29th - 31st March 2025

Monday, 31st March: After a cold start, a warm and sunny morning in just a light north-easterly breeze that later veered round to the south.......

Selsey Bill: It was a predictably quiet morning, with six Brent Geese and four Shovelers and Red-throated Divers looking like the only things on the move, though a Peregrine was seen chasing and killing a pigeon by the Mile Basket, before landing on the rocks there to eat its prey. Full log below. (PA/IP/TR/P&LH/AH/SR).

(0715-0900hrs) (NE, F2-3)

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Red-throated Diver - 4E

Gannet - 4E,10os

Shag - 7E

Brent Goose - 6E

Shelduck - 2E

Shoveler - 4E

Common Scoter - 5E

Red-breasted Merganser - 4os

Peregrine - 1os

Oystercatcher - 1E

Curlew - 1E

Turnstone - 10

Mediterranean Gull - 16os

Sandwich Tern - 25os

Meadow Pipit - 3N

Pied Wagtail - 1N

Chiffchaff - 1

(1345-1445hrs) (P&LH)

Red-throated Diver - 2E

Gannet - 5os

Common Scoter - 25os

Red-breasted Merganser - 7E

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 1E, 3W

Mediterranean Gull - 2os

Sandwich Tern - 15os

Sandwich Tern (above), Gannet, Shovelers & Mediterranean Gulls at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just four Avocets, c20 Black-tailed Godwits and six Lapwings about the pool this morning, along with 16 Shelducks, c40 Shovelers and c60 Teal. (AH)

Also, later, a Red Kite went over and a couple of Blackcaps and half a dozen Chiffchaffs were around the Discovery Area, whilst the two Little Ringed Plovers were back on the pool.. (PA/P&LH)

Black-tailed Godwit (above) & Shoveler at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: A Sedge Warbler was singing at the Ferry end of the pool early this afternoon, with a Reed Bunting, three Cetti's Warblers and a Little Grebe also about. (P&LH)

East Beach: A male Blackcap was showing nicely in the garden this afternoon. (SR)

Blackcap in an East Beach garden (SR)

Church Norton: A female Black Redstart was in the churchyard this morning, but was the only suggestion of migration, though half a dozen Chiffchaffs and a couple of Blackcaps, Goldcrests and Long-tailed Tits were also in the vicinity, with a few Linnets along the front.

There was a considerable, and encouraging, increase in activity in the harbour, with c20 Sandwich Terns, c100 Black-headed Gulls and an accurate count of 306 Mediterranean Gulls on the mud near their island, with waders including a Greenshank, a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits, c20 Black-tailed Godwits, half a dozen Grey Plovers and c30 Dunlin, along with a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers and c30 Shelducks. (AH/P&LH/TS et al)

Black Redstart (LH) (above), Blackcap, Goldcrest, Linnet, Mediterranean Gulls, Sandwich Tern and Mediterranean Gulls & Oystercatchers and Mediterranean Gulls (AH) at Church Norton

North Wall: A Swallow flew over White’s Creek early on, and the Spotted Redshank was still by the sluice, a few Teal and Wigeon were still about, and 12 Black-tailed Godwits as well as numerous Redshanks were on the mud.

It was still quiet along the wall, with just a few Chiffchaffs, Cetti’s Warblers, Reed Buntings, and a lone Linnet along the bushes, but it was busy at Owl Copse, with Grey Herons, Cattle Egrets and Little Egrets all in attendance, and a Kingfisher was along the water.

In the paddocks, two Jackdaws were collecting hair from the horses, a Kestrel was hunting for worms, and a Pied Wagtail was about, both male and female Marsh Harriers were over the reeds, and a Green Woodpecker was in the garden at Little Welbourne. (TRH/LP/CT/MJa/D Homer)

This evening 74 Cattle Egrets were counted in Owl Copse, along with six Little egrets and two Grey Herons, whilst  a Kingfisher, a Water Rail and a Snipe were about, too, along with two Chiffchaffs, six Cetti's Warblers, four Reed buntings and a Kestrel. (S&SaH)

Spotted Redshank (above), Cattle Egret, Reed Bunting, Jackdaws, Kestrel & Green Woodpecker at the North Wall (LP)

Sunday, 30th March: Another bright morning, though with a fresh and blustery north-westerly breeze keeping it slightly cool......

