20th - 22nd August 2025

Friday, 22nd August: The brisk breeze finally abated overnight, starting in the north-east before ultimately swinging too the south-west, leaving a fairly warm morning of sunshine and white cloud.........

Selsey Bill: A Tree Pipit, a Grey Wagtail and 27 Yellow Wagtails, including a flock of 19, went over this morning, along with a Swift and a steady stream of hirundines, with seven Wheatears and a few Common Terns about, too. Full log later. (SH/BI/AH/IP/P&LH)

(0615-0900hrs) (NE, F3)

Gannet - 7E, 3os

Shag - 1E

Teal - 11W

Common Scoter - 3E

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 4

Mediterranean Gull - 32E, 7W, 40os

Sandwich Tern - 19E, 9W, 6os

Common Tern - 5E, 1W, 4os

Green Woodpecker - 1

Swift - 1E

Swallow - 16E

Sand Martin - 107E

House Martin - 43E

Yellow Wagtail - 27E

Grey Wagtail - 1E

Pied Wagtail - 1E

Tree Pipit - 1E

Wheatear - 7

Willow Warbler - 1

Wheatear (above), Sand Martin, Common Tern & Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Common Sandpipers and the three juvenile Little Ringed Plovers were on the muddy area again this morning, along with the juvenile Redshank, a Lapwing and three Black-tailed Godwits. (AH)

Common Sandpiper (above), Little Ringed Plover & Black-tailed Godwit at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: A Snipe, two Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper and two Black-tailed Godwits were on the flooded field this morning, along with six Teal and a Water Rail, whilst the bushes were still busy, with up to a dozen Willow Warblers, half a dozen Reed Warblers and Chiffchaffs, a Cetti's Warbler and a couple of Lesser Whitethroats and Whitethroats. (AH/P&LH)

Green Sandpiper (above), Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler & willow Warbler at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

Sidlesham Quay: A Nightingale was along the path along the harbour here this morning. (BI)

North Selsey: A Cetti's Warbler was in the waste ground opposite the Selsey Centre early this morning. (SH)

North Wall: A Grasshopper Warbler was showing well in the vegetation along the edge of White's Creek, just before the gate to the Slipe Field, early this morning, and there were lots of Willow Warblers around the paddocks/sluice area..(HR/DMe)

Later on, there were a Buzzard, a Kestrel, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, two Sand Martins, two Cetti’s Warblers, single Reed and Sedge Warblers and ten Common Whitethroats along the wall. (CRJ)

This afternoon, a Pied Flycatcher was in the hedges at Halsey's Farm (EB), but couldn't be relocated later, though two Redstarts, a Whinchat, a Wheatear, a Spotted Flycatcher, a couple of Lesser Whitethroats, a Reed Warbler and several Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers were about the vicinity, plus another Redstart in the paddocks, with a Peregrine and at least 40 Sand Martins and a few Swallows going over.

There were also half a dozen Clouded Yellows and Common Blues and an impressive Wasp Spider about. (P&LH/AH/AW/LP/KJ)

Spotted Flycatcher (above), Whinchat (AH), Chiffchaff, Cattle Egrets, tagged Curlew, Clouded Yellow (EB), Common Blue & Wasp Spider (AH) at the North Wall

Church Norton: A male Redstart was behind the hide this morning, with a Garden Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat,  two or three Blackcaps and Whitethroats, up to ten Chiffchaffs and c20 Willow Warbles, most of which moved through with c20 Long-tailed Tits., were around the churchyard/hide area.

There were also four Yellow Wagtails and two Wheatears on Tern Island, with another of the latter and a Skylark in the horse field, whilst four Swallows and c55 Sand Martins went over.

Also of note, a Little Tern was on the island, with a couple of Sandwich Terns, two Kingfishers, a Greenshank, two Whimbrel and four Teal also seen. (AW/AH/JA/P&LH)

This evening a juvenile Little Tern was fishing along the channel from the west side, whilst out on the mud there were a Little Ringed Plover among 16 Ringed Plovers, three Knot, ten dunlin, 16 Grey Plovers and a Black-tailed Godwit.

Also seen were two Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler, with nine Yellow Wagtails, seven Swallows and eight House Martins over. (MRe)

Redstart (top two AW, lower AH), Garden Warbler(AW), Willow Warbler (AH), Blackcap (top AW, lower AH) & Kestrel (W) at Church Norton

Medmerry: Golf Links Lane to Ham - The were two Whinchats and up to nine Wheatears around Ham this morning, with five Corn Buntings in the uncropped field just beyond the viewpoint, eight Yellow Wagtails around the cows, and three Stonechats, two Reed Buntings, a Sedge Warbler, 11 Whitethroats and half a dozen Willow/Chiffs along the banks, plus three Swallows and c80 Sand Martins over.

