Tuesday, 4 February 2025

4th February 2025

Tuesday, 4th February: Another cool and grey morning, though the breeze had freshened and veered to the south-west....

Selsey Bill: There was a good early westward movement of Gannets this morning, and two Slavonian Grebes were on the sea. Full log below. (AH/P&LH/LP/SR)
(0735-0850hrs) (SW, F5)
Great Northern Diver - 1E, 3os
Red-throated Diver - 6E
Slavonian Grebe - 2os
Gannet - 140W, 30os
Shag - 1os
Red-breasted Merganser - 7E, 2os
Mediterranean Gull - 1os
Common Gull - 1W
Razorbill - 19W
auk sp - 1E, 8W

Gannets at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were three Avocets on the pool this morning, along with c30 Black-tailed Godwits, two Shelducks, c60 Shovelers, c30 Mallards and c100 Teal, with at least 250 Wigeon on the field. (AH)

Avocet (above) & Wigeon at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There at least 1000 Brent Geese on this side of the harbour, and at least another 1500 on the far side, but wildfowl were otherwise few beyond the odd Wigeon and Teal and c25 Shelducks.
Apart from the huge flock of 1000+ Golden Plovers and 500+ Lapwings at the Ferry end, there were just c200 Knot and Dunlin, c50 Grey Plovers and three Bar-tailed Godwits on the mud, and there was also a Firecrest among a small Long-tailed Tit flock at the bottom of the path to the harbour. (AH)

Bar-tailed Godwit (above), Knot & Golden Plovers and Lapwings at Church Norton (AH)




Sidlesham Common: There were 12 Egyptian Geese in the field south of Lockgate Road this morning. (P&LH)

Fishbourne Creek: Highlights this morning around low tide included 34 Avocets above Dell Quay, nine Pintail off the Lavant outflow, three Greenshanks along the creek and 14 Pied Wagtail in the field by Apuldram church. (RW)

Avocets in Fishbourne Creek (RW)







Saturday, 1 February 2025

1st - 3rd February 2025

Monday, 3rd February: After overnight frost, a very grey and murky morning in a moderate south-easterly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: A fairly quiet morning, though a female Long-tailed Duck went east and a Black-throated Diver dropped in offshore, whilst a male Blackcap was in the gardens. Full log below. (PA/AH/IP/SR/M&LL et al)
(0745-0915hrs) (SSE, F3-4)
Great Northern Diver - 4os
Black-throated Diver - 1os
Red-throated Diver - 20E, 11W, 4os
Great Crested Grebe - 1os
Gannet - 1E, 3W
Grey Heron - 1
Shelduck - 1W
Long-tailed Duck - 1E
Common Scoter - 16os
Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 15os
Oystercatcher - 1
Common Gull - 1E
Blackcap - 1

Black-throated Diver (above) & Red-throated Diver at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were three pairs of Gadwall on the pool this morning, along with three Shelducks, c40 Black--tailed Godwits, c60 Lapwings, c60 Shovelers and c150 Wigeon and Teal. (AH)

Gadwall and Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: First thing this morning there were large flocks of Knot, Dunlin and Grey Plovers flying around the harbour, and around 2000 Brent Geese, including the Pale-bellied bird, gradually moved from the harbour into the field behind the churchyard.
Also, the leusistic Blackbird was behind the hide and a Sparrowhawk was hunting along the hedge-line. (AW)

Pale-bellied and Dark-bellied Brent Geese (above), Knot & leucistic Blackbird at Church Norton (AW)


Selsey: A Green Woodpecker was in the garden today. (AW)

Green Woodpecker in a Selsey garden (AW)

Marsh and Chalder Farms, Sidlesham: At least 25 Cattle Egrets and ten Little Egrets were quite widely spread among the fields this morning, including nine of the former by the Marsh Farm dairy buildings, whilst the fields also held c30 Curlews, eight Shelducks and vast numbers of gulls and corvids.
Most of the passerine activity was at the Chalder Farm end, with a big flock of c150 Chaffinches, c20 Yellowhammers and half a dozen Reed Buntings and Greenfinches, plus c50 Meadow Pipits, along the track to Bramber Farm, with another c100 Chaffinches and a Chiffchaff along Chalder Lane. (AH)

