Birding the Selsey Peninsula: 10th

Saturday, 12th April: It was slightly milder this morning, despite the breeze freshening up again from the east and bringing more cloud with it......

Selsey Bill: The first Serin for two years flew in off the sea, calling, at 0920hrs, and there was a good volume of eastward passage offshore, including 110 Little Gulls, 317 Brent Geese, 13 Common Terns and 217 Sandwich Terns.

Full log below. (JA/BI/SH/PB/JF/RHa/IP/RWh/AH/JFi/P&LH)

(0600-1000hrs) (E, F4-5)

Great Northern Diver - 4os

Red-throated Diver - 3E

Fulmar - 1E, 2W

Gannet - 12E, 29W, 4os

Shag - 2E

Brent Goose - 317E

Long-tailed Duck - 1W

Common Scoter - 164E, 1W

Oystercatcher - 1E

Whimbrel - 40E, 2W

Turnstone - 1

Arctic Skua - 1E, 2os

Mediterranean Gull - 124E

Black-headed Gull - 22E

Common Gull - 39E

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 10E

Kittiwake - 3E

Little Gull - 110E

Sandwich Tern - 217E, 17os

Common Tern - 13E

Swallow - 2N

Sand Martin - 1N

Yellow Wagtail - 5N

Pied Wagtail - 1N

Meadow Pipit - 14N

Wheatear - 1

Chiffchaff - 1N

Serin - 1N (0920hrs)

Linnet - 4N

There was more passage this afternoon, including three more Arctic Skuas and74 Brent Geese east, and the first two Little Terns seen here, going west. Also, around seven Bottle-nosed Dolphins went west. Full log below. (JA/SH)

(1400-1600hrs)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Red-throated Diver - 4E, 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 10s

Gannet - 4E

Brent Goose - 74E

Common Scoter - 12E

Arctic Skua - 3E

Common Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 22E

Little Tern - 2W

Swallow - 1

House Martin - 2

(1735-1835hrs) (JA/M Ashworth)

Great Northern Diver - 4os

Brent Goose - 5E

Common Scoter - 9E, 1W

Oystercatcher - 1E

Whimbrel - 2E

Mediterranean Gull - 26E, 22os

Kittiwake- 1E

Sandwich Tern - 20E, 20os

A video of some the Little Gulls (BI) is here: LITTLE GULLS

Arctic Skua (above), Little Gulls, Common Terns and Sandwich Tern, Whimbrel & Brent geese at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Green Sandpiper and a Snipe were on the pool early on, along with two Lapwings, 12 Avocets, c60 Black-tailed Godwits, the pair of Gadwall, 14 Shelducks, a dozen Shovelers and c30 Teal. (AH)

Also, a Water Rail was in Red Barn Ditch early on. (AW)

Later, the Green Sandpiper and three Little Ringed Plovers were on the pool (RP), and this evening, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat and a Cetti's Warbler were heard around the hedge by the Small Pool.(AH)

Green Sandpiper (above), Avocet (AH) & Water Rail (AW) around the Ferry

Park Farm, Selsey: A male Black Redstart was on a rooftop along the east end of Park Lane, and a Wheatear went over this morning.

Also, the two Swallows were back around the stables, with a House Martin, a Marsh Harrier and a Green Woodpecker also seen. (IP/RWh)

Church Norton: There were four Little Terns in and around the harbour this morning, along with a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 75 Sandwich Terns and 25 Mediterranean Gulls, whilst a Spoonbill flew over the harbour, and waders included three Whimbrel, two turnstones and a few Ringed Plovers and Dunlin, plus a dozen Teal

Also, a pair of Marsh Harriers were over the Severals, with a pair of Gadwall and a pair of Tufted Ducks on the water, whilst a Willow Warbler, several Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers were in the hedges, with a Reed Warbler, a Sedge Warbler and a Reed Bunting around the Severals. (IP/RWh/P&LH)

Spoonbill at Church Norton (IP)

North Wall: A Spoonbill flew north over Owl Copse this morning, with probably a different bird then seen feeding by the sluice at the Halsey's Farm end of the wall.

