Birding the Selsey Peninsula: September 2024

Monday, 16th September: Despite the moderate north-easterly breeze, another warm and sunny morning......

Selsey Bill: A Black Tern and ten Shags, including a flock of nine, went east and a Peregrine and two Arctic Skuas went west this morning, with the first Jay of the year here, a bit of visible migration and a fair gathering of hirundines, too. Full log below. (PB/PM/AH/IP/SR)

(0630-0830hrs) (NE, F3)

Gannet - 26E, 11W, 10os

Shag - 10E

Sparrowhawk - 1

Peregrine - 1W

Turnstone - 48

Arctic Skua - 2W

Mediterranean Gull - 3E, 21W

Sandwich Tern - 19E

Black Tern - 1E

auk sp - 1W

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1

Swallow - 150

Sand Martin - 10

House Martin - 200

Yellow Wagtail - 2E

Grey Wagtail - 5W

Pied Wagtail - 2E

Meadow Pipit - 6W

Chiffchaff - 2

Jay - 1W

Linnet - 20E

Swallow (above), House Martin & Jay at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A juvenile Red Kite was sat on a post at the back of the pool this morning, with a Whinchat also on the fields, and a Ruff was present early on, whilst otherwise, there were still a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, two Snipe and seven Avocets about, along with c30 Black-tailed Godwits, c80Lapwings and c25 Teal, with two Grey Wagtails at the back, too. (PA/AH)

Red Kite (PA), Green Sandpiper & Common Sandpiper (AH) at the Ferry

Church Norton: Star bird of the morning was the Nuthatch in the back of the churchyard, heard and then seen briefly before it flew off. For a species that is common on the other side of Chichester, this is a very rare bird on the Peninsula, recorded just about annually from the Itchenor/Witterings area, but probably not for a dozen years or more at Church Norton.

A Spotted Flycatcher, two or three Blackcaps and Goldcrests and numerous Chiffchaffs were also in the churchyard/hide area, along with five Mistle Thrushes flying around together, whilst a Whinchat, at east four Stonechats, a Wheatear, a Sedge Warbler, and up to five Whitethroats and Reed Buntings were along the front, with six Yellow Wagtails, three Grey Wagtails, a dozen Meadow Pipits and 100+ House Martins and Swallows went over.

The harbour was fairly quiet, but a couple of Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwits were about, along with a few Grey Plovers, but not much else. (AW/MRe/PM/AH/IP/P&JW et al)

Nuthatch (above), Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear, House Martin (AW), Whinchat, Stonechat, Mistle Thrushes & Whimbrel (AH) at Church Norton

Later on, a White-tailed Eagle was over the harbour, being mobbed by a Marsh Harrier, and. also, the first Golden Plover of the autumn went over and 26 Pintail and 86 Wigeon were on the water. (PA)

Late this afternoon the very elusive Wryneck popped up briefly, only seen in flight, along the front of the Severals. (AW)

White-tailed Eagle at Church Norton (PA)

North Wall: A White-tailed Eagle flew low across the harbour on the high tide before landing briefly on the saltmarsh and then drifting off towards Sidlesham, being mobbed by many other birds including a Marsh Harrier and a Sparrowhawk.

There was a noticeable increase in Wigeon and Pintail numbers along White’s Creek and three Common Sandpipers were along the banks with the usual Redshanks and Lapwings, and further out there were five Avocets, 60 Curlews and 36 Grey Plovers.

The Great White Egret was back on the Breech Pool, along with three Spotted Redshanks, a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, five Snipe, 31 Black-tailed Godwits, 18 Lapwings and two Water Rails, with a Shoveler in with the Teal and Mallards.

At Halsey’s Farm, a Whinchat, a Wheatear and a Meadow Pipit were on the fences, a Stonechat and a few Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers were in the bushes, and ten Yellow Wagtails were with the cows in the field, along with six Cattle Egrets, whilst a Raven passed overhead and a Kingfisher was by the rife, with another on Owl Water. (BFF/SL/TRH/LP/CT et al).

White-tailed Eagle (above), Stonechat, Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper & Great White Egret at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A spoonbill was on the stilt Pool this evening, along with a Common Sandpiper, whilst an Osprey, two Cattle Egrets and a Kingfisher were on the reserve and three Buzzards and five Kestrels were also seen.

The banks were fairly quiet, though a Dartford Warbler, a Stonechat, three Chiffchaffs, eight Yellowhammers, ten Meadow Pipits and c30 Yellow Wagtails were about and c200 Swallows and c20 Sand Martins went over. (S&SaH)

East Head: There was a spectacular high-tide gathering of as many as 1000 Oystercatchers on the shingle bar at Ella Nore this morning. (GM)

Sunday, 15th September: After another coldish start, a very warm and sunny morning in almost no breeze at all.......