Selsey Bill: A total of 11 Velvet Scoters were seen this morning, with three heading out to sea in the company of a Common Scoter, then eight together that came off the sea and headed west, whilst a Pale-bellied Brent Goose was among 24 Dark-bellied birds that went east, but, beyond that, it was just a mix of the regular species, including 40+ Sandwich Terns lingering offshore. Full log below. (JA/SH/BI/IP/AH/SR)

(0645-0945hrs) (NW, F4-5)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 4E

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 8E, 19W, 4os

Shag - 4E, 1os

Brent Goose - 24E, 1W

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 1E

Shoveler - 2E

Velvet Scoter - 3E, 8os

Common Scoter - 37E, 2W, 5os

Red-breasted Merganser - 2os

Oystercatcher - 17W

Turnstone - 4E, 14W

Mediterranean Gull - 2E

Common Gull - 1E

Lesser Black-backed gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 4E, 44os

Wood Pigeon - 46S

Meadow Pipit - 4N

Chiffchaff - 1

(1430-1530hrs) (SH)

Gannet - 3E, 1os

Sandwich Tern - 5os

There was also an unconfirmed report of two Common Terns this afternoon. (per Birdguides)

Velvet Scoters (above) & Sandwich Tern at the bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were eight Avocets, three Lapwings and c25 Black-tailed Godwits around the pool, along with c60 Teal and Shovelers, 22 Shelducks and a dozen Wigeon. 

Also, a Mistle Thrush and half a dozen Mediterranean Gulls went over.(AH)

Later, in addition to the above, a Little Ringed Plover was present again, along with two Snipe and three Gadwall, whilst a Willow Warbler was in the hedges opposite and two Skylarks went over. (MB)

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

Church Norton: A Swallow came in off the sea this morning, and two male Wheatears were along the each by the second Several, whilst three Red Kites were circling over Priory Wood for some time, with a Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk also about. 

Also in the vicinity, good number of Chiffchaffs, a pair of Long-tailed Tits, a Jay  and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were in Bluebell Wood, a singing Reed Bunting and three Little Grebes were in the Severals and four Shelducks were in the fields at Greenlease Farm.

The harbour was fairly quiet though,, with half a dozen Bar-tailed Godwits, a Black-tailed Godwit, three Turnstones, a Knot and a few Dunlin and Ringed Plovers among the usual Curlews, Redshanks and Oystercatchers, with, otherwise, just c30 Teal, a pair of Wigeon and a few Shelducks about, along with c50 Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls and three Sandwich Terns. (IP)

Selsey: The three Red Kites seen at Church Norton were later over the north of the town. (MRe/S&SaH)

North Wall: A Red Kite was around the harbour for a while this morning, and the pair of Marsh Harriers were both about, and occasionally interacting, but it was generally slow-going along the wall, with a singing Willow Warbler at the far end, two or three Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers and a couple of Reed Buntings about it, though a Kingfisher flew through twice and a Snipe was on the Breech Pool.

There wasn't much on the mud as the tide rose beyond a few Black-tailed Godwits among the many Redshanks present, four Pintail and c20 Wigeon and Teal, with c30 Shelducks further out. (AH/LP/DHi/MJa/MRi et al)

Red Kite (above), Marsh Harrier, Pintail, Wigeon and Teal & Black-tailed Godwit and Redshanks at the North Wall (AH)

Medmerrry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Two Red Kites went over this morning, along with six Buzzards and five Kestrels, but the banks were quiet again, with just three Cetti's Warblers, eight Chiffchaffs and a handful of Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers noted..

