Saturday, 3rd January: It remains cold, only a few degrees above freezing by midday, but mostly bright in the fresh north-westerly breeze......
Just a reminder that The Review of the Year for 2025 is available on the header bar above. (Eds)
Selsey Bill: A Red-necked Grebe went west early on, but it was generally slow-going beyond the usual species. Full log later. (SH/PB/PM/AH)
(0740-0925hrs) (NW, F5)
Great Northern Diver - 3W, 2os
Red-throated Diver - 3E, 17W, 3os
diver sp - 1os
Red-necked Grebe - 1W
Great Crested Grebe - 2W, 2os
Gannet - 19E, 2W
Shag - 9E
Common Scoter - 26W
Red-breasted Merganser - 10E
Oystercatcher - 2E, 2W
Turnstone - 1
Mediterranean Gull - 1W
Common Gull - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 14os
Guillemot - 1os
Razorbill - 9E, 4W
auk sp - 265E, 30W
Red-throated Diver (above), Great Northern Diver & Common Scoters at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: There were three Avocets and c40 Black-tailed Godwits present this morning, but only c50 Lapwings, though three were still plenty of wildfowl, including c80- Shovelers, c200 Teal and c400 Wigeon. (AH)
Also, this afternoon, a Raven went over. (ESt)
Lapwings (above) & Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits, Shovelers and Teal at the Ferry (AH)
Church Norton: The drake Long-tailed Duck was present again this morning, viewed from the start of the spit until it was spooked by a passing fishing boat and flew towards the harbour mouth, whilst three Slavonian Grebes were out on the sea along with at least four Red-throated Divers and a dozen Great Crested Grebes, with up to five Sandwich Terns and similar of Gannets about, too..
Two Greenshank and a Snipe were roosting with the usual waders along the concrete wall at high tide, a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers and a Bar-tailed Godwit were in the harbour and a Goldcrest was seen along the path from the car park. (AW/PM/AH/OM/BFF)
Long-tailed Duck (above), Red-throated Diver (AW), Sandwich Tern & Red-breasted Merganser (AH) at Church Norton
North Wall: The three first-winter White-fronted Geese were in Honer 2 field this morning along with c300 Brent Geese, 32 Curlews and six Black-tailed Godwits, whilst further back, both male and female Marsh Harriers were about.
At Halsey’s Farm a Goldcrest, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, eight Redwings and six Song Thrushes were around the bushes, a Raven, a Buzzard and a Kestrel were about, and a couple of Snipe flew out from the fields along with 18 Meadow Pipits.Two Rock Pipits and two Redshanks were along the rocks at high tide, and a few Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers were along the bushes. (OM/BFF/MJa/LP/BI et al)
Later a White-tailed Eagle was reported going over (per JEv).
Late this afternoon, the three White-fronted Geese were still about, along with c1000 Brent Geese, two Marsh Harriers, a Kingfisher, a Snipe and a Water Rail. (S&SaH)
Redwing (above) & White-fronted Geese at the North Wall (LP)
Pagham Spit: A Slavonian Grebe was offshore from the yacht club late this morning. (OM/BFF)
West Wittering: Overnight, the trail camera in the garden recorded a Jack Snipe feeding around the pond. (GM)
Drayton Pits: Two White-fronted Geese were with Greylag Geese in fields just south of the pits this morning (IP), whilst later on they were on the South Pit (SM).
Fishbourne Creek: Before the high tide the pre-roost wader gathering at Fishbourne included five Greenshanks, seven Snipe, a Spotted Redshank, 18 Ringed Plovers and a few Turnstone, whilst later on at least 50 Black-tailed Godwits along the east shore.
Out on the water, there were three Goldeneyes, including two drakes, along with 34 Pintail and huge numbers of Wigeon, Teal and Brent Geese, whilst a couple of Rock Pipits were on the strand line and a Jay, a Sparrowhawk and several Song Thrushes were by the church. (RW/AH)
Goldeneyes (above), Pintail, Wigeon and Teal & Black-tailed Godwit at Fishbourne Creek (AH)
Sidlesham: Around 100 Golden Plovers and 200 Lapwings were in the fields along Mapson's Lane late this morning. (AH)
Golden Plover in Sidlesham (AH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were c250 Golden Plovers, c200 Lapwings and c50 Brent Geese on the reserve this morning, with three Dunlin and 20 Ringed Plovers on the Stilt Pool, with a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, two Kestrels and two Buzzards over, but the banks were quiet in the wind, with just three Stonechats, two Yellowhammers, a dozen Meadow Pipits and c20 Skylarks and Linnets seen. (SH/PB/EB)
Golden Plovers (above), Lapwings, Ringed Plover and Dunlin, Buzzard & Little Egret at Medmerry (EB)
Friday, 2nd January: It was another cold morning in the fresh and blustery north-westerly, but there were a few pleasant, sunny intervals between the clouds.....
