10th - 12th September 2013

Thursday, 12th September: Firstly, as from tomorrow Andy House will be running the blog for five days (i.e. Friday until Tuesday) so could all regulars forward their bird news to him in the usual way. Once again it's great to have a reliable blog-meister who is able to step in at short notice when commitments dictate - thanks Andy. On with today's bird news:-
 

Pagham Harbour: A total of at least 12 Curlew Sandpipers today, as detailed below:- 

Sidlesham Ferry Pool: Up to 7 Curlew Sandpipers this morning, plus the 2 Little Stints & 20 or so Dunlin. Terry Rawlings also reported 5 Greenshank & 3 Green Sandpipers first thing. Also a Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Stock Doves present. Further update: Both Sam Hill & I, separately, counted 12 Curlew Sandpipers and 2 Little Stints on the Ferry this evening (AH).

 

North Wall: Up to 4 Spotted Redshanks and 5 or 6 Curlew Sandpipers in White's Creek, plus a Bar-tailed Godwit amongst the many Black-tailed, a Grey Wagtail over, twice, but just 2 Snipe on the Breech Pool (AH).

A 12 mile bike tour around the area today by Chris Janman produced:
Honer Reservoir: 2 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Mallard and a flyover Green Sandpiper.
Summer Lane: 1 Wheatear, 50 Lapwing.
North Wall: 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Snipe.
Halsey’s Farm: 2 Spotted Flycatcher.
Yeomans Field: 3 Whinchat, 1 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat.
Bramber Farm: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Chiffchaff, 27 juv Mallard
Fisher Farm: 1 fem Sparrowhawk.

 

 

 (above) Little Egret and Spotted Redshank in White's Creek, and (below) Little Stint (centre rear) with a Dunlin on the Ferry Pool (photos: Andy House)

Wednesday, 11th September: Medmerry dominating the news today as the full breach has now taken place and it features on national/local television - complete with the RSPB's Adrian Thomas (in high vis jacket and white safety helmet of course) saying a few words on site - well done Adrian! Other than that, fairly standard fare on the birding front, although a total of 5 Curlew Sands and 3 Spotted Redshanks at Pagham Hbr were noteworthy.

Selsey Bill   0730-0920hrs: Cloudy, wind light NW increasing later. (Obs: CRJ)

Gannet - 21E, 5W

Med Gull - 1E 

Sandwich Tern - 11 os...

Turnstone - 77 ob

Swallow - 37N

Meadow Pipit - 7N, 1W

Wheatear - 1 gdns

Willow Warbler - 4 gdns.

 

Northcommon farm, Selsey: Not really a birdwatching day but I paid a quick visit this afternoon - 1 Spotted Flycatcher feasting on dragonflies (SR).

 

Medmerry: No access; lots of heavy plant busily removing part of the beach and using it to reinforce West Sands bung, so only 1 Wheatear. I did manage to climb a slag heap and see the ingress of sea-water to the landward side (CRJ).

Pagham Hbr: Very quiet at C/Norton, 150 Dunlin, 2 Willow Warbler (CRJ).

Ferry Pool: 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers new this morning, the 2 Little Stints still present (though one was out of sight when I was there), along with 2 Green Sandpipers, 14 Dunlin, 12 Black-tailed Godwits and 40 Lapwing. Also a smart adult Hobby shot through, upsetting everything (AH).
At the North Wall/Breech Pool/White's Creek this morning I met up with none other than esteemed local resident Jim Weston and we logged the following: Teal - 160, Spotted Redshank - 3, Curlew Sandpiper - 3 juvs, Black-tailed Godwit - 85, Snipe - 2, Water Rail - 1, Sparrowhawk - 1, Kingfisher - 1, House Martin - 50E and a gathering of 16 Magpies. I then escorted JW off the premises before walking down the East side: Common Sandpiper - 3, Dunlin - 30, Grey Plover - 4, Greenshank - 1, House Martin - c.100 E with a few Sand Martins, Chiffchaff - 3. On Pagham Lagoon there wasn't too much on offer and the best I could do was 18+ Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 20+ Tufted Duck (OM).

 

 Two juv Curlew Sandpipers on the Ferry Pool (photo: AH).

 



 

Tuesday, 10th September: Decidedly cool at first this morning, now feeling like autumn is really here. Not too many reports today, but thanks as ever to my regular contributors:

Pagham Hbr: Ferry Pool: The 2 Little Stints still present, along with 2 Green Sandpipers, 14 Dunlin, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Redshank, 2 Stock Dove, 100 Lapwings, 4 Buzzards, a Hobby, 2 Kestrels, 4 Wheatears and 3 Whinchat (AH/CRJ).

Church Norton: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 5+ Blackcap, 10+ Whitethroat, 3+ Sedge Warbler (in 1st Several), 20+ Willow/Chiffs, up to 5 Wheatears and 200+ House Martins over, with c.100 Swallows and smaller numbers of Sand Martins (AH/SR).