There wasn't much change on the Stilt Pool to recent days, with a Little Ringed Plover, , two Dunlin, a Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Avocets and half a dozen Mediterranean Gulls about the total. (S&SaH)

Saturday, 29th March: A bright and sunny morning, with the moderate to fresh breeze initially from the north-east before backing to the south-west, warm in the sun, chill in the breeze......

Selsey Bill: Highlight this morning was a fairly distant White-fronted Goose that came in from way out and eventually headed west, with three Velvet Scoters that dropped in offshore and a Black Redstart along the front also noteworthy, but there remains very little eastward movement. Full log below. (SH/BI/PB/JA/IP/AH/SR/JFi/P&LH)

(0545-0900hrs) (NNE, F3)

Great Northern Diver - 1W, 4os

Red-throated Diver - 9E, 1W

diver sp - 1E

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 11E, 6W

Shag - 2E

White-fronted Goose - 1W

Velvet Scoter - 3os

Common Scoter - 53E, 6W, 3os

Red-breasted Merganser - 5E, 1W, 1os

Oystercatcher - 2W

Turnstone - 13W

Mediterranean Gull-

Sandwich Tern - 5E, 17os

auk sp - 1E

Stock Dove - 12W

Meadow Pipit - 2N

Pied Wagtail - 1

Black Redstart - 1

Linnet - 3W

Between 1315 and 1345hrs there were just a Red-throated Diver and two Gannets west. (P&LH)

(1600-1700hrs) (SH)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Great Crested Grebe - 2W

Gannet - 15W

Oystercatcher - 3W

Sandwich Tern - 15os

Gannet at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were c40 Black-tailed Godwits, four Avocets and half a dozen Lapwings present this morning, along with two pairs of Gadwall, a handful of Wigeon, a dozen Shelducks, c25 Shovelers and c75 Teal, spread around the pool, and there were also, at least two Willow Warblers by the hide, with a couple of Chiffchaffs in the Discovery area. (AH/BI)

Later in the morning, there were also two Little Ringed Plovers on the pool. (AB/P&LH)

Willow Warbler (above), Avocets and Gadwall & Black-tailed Godwits and Shelduck on the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: There were just a couple of Chiffchaffs, a Reed Bunting and three Linnets along the path, with two Mediterranean Gulls, three Skylarks and three Buzzards over, whilst 18 Redshanks were along Ferry Channel. (P&LH)

North Selsey: A Willow Warbler was singing from the waste ground opposite the Selsey Centre this morning. (S&SaH)

Church Norton: There was afair selection of birds in the harbour at high tide this morning, including two Greenshanks, a dozen Bar-tailed Godwit, c50 Redshanks, c75 Turnstone and a handful of Dunlin, Ringed and Grey Plovers, plus c20 Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls.

There were also ten Red-breasted Mergansers on the far side, before a pair flew out to sea and a lone Brent Goose by New Island, with c25 Shelducks on the concrete blocks, but there were just a few Wigeon and Teal about.

A Blackcap and a couple of Chiffchaffs by the Mound, and another Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler along the front were the only migrants noted. (AH/IP/P&LH/AB)

Greenshanks (above), Mediterranean Gull & Redshank at Church Norton (AH)

Selsey Peninsula: At least one Long-eared Owl was still present today. (Eds)

North Wall: The Spotted Redshank was again by the sluice and three Snipe were around the Breech Pool, as well as 12 Black-tailed Godwits, whilst both male and female Marsh Harriers were further back over the reeds, with a Sparrowhawk, three Kestrels and eight Buzzards also going over, and two Canada Geese flew out over the harbour.

At Owl Copse, eight Cattle Egrets were in the trees early on, along with six Grey Herons and four Little Egrets, but there were just a couple of Chiffchaffs and a Reed Bunting, plus half a dozen Cetti's Warblers, along the bushes and a Little Grebe on Owl Water.