Cattle Egret and Little Egret (above), Yellowhammer, Yellowhammer, Greenfinch and Chaffinch, Meadow Pipit, Curlew & Shelduck at Chalder Farm, Sidlesham (AH)







North Wall: A look early this morning found a Kingfisher near the sluice, three Song Thrushes  and six Meadow Pipits in the paddocks whilst a calling fly-over pipit sp. was unfortunately unidentified! There were plenty of birds in the harbour including many Knot, Lapwing & Golden Plover and White's Creek held a good number of Wigeon, some Teal and c.20 Redshanks. The creek at Halsey's Farm also had a good head of Wigeon present but all that could be found around the Breech Pool and adjacent hedges were a few Reed Buntings. (BI/DI)








Sunday, 2nd February: Another cool morning, but pleasant in the almost uninterrupted sunshine and fairly light southerly breeze....

Pre-blog Diary notes: For those following my diary entries from previous years, new additions move us well into the early 1990's - the Pontins years - with an interesting selection of scarce and rare birds during these great times. Just click the link on the title bar. (OM)

Selsey Bill: An adult Little Gull went east this morning and a Slavonian Grebe and few divers were about again, along with a mix of the usual species. Full log below. (JA/SH/BI/JFi/IP/P&LH/AH)
(0720-0905hrs) (S, F3-4)
Great Northern Diver - 3E, 4os
Red-throated Diver - 24E, 16W, 8os
diver sp - 8E, 4W
Slavonian Grebe - 1os
Great Crested Grebe - 1os
Gannet - 36E, 6W, 10os
Cormorant - 51E
Brent Goose - 2E
Shelduck - 1W
Pintail - 1E
Common Scoter - 2E
Red-breasted Merganser - 11E, 2W, 5os
Oystercatcher - 2E
Mediterranean Gull - 2E
Common Gull - 17E
Little Gull - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 9os
Razorbill - 4E
auk sp - 20E

Red-throated Diver (above) & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: It was much the same a recent days this morning, with c30 Black-tailed Godwits and c50 Lapwings about, along with four Shelducks, four Gadwall, c60 Shovelers, c100 Teal, c30 Mallards and c200 Wigeon. (AH)

Gadwall (above) & Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A single Great Northern Diver was the only bird seen offshore this morning, with 16 Turnstones on the each, a couple of Cetti's Warblers, a Tufted Duck and a pair of Gadwall on the Severals and a Green and a Great Spotted woodpecker at Greenlease farm the only things of note away from the harbour.
The harbour, however, was full of waders, including all of the regular waders - Curlew, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Knot, Dunlin and Grey Plover - in reasonable numbers , plus two Bar-tailed Godwits, eight Avocets and six Turnstones, with at least 1000 Lapwings and 100 Golden Plovers flying up from the far end..
In addition. a Kingfisher flew south through the harbour and a Little Grebe was still near to Tern Island, and Brent Geese were very evident and flying about in small groups, probably totalling in excess of 1000 birds. (IP)

At high tide this afternoon, the drake Long-tailed Duck and four Common scoters were on the sea. (PA)

This evening just a single Marsh Harrier a sub-adult male - came in to roost in the Severals. (s&SaH)

Selsey Peninsula: The three Long-eared Owls were still present today. (Eds)

North Wall: There wasn't too much to report this morning, with most of the birds - including 1000+ Golden Plovers and Lapwing, c2000 Brent Geese, c50 Pintail and lots of Wigeon and Teal - far out in the harbour.
Along the wall there were just a couple of Rock Pipis and Reed Buntings, with four Meadow Pipits and two Pied Wagtails in the paddocks, whilst a female Marsh Harrier and four Buzzards were thermalling up high over the Breech Pool together. (AH et al)

