7th April 2025

Monday, 7th April: The persisting spell of anti-cyclonic weather continues, with another bright morning, cold early on warm later, in a fresh north-easterly breeze......

Selsey Bill: Five Little Gulls and 101 Common Scoters were about it for eastward activity offshore, though there was good inward migration again, including two Yellow Wagtails, two White Wagtails, a male Redstart, 14 House Martins, 22 Sand Martins, four Swallows, 283 Meadow Pipits and a Great Spotted Woodpecker coming in off the sea.

There was also a rare sighting from the Bill-tip of two Buzzards over the town. (PA/IP/AH/SR/P&LH)

(0645-1200hrs) (NE, F4-5)

Great Northern Diver - 2E

Red-throated Diver - 2E

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 21E, 30os

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 10E

Mallard - 3

Tufted Duck - 2E

Common Scoter - 101E, 7W, 75os

Red-breasted Merganser - 7E, 2W

Sparrowhawk - 2

Buzzard - 2

Oystercatcher - 5E

Whimbrel - 2E

Turnstone - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Common Gull - 6E

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1E

Little Gull - 5E

Sandwich Tern - 41E, 7os

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1N

Swallow - 4N

Sand Martin - 22N

House Martin - 4N

Meadow Pipit - 283N

Yellow Wagtail - 2N

White Wagtail - 2N

Redstart - 1N

Willow Warbler - 5N

Linnet - 12N

Goldfinch - 12N

Yellow Wagtail (above), Willow Warbler, Sandwich Tern (AH) & Whimbrel (AW) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: A Spotted Redshank was among the roosting flock, but it was otherwise much the same as usual this morning, with eight Avocets, four Lapwings, c45 Black-tailed Godwits, 28 Shelducks, c50 Shovelers and c75 Teal about, along with half a dozen Mediterranean Gulls.

Also, a Willow Warbler and a couple of Chiffchaffs were in the hedge by the Small Pool. (AH)

Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits, Avocets, Mediterranean Gulls and Tel (above), Black-tailed godwit & Willow Warbler at the Ferry (AH)

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Church Norton: A Willow Warbler and half a dozen Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps around the Mound/hide area, and a Sand Martin, a Swallow and a few Meadow Pipits over was about it for migrants this morning, whilst there was also a female Marsh Harrier over.

In the harbour, there were just a dozen or so Sandwich Terns and similar of Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls on the mud, with few waders to be seen beyond the Whimbrel and a handful of Ringed Plovers and Black-tailed Godwits, with a few Teal about, too. (AH/PA)

Marsh Harrier (above), Whimbrel, Sandwich Terns & Blackcap at Church Norton (AH)

Selsey Peninsula: A Long-eared Owl was on the Peninsula today. (Eds)

North Wall: A Sedge Warbler and a Reed Bunting were in the bushes behind the paddocks, where there were five Little Egrets, a White Wagtail, two Song Thrushes, a Green Woodpecker, two Kestrels and a Jay, with both male and female Marsh Harriers over the reeds.

A Kingfisher flew along White’s Creek, and a Gadwall was on the water, a few Teal and Wigeon were still about, and 28 Redshanks and 8 Black-tailed Godwits were on the mud, but it was still quiet along the wall with just a handful of Chiffchaffs, Long-tailed Tits and Greenfinches along the hedges and 34 Cattle Egrets, six Grey Herons and four Little Egrets in the trees at Owl Copse.

Also, four Swallows flew over the fields at Halsey’s Farm, and five Skylarks were up singing, but there was nothing around the bushes there. (CRJ/LP/DHi/GHi/CT/TRH/JDW/MJa)

Sedge Warbler (above), Marsh Harrier, Gadwall, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshanks (LP) & White Wagtail (CRJ)  at the North Wall

West Itchenor: At least three Willow Warblers were singing around Chalkdock and the car-park this morning. (PH)

Chichester GPs: The drake Red-crested Pochard re-surfaced this afternoon, firstly on East Trout Lake, then Copse Lake, before flying off to Vinnetrow Lake.

