17th - 19th August 2024

Monday, 19th August: A distinctly cool and hazily grey morning in a moderate south-westerly breeze.........

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of variety this morning, including a Black Tern among the gull flock, a Little Tern east and then west, another Fulmar, two Swifts and a bit of visible migration, with five Tree Pipits, including four together, and eight Yellow Wagtails over. Full log below. (PM/SR/AH/KT/IP/MO-W/AW)

(0600-0830hrs) (SW, F3-4)

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 32E, 6W

Shag - 2E

Little Egret -1

Common Scoter - 2E, 1W

Sparrowhawk - 2

Oystercatcher - 1W

Sanderling - 5W

Turnstone - 15

Mediterranean Gull - 14W, 30os

Sandwich Tern - 6E, 26W

Common Tern - 5os

Little Tern - 1E, 1W

Black Tern - 1os

Swift - 2

Swallow - 2

Sand Martin - 3

House Martin - 34

Yellow Wagtail - 8W

Tree Pipit - 5W

Wheatear - 2

Fulmar (above), Sandwich Tern, Swift, Wheatear (AH), Wheaear & Little Egret (AW) at the Bill

At lunchtime, a juvenile Kittiwake dropped in on the beach. (AW)

(1630-1730hrs) (SH)

Gannet - 6E, 7W, 6os

Oystercatcher - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 2W

Sand Martin - 2

Kittiwake at the Bill (AW)

Ferry Pool: The Semi-palmated Sandpiper was missing early on, but back later with four Dunlin, and there were also, at various times, a Wood Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers, a Spotted Redshank, eight Avocets and c30 Black-tailed Godwits, along with two juvenile  Shelducks and c40 Teal, whilst a Kingfisher was in the channel opposite.  (AH/KT/PA/RBe et al)

Also, visiting birders reported the Little Stint as present, and later, there was a report of a Garganey present, too. (Eds)

Semi-palmated Sandpiper (above) & Spotted Redshank at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: The Wood Sandpiper was again on the flooded field this morning, along with as many as five Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank, a Black-tailed Godwit and three Water Rails. (MRe/CRJ/IPKT et al)

Wood Sandpiper at Mill Pond Marsh (KT)

Church Norton: The north-west corner of the churchyard was full of birds again early this morning, including up to five Tree Pipits in the dead trees, with a Garden Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff, a Sedge Warbler and two or three Blackcaps and Willow Warblers, whilst both the Spotted Flycatcher and the Pied Flycatcher were behind the hide again, as was a Stonechat, and another Lesser Whitethroat was along the west side.

Also, the Osprey was sat in the harbour and then cruised its length several times, whilst on the mud there were just a couple of Sandwich Terns and Whimbrel, c30 Grey Plovers and c50 Ringed Plovers, Dunlin and Redshanks, plus eight Black-tailed Godwits that flew in. Along the Severals were plenty of Whitethroats and at least five Sedge Warblers. (BI/AW/PA/KT/PM/IP/AH/MO-W/SR et al)

Pied Flycatcher (KT) (above), Tree Pipit (AH), Lesser Whitethroat (KT), Willow Warbler, Whitethroat (AH), Osprey (KT above, AH below) & Black-tailed Godwits (AH) at Church Norton

Sidlesham: A Hobby went over Cow Lane this evening. (PA)

Long Pool: This afternoon two Ravens flew over Long Pool heading towards Sidlesham and a Kingfisher was seen briefly in flight. There was little to see in the hedges other than two Reed Warblers. (AW)

Raven (above) & Reed Warbler along the Long Pool (AW)

(North Wall: An Osprey was sat out on the mud in the harbour early on, and there were two Yellow-legged Gulls and a Lesser Black-backed Gull also about, a Kingfisher flew along White’s Creek and over the sluice and a Sparrowhawk landed on the fence there.

There was a good selection of waders about, with two Knot, three Greenshanks, 4four Whimbrels, 12 Ringed Plovers, 16 Grey Plovers, and 12 Dunlin amongst the numerous Redshanks, Lapwings and Curlews in the harbour, and a Snipe and two Spotted Redshanks on the Breech Pool, where the Great White Egret was still present.