Also about were a Cattle Egret, two Sparrowhawks, four Kestrels and three Buzzards. (MWh/S&SaH)

Cattle Egret with frog at Medmerry (SH)

Thursday, 21st August: The north-easterly breeze was even stronger this morning, before easing later, though it was still reasonably warm in the sun...

Selsey Bill: The first Marsh Harrier of the year for the Bill flew north over the houses to the west this morning, and there were five Swifts among a few hirundines drifting west, too. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0705-0805hrs) (NNE, F5)

Gannet - 9E, 5W, 15os

Marsh Harrier - 1N

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 3E, 4W

Swift - 5W

Swallow - 4W

Sand Martin - 1W

House Martin - 10W

Yellow Wagtail - 1N

Marsh Harrier at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were two Common Sandpipers, three juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, an adult Ringed Plover, the juvenile Redshank, a Lapwing and six Black-tailed Godwits on the muddy area this morning. (AH)

Late this afternoon a Wheatear and two Stonechats were on the field. (PA)

Common Sandpiper (above), Little Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plovers and Ringed Plover, Lapwing & Redshank at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: Two Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Lapwing, a Dunlin and a few Teal were on the marsh this morning, and a few Willow Warblers, Sedge Warblers, and Whitethroats were in the surrounding bushes. (LP/IH/SP/TRH/MJa)

This evening there were three Green Sandpipers present, along with a Common Sandpiper and three Water Rails, whilst the bushes held a good selection, including a Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Sedge Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler and several Reed and Willow Warblers. (PA/AH)

Sedge Warbler (above), Willow Warbler & Cetti's Warbler at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

Church Norton:  A Coal Tit was at Greenlease Farm, but it was, otherwise, extremely quiet in the brisk breeze. (MRe)

Later, a look along the west side was very quiet, with two Buzzards over Sidlesham Quay, 50+ Oystercatchers in the harbour and a couple of Lesser Whitethroats, a Dartford Warbler calling just beyond Reedy Marsh and a pair of Linnets being about it. (CRJ)

It was quiet this afternoon, too, though four Yellow Wagtails went over and a couple of Whimbrel were in the harbour. (PA)

North Wall: The Ruff was back on the Breech Pool early on, as well as six Teal, and two Water Rails were around the edges, whilst a Merlin flew in from the fields and over the harbour, and c50 Swallows, c10 Sand Martins and a couple of House Martins passed over.

Two Grey Wagtails and a Kingfisher were by the sluice and the flagged Curlew was again in the paddock, but it was quiet along the bushes with just a couple of Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat seen.

The female Redstart was still along the bushes at Halsey’s Farm, along with a few Linnets, Goldfinches, Greenfinches and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, while another Kingfisher was along the rife. (TRH/MJa/LP/MRe/SP/IH/EB/CT)

This evening, the Ruff and a Water Rail were about, along with a Knot, with a few Yellow Wagtails among the cows. (KJ et al)

Grey Wagtails (above), Lesser Whitethroat & Water Rail at the North Wall (LP)

The Redstart was again at Halsey's Farm this evening, but a Blackcap and a couple of Whitethroats were the only other things in the bushes there, though two Swifts and c25 Sand Martins and Swallows were feeding over the trees. (AH)

Redstart (above), Blackcap, Swift & Sand Martin at the North Wall (AH)

East Side: The first returning Merlin was seen chasing waders across the harbour early on, with a Spotted Redshank, three Greenshank, 55 Redshanks, 22 Knot, 64 Grey Plovers, 18 Ringed Plovers, four Lapwings, two Whimbrel,  seven Dunlin, 12 Black-tailed Godwits and c30 Curlews spread around the harbour, along with a Wigeon, three Gadwall, 25 Teal and two Common Gulls, plus a Kingfisher and a Sparrowhawk.

A look along the hedges and edges around the Slipe Field produced a Tree Pipit, a Grey Wagtail, ten Yellow Wagtails, two Lesser Whitethroats, a Blackcap, three Willow Warblers, seven Chiffchaffs, a Cetti's Warbler and two Jays, plus seven Swallows and 18 Sand Martins over. (MRe)

West Itchenor: There were definitely one, and probably two Nuthatches calling (though not seen) from the birch copse beyond Chalkdock this morning and six Ravens - presumably a family party - were flying around the area, though a Blackcap, a Stonechat, a Green and a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Red-legged Partridge were just about the only other birds seen.

