10th - 13th March 2024

Wednesday, 13th March: Another cool and very grey, though dry, morning in a fresh and blustery westerly breeze.........

Selsey Bill: A total of 503 Brent Geese going east was the clear highlight on an otherwise quiet morning, with a Long-tailed Duck and two Great Northern Divers offshore the only other birds of note. Full log below. (SR/MO-W/AH)

(0720-0920hrs) (W, F6)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 7W

Brent Goose - 503E, 6W

Long-tailed Duck - 1os

Common Scoter - 1E

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E

Oystercatcher - 6W

Turnstone - 6 

Mediterranean Gull - 1os

Common Gull - 2os

Sandwich Tern - 7os

Meadow Pipit - 1N

Pied Wagtail - 1N

This afternoon a total of seven Long-tailed Ducks were seen offshore. Full log below. (SH)

(1630-1730hrs)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Slavonian Grebe - 1os

Gannet -1E

Shag - 2W

Brent Goose - 7W

Long-tailed Duck - 7os

Red-breasted Merganser - 5os

Oystercatcher - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 1os

Sandwich tern - 1os

Great Northern Diver (above), Long-tailed Duck, Sandwich Tern & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were 38 Avocets on the pool this morning, and two pairs of Lapwings were displaying over the field, but there were no other waders about, whilst wildfowl comprised c60 Teal, c90 Shovelers, c20 Wigeon and half a dozen Mallards. (AH)

This afternoon two of the Avocets were mating and there was also a pair of Gadwall, three Mediterranean Gulls and a Lesser Black-backed Gull on the pool, whilst a Cetti's Warbler was calling and three Chiffchaffs and a pair of Long-tailed Tits were in the hedges. (SR)

Lapwings (above), Avocets & Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were very few birds in the harbour this morning, beyond a few of the regular waders and c40 Brent Geese, c30 Wigeon and c20 Shelducks, with just a loose flock of 22 Mediterranean Gulls offshore and a couple of Chiffchaffs in the sheltered hedges. (AH)

Chiffchaff (above), Shelducks, Mediterranean Gulls & Wigeon and Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)

West Itchenor: A Nuthatch - the first of the year - was calling briefly from the vicinity of Chalkdock Copse, where a Chiffchaff was singing, too. (PH)

East Head: Both a Coal Tit and a Firecrest were singing in a garden at Roman Landing today. (SH)

Chichester GPs: Ivy Lake - The three Red-crested Pochards were on Ivy Lake again this morning, with the two drakes sparring over the attentions of the female. 

There was also a probable White Wagtail among the Pied Wagtails in the nearby paddocks. (SM)

Red-crested Pochards on Ivy Lake (SM)

North Wall:There were three Ruff in the flooded fields this morning, along with 18 Lapwings, 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 65 Curlews, 150 Wigeon, 40 Teal and 24 Shovelers, and four Tufted Ducks were on the Breech Pool, whilst the male Marsh Harrier was about, and eight Grey Herons were in and around Owl Copse.

At Halsey’s Farm, two more Tufted Ducks were on the rife and a few Skylarks were around the fields, but it was quiet along the wall with just two Reed Buntings and three Chiffchaffs in the bushes and a couple of calling Cetti’s Warblers in the reeds.

Also, a Bar-tailed Godwit was along White’s Creek together with a few Snipe, Grey Plovers, Redshank, Wigeon, Teal and Pintail, but there were just 60 Brent Geese further out. (LP)

Ruffs (above), Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit, Tufted Ducks & Shovelers, Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwits and Curlews at the North wall (LP)

Tuesday, 12th March: A really dismal morning's weather, with persistent heavy drizzle interspersed with squally showers in a fresh westerly breeze .......

Selsey Bill: There was very little going on this morning beyond a few Brent Geese east and few of the regulars offshore. (SR/AH)

(0750--0905hrs) (WSW, F5-6)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Gannet - 5W

Brent Goose - 27E

Common Scoter - 3E

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 5

Mediterranean Gull - 1os

Common Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern -  7os

Sandwich Terns (above) & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

This afternoon four flocks - totalling 34 - of Brent Geese went east. (AW)

Brent Geese at the Bill (AW)

Ferry Pool: There were 22 Avocets, five Snipe, one Black-tailed Godwit and seven Redshanks around the pool, along with five Gadwall, a dozen Teal and c60 Shovelers, with c50 Wigeon and two Curlews on the field. (AH)

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

Pagham Spit: Yesterday's flock of seven Eider were still off of the spit this afternoon. (LP)

West Itchenor: The Black-throated Diver was present again today, between Itchenor and Bosham Hoe. (PH)

Church Norton: The Whimbrel was in the harbour again this morning, along with an Avocet, a lone Knot, a dozen Grey Plovers, c40 Dunlin, half a dozen Teal and 24 Shelducks, whilst offshore there were just two Long-tailed Ducks and two Red-breasted Mergansers. (AH)

Whimbrel (above), Knot & Grey Plover at Church Norton (AH)

This afternoon there was a flock of c80 Golden Plovers over the harbour. (AW)

Golden Plovers at Church Norton (AW)

Monday, 11th March: Another cool and heavily overcast, if dry, morning in a fairly light north-westerly breeze .......