Mill Pond Marsh - Yeomans Field - edge of Hbr: Whitethroat 6...Lesser Whitethroat 1...Whinchat 1 stonking 1st winter...Blackcap 4...Spotted Flycatcher 1...Cetti’s Warbler 1...Sparrowhawk 2 (CRJ).  

 

 

 Sedge Warbler at the Severals, and Little Stint at the Ferry Pool (photos: Andy House)

 

Evening walk: Selsey to C/Norton (SH): Greenshank - 1, Sparrowhawk - 3, Sandwich Tern - 5, Willow Warbler - 5, Chiffchaff - 1 and Wheatear 4.

8th - 9th September 2013

Monday, 9th September: Showers at first though much of the late morning was dry. There was no sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper this morning on the Ferry Pool, although both Little Stints were still present, whilst on Ivy Lake there were fewer Common Terns but no trace of yesterday's Arctic Tern.  On the plus side, after a very slow start to the sea-watch at Selsey Bill, things gradually improved to produce 11 Arctic Skuas moving west in 4 hours.

Selsey Bill (0800-1200hrs): Heavy showers, then drier with sunny spells. Wind S/SSW3-4. (Obs: OM et al)

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 9E, 11W

Fulmar - 1W

Common Scoter - 1E

Wigeon - 2W

Arctic Skua - 11W (all d/p except for one!)

Skua sp - 1W (high and distant, probably Bonxie)

Common Tern - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 7 os moved off W

Wheatear - 1

Willow Warbler - 1 gardens

Pied Wagtail - 2 ob

Evening watch:1730-1900hrs  Showery. Wind light NW.  (Obs: SH)
Gannet - 9E
Sandwich Tern - 16 os, 13W
Common Tern - 2 os

 

Pagham Hbr: Sidlesham Ferry pool: Little Stint - 2, Green Sandpiper - 2 (up to 4 later reported), Dunlin - 8, Black-tailed Godwit - 9, Redshank - 2, (no sign of Pec Sand) (OM).

Church Norton: A&Y Ford report a Hobby over the churchyard and single Pied and Spotted Flycatchers in the dead tree near the concrete wall. Otherwise just a few Blackcaps reported. However, SR had no luck with the Church Norton Pied Fly this afternoon, just the Spotted before rain set in again (SR).

 

Coastguard station end of Medmerry was quiet this morning: 1 Wheatear, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Little Egret, 2 Meadow Pipits, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kestrel and just 1 Swallow.  Northcommon Farm this afternoon had a pair of Spotted Flycatchers, same spot as yesterday (SR).

 

Chi GP's: Ivy Lake: Common Tern - 4 (2 ad, 2 juv) but no sign of the juv Arctic Tern (1300hrs)

_____________________________

 

Sunday, 8th September: A day of heavy rain/showers though a good part of the morning was dry. A lot more birding activity to report on the Peninsula now that we are well into September; a variety of sea-birds at the Bill included a couple of Balearic Shearwaters, Arctic and Great Skuas and two Little Gulls, whilst the Ferry Pool saw the Pectoral Sandpiper still present together with two newly-arrived Little Stints and two Hobbies were at Church Norton.  Meanwhile a number of Common Terns and a probable Arctic Tern were at Ivy Lake; fuller details below:

Selsey Bill 0620-0930hrs: Cloud/showers, wind SW 3-4.   (Obs: SH et al)
Gannet - 5E, 14W
Fulmar  - 1W
Balearic Shearwater - 2W (distant at 07.25)
Wigeon - 10 os then W
Common Scoter - 3E
Turnstone - 75 ob
Sanderling - 1 ob
Peregrine - 1 ob
Auk sp - 1W
Arctic Skua - 2W
Great Skua - 1W
Little Gull - 2W
Med Gull - 2 os
Common Gull - 2 ob
Sandwich Tern - 10 os, 12W
Common Tern - 2 os, 3W
Pied Wagtail - 2 ob
Yellow Wagtail - 5 ob
Wheatear - 1 ob
Willow Warbler - 3 in gardens

Northcommon Farm, Selsey: One Spotted Flycatcher - just before the rain set in! (SR)


Early this morning at Selsey Bill (a great shot from Sam Hill - was the rainbow highlighting the Balearics Sam?)

Pagham Hbr: Ferry Pool: The Pectoral Sandpiper still present this morning, joined by 2 Little Stints that arrived mid-morning. Also Green Sandpiper, 8 Dunlin, 12 Black-tailed Godwits & 4 Redshank. Church Norton: 2 Hobbies & 2 Whinchats (per AF & Chris Northwood), 1 Spotted Flycatcher and a few Blackcaps and Whitethroats about (AH).