A Red Kite flew over, before drifting off towards Sidlesham, and a Whimbrel was by Heron Island, but otherwise there were just a few Redshanks, Curlew, Shelducks and Teal in the harbour.

There was a bit more activity along the reeds and hedgerows, with at least four Sedge Warblers and a Reed Warbler in the reeds, as well as six Cetti’s Warblers, two Chiffchaffs, two Long-tailed Tits and numerous Greenfinches along the hedges, also two Whitethroats were in the blackthorn behind the sluice, and a Kingfisher flew along White’s Creek, with another along Owl Water.

Two Shelducks, two Mute Swans, two Little Grebes and a Great Crested Grebe were on the Breech Pool, 4 Gadwall and 16 Mediterranean Gulls passed overhead, and 3 Marsh Harriers were active above the reeds, (MRe/LP/MJa/CT/SP)

Sedge Warbler (MJa) (above), Whimbrel, Whitethroat, Red Kite, Great crested Grebe & Long-tailed Tit (LP) at the North Wall

Chichester GPs: A female Black Redstart was by Triangle Lake this afternoon (AB/CD), whilst earlier, a Coal Tit was singing by East Trout Lake (MRe).

Drayton House pits: The highlight of my WeBS count this morning was the adult-type White-fronted Goose that visited the South pit for a short while, having earlier been seen close by, in arable fields near Drayton railway crossing. It seems very likely this bird commutes to and from these pits, together with the flock of Greylags and a few Canada Geese that do likewise.

Other birds of note included the first pair of Mallard with a brood of young, and the pair of Egyptian Geese with young (South pit) and a pair of Greylags with a brood and ten non-breeding Egyptians.(North pit). A single Snipe was the only wader, but at least eight singing Reed Warblers were present in the various reed beds. On the down side, the Grey Heron's nest was found to be deserted and empty, whilst Pochard numbered only four...the lowest total I can remember for many years. Hopefully they are just out of sight amongst the reeds! (OM)

The White-fronted Goose, which commutes between the arable fields and Drayton House South pit (OM)

Egyptian Geese and Greylags with a brood of young on North pit (OM)

Medmerry: Medmerry Trail to Porthole Farm - There were numerous Whitethroats along the Medmerry Trail round to Porthole Farm, whilst a Lesser Whitethroat was also heard, along with Reed, Sedge, and Cetti's Warblers.

There were just two Swallows over the tanks and a single Sand Martin flew north, whilst the only other bird of note was a Green Sandpiper flying over towards the Ferry Pool. (AW)

Whitethroat at Medmerry (AW)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The Least Sandpiper continued to show to a good number of watchers at the Stilt Pool this morning, with four Little Ringed Plovers, two Ringed Plovers, two Dunlin and 23 Avocets also present.

The first Whinchat was along the bank, just east of the car-park and a Hoopoe was seen in the vicinity, but could not be re-found,

Also, at least half a dozen Whitethroats, a couple of Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, a Dartford Warbler and a couple of Cetti's Warblers were along the banks, along with a couple of Reed Buntings, 20+ Yellowhammers, 50+ Linnets and a few Skylarks, with a Peregrine, a Marsh Harrier, two Red Kites and at least four Buzzards in the air at various times. (AH/AB/CD/MP/S&SaH/PB/P&LH et al)

The Hoopoe was reported flying over Easton viewpoint towards the reservoirs late this afternoon. (per Birdguides)

Whinchat (top two LH, lower two AH) (above), Least Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Whitethroat & Yellowhammer (AH) at Medmerry