This afternoon a flock of 30 Snipe flew over the Breech Pool at high tide. (PB/MRB)

This evening the two Little Owls were at Little Welbourne and a Barn Owl was at Halsey's farm, whilst three Marsh Harriers dropped in to roost behind the Breech Pool. (KJ)

Marsh Harrier (above), Wigeon, Rock Pipit & Meadow Pipit at the North Wall (AH)



Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were two Dartford Warblers, seven Stonechats, a Pied Wagtail, three Reed Buntings and 15 Yellowhammers along the banks this morning, with a Kingfisher, a Snipe and eight Ringed Plovers on the reserve, with c300 Lapwings and Golden Plovers occasionally taking to the air..
Another 15 Ringed Plovers and a Snipe were on the Stilt Pool, along with an Avocet and five Dunlin, and there were also two Peregrines, a Kestrel and seven Buzzards about. (S&SaH)

Late this afternoon, half a dozen Fieldfares and a dozen Yellowhammers were in the poplars, and a large female Peregrine was sat out on the reserve, but that was about it. (AH/AB/CD)

Chichester GPs: Vinnetrow Lake - A quick look this morning produced a dozen Pochard, c20 Tufted Ducks and a Great Crested Grebe. (AH)

Pochard on Vinnetrow Lake (AH)








Saturday, 1st February: A cool and very grey morning in a light to moderate south-easterly breeze....

Pre-blog Diary notes: For those following my diary entries from previous years, new additions move us well into the early 1990's - the Pontins years - with an interesting selection of scarce and rare birds during these great times. Just click the link on the title bar. (OM)

Selsey Bill: The first Velvet Scoter for a while went east this morning, as did a Slavonian Grebe and a Guillemot, and there were a few divers about, too. Full log below. (JA/SH/PB/BI/IP/AH/SR)
(0730-0930hrs) (ESE, F3)
Great Northern Diver - 6E, 6os
Red-throated Diver - 15E, 25W, 9os
diver - 8E, 1W
Slavonian Grebe - 1E
Great Crested Grebe - 1W, 1os
Grey Heron - 1
Gannet - 6E
Cormorant - 60E
Velvet Scoter - 1E
Common Scoter - 1E, 2os
Red-breasted Merganser - 14E, 2W, 5os
Turnstone - 1E, 26W
Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 1W, 1os
Common Gull - 6E
Sandwich Tern - 1E, 1os
Guillemot - 1E
Razorbill - 2E
auk sp - 4E

Great Northern Diver at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just c30 Black-tailed Godwits, c40 Shovelers and c80 Teal, plus a Shelduck, on the pool, with c100 Wigeon and c30 Mallards on the flooded areas of the fields. (AH)

Black-tailed Godwits (above) & Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)

Selsey Peninsula: All three Long-eared Owls were still present today. (Eds)

Long-eared Owl on the Peninsula

Church Norton: A Fulmar that flew down the harbour and out to sea was very unexpected this morning, but the harbour was otherwise similar to recent days, with a Greenshank and a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits about, along with at least 600 Knot, c100 Grey Plovers and 500 Dunlin, plus at least 1500 Lapwings and 1000 Golden Plovers at the far end, with a few Wigeon, Teal and Shelducks about, too.
Also of note were a couple of Redwings behind the hide and a pair of Sparrowhawks nearby, with at least 1500 Brent Geese in the fields behind the churchyard before they flew into the harbour. (AH/HB/LT)

Later on, there were 14 Avocets in the harbour, whilst the drake Long-tailed Duck was offshore again, along with a Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe and two Red-breasted Mergansers. (RW)

Fulmar (above), Grey Plovers, Knot & Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)



North Wall: A Spotted Redshank was along White’s Creek, together with eight Redshanks, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Snipe, four Pintail and numerous Wigeon and Teal, with the large flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover further out on the mud, and a vast amount of Brent Geese moving between the harbour and the fields.
The male Marsh Harrier was over the reeds behind the Breech Pool, but apart from c60 Curlews in Honer 2, it was quiet elsewhere, with just a Jay and a few Greenfinches around the paddock.(LP/CT/GW/GR)