Just a reminder that The Review of the Year for 2025 is available on the header bar above. (Eds)
Selsey Bill: Two Red-necked Grebes went east together this morning, but otherwise there were a few Great Northern and Red-throated Divers about, along with lots of Gannets and auks. Full log below. (SH/BI/AH/KT)
(0750-0935hrs) (NW, F5-6)
Great Northern Diver - 2E, 4os
Red-throated Diver - 4E, 10W, 1os
diver sp - 1E
Red-necked Grebe - 2E
Great Crested Grebe - 2W, 2os
Gannet - 20E, 18W, 50os
Shag - 8E
Brent Goose - 5E, 6W
Shelduck - 1W
Common Scoter - 29W
Red-breasted Merganser - 6W
Oystercatcher - 1W
Turnstone - 2
Mediterranean Gull - 1W
Great Black-backed Gull - 1W
Kittiwake - 5E
Sandwich Tern - 3os
Guillemot - 1W, 1os
Razorbill - 21E, 45W, 8os
auk sp - 286E, 13W
Pied Wagtail - 1
Razorbill (above), Red-throated Divers, Common Scoters, Shag & Gannet at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: There were at least 250 Golden Plovers and 1500 Lapwing present this morning, along with c40 Black-tailed Godwits, c80 Shovelers, c200 Teal and c400 Wigeon.
Also, a Greenshank dropped into the flooded field, a Buzzard was eating something at the back, a Marsh Harrier went over and two Siskins and a few Redwings were in the Discovery Area. (AH/PA)
Golden Plovers (above), Greenshank & Marsh Harrier at the Ferry (AH)
North Wall: The three first-winter White-fronted Geese were in the Honer fields again this morning, along with 32 Curlews and vast numbers of Brent Geese who were constantly moving between the fields and the harbour.
Early on, 17 Avocets were out in the harbour along with c500 Golden Plover, c1000 Lapwing and the usual selection of Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Shelduck, before they were moved off by the rising tide, but on the Breech Pool there was just a single Redshank and a Water Rail, whilst three Rock Pipits were along the rocks.
A Shoveler was on Owl Water, as well as another Water Rail, and at Halsey’s Farm a Stonechat was in the fields and a Little Grebe was along the rife with c200 Wigeon.
A Redwing, Song Thrush, a Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest were around the stables and further back over the reeds, both male and female Marsh Harriers were active all morning. (LP/CT/GR/KT)
White-fronted Geese (above), White-fronted Geese and Brent Geese, Stonechat, Rock Pipit, Avocets and Shelducks & Brent Geese at the North Wall (LP)
Church Norton: The drake Long-tailed Duck was offshore again this morning, along with three Slavonian Grebes, eight Red-throated Divers, a dozen Great Crested Grebes, a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, half a dozen Common Gulls and c20 Gannets.
In the harbour, a first-winter Peregrine was on Tern Island, two Greenshanks were roosting among the Redshanks on the concrete blocks and there were large numbers of the regular species present, though mostly distant on the high tide.
The only small birds noted were a Goldcrest by the Mound and two Grey Wagtails along Rectory Lane. (BI/AH et al)
Long-tailed Duck (above), Red-throated Divers, Peregrine & Greenshanks and Redshank at Church Norton (AH)
Fishbourne Creek: Two drake Goldeneyes were along the creek late this morning, along with 11 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Greenshank, whilst two Peregrines were repeatedly going after prey in tandem. (AWi)
Sidlesham: This evening a Tawny Owl was sat out on a roadside fence along Cow Lane. (AH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A sub-adult male Marsh Harrier was over the reserve this morning, along with a Peregrine and a Kestrel, whilst c100 Brent Geese, c250 Golden Plovers and c500 Lapwings were on the reserve and 62 Ringed Plovers were on the Stilt Pool
Also, three Dartford Warblers, two Stonechats, three Goldcrests, eight Yellowhammers, eight skylarks, 100 Linnets and half a dozen Meadow Pipits and Goldfinches ewre along the banks. (S&SaH)
Medmerry: Windmill to the Breach - A Kestrel was sitting out at the old crazy golf site,while two Stonechats were nearby.
Also, two Sanderlings were along the beach, two Guillemots were on the sea and a Grey Wagtail was around the caravans. (AW)
Guillemot (above), Grey Wagtail, Sanderling & Kestrel at Medmerry (AW)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to Wilson's Farm - A look late this afternoon produced a stonechat and c40 Meadow Pipits along the path, plus two Marsh Harriers over, whilst at the cover crops by Wilson's Farm there were at least 75 Yellowhammers in the bushes. (AH)
Marsh Harrier (above), Meadow Pipit & Yellowhammer at Medmerry (AH)
New Year's Day, Thursday, 1st January: It remains cold and bright, but the wind shifted to the west overnight and freshened considerably.....
Just a reminder that The Review of the Year for 2025 is available on the header bar above. (Eds)
Selsey Bill: Over 1000 distant auks went east and all the regular species were present, but none of the scarcer ones seen recently showed up for the big gallery of watchers. Full log below.