A Green Woodpecker and a Jay were at Halsey’s Farm, plus a Raven over, but it was generally quiet elsewhere, with just a Kestrel, four Jackdaws and two House Sparrows around the paddock, and a Song Thrush along Church Lane. (LP/MJa/SR/SH/PB)

Spotted Redshank (above), Snipe, Grey Herons & Song Thrush at the North Wall (LP)

Drayton Pits: A Red Kite went over, late this morning. (BI)

Sidlesham: A Bullfinch went over Cow Lane early this morning. (PA)

Medmerrry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool -  A Little Ringed Plover, a Dunlin, five Black-tailed Godwits and 11 Avocets were on the Stilt Pool, whilst a Greenshank was on the reserve and a Marsh Harrier and three Kestrels went over. 

The banks were quiet, though, with just a Chiffchaff, a Cetti's Warbler, a Pied Wagtail, three Reed Buntings and five Yellowhammers seen. (S&SaH)

Medmerrry: Windmill area - A pair of Wheatears were present early on (AW), and still present early afternoon, along with a Chiffchaff, a Stonechat and half a dozen Meadow Pipits (AH).

Wheatears at Medmerry (AH)

26th - 28th March 2025

Friday, 28th March:  A shift of wind direction to the south-west produced a blustery, drizzly start that eventually gave way to a bright and breezy morning.......

Selsey Bill: It was slow this morning, with 16 Brent Geese east and three Sand Martins in off the sea the only likely migrants. Full log below. (JA/BI/AH/AW)

(0600-0800hrs) (SW, F5)

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 19W

Brent Goose - 16E

Tufted Duck - 2W

Common Scoter - 6E

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 3W

Oystercatcher - 3W

Sanderling - 1W

Dunlin - 2W

Turnstone - 4

Sandwich Tern - 2E, 2os

Sand Martin - 3N

Sanderling and Dunlin (above), Tufted Ducks, Red-breasted Mergansers, Brent Geese (AW), Sandwich Tern & Gannets (AH) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: There were a Spotted Redshank, eight Avocets and c50 Black-tailed Godwits on the pool at high tide this morning, along with a pair of Gadwall, c60 Shovelers, c40 Teal and Wigeon and 16 Shelducks. (AH)

Spotted Redshank, Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits and Shelduck at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A fairly quick look early on produced a Blackcap and a couple of Chiffchaffs around the Mound/car-park area, whilst out in the harbour there were c25 Black-tailed Godwits, a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits, small numbers of Knot, Dunlin, Grey Plovers and Ringed Plovers, including a displaying pair of the latter, along with a dozen Mediterranean Gulls, two drake Red-breasted Mergansers and just a few Wigeon and Teal. (AH)

Blackcap (above), Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Red-breasted Merganser, Knot, Ringed Plovers & Mediterranean Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: The Spotted Redshank was on the Breech Pool this morning along with four Black-tailed Godwits, a Snipe and 14 Teal, but it was otherwise quiet along the wall, with just a few Chiffchaffs, and Cetti;s Warblers in the bushes.

At Owl Copse, eight Cattle Egrets were in the trees along with six Grey Herons, and at Halseys’s Farm, a Jay, a Green Woodpecker, four Linnets, a Wren, two Greenfinches, two Chaffinches and a few Blue Tits and Great Tits were along the path, but there was just eight Teal on the rife.

Out in the harbour towards high tide, there was a small group of Grey Plovers, and Dunlin on the mud and a flock of c80 Mediterranean Gulls were moving between the harbour and the fields, but there was just a handful of Wigeon on the water as well as a couple of Pintail.