Also, a Sedge Warbler was singing at Runcton Lake, where a Swallow went over, too. (AW/LP/SR)

There was no sign of the Red-crested Pochard on any of the pits this evening, though two House Martins were around. (MRe)

Red-crested Pochard (above) & Swallow at Chichester GPs (AW)

Medmerry: Stilt Pool - The Least Sandpiper was still present around the breach area this morning. (per AB et al)

The Least Sandpiper was back on the Stilt Pool this evening, whilst a Wheatear was on the beach and a Short-eared Owl was around the tidal area. (PA)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - Two Swallows were over the settling tanks this evening - the first seen here this spring, whilst at least three Willow Warblers and six Chiffchaffs were in the hedges, c100 Linnets ere on the stubble fields and half a dozen Mediterranean Gulls went over. (AH)

Swallow (above), Willow warbler & Mediterranean Gull at Medmerry (AH)

4th - 6th April 2025

Sunday, 6th April: Another bright and breezy morning, with the wind still from the north-east, though a little lighter than yesterday, and warm in the sun.....

Selsey Bill: A smart male Redstart was in the hedge on the west side of the Oval Field this morning, and there was an almost continual arrival of (mainly) Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, though offshore it was fairly quiet beyond 127 Sandwich Terns east. Full log below.

(JA/SH/BI/PB/MRB/AGB/IP/RHa/AH/SR)

(0605-1000hrs) (NE, F4)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 2E

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 21E, 48W, 4os

Little Egret - 1N

Brent Goose - 13E

Shelduck - 1E

Mallard - 2

Shoveler - 8E

Eider - 1W

Long-tailed Duck - 1W

Common Scoter - 10E, 41W, 25os

Red-breasted Merganser - 9E, 3W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 3E

Dunlin - 5E

Curlew - 2E

Mediterranean Gull - 8E, 4W

Common Gull - 14E

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 3E

Sandwich Tern - 127E, 6os

Stock Dove - 1W

Wood Pigeon - 9W

Swallow - 5N

Sand Martin - 1N

Meadow Pipit - 11N

Redstart - 1

Willow Warbler - 12N, 6 present

Chiffchaff - 30N, 20 present

Willow/Chiff - 29N

Linnet - 2E, 8N

Goldfinch - 7N

(1230-1330hrs) (SH)

Great Northern Diver - 7os

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Gannet - 5E

Brent Goose - 1W

Common Scoter - 11E

Red-breasted Merganser - 2E

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 40E

Common Tern - 4E

Swallow - 1N

Meadow Pipit - 1N

Redstart (above), Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Brent Geese & Red-breasted Mergansers at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There wasn't too much going on this morning beyond the regular mix, including eight Avocets, four Lapwings, c25 Black-tailed Godwits, c25 Shelducks, c50 Shovelers and c75 Teal. (AH) 

Shovelers,,Shovelers and Shelduck & Black-tailed Godwit, Avocets, Shovelers and Shelducks at the Ferry (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: The first pair of Swallows have returned to the stables, earlier than usual, a very vocal Green Woodpecker was around the fields, as were two displaying Skylarks. (IP)

Church Norton: There was plenty of variety in the harbour this morning, but in low numbers, including a full summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit, along with half a dozen others and a lone Black-tailed Godwit, two Knot, two Turnstones, a Greenshank and the usual Curlews, Redshanks and Oystercatchers, all in low numbers.

Wildfowl comprised eight Brent Geese, a male Red-breasted Merganser and about ten Teal, whilst a few Mediterranean Gulls were amongst the Black-headed Gulls on the mud along with a single Common Gull and at least ten Sandwich Terns, with two more offshore..

A Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk were the only raptors seen, but passerines were few beyond a pair of Jays, a Blackcap in Bluebell Wood and a few calling Cetti's Warblers. (IP)

North Wall: This evening 25 Cattle Egrets were around Owl Copse, with a Blackcap, five chiffchaffs, three Cetti's Warblers and two Reed Buntings along the wall. (SH)

Northcommon Farm: My first spring visit didn't reveal very much beyond eight Chiffchaffs, two Meadow Pipits, two Curlews, five Mediterranean Gulls, two Stock Doves, a Sparrowhawk and two Buzzards. (SR)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The Least Sandpiper was by the breach early on, and then on the beach before flying off west, and later re-appearing on the Stilt Pool, where there were also two Little Ringed Plovers, two Ringed Plovers, four Avocets.

Also, the first Nightingale in five years on the Peninsula was heard singing from a ditch just west of Marsh Barn late in the morning, and a male Redstart was along the track towards the Earnley car-park. 