Friday, 11th April: After a surprisingly hard frost, an increasingly warm morning of unbroken sunshine in just a light northerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: Two Wheatears were along the front and Reed Bunting was in the trees on the Oval Field, but this morning, and two Common Terns were off Hillfield Road, but three Whimbrel and eight Brent Geese east was about it for eastward migration. Full log below. (BI/MO-W/IP/LP/SP/AH/SR et al)

(0600-0830hrs) (N, F1-2)

Great Northern Diver - 6os

Gannet - 3E

Brent Goose - 8E

Common Scoter - 4W, 3os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Oystercatcher - 5W

Curlew - 2W

Whimbrel - 3E

Mediterranean Gull - c300os

Lesser Black-backed gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 14E, c40os

Common Tern - 2os

Skylark - 1W

Linnet - 7N

Reed Bunting - 1

Mediterranean Gulls (above), Reed Bunting & Sandwich Terns at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Nine Avocets and four Snipe were on the pool this morning, along with a pair of Lapwings, six Redshanks and c50 Black-tailed Godwits, but wildfowl numbers were down, with just a dozen or so Shelducks and Shovelers and c30 Teal, plus the pair of Gadwall present. (AH/PA)

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

Church Norton: A visiting birder reported a Hoopoe from the area around the sleepers a the start of the beach early this morning, but there were no further sightings, unfortunately.

Otherwise, a handful of Swallows and Sand Martins went over, along with a few Meadow Pipits, whilst a Whitethroat as in the hedge along the path to he beach and a Willow Warbler was at the bottom of the path from the car-park, with one or two Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps about, too.

A Red Kite, a Marsh Harrier and four Buzzards were up over the Severals, whilst at least 40 Sandwich Terns and c100 Mediterranean Gulls were in the harbour, along with a Greenshank, a few Dunlin and c20 Shelducks, plus a pair of Brent Geese that flew right around it.. (AH/PA/LP/SP/GR et al)

This evening the Black Redstart was around again, along with two Wheatears, a Whitethroat, seven Willow warblers, nine Chiffchaffs and six Blackcaps. (PA)

Greenshank (above), Red Kite and Carrion Crow & Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Medmerry Trail to Ham Viewpoint - Three Corn Buntings, a Whitethroat, five Linnets, six Yellowhammers, two Buzzards and plenty of singing Skylarks were along the banks and two Sedge Warblers and another couple of Whitethroats could be heard along the Medmerry Trail which was generally on the quiet side. (SR)

Corn Bunting at Medmerry (SR)

Medmerry: Earnley car-park to the Stilt Pool - The Least Sandpiper was still on the Stilt Pool late morning, having been seen earlier at the breach, showing very well with two Ringed Plovers for company. Also there were two Shovelers, nine Gadwall, five Teal, 18 Tufted Ducks, 18 Avocets and two Little Ringed Plovers on the pool, with a Whitethroat, three Willow Warblers and four Swallows between the Earnley car park and the Stilt Pool. (PJ)

Least Sandpiper at Medmerry (PJ)

Thursday, 10th April: After another sharp frost and a cold start, a pleasant morning of sun and white cloud, though remaining cool in the moderate north-easterly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: Two Arctic Skuas and a flock of a dozen Whimbrel east were the best of another slow morning, with migration seeming to have ground to a halt at present. Full log below. (AH/OM/P&LH/SR/AW et al)

(0655-1040hrs) (NE, F4)

Red-throated Diver - 3E

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 12E, 20os

Shoveler - 6E

Common Scoter - 1E, 4W

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 2W, 3os

Oystercatcher - 12E

Curlew - 2E

Whimbrel - 12E

Bar-tailed Godwit - 2E

Arctic Skua - 2E

Mediterranean Gull - c300os

Common Gull - 3E

Sandwich Tern - 14E, c80os

Swallow - 2N

Linnet - 1E

Bar-tailed Godwits and Oystercatchers (above), Common Scoters (AW), Red-throated Diver & Sandwich Terns (AH) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: A Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper and a Snipe were on the pool this morning, along with 14 Avocets, a pair of Lapwings, six Redshanks, c50 Black-tailed Godwits, a pair of Gadwall, 22 Shelducks, c40 Shovelers and c60 Teal. (OM/AH/&LH)

