Peninsula scarce & rares

last updated 2013

Other pages on this site already deal with the birding history and people of the area, so this section concentrates on the birds of the Peninsula - in particular those sought-after scarcer and rare visitors. I will add photos in no particular order of date or preference, with a few notes where applicable. Many of these will have appeared in previous Selsey reports or elsewhere, and details of the photographer and date will be shown if known. Thanks to all photographers who previously supplied these photos for me to use in good faith; in case of complaint or query please contact me. Note that the copyright of these photos remains with the photographers.

 

Desert Wheatear (Oenanthe deserti) (first-winter fem), Selsey Bill, Nov 1989 (photo: Tony Croucher). This star rarity was present from 1st-6th and attracted much attention from visiting birders and the media, providing excellent views for all. It was then a life tick for me, but was actually the second record for the Bill, the first being in autumn 1960.



 



Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) female, Church Norton, Apr 2004 (photo: Dave Sadler). This well-watched bird was present for two days, being the first for many years. There are a number of previous records dating back to the 1960's, although there has been a marked decline in recent years.
 





Garganey (Anas querquedula), drake in summer plumage, Pagham Harbour Breech Pool, May 2008 (photo: Dorian Mason). A fine study of this uncommon passage migrant, which although annual in very small numbers, still qualifies as scarce and sought-after, especially when trying to find one for the year list each spring!



 

Little Auk (Alle alle) off Church Norton Nov 2006 (photo: Martin Casemore). Late autumn (typically the first half of Nov) usually holds the best chance of seeing this tiny auk. This individual later drifted to Selsey and then West beach.







Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) Sidlesham Ferry, Apr 2008 (photo: Dorian Mason)
This was the third record for Pagham Harbour LNR (previous records for 1954 & 1985)




White-billed Diver (Gavia adamsii), off Selsey Bill, Nov 2007 (photo: Ads Bowley). This grainy image was taken as a still from video footage - the only known images in existence. This stunning rarity - in summer plumage - stayed for an extended period (30th Sep-17th Nov 2007) and drew many observers to see it. Although mainly faithful to Selsey, towards the end of its stay it drifted east as far as Church Norton on a couple of occasions, where it became the second record for Pagham Harbour LNR (the first being in Nov-Dec 1999).

Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) juv, Pagham Harbour, Oct 2007 (photo: Martin Casemore). This particularly confiding individual remained for nearly three weeks, allowing many observers the opportunity to study it at close quarters.

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), Pagham Harbour Breech Pool, Apr 2007 (photo: Ian Barnard). This rare vagrant appeared at the time of a national influx of the species; it was a long-overdue visitor and allowed many observers to add it to their county lists. Since then however there have been a good many national and local records and the species has become far more regular.  

 

Bonaparte's Gull (Larus philadelphia) ad.winter, Pagham Lagoon, Mar 2002 (photo: Owen Mitchell). Not the best of shots I know but reasonable for me. This bird stayed for about two weeks in early spring and proved very popular with many birders, although it could at times be elusive.It is the only record for the Peninsula to date.

Corncrake (Crex crex), in care, Brent Lodge, Sidlesham, Sep 2001 (photo: Dennis Fenter, Brent Lodge). This is now a rare and elusive species on the Peninsula, but it was formerly more regular in the 1960's and two singles were even recorded arriving at the Bill. Although there is still the prospect of a chance encounter nowadays, realistically the odds are against it; what a pity therefore that no local birders were made aware of this bird's impending release!

 Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), Pagham Harbour, Feb 2008 (photo: Martin Casemore). Always popular with birders, this normally elusive and nocturnal species is a scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. It usually roosts in thickets and dense vegetation, but just occasionally shows well, as this bird did over three days.

 Sora Rail (Porzana carolina), Pagham Lagoon, Nov 1985 (photo: Tony Croucher). This remains one of the star rarities recorded on the Peninsula. It stayed for a lengthy period of about three months and showed well to many admirers. It remains the only record for Sussex and was the fifth for Britain.



Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), first-winter, Sidlesham Ferry, Oct 2008 (photo: Dorian Mason). This enchanting wader usually appears after gales in the autumn/winter period and can often be very tame.

 

 Wryneck (Jynx torquilla), Pagham Harbour North Wall, Sep 2008 (photo: Dorian Mason). This scarce migratory woodpecker is always a favourite with birders and is keenly sought-after each year. It does just occasionally occur in spring, but most records are from the autumn (mid Aug-early Oct).

 

Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus) first-winter, Westhampnett (Chichester GPs), Oct 1998 (photo: Owen Mitchell). Although this species is a regular passage migrant and winter visitor at Pagham Harbour, it is actually much scarcer at other sites on the Peninsula, so justifies its inclusion here.That, and the fact it was the first half-reasonable bird photo I took  - in non-digital days too!

 

 

Rose-coloured Starling (Sturnus roseus) adult, Selsey, May 2012 (photo: Andy House). This was the second record for Selsey in modern times, the first being another adult with Common Starlings on the beach at the Bill-tip in June 2002. There is an ancient record of one "obtained at Selsey" (i.e. shot) in 1838, plus two for Pagham Harbour (1994 & 1997).

 

Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) juvenile, Sidlesham Ferry, Sept 1987 (photo: Ads Bowley). This was the fifth of six birds that have occurred at Pagham Harbour, mainly at Sidlesham Ferry; the first was in 1971 and the latest in June 1991, so another would seem well overdue.

 

Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix), Northcommon Farm Selsey, April 2012 (photo: Andy House). Although on a national scale the status of this species may be different, in this coastal area it is most certainly a scarce passage migrant. It usually occurs from late April-May and again from early August-late September, with Church Norton being a favoured location, but visible passage is always slight.

Lapland Bunting (Calcarius lapponicus), Selsey Bill, February 2008 (photo: Martin Casemore). This particular bird was very confiding and took up residence for a short while on the promenade near the Lifeboat station; it was constantly flushed by passing dog-wakers but returned time after time. Records are sporadic and mainly from autumn.

 

Woodlark (Lullula arborea), Park Farm, Selsey, Jan 2013 (photo: Andy House). A scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to the area; hard weather may cause one or more to appear on the coast during hard weather, as with this bird.

 

Smew (Mergellus albellus),'redhead' Pagham Lagoon, Feb 2012 (photo: Andy House). This scarce winter visitor usually occurs in the area with the onset of hard weather, with the lagoon being a favoured area. It is decidedly scarce or even rare at the Bill and there have been few records - a severely cold spell being the best chance of seeing one there.

Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) North Wall, Pagham Harbour, Dec 2012 (photo: Andy House). This is another species that usually appears only with the onset of cold weather and is extremely difficult to add to your Bill list! However in recent years it seems to have been occurring more frequently on the Peninsula in very small numbers, mainly at Pagham or the Chichester GP's.