Both male and female Marsh Harriers were up over the reeds as well as two Buzzards, but it was quiet in the paddock with just two Jackdaws and a Pied Wagtail about. (LP/MJa/CT)

Spotted Redshank(above), Cattle Egret, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwits & Wren at the North Wall (LP)

Chichester GPs: There was no sign of the drake Red-crested Pochard or Little Gull this morning, despite a number of people looking, with, otherwise, just the regular mix, including four Egyptian Geese, c20 Greylag and Canada Geese, eight Pochard, c20 Tufted Ducks and half a dozen Great Crested Grebes.

There were also a Tree-creeper at New Lake, three or four singing Blackcaps, half a dozen Chiffchaffs and a couple of Cetti's Warblers about, plus up to five White Wagtails among c20 Pied Wagtails in the horse paddock behind Nunnery Lake. (BI/SR/AH/OM/IP/SM et al)

White Wagtails (above), Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Egyptian Geese, Egyptian Geese and Greylag Geese & Pochard at Chichester GPs (AH) and Treecreeper (bottom two) at New Lake (OM)

Thursday, 27th March:  The morning started with the Peninsula shrouded in fog, which slowly cleared, except right on the coast, as the north-westerly breeze freshened slightly.....

Just a reminder that the Church Norton car park will be closed today for works. It should only be closed for the one day. (per RSPB)

Selsey Bill: It was a write-off this morning, with absolutely nothing moving, even when the fog lifted a little Full log below. (SR/AH)

(0725-0825hrs) (NW, F1)

Turnstone - 4

Mediterranean Gull - 2E

Chiffchaff - 1

Goldfinch - 20

Turnstone at the Bill (SR)

Ferry Pool: A Little Ringed Plover was on the pool this morning, along with four Snipe and half a dozen Lapwings and Avocets, whilst a Spotted Redshank was tucked in amongst 57 Black-tailed Godwits, with an Egyptian Goose and 50+ Shovelers and Teal also about. 

Also of note, the first two Willow Warblers were heard, with one near the Ferry and one in the Discovery Area. (PA/AH/BFF)

Little Ringed Plover (above) & Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: The first Sedge Warbler of the spring was singing from the gorse adjacent to the far end of the pool this morning. (PA)

Selsey Peninsula: At least one Long-eared Owl was still present today. (Eds)

North Wall: Half a dozen Cattle Egrets were among the Little Egrets and Grey Herons in Owl Copse this morning, with one of the latter looking like it was already on eggs.

There weren't any indications of migration, though, beyond a couple of Meadow Pipits, a Blackcap and half a dozen Chiffchaffs, though a few Reed Buntings and Cetti's Warblers were active along the wall, a Water Rail was on the Breech Pool and both Marsh Harriers were up intermittently, with the male appearing to be displaying.

There were at least 50 Mediterranean Gulls about, both in the harbour and overhead, whilst a handful of Pintail and 50+ Wigeon and Teal were still around, along with just a few Black-tailed Godwits and Knot, 50+ Grey Plovers and 200+ Dunlin. (AH/LP/SP/IH/MJa/TRH et al)

Cattle Egret (above), Cattle Egrets and Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting & Mediterranean Gull, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plovers and Dunlin at the North Wall (AH)

Chichester GPs: A drake Red-crested Pochard was on Copse Lake early this afternoon (BFF), and a Little Gull was on Vinnetrow Lake (SM).

Runcton: South of the village this morning there were a pair of Mute Swans, two pairs Canada Geese, two pairs of Greylag Geese, three Egyptian Geese, 20 Shelducks, 17 Mallard, 12 Gadwall, six Shovelers, six Teal, three Common Buzzards, two Little Grebes, 34 Coots, four Moorhens, a Chiffchaff and two Roe Deer. (CRJ)

Sidlesham: A Red Kite was low over Cow Lane early this afternoon. (PA/AH)

Red Kite over Sidleham (AH)

Wednesday, 26th March: After a cold and misty start, the morning slowly brightened to leave a lovely day in just a light easterly breeze...