Just a quick reminder that the Peninsula statistics have been fully updated and are available by clicking on the bar above (Eds)

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of visible migration this morning, including 149 Meadow Pipits over and a Robin that was watched flying in low over the sea and dropping in on a groyne on the beach.

Eastward migration offshore was very limited, though, with a flock of seven Eider the clear highlight, with many more Brent Geese going west, rather than east. Full log below. (SH/IP/SR/AH/P&LH)

(0630-0930hrs) (NNW, F2-3)

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Red-throated Diver - 3W

Great Crested Grebe - 3E, 1W

Gannet - 4E, 3W

Brent Goose - 19E, 82W

Eider - 7E

Common Scoter - 2W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 1os

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 19

Mediterranean Gull - 4os

Common Gull - 1W

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 3W

Sandwich Tern - 8os

Meadow Pipit - 149N

Pied Wagtail - 9N

Stonechat - 1

Robin - 1N (in off sea)

(1335-1420hrs) (P&LH)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Red-throated Diver - 1os

Shoveler - 7E

Common Scoter - 1E

Turnstone - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 1os

Meadow Pipit - 3N

Stonechat - 1

Chiffchaff - 1

Eider (above), Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Brent Geese & Robin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were eight Snipe and 12 Black-tailed Godwits on the pool this morning, along with 28 Avocets, 32 Dunlin, two Curlews, c20 Redshanks, a Little Egret, four Gadwall, c30 Shovelers and c20 Teal. (AH/&LH/NM)

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

Chichester GPs: Ivy Lake - The three Red-crested Pochards - two drakes and a duck -  re-appeared this morning on Ivy Lake, in the north-east corner, near the clubhouse, along with a Black Swan.

There were also a dozen Pochard and Great Crested Grebes, a pair of Shovelers, a pair of Egyptian Geese and c20 Tufted Ducks present.(LP/SR/AH et al)

Red-crested Pochards (above), Black Swan (LP) & Black Swan and Mute Swans (SR) at Chichester GPs

Selsey: A Firecrest was in our garden, to the north of the village, today. (S&SaH)

Fishbourne Creek: The Long-tailed Duck and a Spotted Redshank were again in the creek today. (per Sussex Whatsapp)

Church Norton: The seven Eider seen past the Bill were viewable near the harbour mouth this morning, whilst there were still five Long-tailed Ducks offshore, along with six Great Crested Grebes, and c25 Meadow Pipits came in off the sea.

In the harbour there were still 150 Brent geese, 30 or so Wigeon and Shelducks and just a couple of Teal, with waders including a Bar-tailed Godwit, c30 Turnstones, c25 Grey Plovers, a Ringed Plover and c40 Dunlin. (P&LH)

Pagham Spit: The seven Eider dropped into the channel off the spit this morning, with a female Red Breasted Merganser and a couple of Great Crested Grebes also present, and there were still 200 Brent Geese spread around the harbour and the spit, along with a couple of Wigeon and a dozen Pintail.
There were a few waders about, including 150 Dunlin, 60 Ringed Plovers, 80 Grey Plovers, 30 Turnstone, ten Redshanks and 40 Oystercatchers, and along the gorse there were a Chiffchaff, two Reed Buntings, two Linnets, three Skylarks and a Meadow Pipit, (LP/TRH)

Eider (above), Ringed Plovers and Dunlin, Brent Geese, Linnet & Reed Bunting at Pagham Spit (LP)

Marsh and Chalder Farms, Sidlesham: Highlight this morning was a flock of c50 Redwings around the hedges along Church Farm Lane, before they headed off north, but there wasn't too much else about, including hardly any corvids.

A flock of 32 Cattle Egrets were sitting out near the buildings and five Shelducks and a dozen Meadow Pipits were in the fields there, whilst five Mediterranean Gulls went over Chalder Lane, where there were still 30 Chaffinches around the cover crop. (AH)

Redwings (above) & Cattle Egrets at Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Around 40 Fieldfares and c25 Pied Wagtails were near the car-park this morning, with three Chiffchaffs, a Stonechat and a Yellowhammer along the banks, whilst a Mash Harrier, a Buzzard and a Kestrel went over.

Also, a Greenshank, two Snipe and c200 Brent Geese wee on the reserve, with two Red-breasted Mergansers on the pool opposite the Stilt Pool, which held c20 Snipe, six Ringed Plovers, three Dunlin and six Avocets. (SH)

Sunday, 10th March: A cool, grey and murky morning, including a prolonged spell of heavy drizzle, though the easterly breeze remained light throughout.......

