Saturday, 2nd November: A very gloomy and grey morning, cool early on in the moderate north-easterly breeze......
Selsey Bill: The Black Redstart was still around the houses at the Bill-tip this morning, and a Red-breasted Merganser went east, but it was slow for migrants again, otherwise, with just a few Brent Geese and auks going mostly west. Full log later. (SH/PB/MO-W/AH/SR)
Mediterranean Gull (above) & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: There were three Greenshanks at the back this morning, with 20 Avocets, 18 Black-tailed Godwits, ten Shelducks, c80 Shovelers and c120 Teal also about. (AH)
Greenshanks (above) & Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits and Teal at the Ferry (AH)
Church Norton: Early this morning, visible migration over the Severals included a Yellowhammer, seven Siskins, three Lesser Redpolls, 18 Chaffinches, 103 Goldfinches, a Grey Wagtail, and 13 Meadow Pipits, whilst a Firecrest, four Goldcrests, seven Chiffchaffs and five Cetti's Warblers were around the Severals/Bluebell Wood area, with four Water Rails heard.
There were also a Siskin, four Redwings and a Raven over the churchyard, with nine Chiffchaffs and three Goldcrests among a big Long-tailed Tit flock there. (MRe)
Later on, there were two Dartford Warblers and two Stonechats along the beach, with a Grey Wagtail in the creek by the horse field, whilst three Lesser Redpolls and eight Siskins dropped in briefly to the trees at the bottom of the path to the harbour and c50 Goldfinches went over. There were also several Chiffchaffs and Long-tailed Tits, plus a Mistle Thrush around the car-park and path there.
The harbour was quiet, though c100 Brent Geese were near the harbour mouth, with a few Wigeon and Teal about, too, but waders were restricted to c75 Redshanks and c20 Grey Plovers. (AH)
Dartford Warbler (above), Stonechat, Chiffchaff & Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)
West Wittering: A male Marsh Harrier was quartering the wildlife strips in a field in Rookwood Lane this morning - first time in 15 years I've seen one here. (GM)
Marsh Harrier at West Wittering (GM)
Friday, 1st November: The fairly mild, settled and grey spell continues, though the breeze was a little stronger and from the west this morning.....
Selsey Bill: A male Eider dropped in offshore, before going off west with three Common Scoters and a few more auks and Brent Geese went west. Full log below. (AH/SR/PD)
(0700-0830hrs) (W, F2-3)
Gannet - 2E, 2W
Shag - 1E, 3os
Brent Goose - 4E, 37W
Wigeon - 26W
Eider - 1os, then W
Common Scoter - 3W
Turnstone - 7
Mediterranean Gull - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 1os
Guillemot - 1W
Razorbill - 13E, 94W, 38os
auk sp - 94E, 334W
wood Pigeon - 275W
Pied Wagtail - 20
Meadow Pipit - 1
Goldfinch - 6
Eider (above), Shags, Guillemot and Razorbills & Pied Wagtail at the Bill (AH)
Later in the morning, a Black Redstart was along the beach. (AW)
Black Redstart at the Bill (AW)
Ferry Pool: The Green Sandpiper was again on the roadside pool, whilst on the main pool there were 22 Avocets, 18 Black-tailed Godwits, five shelducks and c80 Shovelers and Teal. (AH)
Green Sandpiper (above) & Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)
Church Norton: There was a bit more visible migration over the Severals early this morning, including five Bramblings, five Lesser Redpolls, 22 Siskins, 23 Linnets, ten Chaffinches, 39 Goldfinches, two Yellowhammers, 26 Reed Buntings, ten Meadow Pipits, 12 Pied Wagtails, 31 Skylarks and a Swallow.
Also, a Dartford Warbler and a Stonechat were along the front, with a Firecrest, eight Goldcrests and five Chiffchaffs around the hedges, whilst two Snipe, 13 Lapwings, 28 Brent Geese and c100 Wood Pigeons also went over. (MRe)
There wasn't much to add later, though c50 Brent Geese, including a couple of small flocks flying in, were around the harbour, along with a few Wigeon and Teal, a Greenshank, the Whimbrel and c40 Grey Plovers were among the relatively few waders about on the high tide, and a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Jay and two Green Woodpeckers were also noted. (AH/PDF et al)
Sparrowhawk (above), Jay & Green Woodpecker at Church Norton (AH)
Sidlesham: Five Hawfinches went over Cow Lane early this morning. (PA)
Medmerry: Coastguards - Two Guillemots went west offshore this morning. (PD)
North Wall: There were two Barn Owls out at Halsey's Farm at dusk this evening. (AH)
Mill Pond Marsh: A female Mash Harrier was hunting over the reeds late this afternoon and a Snipe went over, but otherwise there were just a pair of Teal and a dozen mallards present. (AH)
Marsh Harrier at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)