Snipe, Shovelers, Teal and Black-tailed Godwits (above), Avocet & Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: A Sedge Warbler was along the pool early this afternoon, together with a Whitethroat and half a dozen Chiffchaffs, with pairs of both Little and Great Crested Grebes on the water and three Swallows over. (P&LH)

Church Norton: Most of the interest was on the land this morning, with the first Lesser Whitethroat in the hedges by the horse field, the Black Redstart again on the concrete blocks, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting in the Severals, and a Willow Warbler, five Blackcaps and a dozen Chiffchaffs in the hedges, plus six Swallows, two Rock Pipits and a Marsh harrier over.

The harbour was quiet, though, with just four Sandwich Terns, ten Mediterranean Gulls, two Dunlin, ten Grey Plovers and six Teal of note. (P&LH/MRe)

The Black Redstart was still present this evening, whist at least 100 Mediterranean Gulls, but just a handful of Black-headed Gulls and no Sandwich Terns, were out on the mud, along with a Whimbrel and c20 Black-tailed Godwits. (AH/S&SaH)

Whimbrel (above) & Mediterranean Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: There were a few more Sedge and Reed Warblers singing from the reeds this morning, although none were showing, and three Blackcaps were along the bushes, as well as c20 Greenfinches, a Chaffinch and six Cetti’s Warblers.

A Great Crested Grebe and two Shelducks were on the Breech Pool and six Cattle Egrets were in the fields with a few more in the trees at Owl Copse, whilst at Halsey’s Farm, a Kingfisher flew down the rife and a Sparrowhawk was over the fields.

There were just a few Redshanks along White’s Creek, and further out there were c20 Grey Plovers and six Dunlin, with six Common Seals on the mud.

Two Cattle Egrets were in the paddocks, as well as a Green Woodpecker, two Jays, two Jackdaws and a Song Thrush, and unusually, two House Sparrows were in the blackthorn by the sluice. (LP/TRH/SP/MJa/EB)

Shelducks (above), Chaffinch & Greenfinch at the North Wall (LP)

West Itchenor: There were c400 Mediterranean Gulls present this morning, along with four Sandwich Terns, with six Chiffchaffs and two Blackcaps in the hedges and a Swallow over. (MRe)

Chichester GPs: The Red-crested Pochard wasn't showing this morning, with just four Pochard, c30 Tufted Ducks, 15 Great Crested Grebes and two Egyptian Geese around the pits.

Also, 15 Sand Martins, four House Martins and three Swallows were feeding overhead, but two Cetti's Warblers, four Blackcaps and eight Chiffchaffs were all the hedges had to offer. (MRe/OM).

Drayton: A Russian White-fronted Goose was with 20 Egyptian Geese, two Canada Geese and ten Greylag Geese on the field opposite Drayton south pit this afternoon. (BI)

A video of the White-fronted Goose (BI) is here: WFG

White-fronted Goose (above) & Egyptian Goose at Drayton (BI)

Medmerry: Stilt Pool - The Least Sandpiper was showing well again on the Stilt Pool this morning. (R Allan)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm to Ham Farm - A female Merlin flew off from the partially ploughed field at Porthole Farm this morning and at least a dozen Swallows were feeding, and even singing, overhead, whilst up to a dozen Chiffchaffs were in the sheltered hedges, and at least four Whitethroats were along the Medmerry Trail towards Ham, along with a pair of Stonechats, a dozen Yellowhammers and c20 Linnets.

At Ham, two Corn Buntings were singing along the bank, with a Sedge Warbler singing from the ditches and a male Stonechat nearby, but otherwise there were just four Reed Buntings, a couple of Skylarks and c50 Linnets about. (AH)