Just a quick reminder that the Peninsula statistics have been fully updated and are available by clicking on the bar above (Eds)

Selsey Bill: Over 100 Brent Geese went east this morning, along with two drake Eider and a few Common Scoters and Red-throated Divers, whilst four Avocets went west and six Great Northern Divers were on the sea. Full log below. (JA/SH/BI/PB/MRB/SR/IP/AH)

(0615-0900hrs) (E, F2)

Great Northern Diver - 6os

Red-throated Diver - 20E, 8W, 2os

Gannet - 4E, 1W

Shag - 8E, 1os

Brent Goose - 114E

Mallard - 2

Eider - 2E

Common Scoter - 29E, 3W, 13os

Red-breasted Merganser - 13E, 4W, 4os

Oystercatcher - 1W

Avocet - 4W

Turnstone - 3

Mediterranean Gull - 3os

Sandwich Tern - 6os

Skylark - 1N

Pied Wagtail - 3N

Eider (above) & Common Scoter at the Bill (AH)

(1430-1600hrs) (SH/AW)

Great Northern Diver - 1W, 4os

Red-throated Diver - 3E, 2W

Slavonian Grebe - 1os

Brent Goose - 18E

Long-tailed Duck - 2os

Red-breasted Merganser - 2os

Oystercatcher - 5E

Dunlin - 24E

Stonechat - 2

Stonechat at the Bill (AW)

Ferry Pool: The Spoonbill was back on the pool at high tide this morning, along with the Green Sandpiper, five Black-tailed Godwits, a dozen Redshank, 37 Avocets and c50 Dunlin, but wildfowl numbers were much reduced, with just two Shelducks, two Gadwall and a dozen or so Teal and Shovelers present. (AH/MRB/PB/IP)

Spoonbill (top three MRB, lower two AH) at the Ferry

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: A Hooded Crow was reported as present along Church Lane this afternoon (per Birdguides), but there was no further sign, though at least 25 Cattle Egrets were in the fields beyond the buildings. (SR/IP)

Park Farm, Selsey: Early morning there were both a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel, together with a Long-tailed Tit, and on my return a Grey Wagtail was in the first horse paddock and a Pied Wagtail was on the barn roof. (IP)

Church Norton: There were a total of five Spoonbills in the harbour this morning, before being moved on by the tide, with the three on the east side dropping in later near Tern Island, whilst two were in the middle of the harbour, with one flying to the Ferry and the other flying towards the North wall before landing.

Otherwise, a Greenshank was on Tern Island and there were the usual mix of Grey Plovers and Dunlin in fairly low numbers, plus a few Ringed Plovers, whilst a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers were present, along with c40 Pintail and Wigeon and at least 300 Brent Geese.

Offshore, the six Long-tailed Ducks were again present, along with two Common Scoters, at least four Red-breasted Mergansers, a Slavonian Grebe, a Great Crested Grebe and four Great Northern Divers, but passerines were few, beyond a dozen or so Meadow Pipits on/over the beach, a Stonechat and a handful of Linnets and Skylarks, plus a Sparrowhawk over. (PB/MRB/AH/IP et al)

Spoonbills (above) Long-tailed Ducks, Ringed Plover & Meadow Pipit t Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: Three Spoonbills were along the east side this morning, up near the spit, whilst the usual Wigeon, Teal and Redshanks were along White’s Creek, with 12 Snipe, 80 Grey Plovers, 60 Dunlin and four Bar-tailed Godwits on the mud and a 120 Brent Geese and 30 Pintails on the water,

In the flooded fields, there were 180 Black-tailed Godwits, 26 Shovelers and a pair of Gadwall, with a Chiffchaff and a couple of Reed Buntings in the bushes.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker were around the paddock this morning, along with a Little Egret, a pair of Stock Doves, a Cetti’s Warbler, a Long-tailed Tit and a Reed Bunting, while the pair of Marsh Harriers were over the reeds further back. (LP/CT/DHi)

Spoonbills (above), Stock Dove, Shovelers, Teal and Black-tailed Godwits & Green Woodpecker at the North Wall (OP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Merlin was about this morning, along with two Kestrels and three Buzzards, whilst an Egyptian Goose, an Avocet and a Ringed Plover were on the reserve, with another four Avocets, two Ringed Plovers and six Dunlin on the Stilt Pools.

The banks were fairly quiet, though there were still three Fieldfares, three Stonechats, 13 Yellowhammers and a Cetti's Warbler about. (SH)

Whyke Lakes:  A male Blackcap was heard and seen by the footpath this morning but there was no sign of the Red-crested Pochards. (BI)