A couple of Whimbrel, a dozen Curlews and a few Redshanks were the only waders along the shore, whilst further out, two Common Terns flew south and at least 50 Mediterranean Gulls were on the water. (AH/IP)

Raven (above) & Whimbrel at West Itchenor (AH)

Wednesday, 20th August: A fairly warm and intermittently sunny morning, dominated by the fresh and blustery north-easterly breeze....

Selsey Bill: It remains slow offshore, with a Yellow Wagtail and a Ringed Plover east the best, and there were also four Bottle-nosed dolphins heading east. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0705-0820hrs) (NE, F4-5)

Gannet - 8E, 3W, 8os

Shag - 1E, 1os

Sparrowhawk - 2

Ringed Plover - 1E

Turnstone - 9

Mediterranean Gull - 2E

Sandwich Tern - 17E, 4W

House Martin - 10

Yellow Wagtail - 1E

Chiffchaff - 1

Bottle-nosed Dolphin - 4E

There was also a Common Sandpiper present very early this morning. (AW)

Shag and Cormorant (above), Mediterranean Gull (AH) & Common Sandpiper (AW) at the Bill 

Ferry Pool: A Snipe was on the muddy patch this morning, along with a Common Sandpiper, two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, the juvenile Redshank and six Black-tailed Godwits. (AH)

Snipe (above), Common Sandpiper & Little Ringed Plover at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: The Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper were still at the back this morning, with a Lapwing, six Black-tailed Godwits and eight Teal also on the flooded field, whilst a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap and three or four whitethroats and Reed warblers were around the bushes. (AH)

This evening there were two Common Sandpipers present, along with the Green Sandpiper and four Black-tailed Godwits, with three Willow/Chiffs in the bushes. (S&SaH)

Green Sandpiper (above), Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat & Blackcap at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

Selsey: Two Swifts went over the vicarage garden this afternoon. (AW)

Swift over Selsey (AW)

North Wall: A Spoonbill was on the Breech Pool early on, as well as a Grey Heron, a Water Rail and four Teal, whilst ten Yellow Wagtails were around the cows in Honer 1, but it was otherwise quiet along the wall with just a Linnet and a few Goldfinches and Greenfinches about, in the blustery conditions. (LP/MJa)

The Ruff was back again this evening, along with a Spotted Redshank, two Green Sandpipers, six Black-tailed Godwits, two Kingfishers and 18 Cattle Egrets, whilst a female and a juvenile Marsh Harrier, plus a Buzzard went over.

Also, c30 Yellow Wagtails were around the cows and two Swallows and c20 Sand Martins went over, but a Whitethroat, two Cetti's Warblers and two Willow/Chiffs were all the bushes had to offer. (S&SaH)

Spoonbill (above), Spoonbill and Grey Heron & Yellow Wagtails at the North Wall (LP)

East Side: A Kingfisher flew along White’s Creek, and further along there were 38 Grey Plovers, three Knot, two Greenshanks, 12 Ringed Plovers, ten Dunlin, two Whimbrel, eight Turnstones, a Sandwich Tern, eight Gadwall, two Wigeon, 32 Teal and three Snipe, but elsewhere it was quiet with just a couple of Chiffchaffs in the bushes and a Sparrowhawk overhead. (LP)

Greenshank (above), Grey Plovers & Sandwich Tern along the East side (LP)

Pagham Spit: A female Long-tailed Blue was reported from along the beach today. (per MRe)

West Wittering: A Spotted Flycatcher, a Firecrest and a Goldcrest were in the garden this morning, and the two Ravens were still in the vicinity, too. (GM)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The banks were very quiet in the stiff breeze, with just half a dozen Whitethroats and Yellowhammers seen, plus about 20 Swallows over, whilst c20 Yellow Wagtails were among the cows opposite the Stilt Pool.

The pool itself held four Greenshanks and Common Sandpipers, six Lapwings and c30 Canada Geese, whilst there were still at least eight Common Terns, including a couple of juveniles, around the rafts and another Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, c30 Redshanks and c50 Canada Geese were near the poplars. 

Also, a juvenile Shelduck, four Gadwall, c20 Teal and c50 Mallard flew out from the reservoirs when a Grey Heron dropped in. (AH)

Greenshanks (above), Common Sandpiper, Common Tern & Shelduck, Gadwall and Teal at Medmerry (AH)