(JA/SH/BI/IP/MRe/PM/PB/MRB/AB/P&LH/OM/SM/AT/AH)
(0730-0930hrs) (W, F5-6)
Great Northern Diver - 3W, 1os
Red-throated Diver - 20E, 32W, 6os
diver sp - 1E
Great Crested Grebe - 3W, 1os
Gannet - 6E, 130W
Shag - 1E
Wigeon - 1W
Pintail - 1W
Common Scoter - 1E, 29W
Red-breasted Merganser - 5E, 9W
Oystercatcher - 1E, 1W
Turnstone - 2W, 1 present
Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 1W
Great Black-backed Gull - 14W, 2os
Kittiwake - 4E, 76W
Sandwich Tern - 10os
Guillemot - 1E, 1W
Razorbill - 45E, 6os
auk sp - 1321E, 94W
Red-throated Diver (above), Guillemot, Razorbills & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)
A large gallery (AH) (above) & the New Year's sunrise (LH) at the Bill
Ferry Pool: There were two Avocets, c40 Black-tailed Godwits, c200 Golden Plovers, c1500 Lapwings, c80 Shovelers, c200 Teal, c500 Wigeon and c90 Canada Geese around the pool and fields this morning, whilst in Ferry channel a Greenshank dropped in and showed well. (AH/PB/MRB/OM et al)
Greenshank (above) in Ferry channel (OM) and Black-tailed Godwit and Lapwings (below) & Golden Plovers and Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)
Church Norton: There was a lot of activity offshore again this morning, including the Long-tailed Duck, a Slavonian Grebe, two Red-breasted Mergansers, a Great Northern Diver, at least six Red-throated Divers and c15 Great Crested Grebes on the sea and up to five Sandwich Terns and c25 Gannets actively feeding, with one or two Common and Mediterranean Gulls about, too.
The Peregrine was very busy in the harbour, chasing and downing a Kingfisher which fortunately escaped into the trees, before repeatedly upsetting the waders, and a couple of Marsh Harriers and a Buzzard were about, too, whilst the three first-winter White-fronted Geese were seen flying west along the North Wall.
Among the vast numbers of Dunlin, Knot and Grey Plovers present, there were two Greenshanks, two Bar-tailed Godwits and 32 Avocets, whilst c200 Golden Plovers and c500 Lapwings came up from the far end, whilst wildfowl included c40 Pintail, 50 Teal and c100 Wigeon, with c200 Brent Geese at the far end, with a couple of Little and Great Crested Grebes about, too.
There were very few small birds about, though a Stonechat and a Chiffchaff were along the path to the beach and two Redwings were in the field behind the car-park. (AB/PB/MRB/PM/AH/OM/P&LH/SM/AT/MB/DB/IP/MRe et al)
Red-throated Divers (above), Long-tailed Duck and Great Crested Grebes, Sandwich Tern, Gannets, Common Gull, Greenshanks and Redshanks & Marsh Harrier at Church Norton (AH)
Pagham Lagoon: There was no sign of the Black-necked Grebe this morning, or this afternoon, though six Pochard, 35 Tufted Ducks, 15 Little Grebes and a Water Rail were noted. (IP/MRe/BI/NM/AH)
Pochard on Pagham Lagoon (AH)
North Wall: The three first-winter White-fronted Geese were showing well in the fields today, whilst a Greenshank and a Water Rail were on the Breech Pool and two Avocets and c200 Golden Plovers and Lapwings were in White's Creek.
Also, two Coal Tits were in Pagham churchyard, a Fieldfare was flying around the fields and six Rock Pipits and a Reed Bunting were along the wall, with a Peregrine, two Marsh Harriers, a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk about, too.
(AW/MJa/BI/IP/MRe/NM/AH/AWi/S&SaH et al)
White-fronted Geese (BI top, AH lower two) (above), Coal Tits, Greenshank, Water Rail & Golden Plovers (AH) at the North Wall
Fishbourne Creek: Three Goldeneye were in the creek today, with a Spotted Redshank, a Kingfisher and six Snipe also about, whilst a pair of Coal Tits were in Apuldram church car-park..(AW/MRe/IP)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Dartford Warbler, two Goldcrests, five Stonechats, three Skylarks and c20 Linnets were along the banks this morning, with a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard and two Kestrels over.
Also, around the reserve, there were a Snipe, a Water Rail, six Egyptian Geese, c300 Brent Geese, 18 Golden Plovers and c100 Lapwings. (S&SaH)
Chichester GPs: Two Egyptian Geese, 29 Greylag Geese and a pair of Gadwall were on the water, with a Goldcrest and a few Long-tailed Tits in the hedges. (MRe/IP)
Drayton: A Woodcock and a Tree-creeper were at a private site nearby today and c.40 Cattle Egrets were at Drayton crossroads. (BI)
Tree-creeper (above) & Cattle Egret at Drayton (BI)
No comments:
Post a Comment