Chi GPs: Ivy Lake: 8 Common Terns (2 adults & 6 juvs) plus what I think might be a juvenile Arctic Tern. (The one on the yellow buoy looks shorter legged & billed, also the bill is all dark rather than paler, redder on the other one, and black to white on head is more sharply defined - apparently a feature, but I am by no means certain - they just look slightly 'different' sat near each other - AH). (Hard to be sure from just the photo, but the all-dark bill lacking reddish base, clearly defined black and white head pattern, cleaner wing, shortish legs and overall jizz make this a very good candidate for me -  OM).

 

Two more views of the juv Pec Sand on the Ferry Pool (photos: AH)

Juv Common Tern and apparent juv Arctic Tern, Ivy Lake (photos: AH)

Green Woodpecker, between Selsey-Church Norton (photo: Sam Hill)

 

 

 

Went to Medmerry this evening - it changes by the day, no more outflow jetty, no more pumping station, and a great deal of sea-water on the landward side of the beach. Still a few birds about - 2 Whinchat, 7 Wheatears and 20 Meadow Pipits along the fences, and the Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers and 15 Dunlin in the creek.

 

 

Meadow Pipit and Wheatears at Medmerry (photos: AH)

 

 



6th - 7th September 2013

Saturday, 7th September: A few surprises today; firstly a quiet(ish) sea-watch at the Bill produced one small flurry when JA/PM called a small wader passing, just as I called a Black Tern. I stuck with watching the tern whilst eventually the wader was ID'd as a Little Stint - and so a potential Bill tick passed me by! Then I headed to Medmerry, where I was surprised to see that the low-key breach has actually taken place, with sea-water flooding through a sluice and well into the hinterland. Best was saved to last though as I decided to give the Ferry a quick check before taking lunch - and was pleased to discover that at last there was something decent on the pool - a Pectoral Sandpiper. The bird was spooked by something for a short while but soon returned, allowing the locals to see it (thanks to Andy House for first pics).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medmerry: looking north from the beach - that's all sea-water!

 

 The sluice pipes letting the sea in - yes it's now happened!

 

Some of the flock of 220 Canada Geese enjoying their new habitat

 

 

 View along one of the rifes towards the breach site with seaweed floating to the right.

 

Selsey Bill (0600-1100hrs) Cloud and showers, becoming sunny later. Wind SSW 3-4 becoming more W/SW later. (Obs: JA/SH/PM/OM/DF et al)

Gannet - 33E, 124W

Fulmar - 1E, 4W

Wigeon - 14W

Common Scoter - 1E

Whimbrel - 1W

Little Stint - 1W (obs JA/PM only!)

Arctic Skua - 1W

Black Tern - 1W

Common Tern - 25W

Sandwich Tern - 41W (some os fishing before eventually moving off)

Med Gull - 5 os moved W

Swallow - 70 moving S or W

Yellow Wagtail - 5 S

Meadow Pipit - 3W

Wheatear - 1 ob

Evening watch 1715-1830hrs (SH)
Gannet - 13E, 2W
Fulmar - 1W
Curlew - 2W
Arctic Skua - 1 d/p os
Med Gull - 2W
Sandwich Tern - 17 os, 6W
Common Tern - 1 os
 

Medmerry: Canada Goose - c.220 (inc 2 Barnacle hybrids), Teal - 12, Dunlin - 11, Ringed Plover - 2, Little Ringed Plover - 2, Wheatear - 3 (OM)

Park farm, Selsey: Whinchat - 1 (SH).

 

Pagham Hbr: Sidlesham Ferry pool: Pectoral Sandpiper - 1 juv, Greenshank - 2, Green Sandpiper - 2, Dunlin - 2, Redshank - 10, Black-tailed Godwit - 9 (OM).

North Wall/Whites Creek: 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 11 Black-tailed Godwits and 41 Redshanks. Breech Pool. 45 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Common Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Whinchats and 1 Wheatear (JW).

 ______________________________________

Friday, 6th September: The forecast was correct with welcome rain and cooler temperatures arriving this morning, so I decided it was a good time to try and catch up with my birding paperwork! First report today is from JA; I expected to hear a long list of stuff I'd just missed, but no, it was dead, as the following very short summary indicates...! Also, at last news on Medmerry - see below - looks like it won't be too long now.



Selsey Bill (0630-0800hrs): Dry at first, then rain. Wind light E2-3 becoming more S. (Obs: JA)

Gannet - 12E

Sandwich Tern - 5W

Pied wagtail - 1 ob

(the end!)

Pagham Hbr: Luckily I was safely ensconced in the Church Norton hide when the worst of the rain hit around 7.20 this morning.  A female/juvenile Redstart, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Blackcaps (2 male, 1 female), and 2 Chiffchaffs were in the hedge behind the hide.  In the harbour 2 summer plumaged Grey Plover, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 51 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 2 Turnstones, 12 Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin, 9 Little Egrets, 7 Curlew and c100 distant hirundines feeding over the water (Sarah R).

Sidlesham Ferry: (mid to late morning): 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Dunlin and 1 Buzzard.