Spotted Redshank (above) & Snipe at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Windmill to the Breach - The Purple Sandpiper flew into the breach area among the Dunlin and Ringed Plovers this morning on the rising tide, and there were also two Greenshanks and a Sanderling present.
A pair of Stonechats were also about, as was a Red-breasted Merganser and a female Marsh Harrier. (IP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were 17 Yellowhammers, seven Reed Buntings and five Stonechats along the banks this morning, whilst an Avocet, a Dunlin and three Snipe were on the Stilt Pool.
Also, at least 500 Brent Geese, 300 Golden Plovers and 200 Lapwings were on the reserve, with a Peregrine, two Marsh Harriers, two Kestrels and six Buzzards going over. (S&SaH/PB)

Fishbourne Creek: Generally quiet here with fewer wildfowl than of late, the highlight being a Jack Snipe along the saltmarsh (BI)

Chichester GPs: There were good numbers of Pochard around today, with 37 on Ivy Lake, 22 on Runcton Lake, six on Vinnetrow Lake and eight on Copse Lake, with a shoveler and ten Gadwall also seen. (RW)  At Drayton north pit there were eleven Grey Herons present with a further two on the south pit. Among the wildfowl on offer were two Egyptian Geese, c.20 Canada Geese and c.30 Greylag Geese. Nearby, at least 40 Cattle Egrets and c.12 Little Egrets were on the new organic field by the crossroads. (BI)









Wednesday, 29 January 2025

29th - 31st January 2025

Friday, 31st January: The morning started with persistent heavy rain that slowly gave way to a mix of heavy cloud and some sun in a fresh and blustery north-westerly..........

Selsey Bill: Three Fulmars and 15 Red-throated Divers west was the best this morning in the poor conditions. Full log below. (AH/SR)
(0800-0930hrs) (NW, F4-5)
Great Northern Diver - 1W, 2os
Red-throated Diver - 1E, 15W, 3os
Great Crested Grebe - 2W
Fulmar - 3W
Gannet - 9W
Brent Goose - 4E
Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 2W
Oystercatcher - 1E
Turnstone - 2
Mediterranean Gull - 8W, 2os
Common Gull - 2W
Kittiwake - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 1os

Fulmar (above), Red-throated Diver & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)


Spot the lone birdwatcher sheltering from this morning's deluge! (pic SBLN)

Ferry Pool: There was a big reduction in numbers this morning, with just c30 Shovelers and c40 Teal, plus a Shelduck, on the pool, and c25 Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwings and c100 Wigeon on the field. (AH)

Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Church NortonThere were a lot of waders in the harbour this morning, including c500 Knot, c100 Grey Plovers and c500 Dunlin, plus the Whimbrel, four Ringed Plovers and seven Avocets, whilst the huge flock of at least 1000 Golden Plovers and similar of Lapwings was at the far end.
There weren't too many wildfowl about, though, beyond c20 Brent Geese and c40 Wigeon and Teal, with not much else seen beyond a Sparrowhawk and a couple of Mediterranean Gulls, with the hedges very quiet. (AH)

Avocets (above), Whimbrel, Sparrowhawk, Grey Plover, Knot & Golden Plovers at Church Norton (AH)





Chichester: A Red Kite went south over the A27 near Tesco's late this morning. (IP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to Marsh Barn - At dusk this afternoon there were c40 Fieldfares in the poplars, whilst a Marsh Harrier went over and c300 Lapwings came up from the reserve. (AH)

Fieldfares at Medmerry (AH)




Thursday, 30th January: After overnight frost, a bright, but cold, morning in a moderate to fresh northerly breeze.......