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of a selection again this morning, including the first two Red-throated Divers of the autumn and more hirundines, wagtails and pipits on the move. Full log below. (SH/JA/BI/IP/AH/SR)

(0615-0900hrs) (ENE, F1)

Red-throated Diver - 2W

Gannet - 9E, 30W

Shag - 1E, 1os

Wigeon - 11E, 9W

Teal - 3W

Shoveler - 2E

Common Scoter - 5E, 6W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 12

Mediterranean Gull - 11W

Black-headed Gull - 623W

Common Gull - 4W

Sandwich Tern - 23E, 5W

Common Tern - 1W

Swallow - 443E

Sand Martin - 67E

House Martin - 69E

Yellow Wagtail - 3W

Grey Wagtail - 9W

Pied Wagtail - 8W

Tree Pipit - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 15W

Chiffchaff - 3

Shag (above), Sandwich Tern, Sparrowhawk, Sand Martin & House Martin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just two Snipe and a Common Sandpiper present beyond the regular mix, which included seven Avocets, c30 Black-tailed Godwits, c80 Lapwings, five Shovelers and c30 Teal. (AH)

Snipe and Common Sandpiper on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: Finally, a Wryneck turned up, with one in the traditional area by the horse field at the start of the Severals, though it could not be re-found later, with just a Whinchat, a couple of Whitethroats and a few Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps in the vicinity, plus a few hirundines over, whilst later an Osprey was over the harbour. (AB/SR/J Hodges)

Also, a look along the west side turned up two Reed Warblers, two Lesser Whitethroats, two Whitethroats, nine Blackcaps, 17 Chiffchaffs, a Yellowhammer and three Reed Buntings, with two Ravens, a Yellow Wagtail, two Grey Wagtails, four Meadow Pipits and c30 Swallows going over. (MRe)

This evening there were two Marsh Harriers over the harbour, and three Buzzards up as well, whilst c200 Swallows went over heading south, and two Wheatears and four Chiffchaffs were along the front. (S&SaH)

There was also at least 40 Chiffchaffs and a handful of Willow Warblers and Blackcaps among a huge roaming Blue and Long-tailed Tit flock in the churchyard. (AH)

Chiffchaff (above) & Willow Warbler at Church Norton (AH)

Sidlesham: An Osprey went over the village this morning, along with a Hobby, a Snipe, five Tree Pipits, ten Meadow Pipits, 15 Yellow Wagtails and 65 Pied/White Wagtails. (PA)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A good selection of raptors this morning included a showy Merlin sat on a post opposite the Stilt Pool, a Hobby, a Peregrine, two Ospreys - one of which caught a fish offshore and brought it in to eat, a Sparrowhawk and two or three Buzzards and Kestrels.

A Greenshank a Common Sandpiper and 15 Lapwings were the only waders on the Stilt Pool, whilst a couple of Sandwich Terns were offshore and possibly four different Kingfishers were spread around the area and a constant, if light, passage of passerines was overhead - mainly Swallows, but with a handful of sand Martins and Swallows among them

The banks were fairly busy, with a couple of Whinchats, a couple of Wheatears, a couple of Yellow Wagtails, a Sedge Warbler, at least half a dozen Stonechats and Chiffchaffs, four Dartford Warblers, a Cetti's Warbler, a Reed Bunting and a few Yellowhammers Meadow Pipits seen and heard. (AH/IP/S&SaH/HB/LP/EB/LL et al)

Merlin (above) (AH), Osprey (top two EB, lower AH), Yellow Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Wheatear, Chiffchaff, Kingfisher, Common Sandpiper & Greenshank and Lapwing (AH) at Medmerry

Saturday, 14th September: After a cold start, a lovely autumn morning of warm sun in a light north-easterly breeze, though it freshened a little as it veered to the south-west later..... .....

It was with much sadness that we received the news of the recent passing of Alan Ford, another of our long-standing friends. Alan was one of the Bill's 'golden generation' and he was known to everyone who visited at that time. This really was a time of great birding and good company; never one to shy away from the banter, Alan would pitch right in and some of the 'greetings' given to other regulars at the time were legendary, but it was all in fun. I recall the insults batted back and forth between Alan and the late Chunky King and others on arrival...but they kept coming back for more and it was hilarious.

As I write this, so many happy memories come flooding back, like the time of the record Pom day when I missed a big flock to go chasing a Golden Oriole on Pontin's, much to Alan's amusement! He just had one of those personalities that made him a real character. I was never quite sure whether he was wholly or partly Australian, but either way, the Selsey Peninsula was richer for his presence when he lived in Sidlesham for many years, which enabled him to be out birding most days, finding many species.