From Church Norton hide: 110 Wigeon, 9 Pintail, 40 Dunlin, and a lot of sylvia-type warblers hiding in the bushes ! (CRJ). Two Whinchat on the weedy sunflower field east of the Honer Lane reservoir this evening, a female Tufted and immature Little Grebe on the reservoir (CRJ). On the  Breech Pool at high tide, 81 Black-tailed Godwits (1 colour-ringed), 2 Spotted Redshanks and 4 Snipe;  also 27 Little Egrets in the harbour (JW).

Medmerry: For info, an update from JW, (via Ivan Lang RSPB):

"They have removed the sluice from the broad rife so the sea can come in and out. They are presently lowering the shingle bank so as the tide increases in size, as it approaches spring, it will breach - so unknown date on that. It will be a slow procedure"

 

 

 

3rd - 5th September 2013

Thursday, 5th September: Yet another fine, sunny and very warm day; more like high summer than early September, but the forecast is for the weather to break tomorrow. More of the same really bird-wise, so a shake-up might be welcome...meanwhile, best bird today seems to be the Spoonbill over Pagham Hbr this afternoon.

Pagham Hbr: White's Creek - 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 26 Black-tailed Godwits, 22 Redshank and 1 Spotted  Redshank. A gang of 67 Mallard have moved in and evicted yesterday's Teal and Wigeon. Breech Pool - 3 Spotted Redshanks, 19 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 LRP and 47 Teal. Also 2 Whinchat along way back on the fence wires.

North Fields - signs of movement. 4 Willow Warblers travelling with a squadron of 9 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Common and 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Blackcap. Green Woodpecker and 2 Jays. A Tufted Duck with 4 well developed young on Bremere Rife. Elsewhere, Goldfinches are flocking up; 30 on thistles at the stables and the Swallows there are now on their 3rd brood (JW). Later, a Spoonbill was reported flying over the North Wall/Hbr area early in the afternoon (per Gareth & Roy Hughes, BFF )

Ferry Pool: Still 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 12 Black-Tailed Godwit and 40 Lapwing present. Church Norton: Quiet! 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a few Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap around, and a Greenshank in the harbour. The weather and the birds (or lack of them!) makes it feel like high summer (AH).

 

 

 

Spotted Flycatcher and Greenshank at Church Norton (photos: AH)

Wednesday, 4th September: Another fine sunny day once the annoying coastal sea mist had quickly lifted. Many thanks to Ads Bowley for quickly resolving my query about the Nab tower; basically it is having a big makeover and will be restored soon with some modifications. Ads has provided a useful link which gives full information and the history of the Nab, see here: http://www.pbo.co.uk/news/535031/nab-tower-has-a-serious-make-over

 

Today's news: Pagham Hbr: A lovely morning that deserved more birds. Whites Creek - 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Dunlin, 27 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Ringed Plover and 34 Redshank. A marauding female Sparrowhawk cleared most of the waders from the Breech Pool; 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 LRP. Again very few migrant warblers around the fields. Kingfisher at Owl Point again (JW).

 

After a fruitless (and birdless!) look around Northcommon farm (Selsey) I ventured over to East Head, in search of the 7 Black Terns that had been reported from the Hampshire side for the last few days. And there they were - admittedly in Hampshire territorial waters - dipping and swooping in amongst about a dozen Common Terns and an assortment of gulls.  Also, about 6 Wheatears and 40 Yellow Wagtails in amongst the cattle by the car-park, plenty of Swallows and Sand Martins overhead, but few waders to be seen, the best of which were 3 Sanderling flying across the harbour, and a dozen or so Grey Plovers in a mix of plumages, along with 10 roosting Sandwich Terns (AH).

 

 

Chi Hbr/East Head area: Man walking dogs and a Black Tern, and Grey Plovers (photos: Andy House)

Tuesday, 3rd September: Finding two Pied Flycatchers at Northcommon Farm was my highlight of the day, ensuring that it wouldn't be a blank year for the species on my (and a certain Mr Janman's) year list after all. It was another sunny and warm day, with above average temperatures, but resulting in a flat calm sea with little movement at the Bill except a mass exodus of Swallows.

 

Selsey Bill (0800-1000hrs): Sunny, warm, some hazy cloud. Wind light W 2.

(Obs: JD/DS/OM/CRJ et al).

Gannet - 3E, 4W

Turnstone - 71 ob

Sparrowhawk - 1

Kestrel - 1

Med Gull - 1 os

Sandwich Tern - 4 os moving back and forth

Grey Wagtail - 1W

Yellow Wagtail - 1W

Swift - 1

House Martin - c.100

Swallow - c.600 out SE

 

Selsey Northcommon Farm:  (OM/CRJ)

Pied Flycatcher - 2

Spotted Flycatcher - 1

Willow Warbler - 2

 

 

 

Sorry but this blurry record shot of one of the Pied Fly's is the best I could do in the circumstances and is well down to my usual standard (OM).

