7th July 2025

Monday, 7th July: A thoroughly miserable morning, unseasonably cool in a fresh north-westerly. with leaden skies and persistent drizzly rain.....

Pom King 2025: Once again the annual Pom King challenge took place this spring, with this year's champion - or King - being none other than our own Andy House, with a total of 26 logged from an overall spring total of 47. This is in fact Andy's second title, for he was also joint winner two years ago. A creditable mention must also go to the runner-up Sarah Russell, who ran him close this year - but ultimately all challengers were 'done in' by the flock of 14 that he alone lucked into on 29th April and from which there was no coming back for other contenders.

Now it must be admitted that a certain amount of humble pie was eaten by a certain editor who had previously proclaimed that "if Andy can win it then anyone can!" - partly based on experience from much earlier times when the said AH could never get there early. No matter, he was a worthy winner this year, so congratulations from all the team and I'm sure all who know him. As tradition dictates, he was presented with the trophy, fittingly by our statistician Ian Pitts, who has now taken on responsibility for all Pom King matters. Well done to all, and so it's all over for another year. Just a thought though - you don't suppose he could do a hat-trick and win next year? Perhaps I'd better make no comment!   (OM/Eds) 

New Pom King Andy House (AH) (left), happily receiving the trophy from statistician Ian Pitts (IP) at the Bill

Selsey Bill: A very quiet morning, with a flock of 24 Swifts high over the sea the highlight, but just the regular species about, otherwise. Full log below. (AH/SR/IP)

(0650-0805hrs) (NNW, F4)

Gannet - 6E, 17W, 8os

Common Scoter - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 6E, 47W

Sandwich Tern - 9E, 12W

Swift - 27

House Martin - 2

Gannets (above) & Sandwich Terns at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just an adult and a juvenile Avocet and six Black-tailed Godwits on the pool this morning. (AH)

Avocet at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A Green Sandpiper was at the back of the Breech Pool this morning, as well as a Curlew, 11 Black-tailed Godwits and a fishing Common Tern.

Only one of the juvenile Marsh Harriers was in the bushes, and around the paddock there were eight Swallows, a Green Woodpecker, a Song Thrush, and a Chiffchaff. Out in the harbour at high tide a Great Crested Grebe was on the water, and a Whimbrel, 20 Redshanks and two Curlews were on the banks, with a Pied Wagtail by the sluice. (LP/MJa)

Church Norton: The harbour was full of birds again, including plenty of Little, Common and Sandwich Terns, plus a pair of Common Gulls and c300 Mediterranean Gulls, with at least 200 more of the latter among a huge feeding flock offshore that also included half a dozen Gannets.

Waders seen, however, comprised of just four Black-tailed Godwits, two Dunlin, half a dozen Ringed Plovers and Curlews and a dozen Oystercatchers, and there was unsurprisingly nothing to be seen in the hedges. (AH)

Later in the morning, as the tide rose, the Roseate Tern put in an appearance, but it did not hang around. (BFF/SL)

Sandwich Terns (above), Common Tern, Mediterranean Gulls, Ringed Plover & Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlin at Church Norton (AH)

Sidlesham: About 20 Swallows were on the wires along Cow Lane early this morning. (AH)

Swallow in Sidlesham (AH)