29th - 31st October 2025

Friday, 31st October: The wind freshened considerably  overnight as it shifted to more or less due south, leaving it very mild, but heavily overcast and with spells of heavy rain.............

Selsey Bill: There was quite a bit of activity for a good turnout of observers this morning, including a fairly distant Sooty Shearwater west, two Black Redstarts in off the sea, an increase in Red-throated and Great Northern Diver numbers and a good westward movement of Gannets and Razorbills. Full log below. (BI/MRe/IP/AH/P&LH/LP/SP/MJa)

(0700-1120hrs) (SSW, F5-6)

Great Northern Diver - 1E, 2W, 3os

Red-throated Diver - 2E, 5W

Great Crested Grebe - 1W, 2os

Sooty Shearwater - 1W (0754hrs)

Gannet - 33E, 277W, 5os

Shag - 1E, 2W

Brent Goose - 2W

Common Scoter - 2E, 9W

Red-breasted Merganser - 3W

Oystercatcher - 2E

Turnstone - 7

Mediterranean Gull - 3E, 3W

Kittiwake - 2E, 34W

Guillemot - 5W, 1os

Razorbill - 34E, 787W

auk sp - 145E, 553W

Pied Wagtail - 2

Black Redstart - 2N

Redpoll - 3N

Chaffinch - 11W

Red-throated Diver (above), Great Northern Diver, Red-breasted Merganser, Brent Geese, Gannet & Razorbills at the Bill (AH)

There was more variety and interest this afternoon, including two potential Pallid Swifts going into the wind offshore at 1338hrs, though there were no further sightings.

This is a very difficult species to separate from Common Swift, though date and wind direction are on its side, so we will have to wait and see what the verdict is on them.

Also, there were a Bonxie, a Pomarine Skua, an Arctic Tern and an Eider going west to complete the interest. Full log below. (P&LH/PA/IP/SH et al)

(1210-1640hrs)

Gannet - 1E, 58W

Eider - 1W

Common Scoter - 3W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Oystercatcher - 2

Ringed Plover - 4W

Turnstone - 8 

Great Skua - 1W

Pomarine Skua - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 5W

Kittiwake - 114W

Sandwich Tern - 2W

Arctic Tern - 1W

Razorbill - 52W

auk sp - 14W

potential Pallid Swift - 2W

Swallow - 1W

potential Pallid Swifts (above), Pomarine Skua, Bonxie, Arctic Tern & Kittiwakes at the Bill (LH)

Ferry Pool: On the pool this morning there were 28 Shovelers, three Teal and eight Lapwings, plus a few Black-headed Gulls. (AH)

Shoveler on the Ferry (AH)

Sidlesham: There were c25 Redwings in the oaks along Cow Lane early this morning. (PA)

Church Norton:  It was very quiet again this morning, with a group of nine Swallows feeding over the churchyard/hide area of most interest, with a Mistle Thrush and the odd Chiffchaff and Jay about it in the hedges and a Skylark and c80 Linnets around the islands the only other things of note.

A dozen Brent Geese, three Mediterranean Gulls, a couple of Pintail, a few Wigeon and Teal, ten Grey Plovers, 11 Knot, c20 Dunlin and half a dozen Turnstones, plus a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard over, were it for the harbour. (AH/CRJ/P&LH)

Swallow (above) & Mediterranean Gull at Church Norton (AH)

Thursday, 30th October: A much better start today, with just a light to moderate westerly breeze, though freshening later, and a mix of hazy sun and cloud.............

Selsey Bill: The most unusual occurrence this morning was the reappearance of the Yellow-crowned Bishop, trapped and ringed in the gardens along the front on 15th August, but not seen since. Remarkably, what was presumably the same bird was seen shortly afterwards at the North Wall.

Beyond that, though, it was pretty slow, though the first two Sandwich Terns seen here in a while went east and 132 Razorbills went west. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0720-0850hrs) (W, F3-4)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Gannet - 2os

Shag - 3E

Turnstone - 4

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 2E

Razorbill - 132W, 14os

auk sp - 107W

Pied Wagtail - 2E, 3W

Meadow Pipit - 2W

Linnet - 1W

Greenfinch - 6E

Goldfinch - 30

Yellow-crowned Bishop - 1

Sandwich Tern (above), Shag & Yellow-crowned Bishop at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A lone Teal and a Pied Wagtail were all that was on the pool late this morning. (AH)

Pied Wagtail at the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: A total of four Gadwall, six Shovelers, 44 Teal and 15 Mallards were on the flooded field, with a Goldcrest and a Cetti's Warbler all the bushes had to offer. (AH)

Gadwall, Shovelers and Teal at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

Selsey: The female-type Black Redstart was still in gardens behind the Asda store this morning. (MRe)

Medmerry: Ham viewpoint - A Short-eared Owl was out over the fields east of here this morning. (MWh)

Sidlesham: There was a bit of visible migration over Cow lane this morning, including a Brambling, 12 Redpolls, nine Siskins, two Grey Wagtails and two Redwings, along with four Egyptian Geese. (PA)

Church Norton: There was a bit of visible migration over the Severals and beach early this morning, heading in a south/west direction, including 29 Crossbills, 32 Redpolls,27 Siskins, 13 Linnets, 14 Greenfinches, 17 Chaffinches, 35 Goldfinches, 13 Reed Buntings, 11 Meadow Pipits and four Pied Wagtails, plus 35 Stock Doves, a Golden Plover and a heard only Woodlark.