However, he was also a very sociable man and with his dear wife Yvette would attend the various 'Pom parties' of the time. He was also a nifty dancer - I recall attending an anniversary (I think) party he held when he danced so well with Yvette - to the artist Dina Washington if I'm not mistaken - a favourite of theirs I believe. In latter years, Alan and Yvette moved away to Suffolk, to be nearer to family, and it is to them and Yvette that I and all his friends from the Peninsula offer their thoughts and condolences. He will be much missed; rest in peace old friend, but keep them dancing and birding in Heaven. (OM/Eds)

Alan Ford (centre) birding amongst his friends at the Bill in January 1991. This was during the 'golden years' and this shot was taken inside the tower at Bill House. It was a bit cramped and restricted - but great when it was cold and windy - and we were permitted to use it by the then owners. Wonderful times. (OM)

Alan and Yvette at a Pom party (at my house) in summer 2000. He is in a typically social mood here and could always be relied on for good company. Rest in peace old friend. (OM)

Selsey Bill: Two Garganey went east among a selection of wildfowl, with two Arctic Skuas west, a bit of visible migration, including 400+ Swallows east and there was a big gathering of Sand Martins and House Martins on the wires. Full log below. (SH/PB/IP/BI/AH/SR et al)

(0600-0900hrs) (NE, F1)

Gannet - 12E, 4W

Little Egret - 1N

Garganey - 2E

Teal - 6W

Wigeon - 1E

Pintail - 6E

Shoveler - 2E

Mallard - 1E

Common Scoter - 17E, 10W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 1W

Sanderling - 8E

Turnstone - 25

Arctic Skua - 2W

Mediterranean Gull - 6E, 2W

Sandwich Tern - 64E, 12W

Common Tern - 3W

Razorbill - 1E

Swallow - 408E

Sand Martin - 256E, c100 present

House Martin - 33E, c200 present

Yellow Wagtail - 9W

Grey Wagtail - 7W

Pied Wagtail - 2E

Meadow Pipit - 3W

Chiffchaff - 7

Willow Warbler - 1

Goldfinch - 1N

Sand Martins (above), House Martins, Sand Martins and House Martins, Swallow, Sandwich Tern, Sanderlings & Pintails and Shovelers at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were about again this morning, along with six Avocets, c30 Black-tailed Godwits, c50 Lapwings, six Shovelers and c25 Teal. (AH/PA)

Green Sandpiper (above) & Common Sandpiper at the Ferry (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: Around 200 Sand Martins were sat in the fields this morning, feeding on the ground and occasionally taking flight, but a Jay flying over was about it, otherwise. (IP)

Northcommon Farm: A Spotted Flycatcher was at 'Flycatcher Corner', whilst a Swift went over. (BI)

Long Pool: A Whinchat was along the field edges this morning, whilst half a dozen Blackcaps and c20 Chiffchaffs and Long-tailed Tits were along the hedges. (AH)

Blackcap (above) & Chiffchaff along the Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: A Firecrest and a Spotted Flycatcher were around the churchyard/hide area this morning, whilst a Wheatear was along the beach, but there were few generally few passerines about beyond a Whitethroat and a Cetti's Warbler along the Severals.

A Whimbrel and three Turnstones were the only waders apart from the usual three species, whilst seven Shelduck were on the water, along with two Pintail, with three Brent Geese flying through the harbour, heading off to the south the most noteworthy sighting.

The other interesting thing this morning was the first Clouded Yellow butterfly of the year by the second Several. (PA/JEv/IP)

North Wall: A Redstart and a Whinchat were around the Owl Point fields, along with a few Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, and half a dozen Yellow Wagtails were with the cows in the creek at Halsey's Farm, but there was little along the wall beyond a Stonechat, though c200 Swallows and c100 Sand Martins went over.

Half a dozen Cattle Egrets were also at Halsey's Farm, whilst four Spotted Redshanks were on the Breech Pool early on, but there were only c20 Black-tailed Godwits and Teal later on, plus a Kingfisher, whilst a Water Rail was in Owl Water..

White's Creek was busy early on, too, with a Little Stint, five Spotted Redshanks (including the four from the Breech Pool), two Common Sandpipers, a Greenshank, a Whimbrel, two Sanderlings, three Avocets, two Knot and two Grey Plovers present, with what looked like the Yellow-legged Gull about later. (AHu/CRJ/AH/KJ/LP et al)

Redstart (above), Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, Cattle Egret (AH), Spotted Redshank, Sanderling & Common Seal (AHu) at the North Wall

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - An unexpected highlight was a Quail that ran across the path by Marsh Barn before flying off, whilst a Great White Egret and two Common Sandpipers were on the Stilt Pool and two Ospreys, a Merlin and three Cattle Egrets were out on the reserve and four Sandwich Terns were offshore.