Also, a mixed flock of Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and Lesser Whitethroats was moving along the hedges, a Green Woodpecker was in the trees, and a few Reed Warblers, Cetti’s Warblers, and Sedge Warblers were still in the reeds, but it was quiet around Halsey’s Farm with just a few Greenfinches and Goldfinches about. (LP/CT/TRH/GHi)

Lesser Whitethroat (above), Long-tailed Tit, Spotted Redshank, Great White Egret, Sparrowhawk & Green Woodpecker at the North Wall (LP)

Sunday, 18th August: Eventually, another warm, sunny morning after a grey and breezy start, with a moderate north-westerly blowing throughout........

Selsey Bill: The first returning Garganey went past this morning, with a couple of Teal a bit later, with a Fulmar, a Shag, three Common Terns and two Swifts also of note. Full log below.. (SH/PB/MRB/BI/SR/MO-W/AH/P&LH)

(0600-0800hrs) (NW, F3-4)

Fulmar - 1E

Gannet - 7E, 10W, 20os

Shag - 1W

Little Egret - 1W

Garganey - 1W

Teal - 2W

Common Scoter - 9W

Oystercatcher - 5W

Turnstone - 20

Mediterranean Gull - 80os

Sandwich Tern - 18os

Common Tern - 3os

Swift - 2

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1E

Swallow - 1W

House Martin - 24

Meadow Pipit - 1W

Linnet - 9

Later, at 1400hrs, a Black Tern went west past the Bill with three Sandwich Terns. (P&LH)

(1330-1430hrs)

Gannet - 3E

Common Scoter - 5E

Turnstone - 2

Mediterranean Gull - 3E, 1W, 2os

Sandwich Tern - 9E, 3W

Back Tern - 1E

Sand Martin - 5

House Martin - 2

Fulmar (above), Shag, Mediterranean Gull & Swifts at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Semi-palmated Sandpiper was still along the bar in the middle of the pool with three Dunlin, but there was no sign of the Little Stint. 

There were also two Spotted Redshanks, two Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, a Redshank, two Common Sandpipers, eight Avocets and c30 Black-tailed Godwits, along with c40 Teal. (AH/MO-W/PB/MRB/AB/GM et al)

Semi-palmated Sandpiper, Dunlin and Lapwing (above), Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Common Sandpiper & Avocets at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: The previously flooded field beside the reeds along Mill Lane was very productive this morning, with a Wood Sandpiper, three Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank and two Black-tailed Godwits on the remnant pools. (MRe/PJ/GJ/AH/PB/MRB)

Also, the Osprey was seen briefly along nearby Rookery Lane, sat on a telegraph pole with a fish in its talons. (PJ/GaJ)

Wood Sandpiper (above) & Greenshank at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

Northcommon Farm: A Pied Flycatcher was in the hedges by Flycatcher Corner this morning, though elusive, but the hedges were otherwise very quiet with just two Blackcaps, and two Linnets seen.

Over the golf course was a flock of c60 Swallows and the seed-heads were being enjoyed by a mixed flock of Goldfinches, Greenfinches and Chaffinches - around 75 birds altogether, whilst three Stock Doves and a family of three Pied Wagtails were in the fields. (SR/BI et al)

Pied Flycatcher (above) & Swallows at Northcommon Farm (SR)

Park Farm, Selsey: There were numerous House Martins over the farm this morning, with a few Swallows and at least three Sand Martins among them, but not much else beyond a Green Woodpecker about, plus two Grey Herons over. (IP)

East side: There were good numbers of waders seen on the rising tide this morning, including three Greenshank, three Knot, seven Grey Plovers,a Whimbrel, c80 Dunlin, c50 Curlews and c100 Redshanks, along with three Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Also, along the hedges there were seven Willow Warblers, two Chiffchaffs, a Reed Warbler and a Whitethroat. (MRe)

North Wall: There was a fair selection of passerines seen this morning, including two Tree Pipits, five Yellow Wagtails, three Sand Martins and 29 Swallows over, and a Wheatear, a Lesser Whitethroat, four Whitethroats, three Cetti's Warblers, a Willow Warbler, seven Sedge Warblers and eight Reed Warblers along the wall. 