Otherwise, a Red-throated Diver and three Common Scoters went east offshore, whilst two Dartford Warblers, two Stonechats and two Reed Buntings ere along the banks and two Swallows and two Buzzards went over. (PB/MRB/AGB/AB/RJF/BI et al)

Chichester GPs: Ivy Lake complex - There was not much to report from here, though at least three Blackcaps, half a dozen Chiffchaffs and a couple of Cetti's Warblers were vocal along the paths, and four Egyptian Geese, c20 Greylag and Canada Geese, half a dozen Pochard, c30 Tufted Ducks and ten Great Crested Grebes were on the water. (AH)

Cetti's Warbler (above), Chiffchaff & Egyptian Goose at Chichester GPs (AH)

Saturday, 5th April: The breeze had gone back to the north-east and freshened considerably, but there was unbroken sunshine and quite warm later on.....

Selsey Bill: There was a long list this morning, with some obvious visible passerine migration, including four Yellow Wagtails, a dozen Swallows, eight Sand Martins, with a number of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs being seen coming in off the sea and dropping into shelter.

Offshore, the highlights were a distant Great White Egret, five Little Gulls and eight common Terns east and a Long-tailed Duck and two Fulmars west. Full log below. (JA/SH/PB/IP/PA/AH/RWh/P&LH/SR)

(0605-1000hrs) (NE, F5-6)

Great Northern Diver - 4os

Red-throated Diver - 3E

Fulmar - 2W

Gannet - 22E, 27W, 4os

Great White Egret - 1E

Brent Goose - 1W

Pintail - 2E

Mallard - 1

Long-tailed Duck - 1W

Common Scoter - 29E, 2W, 40os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E

Sparrowhawk - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 3E, 2W

Black-headed Gull - 5E

Common Gull - 18E

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 4E

Little Gull - 5E

Kittiwake - 2E, 1W

Sandwich Tern - 154E, 6os

Common Tern - 8E'

'Commic' Tern - 2E

Razorbill - 2W, 1os

auk sp - 7E, 6W

Swallow - 12N

Sand Martin - 8N

Meadow Pipit - 58N

Yellow Wagtail - 4N

Pied Wagtail - 4N

Willow Warbler - 11N

Chiffchaff - 12N

Willow/Chiff - 10N

Linnet - 11E, 32N

Goldfinch - 29N

Chaffinch - 1N

Yellow Wagtails (above), Willow Warblers, Meadow Pipit & Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Little Ringed Plover was present early on, but not later, with, otherwise six Avocets, two Lapwings, ten Redshanks, c40 Black-tailed Godwits, c30 Shelducks and c50 Teal and Shovelers also about. (RWh/AH)

Redshanks and Shelducks on the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A male Redstart was around the paddock this morning, along with the regular pair of Kestrels, four Jackdaws, three Pied Wagtails, a Cattle Egret, seven Little Egrets, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Willow Warbler, and a few Chiffchaffs, with both male and female Marsh Harriers and two Buzzards over the reeds further back.

Elsewhere along the wall it was very quiet, with just a few Redshanks, four Teal and rwo Wigeon along White’s Creek, the usual mix of Grey Herons, Cattle Egrets and Little Egrets in Owl Copse, and a few Chiffchaffs, Cetti’s Warblers and Reed Buntings along the bushes. (DBo/MJa/CT/RHa/LP/BI et al)

The Redstart was still in the paddocks this evening. (PA)

Redstart (above), Pied Wagtail & Kestrel at the North Wall (LP)

more images of the Redstart (AD)

Pagham Lagoon and East side: A Swallow and four House Martins went over the Lagoon late this afternoon, with two Gannets and three Sandwich Terns seen offshore. 

A Blackcap and half a dozen Chiffchaffs along the hedges on the east side, together with a Meadow Pipit and seven Linnets, and two Marsh Harriers and a Buzzard went over.

Also, the harbour held a Knot, a Snipe, c70 Dunlin, 12 Bar-tailed Godwits, 35 Black-tailed Godwits, 45 Grey Plovers, 20 Mediterranean Gulls, 15 Common Gulls, 35 Shelducks, two Pintail, two Gadwall, seven Wigeon and c40 Teal. (PA)

Church Norton: A male Redstart was at Greenlease Farm this morning (HR/DMe), and two possible singing Whitethroats were heard briefly, but there wasn't much else about, beyond four Swallows over, and a handful of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, plus two Mistle Thrushes in the car-park.