 

 

 

Pagham Hbr: North Wall: A surprise start; 2 Tree Pipits in the large willow behind the stables. White's Creek: - 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 37 Redshank and 1 Black Swan. Breech Pool: - 66 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank and (unusually for the BP) a Ringed Plover. Elsewhere very few migrant warblers, but a Kingfisher at Owl Point and 6 Yellow Wag's amongst the cattle. (Note: Ivan, finally managed to get the ring details on a Black-t-Godwit, as follows Right leg, red above, yellow below. Left leg, white above, yellow below). JW.

 

With sea-watching conditions being slow today, a degree of boredom set in I think, for I asked good old Dorian Mason to take a photo for me - a bit unfair really given the murky conditions and the distance - for The Nab tower is some 7 miles away! The reason for the shot was to record the gradual dismantling of this famous landmark, which is currently about half its previous size and getting smaller. Does anyone know why this is happening? For the record, he also photo'd the 'green bouy' - a mere 2.2 miles distant - with the distant 'wreck marker' behind it, both useful markers when sea-watching.

 

 

 

The shrinking Nab Tower in the gloom, and the green bouy with the wreck marker behind (photos; DM)

 

 

1st - 2nd September 2013

 

Monday, 2nd September: Sunny and clear, wind W/NW3, becoming warm. At least 11 Curlew Sandpipers recorded at Pagham Hbr today.

 

Pagham Hbr: Ferry Pool: The Curlew Sandpiper still present, also 2 Green Sandpipers, 12 Black-tailed Godwits and small numbers of Lapwing.
North Wall area: The rising tide in White's Creek revealed a total of 10 (one adult) Curlew Sandpipers. In the harbour there were 300+ Dunlin and 100+ Ringed Plovers, but few other smaller waders. Along the Breech Pool, too, higher numbers, but much the same species-wise - 2 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Common Sandpipers, 6 Snipe and 50 Black-tailed Godwits, with a few Sedge & Reed Warblers about, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 50+ Swallows and 20 Sand Martins over (AH).

 

 

Common Snipe on the Breech Pool, and Curlew Sandpiper in White's Creek (photos: Andy House) 

 

 

Selsey - Church Norton (evening): (SH)

Black headed Gulls 600-700
Med Gulls. 200-300
Swallows 50
Sand Martins 50
Sandwich Tern 1
(All hawking flying ants over beach)
Whinchat 1
Wheatear 1
Willow Warbler 1
 

Sunday, 1st September: A new and hopefully exciting month begins, but first a few details from yesterday that I didn't have chance to add. The total of 56E and 20W Balearic Shearwaters is a clear record and is put into context by the following from Andy House:

"A bit of context from some research in the SOS reports....To give you an idea, in 2001 there were about half a dozen 'double figure days' of which the 17 at the Bill was the biggest, surpassed by the 19 in 2008, so if nothing else it's the biggest day in the county by a mile. In Bill terms, only the third YEAR there has been a double-figure count. (No figures for 2012, but there certainly weren't many past the Bill!)"  ..... the first column shows the year, followed by the Sussex Year Total, the Selsey Year Total, and the Selsey Day Total where relevant:

pre 94		41	22	6
94		0	0
95		0	0
96		6	2
97		6	1
98		27	0
99		23	0
00		5	1
01		260	119	17
02		6	4
03		3	0
04		0	0
05		13	1
06		41	4
07		15	9
08		75	62	19
09		17	3
10		6	3
11		20	4
		564	235

Old boys re-united - Bob Lord (left) and Jim Weston at the Bill yesterday


Quite why so many Balearics chose to move on a light N/NW wind is anyone's guess, but it just goes to show how unpredictable things can be and that it's always worth keeping an eye on the sea. I was for once able to get there on time (thanks Andy!) but it can be frustrating to get it wrong - as the following from a somewhat disgruntled Mr Janman shows "In a desperate attempt to not be left out and add to todays Balearic total, I watched from 1730-1908, but no Balearics; only Gannets 8e,1w...Fulmar 1w...Turnstone 7 ob plus 2 unid’d small waders sp and 2 large white swan/geese NE at great distance. Great !! I had to content myself with a small influx of probably Small White butterflies, at least 25 during the watch. (CRJ)"

 
News from today awaited.....will there be any more?  The answer was yes !

From the top: Green Sandpipers with a Teal on the Ferry Pool,  female Blackcap and Redstart at Church Norton (photos: Andy House)

Pagham Harbour: Ferry Pool: The juvenile Curlew Sandpiper still present, along with 3 Green Sandpipers, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Lapwing and 60 Teal.
Church Norton: 2 Redstarts, 2+ Spotted Flycatchers, 3+ Lesser Whitethroat & 6+ Blackcaps behind the hide, 3 Wheatears on the spit, several hundred Swallows over, a Knot and a Greenshank in the harbour, though generally wader numbers seem low for the time of year (AH). North Wall: Along White's Creek, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 47 Redshank and 23 Wigeon. On the Breech pool a Ruff, a Spotted Redshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 4 Snipe, 64 Black-tailed Godwits and 120 Swallows, but few migrant warblers (JW).
A later report from CRJ: This afternoon I took the bike to the North Wall, a Hobby over Honer Reservoir when I got there, and 2 Common Sandpipers on the return journey. On the Breech Pool, 1 Common Sandpiper , but the best was a Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank feeding near each other, then they flew off together over the harbour and both called, which was very nice for a young man who was out running but stopped to ask what all the birds were, and spent a rewarding half-hour with me going through all the regular species. 