There were also half a dozen Chiffchaffs, three Goldcrests, two Cetti's Warblers and two Stonechats along the front, three Water Rails heard from the reeds and a Marsh Harrier and a Sparrowhawk out hunting. (MRe)

The Marsh Harrier was still around later, when a Dartford Warbler and a Blackcap were also around the Severals, and a Brent Goose dropped in on the horse field, but the bushes elsewhere were very quiet, as was the harbour, with vrey few waders or wildfowl to be seen. (AH/RS)

Marsh Harrier (above), Blackcap, Cetti's Warbler, Grey Plover & Cormorant at Church Norton (AH)

This afternoon two very late first-winter Arctic Terns were flying around the harbour, whilst a selection of waders on the high tide included three Avocets, 35 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Knot and Grey Plovers, ten Ringed Plovers and 50 Dunlin, with a couple of Mediterranean Gulls, c70 Brent Geese, 20 Pintail, four Shovelers, 12 Shelducks, c100 Wigeon and c250 Teal also about.

There were also 45 Cattle Egrets and c150 Stock Doves seen flying over the North Wall, 95 Linnets on the islands and a couple of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests in the hedges. (PA)

Arctic Tern at Church Norton (PA)

North Wall: There was a bit of activity in the paddock this morning with a Yellowhammer, two Stonechats, two Reed Buntings, a Grey Wagtail, two Pied Wagtails, a Meadow Pipit, four House Sparrows, a Song Thrush, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and four Blackbirds, whilst further back a Jay was in the bushes and two Marsh Harriers were in their usual area.

Four Spotted Redshanks were in White’s Creek with all the regulars, and a Wheatear was along the rocks, whilst in the bushes there were two more Yellowhammers, six Reed Buntings, two Stonechats, four Skylarks, 20 Meadow Pipits and the escaped Yellow-crowned Bishop, seen earlier at the Bill. (GHi/MJa/TRH/LP/SP/CT/EB)

Yellow-crowned Bishop (above), Wheatear, Yellowhammer, Stonechat & Reed Bunting at the North Wall (LP)

 

Wednesday, 29th October: The westerly winds finally eased a little, but the result was a morning of almost uninterrupted drizzly rain under leaden skies........

Selsey Bill: A Velvet Scoter east with two Common Scoters was the best bird of a quiet morning, though a Great Northern Diver was on the sea again and four Swallows went west together. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0725-0910hrs) (WSW, F3-4)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Gannet - 4E, 15W

Shag - 2E

Shelduck - 1W

Velvet Scoter - 1E

Common Scoter - 5E, 2W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Oystercatcher - 3

Turnstone - 22

Mediterranean Gull - 3W

Kittiwake - 4W

Razorbill - 61W

auk sp - 155W

Swallow - 4W

Pied Wagtail - 2

Meadow Pipit - 2W

Red-breasted Merganser (above), Shags & Gannet at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Five Snipe flew out from the front this morning, but otherwise there were just three Shovelers and two Teal on the pool, plus a Black-tailed Godwit in the channel opposite. (AH)

This afternoon the Green Sandpiper was back on the pool, along with four Snipe, 15 Lapwings, a Redshank, 32 Shovelers, 59 Teal, four Shelducks and six Mallards.

There were also 15 Red-legged Partridges and a Cetti's Warbler around the bank, whilst a Kingfisher was in the channel opposite, along with a Redshank, a Teal, five Moorhens and 15 Mallards. (JC)

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

Selsey: A female Black Redstart was behind the Asda store this afternoon. (MRe)

Sidlesham: Up to ten Redpolls were in the trees along Cow Lane again early this morning. (AH)

Also, this evening, a Tawny Owl was calling actively. (PA/AH)

Church Norton: The harbour was very quiet this morning, with just a few Dunlin and Grey Plovers amongst the regulars, plus a few Wigeon and Teal.

There wasn't too much in the bushes, either, though a couple of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were about, along with three or four Jays, with two Redwings going over west the only things of note. (AH)

Chiffchaff (above) & Goldcrest at Church Norton (AH)

26th - 28th October 2025

Tuesday, 28th October: Another very windy morning, with it still from the west, overcast and cool early on before brightening up slowly.........

