22nd February 2026

Sunday, 22nd February: Another fairly miserable morning, though fairly mild,, with persistent drizzle interspersed with spells of heavier rain in a brisk and blustery westerly....

Selsey Bill: A total of 141 Brent Geese heading east, including a flock of 48, was the clear highlight, with two Fulmars west the only other thing of note on a morning of very poor visibility. Full log below. (SH/IP/AH)

(0710-0925hrs) (W, F5-6)

Fulmar - 2W

Gannet - 3W

Brent Goose - 141E (inc a flock of 48)

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E

Turnstone - 4

Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 3os

Great Black-backed Gull - 2E, 4W, 2os

Sandwich Tern - 1W

Pied Wagtail - 1

Brent Geese (above) & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were only c300 Lapwings around the pool this morning, along with eight Shelducks, c50 Shovelers and Teal and c100 Wigeon. (AH)

Wigeon at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were plenty of birds around this morning, though nothing very rare, with two Marsh Harriers, two Bar-tailed Godwits and six Avocets the most notable, whilst c120 Brent Geese flew in from offshore and may have been migrating birds, though at least another 800 were up at the far end of the harbour.

There were at least 100 Grey Plovers, 500 Knot and 1000 Dunlin out on the mud, whilst c2000 Lapwings, c600 Golden Plovers and c800 Black-tailed Godwits flew up several times from the far end, but a Jay, a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and c20 Long-tailed Tits were the only land-birds noted. (AH et al)

Marsh Harrier (above), Avocet, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwits, Golden Plovers and Lapwings & Long-tailed Tit at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to Marsh Barn - Around 100 Fieldfares were in the fields by the Easton Lane car-park this morning, whilst two Stonechats, four Goldcrests, three Cetti's Warblers, a Reed Bunting and two Yellowhammers were along the banks.

Also, a Water Rail was in one of the pools, c100 Brent Geese were on the reserve and a Buzzard went over. (S&SaH)