 

From Sarah Russell: "I'm sure the others will fill you in with Bill sightings - they're still there.  A flock of 9 Balearics heading east has been the highlight of an otherwise quiet watch so far although Dave Sneller found this Jersey Tiger Moth on his car and was very impressed with it, being a scarce UK month.  Looking on the internet I read it was fairly scarce but has recently expanded its territory, particularly in the south.  Pic attached which unfortunately doesn't show the lovely orange underside, was quite impressive just the same."

  

 

Jersey Tiger Moth  -  photo: S. Russell (see text above)

 

Selsey Bill: 0545 - 1030hrs: Dry NW2 sun: (Obs: JA/SH/PB/CW et al) 

Gannet - 87E, 16W

Fulmar - 1W

Balearic Shearwater - 9E (one flock at 0840) 

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Black Swan - 1E

Teal - 2E

Common Scoter - 15E, 6W, 1os

Sparrowhawk - 1 over gardens

Oystercatcher - 5W

Redshank - 1 ob

Turnstone - 10 ob

Black-headed Gull - 220os

Sandwich Tern - 6W, 4os

Common Tern - 1W

auk sp - 2W

Yellow Wagtail - 1S

House Martin - 7W

Swallow - 32S, 134W

Wheatear - 1

Willow Warbler - 1

Chiffchaff - 1 

Blackcap - 1

 

As there was major digger activity at Ham Farm this afternoon I went to Easton Lane, Earnley for the first time in a long while. Highlight was a huge flock - I estimated 120-150 birds - of Yellow Wagtails feeding along the sea defence work with about 50 Linnets, and nearby 2-300 Swallows and 50+ Sand Martins were feeding over the maize field. Very few other birds about - 2 Little Grebes, 4 Gadwall and 6 juvenile Tufted Ducks on the nearby pond being about it. The good news for Medmerry fans is that they have given up trying to grow maize on the setaside land and it has reverted to ideal raptor territory for the forthcoming autumn (AH).

 

 

Yellow Wagtail, Medmerry (Earnley) (photo: AH)

 

 

 

 

 

29th - 31st August 2013

Saturday, 31st August: Another blast from the past today when former Pagham Hbr warden and Selsey regular Bob Lord appeared at the Bill with Jim Weston. The usual pleasantries were exchanged, before Bob reminded me of a few highlights from his notebook of the early eighties; 1981 saw a Honey Buzzard arrive (10/5), A Red-backed Shrike (exactly 32 years ago on 31/8), and a Little Auk (29/11) not to mention a sighting of Patrick Moore E along the beach that spring. In 1982 highlights included a Glaucous Gull (8/4), a Hooded Crow (12/5) and another Red-backed Shrike (10/10) whilst in 1983 sightings included a Pied Flycatcher in Bill house garden (17/4) and a juv Woodchat Shrike which caught a bumble-bee (7/9). After saying good-bye there was time for a quick photo before Bob and Jim were off to view Medmerry, with Bob sending his regards to all that know him. The clear highlight of the morning though was a movement of c.70 BALEARIC SHEARWATERS, perhaps a Bill record. Sam Hill began the watch early, being joined later by GH and AH - they fortunately called me and even I managed to log about 25 before things went quiet. Most birds were moving east in flocks at various ranges - more details later...

Selsey Bill: (0615-1115hrs) Cloudy then dry, warm and sunny. Wind NW 3-4 (Obs: SH/AH/OM et al)

Gannet - 50E, 42W

Fulmar - 1W

Balearic Shearwater - 56E and 20W,  including a flock of 15E at 0900 and 11E at 0955hrs.
Common Scoter - 1W

Auk sp - 1W

Turnstone - 60 ob 

Common Tern - 3E, 5W
Sandwich  Tern - 13E, 9W
Yellow Wagtail - 4S
Sand Martin - 9S

 

Ruff and Curlew Sandpiper on Sidlesham Ferry Pool, but Church Norton very quiet - a few Wheatears and the odd Willow Warbler about (AH).
Walk Selsey to Church Norton 1030-1230hrs (S&SaH)
Wheatear 4
Willow Warbler 3
Sand Martins 50+ over beach
Whitethroat 4

This evening at Church Norton 1 Whinchat & 3 Wheatears on the spit and 2 Greenshank in the harbour (AH).