Also, two Shovelers, a dozen Gadwall and 20 Teal were on the Breech Pool, with a Kingfisher, a Marsh Harrier, a Common Sandpiper and 29 Cattle Egrets seen, too. (MRe)

Later, the Osprey was seen fishing out in the harbour before heading off towards Marsh Farm with its catch, and it was busy along White’s Creek, with a Wigeon, 129 Canada Geese, four Greylag Geese and six Gadwall on the water, and out on the mud were two Curlew Sandpipers, two Spotted Redshanks, 72 Grey Plovers, a Bar-tailed Godwit, eight Dunlin, three Whimbrels, 16 Ringed Plovers, a Turnstone, two Greenshanks, 37 Curlews, and the usual Redshanks and Lapwings.

A Spotted Flycatcher was in the bushes behind the sluice, along with two Whitethroats, a Chaffinch, and a few Blue Tits, Great Tits and Goldfinches, whilst a Kingfisher flew along the rife and a Sparrowhawk, and c100 Sand Martins with a few Swallows were overhead.

Also. a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker were around the paddock and a Grey Wagtail dropped into the garden at Little Welbourne, whilst the Great White Egret was again on the Breech Pool, and out on their island there were 59 Cattle Egrets, two Little Egrets and two Grey Herons. (LP,/DHi/JDW/GaJ/PJ et al)

Alsop, this afternoon, there were eight Yellow Wagtails about. (SP)

Spotted Flycatcher (above), Greenshank and Grey Plovers, Sparrowhawk & Greylag Goose at the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: The three Tree Pipits were in the trees again in the churchyard early on, bur not later, with it and the hide area generally quiet beyond a Garden Warbler and just the odd Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler, though later on, a Pied Flycatcher and a Spotted Flycatcher were behind the hide.

Also, another Spotted flycatcher was in Bluebell Wood and a Whinchat, at least two Wheatears and a handful of Whitethroats and Linnets were along the front. 

An Osprey was seen hunting over the harbour mid-morning, and at least one Marsh Harrier was about, but the mud didn't hold much on the rising tide beyond a dozen Sandwich Terns, a couple of Whimbrel and a few Dunlin, Ringed Plovers and Redshanks, whilst offshore another 11 Sandwich Terns and a Gannet went west..

(PA/BI/PB/MRB/AB/AH/IP/RJS/MG/GaJ/PJ et al)

Osprey (above), Pied Flycatcher (GaJ), Whinchat and Wheatear, Whinchat, Wheatear, & Sandwich Tern (AH) at Church Norton

This afternoon there were two Spotted Flycatchers and a Pied Flycatcher behind the hide, though generally elusive. (AB/AW)

Also, in the harbour, a Little Stint - looking like a juvenile, rather than the one from the Ferry - was with half a dozen Dunlin and c30 Ringed Plovers on the mud, and there were at least half a dozen Whimbrel present. (GaJ/PJ/AH et al)

Later, a flock of 41 Yellow Wagtails went over. (PA)

Little Stint and Ringed Plover (above) & Whimbrels at Church Norton (AH)

Runcton: A Red Kite went over the road by the farm shop. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Two Wheatears, six Yellow Wagtails, two Whitethroats, two Stonechats and four Yellowhammers were along the banks this morning, with a Peregrine, two Buzzards and four Sparrowhawks, six Swallows and c30 Sand Martins over.