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Selsey Bill: There were a few birds about this morning, including a Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver, a Guillemot and a couple of Red-basted Mergansers, with 21 Redpolls west the most notable overhead migrants. Full log below. (SH/IP/AH)

(0630-0900hrs) (W, F5-6)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Gannet - 20E, 10W, 4os

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 6W

Shelduck - 1W

Common Scoter - 2E

Red-breasted Merganser - 2W

Kestrel - 1

Oystercatcher - 1W, 1 present

Grey Plover - 1W

Curlew - 2W

Turnstone - 32

Mediterranean Gull - 8W

Kittiwake - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 2W

Guillemot - 1os

Razorbill - 17E, 72W

auk sp - 107E, 36W

Pied Wagtail - 8

Meadow Pipit - 1W

Redpoll - 21W

Linnet - 35N

Goldfinch - 40W

Red-throated Diver (above), Red-breasted Merganser & Shag at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just four Lapwings and 18 Shovelers present this morning. (AH)

Lapwing and Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were a few more waders in the harbour this morning, including a dozen Knot and Turnstones, c25 Grey Plovers and c50 Dunlin, as well as 22 Shelducks, but not much else of note.

A single Swallow was overhead, and three small flocks totalling c30 Redpolls and a flock of 45 Stock Doves went over west, but a couple of Jays and Chiffchaffs and a dozen Goldcrests was about it on another quiet this morning. (AHu/AH/IH)

North Wall: A Kingfisher was by the sluice, and three Spotted Redshanks were along White’s Creek, with 32 Brent Geese further out.

A Wheatear and a Rock Pipit were along the rocks and on the Breech Pool there were 23 Black-tailed Godwits, a Snipe, three Shovelers and a Grey Wagtail, but it was quiet elsewhere with just a few Reed Buntings, Long-tailed Tits and two Stonechats along the bushes, and four Pied Wagtails in the paddocks. (MJa/LP)

A brief late afternoon visit to the Breech Pool yielded two Snipe, a Water Rail, a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail and a Little Egret, plus a Mediterranean Gull over. (JC)

Shoveler (above), Grey Wagtail & Pied Wagtail at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Dartford Warbler, three Goldcrests, Cetti's Warblers, two Stonechats, ten Yellowhammers, three Skylarks, two Meadow Pipits, c20 Goldfinches and c30 Linnets along the banks today, with a Kingfisher, a Greenshank, c100 Golden Plovers and Lapwings, 11 Egyptian Geese on the reserve, with subadult male and two female Marsh Harriers, three Buzzards and four Kestrels going over.

Also, a good count of 89 Ringed Plovers, along with seven Snipe and five Dunlin, were on the Stilt Pool. (S&SaH)

Monday, 27th October: The breeze remains very brisk and rom the north-west, leaving another bright, but cool and blustery morning.........

If anyone is interested in revisiting past glories, the Reviews of the Year for 2013 to 2023, plus information on the Pom-King trophy, and more to follow, can be accessed from the 'Blog Archive' on the toolbar above. (Eds)

Selsey Bill: A Merlin that hung around for a minute or two before heading off east and 235 Razorbills west were the highlights of a fairly slow morning. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0710-0840hrs) (NW, F6)

Gannet - 36W, 20os

Brent Goose - 1W

Merlin - 1E

Oystercatcher - 2

Turnstone - 25

Mediterranean Gull - 10W

Common Gull - 2W

Razorbill - 235W

auk sp - 3E, 64W

Wood Pigeon - 200W

Pied Wagtail - 2

Meadow Pipit - 2E

Goldfinch - 7

Merlin (above), Razorbills & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just a Lapwing, a Great Black-backed Gull and c25 Black-headed Gulls present this morning. (AH)

Church Norton: It was very quiet this morning, with a dozen Turnstones, c20 Grey Plovers and Dunlin and a scattering of Redshanks, Curlews and Oystercatchers the only waders in the harbour, and just a handful of Shelducks and a few Wigeon and Teal the only wildfowl.

Two Firecrests were in Bluebell Wood early on, and two Swallows were feeding over the sheltered hedges, but the hedges themselves were very quiet, with a couple of Chiffchaffs among a roving flock of Blue and Long-tailed Tits, two or three Jays and a Green Woodpecker about it.

The most unusual thing seen this morning was a Muntjac deer behind the hide, before it ran back into the undergrowth. (AH/MRe)

Grey Plover (above), Long-tailed Tit & Muntjac at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There wasn't too much to report in the windy conditions today, though a Dartford Warbler, four Goldcrests, three Stonechats and four Yellowhammers were along the banks and a Grey Plover, three Egyptian Geese, a Marsh Harrier and two Kestrels were on/over the reserve. (SaH)

Sunday, 26th October: Another bright and breezy morning, warm in the sun and chill in the shade, with the fresh and blustery westerly persisting.....