The harbour was pretty empty in the wind, with c25 Black-tailed Godwits, a dozen or so Grey Plovers and Dunlin and a few Teal and Shelducks about it, beyond the regular redshanks and Oystercatchers.

There was also an Adder about.(AH/PB/SaH/RS/EB et al)

Blackcap (above) Black-tailed Godwits (AH) & Adder (RS) at Church Norton

West Itchenor: Six Grey Partridges were in the fields south of Chalkdock this morning. (GM)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The Least Sandpiper was on the beach very close to the breach, with a Dunlin there for comparison.

In addition, two Sand Martins, four Swallows and the first House Martin of the year came in off the sea, along with a Chiffchaff, whilst on the Stilt Pool there were two Little Ringed Plovers and a Greenshank.

Thee was little along the banks, though, beyond c30 Yellowhammer, similar numbers of Linnets and a pair of Stonechats, plus two Buzzards and three Kestrels over. (IP/RWh/OM/TS/JMo et al).

The Least Sandpiper returned to the Stilt Pool this afternoon, and, later, the first Ruff of the year was also seen there. (SP/PB)

Least Sandpiper (top OM and above IP) & Least Sandpiper and Dunlin at Medmerry (IP)

Friday, 4th April: A slightly milder and greyer morning, with the north-easterly breeze a little lighter, too.....

Selsey Bill: The clear highlight this morning was an Alpine Swift that flew in low from the west at 0805hrs, between the wall and Bill House - missed by those watching the sea, but luckily spotted by IP, facing the wrong way! It then gained height and headed away over the sea. This is the sixth Peninsula record, after the one at Chichester GPs in 2023, with the last one at the Bill being in May 1984.

Otherwise, three Slavonian Grebes were seen, 11 Little Gulls, a Common Tern, 162 Sandwich Terns, 81 Common Scoters and 20 Brent Geese went east and 11 Great Northern Divers were on the sea. Full log below. (JA/BI/MRe/RHa/SHa/AH/IP/SR/AW)

(0620-0920hrs) (ENE, F2-3)

Great Northern Diver - 11os

Red-throated Diver - 11E

diver sp - 2E

Slavonian Grebe - 1E, 2os

Great Crested Grebe - 3os

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 18E, 6W

Shag - 8E

Brent Goose - 20E

Shelduck - 1E

Pintail - 8E

Mallard - 2E

Shoveler - 7E

Common Scoter - 81E, 48os

Red-breasted Merganser - 9E, 1W, 2os

Oystercatcher - 12E, 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 4E, 2W

Common Gull - 9E

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1E

Little Gull - 12E

Sandwich Tern - 162E, 4os

Common Tern - 1E

Alpine Swift - 1E (0805hrs)

Swallow - 4N

Sand Martin - 1N

Meadow Pipit -

White Wagtail - 1N

Pied Wagtail - 2N

Linnet - 2E, 2W

Chaffinch - 1N

Alpine Swift (above), Swallow (AW), Red-throated Diver, Pintail, Red-breasted Mergansers, Sandwich Tern & Common Gulls (AH) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: Three Snipe were in the reeds, a pair of Lapwings were on the field and six Avocets and c30 Black-tailed Godwits were around the pool, along with c30 Shelducks, a pair of Gadwall, two pairs of Wigeon, and c50 Teal and Shovelers. (AH)

This evening a Spotted Redshank and two Green Sandpipers were along Ferry Channel. (PA)

Snipe (above) & Gadwall and Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The only passerine migrants were the now settled Blackcap and two Chiffchaffs around the Mound area, whilst in the harbour there were c30 Sandwich Terns and c50 Mediterranean Gulls, along with six Bar-tailed Godwits, c30 Black-tailed Godwits, just a few Dunlin, Grey Plovers, Wigeon and Teal, plus a single Brent Goose, with c25 Shelducks on the concrete blocks and half a dozen excitable Ringed Plovers on the spit. (AH)

Blackcap (above), Bar-tailed Godwit and Redshank, Ringed Plovers, Black-tailed Godwit & Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)

Mill Pond Marsh: Two Swallows went over and a Willow warbler was singing this evening. (PA)

Medmerry: Stilt Pool - The Least Sandpiper was reported as present again this morning, though was not seen later. (per Birdguides/RBA)

This afternoon, it finally gave itself up to be seen by more birders. (AHu et al)

Birdham Pool: Two Sand Martins and a Willow Warbler were the only things of note today. (PA)