Also, three Green Sandpipers and a Common Sandpiper were on the reserve, and two more of the latter were on the Stilt Pool. (S&SaH/HB/LT)

This afternoon, a White Stork, bearing the leg ring GBR 7, was seen near the poplars. (D Jackman)

Saturday, 17th August: A lovely late summer morning of warm sun and blue skies, with just a light north-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: Three juvenile Black Terns dropped in on the huge offshore feeding flock before carrying on west this morning, whilst three Wheatears were on the Oval Field and five Yellow Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail went over west. Full log below. (PB/SH/SR/IP/AH/KT/MO-W et al)

(0600-0800hrs) (NW, F3)

Gannet - 4E, 14W, 14os

Common Scoter - 1W

Kestrel - 1W (os)

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 34

Mediterranean Gull - 49W

Black-headed Gull - c1500os

Herring Gull - c1000os

Sandwich Tern - 34os

Common Tern - 14os

Black Tern - 3os, then W

Swallow - 2

House Martin - 12

Yellow Wagtail - 5W

Grey Wagtail - 1W

Wheatear - 3

Willow Warbler - 1

Later, a high and very vocal Hobby went west over the beach. (ML)

Wheatear (above) & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Semi-palmated Sandpiper and the Little Stint were showing well all morning to a continuous flow of observers, and there was a good selection of other species present, too, including a Spotted Redshank, two Green Sandpipers, five Common Sandpipers, a Snipe, eight Avocets and c45 Black-tailed Godwits, along with c40 Teal. (KT/MO-W/CRJ/AH/PB/PA et al)

Also, the Lesser Emperor dragonfly was still in Red Barn Ditch. (AB)

Semi-palmated Sandpiper, Little Stint, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits (above), Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Common Sandpipers & Avocet at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The churchyard and hide area was full of birds early this morning, with up to three Tree Pipits and a dozen Yellow Wagtails, plus a couple of Meadow Pipits, flying up into the dead trees from the adjacent maize field, whilst there were also a Pied Flycatcher in the bushes to the north of the hide and a Spotted Flycatcher behind the hide and then in the churchyard.

There were also a Garden Warbler, a couple of Lesser Whitethroats and up to a dozen Willow Warblers, Whitethroats and Blackcaps about the churchyard/hide, with few Swallows, Sand and House Martins over, but not too much in the harbour beyond c30 Sandwich Terns and Ringed Plovers and a couple of Whimbrel. (AH/IP/KT/LP/SR//MB/GM et al)

Tree Pipits (above), Yellow Wagtails, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler & Whitethroat at Church Norton (AH)

This evening there were two Spotted Flycatchers in the churchyard, along with a Garden Warbler and several Blackcaps, whilst three or four Yellow Wagtails were flying up into the dead trees and several Sand Martins went over. 

Also, a summer plumaged Grey Plover was in the harbour, along with a couple of Whimbrel and a dozen or so Ringed Plovers and Sandwich Terns. (AH/pA/MRe)

Spotted Flycatcher (above), Yellow Wagtail, Garden Warbler, Blackcap & Grey Plover at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: There were less passerines on this side this morning, though a Tree Pipit and a Yellow Wagtail went over and a few Willow, Reed and Sedge Warblers, a Cetti's Warbler and a couple of Whitethroats were along the path, whilst c20 Sand Martins and c50 Swallows went over.

The Great White Egret was on the Breech Pool, along with a Kingfisher, a Shoveler, five Gadwall and c30 Teal, but a single roosting Black-tailed Godwit was the only wader using it, though a Green Sandpiper flew over,  whilst out in the harbour there were four Greenshank, six Knot, two Bar-tailed Godwits, c40 Lapwings and plenty of Redshanks, along with  up to a dozen roosting Cattle and Little Egrets and  c25 Canada Geese. (PA/AH et al)

This afternoon an Osprey was reported from the dead trees at Owl Point. (per Birdguides)

Reed Warbler (above), Great White Egret & Cattle Egret at the North Wall (AH)

Medmerry: Medmerry Trail to Sidlesham SF - Highlights this morning were four Whinchats, two Wheatears and two Lesser Whitethroats along the Trail. (MB)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pools - It was fairly quiet along the banks this morning, with a Dartford Warbler, three Whitethroats, three Willow Warblers and four Yellowhammers being the sum, though five Yellow Wagtails, c400 Sand Martins, c20 Swallows and a dozen House Martins went over.

Also a Kingfisher was on the reserve and a Peregrine. a female Marsh Harrier, two Buzzards, two Sparrowhawks and three Kestrels were seen. (S&SaH/PB)