Selsey Bill: A flock of four Velvet Scoters and an Arctic Skua west were the highlights offshore, whilst there was again a bit of visible migration, including two Bramblings and a few Redpolls, Siskins and Skylarks. Full log later. (SH/JA/BI/PB/MRB/IP/AH)

(0630-0900hrs) (WNW, F4-5)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Gannet - 104W

Shag - 2E

Little Egret - 4W

Brent Goose - 29W

Shelduck - 3W

Shoveler - 1W

Velvet Scoter - 4W

Common Scoter - 2E

Red-breasted Merganser - 3W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Sanderling - 1W

Turnstone - 15

Arctic Skua - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 4W, 1os

Common Gull - 1W

Razorbill - 177W

auk sp - 19E, 957W

Wood Pigeon - 565W

Stock Dove - 9W

Skylark - 3E, 9W

Swallow - 1

Grey Wagtail - 1W

Pied Wagtail - 11W

Meadow Pipit - 7N

Brambling - 2N

Redpoll - 3N

Siskin - 14W

Goldfinch - 45W

Velvet Scoters (above), Swallow & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just 22 Lapwings, 16 Shovelers and c40 Teal on the pool this morning. (AH)

Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: There were seven Snipe on the flooded field this morning, along with five Gadwall, two Shovelers and c60 Teal. (AH)

Snipe and Teal (above) & Gadwall, Shovelers and Teal at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: Two Crossbills went over early this morning. (MRe)

Later there were three Swallows around the Stables and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew towards the village, whilst in the fields were a few Pied Wagtails, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, plus a lone Grey Wagtail, along with a pair of Stonechats. 

Also, a Jay flew along the treeline and both a Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard were seen here. (IP)

Sidlesham: Early this morning four Redwings, two Fieldfares, two Mistle Thrushes, a Siskin and 24 Redpolls went over Cow Lane, with 15 or so still around the garden, and there was also a Tawny Owl  calling. (PA)

Redpoll in a Sidlesham garden (PA)

Church Norton: The Black-necked Grebe re-appeared this morning, half a mile offshore from the Severals. 

In the harbour a flock of 75 Dunlin were flying around with at least two Knot within, with, otherwise a sprinkling of Grey Plovers, six Turnstones, a Ringed Plover, c150 Lapwing in flight over the North Wall and the usual Redshanks, Curlews and Oystercatchers.

Wildfowl included a flock of 75 Brent Geese near the harbour mouth, c100 Teal and Wigeon and c30 Shelducks and Pintails, and both a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Common Gull were present, roo,

Also, a female Stonechat was seen in the first Several and a Peregrine, three Kestrels and a female Marsh Harrier were about. (IP)

This afternoon a Brambling was seen coming in off the sea by Bluebell Wood among a flock of Chaffinches (MRe), whilst seven Swallows were over the harbour and four Stonechats were along Rectory Lane (AH).

North Wall: Two Spotted Redshanks and c30 Black-tailed Godwits were in White's Creek this morning, along with c30 Teal, c50 Wigeon and c100 Lapwings, whilst a Grey Wagtail and a couple of Rock Pipits were also in the vicinity and a Wheatear was further along the wall.

A Water Rail and a couple of Kingfishers and Marsh Harriers were about, too, a Fieldfare was present early on and a couple of Siskins went over, but otherwise there were just half a dozen Chiffchaffs and Stonechats, a Yellowhammer and a dozen Reed Buntings about the hedges, plus c50 stock Doves and c200 Wood Pigeons over.

Also of note were a Clouded Yellow towards Marsh Farm and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth in a Church Lane garden. (LP/JDW/MRi/CT/DHi/MJa/AH et al)

This evening four Marsh Harriers came in to roost, including the adult male, whilst the Wheatear and a Rock Pipit were still along the wall, along with our Reed Buntings and a couple of Cetti's Warblers, with a Kingfisher, two Snipe, a Greenshank, four Avocets, three Water Rails, six Brent Geese and two Kestrels also seen. (S&SaH)

Spotted Redshanks (AH top, LP lower) (above), Wheatear (LP), Grey Wagtail (AH top, LP lower) , Rock Pipit, Kingfisher (AH), Water Rail (LP), Stock Doves & Chiffchaff (AH) at the North Wall

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Three female-type Marsh Harriers were up together this morning, along with a Red Kite, a Peregrine, a Buzzard and five Kestrels, with 13 Egyptian Geese, c100 Lapwings and c200 Golden Plovers on the reserve.
Also, along the banks and fields there were a Dartford Warbler, a Chiffchaff, two Goldcrests, four Cetti's Warblers, 11 Stonechats, c20 Yellowhammers, c30 Linnets and Skylarks and c50 Meadow Pipits and Goldfinches. (S&SaH)