 

 

 

 (top) Ruff and Curlew Sandpiper at the Ferry Pool

(above) just discernible, a flock of Balearic Shearwaters off Selsey Bill (photos: AH)

 

Friday, 30th August: Sunny, dry and quite warm again.

Pagham Hbr: Ferry Pool: Curlew Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers, 12 Redshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwit and 40 Lapwings this morning. Also 15 juvenile Shelduck and 40 Teal.

North Wall: Up to 5 Curlew Sandpipers in White's Creek, including one moulting adult. Spotted Redshank, Common Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 30 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Pintail on the Breech Pool. Also 3 Whinchat along the far fence-line and about 20 Yellow Wagtails in with the cattle, and a Peregrine over (AH).

 

 

Black-tailed Godwits with Spotted Redshank on Breech Pool (photo: Andy House)

Thursday, 29th August: As it seems that yours truly is about the only active Sussex birder not to have seen a Pied Fly in a good autumn for the species, I spent time today trying to correct that - and failed again. I checked out the whole area around and beyond the Visitor centre and managed to dig out four Spotted Fly's - but Pied Fly was there none! There were plenty of common migrants about earlier in the morning but it rapidly died down as it got warmer and sunnier. Whilst about to check the Ferry Pool with Andy House, a couple of powered hang-gliders appeared and one of the idiot pilots deliberately swooped down to less than 50ft over the pool, scattering birds in all directions, though fortunately they returned when peace was re-established. Most of the observer activity was again at Pagham harbour and

although there were plenty of birds on the move there was nothing unusual; meanwhile it seems little or no attention has been paid to sea-watching at the Bill for some while during this warm spell, so hopefully the sea will deliver something soon.

 

Pagham Hbr: Visitor centre area/Discovery area: Spotted Flycatcher - 4, Blackcap - 6, Whitethroat - 6, Willow Warbler - c.10, Yellow Wagtail - 10 over,  Sand Martin c.50.

Sidlesham Ferry Pool: Curlew Sandpiper - 1 juv, Green Sandpiper - 2, Lapwing - 25, Black-tailed Godwit - 4, Shelduck - 20 (mostly juv's) (OM/AH).

At Church Norton this morning at least 3 Redstarts, 6 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Tree Pipits, 20 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and 20+ Willow/Chiffs around the churchyard/hide/concrete wall area. Additionally at least 4 Whinchats and 4 Wheatears around the beach/Severals area, plus a few Willow Warblers (CRJ/AH et al). Very quiet this evening, save 2 Whinchat along the West side (AH).

 

North wall/Breech Pool/East side:   20 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Snipe, several Black-tailed Godwits including a colour-ringed bird, a Green Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank, and masses of hirundines over the harbour. (BFF/DIS/DM).

 

 

 

above: Black-tailed Godwits on Breech pool and

below: Spotted Redshank at same location (photos: DM)

 

 

 

26th - 28th August 2013

Wednesday, 28th August: Firstly, an update on yesterday's warbler excitement at Climping. Having studied various photo's, websites and field guides last night, I slowly came to the conclusion that on balance this would probably turn out to be a Booted Warbler. When found the bird looked greyer, longer-tailed, larger-billed and sleeker than I would have expected for a Booted, (so much so it took a little while to discount eastern Olivaceous), but the photos now seem to show it as more brownish-toned, with a fairly bold supercilium extending (too) well behind the eye, less greyish and with darkish tertial markings - supportive of Booted. I'm no expert and have some issues with it, but I now note that it appears on RBA and other bird media services as a Booted, which would in any case be the likely option given the numbers that have appeared in the country. So - I'm not totally convinced yet, but seems it's a Booted - unless you know better!     OK, on with today's news from the peninsula ...

Medmerry (Coastguard Station to Windmill) (7am) - 1 Redstart, c175 Swallows, c100 House Martins, 28 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Wheatears, 25 Linnets, 6 Meadow Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails.  Some of the Swallows relentlessly chasing the Yellow Wags until they took refuge in the long grass; I'd never thought of Swallows as being bullies before but I suppose it's just the natural pecking order (SR).
 

Pagham Hbr: Ferry Pool: The juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and 4 Black-tailed Godwits still present, with 40 Lapwing and 75 Teal. Church Norton: This morning still at least 3 Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 6+ Wheatear, 5+ Lesser Whitethroat and 20+ Common Whitethroat present, with most of the activity on the beach/Severals area, and plenty of Swallows and Sand Martins over. This evening, at least 100 Yellow Wagtails swirling over the churchyard before heading off towards the spit, though most other passerines had gone quiet. In the harbour 5 Pintail and 40 Wigeon. Also, Ivan Lang reported 2 Pied Flycatchers around the visitor centre this morning.

