), Pintails, Brent Geese & Black-tailed Godwits at the North Wall (LP)

East Side: Out in the harbour around high tide there were 180 Brent Geese, 200 Wigeon, 60 Teal and 40 Pintail, with a few Redshanks, Grey Plovers and Turnstones on the mud. By the Lagoon, four Stonechats, a Cetti’s Warbler and two Linnets were along the footpath with a Goldcrest, and two Chiffchaffs in the bushes (LP)

Stonechat (above) & Linnet along the East side (LP)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - A ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting over the fields between Porthole Farm and Little Ham cottages mid-morning today. (JWo)

Runcton: A quick walk down the lane at midday produced a Grey Heron and a group of six Goldcrests. (CRJ)

Church Norton: There were a few small birds around in the nice weather this morning, including a Dartford Warbler, at least ten Stonechats, three Reed Buntings and five Meadow Pipits along the front, a Blackcap in the churchyard and half a dozen or so Chiffchaffs in that area and between the Severals.

The harbour, though, was very quiet on the big high tide, with just a few Wigeon and Teal, half a dozen Great Crested Grebes and a few Redshank seen. (AH)

Dartford Warbler (above), Blackcap, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff & Stonechat at Church Norton (AH)