Selsey Bill: There was a westward movement of 63 Red-throated Divers this morning, but, otherwise, it was quiet. Full log below. (AH/OM/SR/GSh)
(0800-0930hrs) (N, F4)
Great Northern Diver - 1W, 2os
Red-throated Diver - 63W
Great Crested Grebe - 1os
Red-breasted Merganser - 1W, 7os
Turnstone - 8
Mediterranean Gull - 2os
Sandwich Tern - 7os

Red-throated Diver (above) & Great Northern Diver at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were c30 Black-tailed Godwits and c400 Lapwings around the edge of the pool this morning, with a pair of Gadwall, six Shelducks, c20 Mallards, c60 Shovelers and c 200 Wigeon and Teal also about. (AH)

Gadwall (above) & Wgeon at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: Two Great Northern Divers on the sea, and two Red-throated Divers west were all that could be found offshore this morning, along with a handful of Mediterranean and Common Gulls among the Black-headed Gulls.
There were large numbers of Knot, Dunlin and Grey Plovers roosting near the harbour mouth, with two Bar-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank and the Whimbrel a little closer, whilst a Red-breasted Merganser, a few Wigeon and Teal and at least 1000 Brent Geese were also present.
Also, a Raven and a Peregrine went over, and two Firecrests and two or three Goldcrests were among a mixed tit flock in the sheltered hedges. (AH/OM/RS/RBe et al)


Firecrest (above), Great Northern Divers, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Common Gull & Mediterranean Gull at Church Norton (AH)





Earlier, just after sunrise, the Whimbrel was in harbour and a Marsh Harrier was hunting over the Severals, whilst an Egyptian Goose flew over towards Greenlease Farm and there were at least eight Skylarks singing in flight along the spit. (AW)

Egyptian Goose (above), Whimbrel & Skylarks at Church Norton (AH)



North Wall: Two Ravens were in the trees by the paddocks this morning and later four flew across towards Sidlesham, whilst a Water Rail, a Grey Wagtail, a Pied Wagtail, two Green Woodpeckers, a Song Thrush, and a Kestrel ewre also around the paddocks, with a Marsh Harrier sitting in the trees further back.
A Sparrowhawk and two wo Rock Pipits were along the wall and three Long-tailed Tits, two Reed Buntings and a Chiffchaff were in the reeds by the Breech Pool, where a Grey Heron was enjoying the winter sunshine.
Spread across the Honer fields were c1500 Brent Geese, 72 Curlews and c150 Black-tailed Godwits, while at Halsey’s Farm there were at least seven of the Barnacle Geese still about, and out in the harbour there were still plenty of Lapwing and Golden Plovers, and as the tide rose 18 Snipe flew off the saltmarsh and over the wall. (LP/TRH/SP/IH/EB/A Haines)

At dusk this evening, a Barn Owl was out at Halsey's Farm and a Tawny Owl could be heard, whilst c150 Black-tailed Godwits and c400 Wigeon were in the creek and seven Barnacle Geese were on the field. (AH)

Barnacle Geese (above), Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Raven (LP), Grey Heron (LP above, EB lower), Sparrowhawk, Brent and Barnacle Geese & Long-tailed Tit (EB) at the North Wall








Selsey Peninsula: At least one of the Long-eared Owls was showing today. (Eds)

Long-eared Owl on the Peninsula
 
Fishbourne Creek: A drake Goldeneye and three Rock Pipits were the highlights this afternoon. (PA)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Dartford Warbler was in the gorse near the Stilt Pool this afternoon, and c30 Linnets were feeding on spilt grain along the track. (G Trew)

Chichester GPs: It was very quiet around the lakes late this morning, with just four Egyptian Geese on New Lake, 31 Canada Geese and 12 Tufted Ducks on Ivy Lake, a Little Grebe on West Trout Lake, three Mute Swans, eight Gadwall and a Tufted Duck, plus a Chiffchaff on/at Nunnery Lake, a pair of Great-crested Grebes on Triangle Lake and 25 Coots and three Moorhens around Peckham’s Farmhouse. (CRJ)

Moorhen at Chichester GPs (CRJ)






Wednesday, 29th January: The wind dropped right down overnight, leaving a grey and overcast morning in just a light westerly.......