The banks were busy, too, with three Whinchats, 11 Stonechats, seven Wheatears, a Sedge Warbler, a Willow Warbler, ten Chiffchaffs, a Dartford Warbler, two Cetti's Warblers and four Yellowhammers about, with 11 Yellow Wagtails, ten Meadow Pipis, ten House Martins, c100 Sand Martins and c400 Swallows going over, with a Raven, three Sparrowhawks, four Kestrels and seven Buzzards also seen. (S&SaH/PB)

Friday, 13th September: The breeze eased down overnight, and after a very cold start, it was a pleasantly warm morning of near unbroken sunshine in a light north and then north-westerly breeze. .....

Selsey Bill: A Snipe flushed off the Oval Field by a dog-walker early on was a surprise, but thereafter there was just a bit of visible migration, plus 16 Chiffchaffs in the hedges, but not much offshore, though a flock of five Sanderlings were with Turnstones on the shore and eight juvenile Shelducks going east was unusual. Full log below. (BI/AH/IP/SR/OM)

(0630-1030hrs) (N, F3)

Gannet - 9W

Little Egret - 1W

Shelduck - 8E

Wigeon - 5W

Teal - 4W

Common Scoter - 1W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Snipe - 1 (flushed from Oval Field)

Turnstone - 32

Sanderling - 5

Mediterranean Gull - 51os

Sandwich Tern - 52os

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1

Swallow - 2W

House Martin - 66W

Yellow Wagtail - 3W

Grey Wagtail - 6E

Pied Wagtail - 2E, 5W

Meadow Pipit - 13W

Chiffchaff - 16

Sanderlings along the shoreline at the Bill, including (below) juvenile Sanderling (OM)

Sandwich Terns (above), Shelducks, Chiffchaff & Sparrowhawk at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were on the concealed pool, but the main pool was quiet, with just four Avocets, 33 Black-tailed Godwits, c50 Lapwings and c25 Teal present, whilst a Kingfisher flew along the channel opposite and a handful of Chiffchaffs were in the adjacent hedges. (AH/OM)

Green Sandpiper (above) & Common Sandpiper at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: There were three Greenshanks, a Redshank and 25 Black-tailed Godwits, plus just a handful of Teal on the flooded field this morning, whilst the first Green Sandpiper in a little while here briefly flew up from the vegetation at the back. (AH)

Greenshanks at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

Church Norton: It was mostly quiet here today, though a big flock of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were along the west side, with, otherwise, just a scattering of the latter along the hedges and a handful of Whitethroats along the front, plus two Wheatears on the beach.

There was a t least 500 Black-headed Gulls and 300 Mediterranean Gulls, plus a handful of Sandwich Terns, out on the mud in the harbour, all put up by a Marsh Harrier, but waders were few, with a Common Sandpiper and a couple of Whimbrel the only ones beyond the usual. (AH/DC et al)

Wheatear (above), Chiffchaff, Marsh Harrier & Mediterranean Gull at Church Norton (AH)

Late this afternoon a Red-necked Phalarope flew around between the Severals before flying off west. At one point it attempted to land on the shingle but was chased by a Swallow! Amazingly, this is the second one this year after nine years without a single record.

Also around were two Whinchats and three Stonechats. (AW)

Red-necked Phalarope (above), Whinchat & Stonechat at Church Norton (AW)

North Wall: There were at least 50 - and probably many more - Yellow Wagtails amongst the cows in Honer 1 field this morning, and hundreds of House Martins, with a few Sand Martins and Swallows among them, over the fields.

The water level continues to drop on the Breech Pool and the waders are returning, with a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Redshank, 14 Black-tailed Godwits and 32 Lapwings around the edges and three Grey Herons, two Little Egrets, 26 Teal, the Great Crested Grebes and lots of Mallards on the water. The Kingfishers were very active, with two together over Owl Water and lots of sightings around the Breech Pool and along the rife at Halsey’s Farm.

Two Whinchats were in the bushes behind the wall and there was a good selection of other small birds, with Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Reed Buntings, Whitethroats, Cetti's Warblers and all the common species seen, while overhead a juvenile Marsh Harrier, three Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine and two Kestrels were all seen.

Nine Pintail were along White’s Creek and a Wigeon were on the water and a Bar-tailed Godwit was down near the sluice. (LP/TRH/MRi/EB et al)