Just a reminder that the Church Norton car park will be closed tomorrow for works. It should only be closed for the one day. (per RSPB)

Selsey Bill: Over 100 Brent Geese, 20 Wigeon and a few Sandwich Terns went east, as did a Swallow, and ten Great Northern Divers were sat together offshore, but it was generally slow in the poor visibility. Full log below. (SH/PB/AH/LP/HR/DMe/SR/P&LH/AW)

(0545-0900hrs) (E, F2)

Great Northern Diver - 12os

Red-throated Diver - 3E

Great Crested Grebe -3E

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 2E, 1W

Shag - 2E

Brent Goose - 118E, 1W

Shelduck - 2E

Wigeon - 20E

Eider - 1os

Common Scoter - 1E, 2os

Red-breasted Merganser - 4E, 2W, 4os

Oystercatcher - 9E, 1W

Whimbrel - 1E

Turnstone - 6E

Common Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 14E, 6W

Skylark - 1N

Swallow- 1N

Meadow Pipit - 3N

Wheatear - 2

Chiffchaff - 2

Brent Geese (above), Sandwich Tern, Red-breasted Mergansers (AH), Wheatears & Chiffchaff (AW) at the Bill 

Ferry Pool: Early on, there were at least 80 Shovelers and 50 Teal around the pool, along with a dozen Shelducks, but later on there were just a handful of each, together with four Avocets and c25 Black-tailed Godwits.

Also, a Water Rail was in Red Barn Ditch and a Blackcap and at least three Chiffchaffs and four Song Thrushes were singing around the Tramway. (AH/TG-P/RS)

Chiffchaff (above), Black-tailed Godwits, Avocet & Shovelers around the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A Red Kite went over this morning, as did two Buzzards, two Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel, whilst seven Chiffchaffs and four Long-tailed Tits were in the hedges and four Linnets and a Cetti's Warbler were along the front.

Four Sandwich Terns and 24 Mediterranean Gulls were among the Black-headed Gulls in the harbour, with a Ringed Plover, a dozen Dunlin and two dozen Turnstones among the relatively few waders seen, and there were also 15 Teal and c30 Wigeon and Shelducks present. 

Also of note, a Muntjac Deer was in the horse field and a Comma was on the wing. (P&LH)

Red Kite (above), Muntjac deer & Comma at Church Norton (LH)

This afternoon, a Large Tortoiseshell butterfly was in the car-park, the first locally for a couple of years. (RN)

Large Tortoiseshell at Church Norton (RN)

Chichester GPs: The first Yellow Wagtail of the year was in the horse field behind Nunnery Lake this morning, along with three White Wagtails and a few Pied Wagtails, with a singing Blackcap and a small flock of Redwings in the vicinity, too. (HR/DMe)

Selsey: A Raven went over St Peter's Church this morning, being mobbed by other corvids and gulls as it went north. (AW)

West Itchenor: A Red Kite went over, early this afternoon. (PH)

Sidlesham: A Hawfinch went north over Cow Lane at 0910hrs this morning. Also, aRedwing, four Gadwall and 62 Mediterranean Gulls went over. (PA)

Hawfinch over Sidlesham (PA)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Three Little Ringed Plovers were again on the Stilt Pool this morning, along with a Snipe, four Black-tailed Godwits and 19 Avocets.

A Peregrine, a Kestrel and six Buzzards went over, but the banks were quiet, with just six Stonechats, eight Chiffchaffs, a Cetti's Warbler, four Reed Buntings and c30 Yellowhammers seen. (S&SaH/PB)

North Wall: A Barn Owl as over the paddocks this evening, and two Ravens went over, one of which was carrying a large dead rat! (LP/D Hill)

Long Pool: A look this evening produced three or four Chiffchaffs, a Yellowhammer and c40 Linnets along the path, with c20 Black-tailed Godwits in the harbour at the end of Ferry Channel and a Marsh Harrier over. (AH)

Chiffchaff (above), Yellowhammer, Linnet & Marsh Harrier along the Long Pool (AH)