Selsey Bill: Everything was fairly distant this morning, but there was a bit of variety, including the Red-necked Grebe heading went, a Fulmar heading east and two Slavonian Grebes on the sea. Full log below. (SH/P&LH/LP/AH/SR)
(0730-0900hrs) (W, F2-3)
Great Northern Diver - 2os
Red-throated Diver - 1E, 14W, 1os
Red-necked Grebe - 1W
Slavonian Grebe - 2os
Great Crested Grebe - 2W, 1os
Fulmar - 1E
Shag - 5E
Cormorant - 62E
Brent Goose - 1W
Common Scoter - 16W, 32os
Red-breasted Merganser - 9E 5W, 9os
Turnstone - 2
Mediterranean Gull - 1os

(1230-1430hrs) P&LH/SH)
Great Northern Diver - 3E, 1W, 5os
Red-throated Diver - 2E, 2W
Great Crested Grebe - 1os
Brent Goose - 1W
Wigeon - 1W
Common Scoter - 40os
Red-breasted Merganser - 5E, 17W, 5os
Turnstone - 21
Mediterranean Gull - 3os
Common Gull - 5E, 2os
Sandwich Tern - 1os

Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just c40 Black-tailed Godwits, c75 Shovelers and c200 Wigeon and Teal about this morning, along with a pair of Great Blacked Gulls, plus a Little Egret in the rife. (AH)

Little Egret (above) & Great Black-baked Gulls at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were plenty of birds about this morning on the rising tide, including six Red-breasted Mergansers, two Tufted Ducks, a dozen Pintail, the Whimbrel, c30 Grey Plovers, six Mediterranean Gulls, a Common Gull, a Little Grebe, plenty of the usual species and at least 500 Lapwings and Brent Geese.
A Redwing by the moat was the only unusual bird around the hedges, with a Jay and two Kestrels also noted. (P&LH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The Merlin was about again today, along with two Marsh Harriers and six Buzzards, whilst a Water Rail and 14 Brent Geese were on the reserve, with two Red-breasted Mergansers on the pool opposite the Stilt Pool, a Snipe and an Avocet on the pool itself and c300 Lapwings and c100 Golden Plovers went over.
There was a very big count of 72 Yellowhammers along the banks, with ten Reed Buntings, 100 Linnets, 15 Chaffinches, a Chiffchaff and a Dartford Warblers also about. (S&SaH/PB)

Medmerry: Windmill to the Breach - There were a pair of Stonechats, a few Meadow Pipits and a flock of Linnets about today, whilst there were large numbers of waders in the tidal area, including two tagged Curlews (EB)

Stonechat (above), Meadow Pipit, Linnets & Curlew at Medmerry (EB)



Runcton: Around the village this morning there were two Mute Swans, three Shelducks, c50 Mallard, 20 Shovelers, 15 Teal, two Gadwall, 14 Tufted Ducks, eight Coots, three Moorhens, a Grey Heron, a Water Rail, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, two Song Thrushes and half a dozen Long-tailed Tits, and there were also eight Roe Deer about. (CRJ)

West Itchenor: There wasn't much on the water this morning, beyond a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, half a dozen Great Crested Grebes, a couple of Little Grebes and c300 Brent Geese, though a Kingfisher and at least eight Rock Pipits were around the boat yard.
The only waders of note on this side of the harbour were a flock of 13 Snipe that flew up from the salt-marsh and a lone Black-tailed Godwit, but a distant vast mixed flock of many thousands of birds flew up from the far side, and included at least 150 Bar-tailed Godwits.
Also, a least one, and probably two, Tree-creepers were at Chalkdock Copse, with up to 20 Yellowhammers and three or four Redwings also in the vicinity. (AH)

Kingfisher (above), Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwits, Black-tailed Godwit, mixed waders, Rock Pipit & Yellowhammer at West Itchenor (AH)