 

 

Whitethroat and Pintails at Pagham Harbour (photos: Andy House)

Tuesday, 27th August:

(Not on the peninsula - but at CLIMPING BEACH there is an unusual warbler....not confirmed but quite possible SYKE'S WARBLER (Olivaceous not yet eliminated) ...........from car park Climping St, go 200yrs west along beach, view tamarisk. Found by Richard Grimmett on one of his occasional visits........apologies if I haven't phoned you - chaotic trying to see elusive bird, identify it and use phone while interrupted by members of public. Go see it if you can..more news later. Off to deal with family commitment now.) .... Apologies for late updates of peninsula news for obvious reasons...Further update (evening): at the present time opinions are divided as to whether this is a Syke's or a Booted Warbler. Some photos have appeared and I await with interest further pic's which hopefully will help to clinch it.

 

PENINSULA news: Pagham Hbr:

Ferry Pool: Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, one Common Sandpiper and four Black-tailed Godwits this morning, a Greenshank over, and a Buzzard sat on the fence-line.

Church Norton: Similar fare to yesterday. A Redstart, 20+ Whitethroats and 3+ Lesser Whitethroats between the Severals, and plenty of Sand Martins and Swallows over, a Spotted Flycatcher and more Whitethroats by the concrete wall, and another Redstart in the churchyard, with plenty of Yellow Wagtails (20+?) seen and heard (AH).

Further report from Ads Bowley: Nipped down to Church Norton mid-afternoon til about 1800. Refound the WRYNECK in front of the Severals and watched it on and off for c1hr.....must be the most flighty one I've ever seen - would not allow anywhere near a close approach. I was told it had flown off towards the back of the horse's field but I never saw it do this so can't personally confirm it. Also along the shingle was a female Whinchat, c6 Wheatears, quite a lot of Yellow Wags flying around with a couple on the deck showing nicely and quite a few Whitethroats made up the warblers really. Several Clouded Yellows were very nice too, with one actually settling for a photo op. Two Spot Fly's behind the hide were the only birds of note an an imm Peregrine in the harbour on 'their' island was feeding on something. Back at Ferry a single Common and Curlew Sandpiper were present....mostly in silhouette!!

(Thanks to all who submitted info that was not posted, but reduced time this evening has meant reduced output tonight) OM

 

Wryneck and Whinchat at Church Norton (photos: Ads Bowley)

 

 

Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August: An early start for me at Church Norton on a really splendid morning; my target bird for the day being yesterday's Wryneck, which I had left until today in a somewhat complacent manner. Four hours later the reality sank in that I wasn't going to see it as it seemed to have gone! Oh well, such is birding. There were compensations as plenty of the commoner migrants were to be found; I logged at least 80 Yellow Wagtails mostly moving W, including an early flock of 35 and 15 more in the churchyard perching on trees. The fine Bank holiday weather ensured  the Norton car park was soon full to bursting with birders and beach visitors alike, but it all seemed to sort itself out in the end. With the north and east coasts of the UK groaning under the weight of scarce and rares at the moment let's hope it's our turn soon...

 

 

Timed at 0647, a view of the sun rising over Church Norton as I arrived.

 

 

Yellow Wagtails in the trees at Church Norton churchyard 

 

 

Pagham Hbr: The Nuthatch reported yesterday at Halsey's Farm was still present early this morning and showing well around 0700hrs (SH et al) but could not be re-located a couple of hours later. This is actually a much scarcer and more difficult species to get on the Peninsula than Wryneck! Also 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Redstart and a Lesser Whitethroat there (CRJ).

At Church Norton various reports received, but allowing for perhaps a small margin of duplication, totals were: Wheatear - 4, Whinchat - 4, Yellow Wagtail - 80, Redstart - 2 in churchyard, Tree Pipit - 1 ditto, Spotted Flycatcher - 2 ditto, Garden Warbler - 1 ditto, Lesser Whitethroat - 2, Blackcap - 2, Common Whitethroat - 10, Willow Warbler - 15. There were also 28 Wigeon in the harbour and a Peregrine with prey (OM). The Ferry Pool held a juv Curlew Sandpiper, 30 Lapwings, 4 Black-tailed Godwits and c.30 Teal (m.obs).
Chris Northwood adds" .. I was around Norton until 3.00 and have one or two things to add to today's posting; most remarkably, I took a walk along the footpath which runs parallel to the west side. In the big lettuce field which adjoins the churchyard, I counted 100+ Yellow Wags, plus a Spot Fly and 2 more Tree Pipits. Churchyard - at least two Spot Fly's and 3 Tree Pipits. In the harbour as the tide rose the Wigeon flock had increased to 66, with 4 Pintail" 

Later, Sam Hill got the Wigeon count up to 73 plus much of the stuff reported above. Lots of hirundines around too.

 

Finally an update from AH: Church Norton: This afternoon at least 40 Yellow Wagtails along the inside of the spit and 2 Sandwich terns in the harbour. Also there were 4 Tree Pipits together in the pine tree at the end of the churchyard at one stage and a minimum of 3 Redstarts around the churchyard area.

 

 

 

juv Curlew Sandpiper on Ferry pool, and Redstart in Norton churchyard (photos Andy House)

 

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