16th - 17th November 2013

Sunday, 17th November: Dull and cloudy today with light wind, producing a few late migrants at the Bill - including a very late Yellow Wagtail. Andy House will be running the blog for the next two days, so records to him please if you can.

Selsey Bill (0710-1035hrs): Cloudy, dry. N/NE2  (Obs: JA/SH et al)  Highlights were:

Red-throated Diver - 3E

Great Northern Diver - 1E, 8 os

Slavonian Grebe - 2E

Common Scoter - 61 os

Merlin - 1

House Martin - 1

Rock Pipit - 1

Yellow Wagtail - 1 ob

(Also logged: Great Crested Grebe - 2E, Gannet - 3W, Brent Goose - 12E, Wigeon - 5E, Shelduck - 1E, Red-breasted Merganser - 7os, 3E, 5W, Turnstone - 22ob, Kittiwake - 2W, Med' Gull - 2W, 2os, Razorbill - 1os, auk sp - 4E, 7W and Pied Wagtail - 5ob)

No sign of the Snow Buntings at Medmerry this morning, but they are quite probably still present in a lot of suitable habitat. A smart male Black Redstart and 3 Stonechats were some consolation. We went back to the Bill after D. Sneller told us he'd seen a House Martin there, but we couldn't find it, but whilst we were looking at a Rock Pipit, JA spotted a Yellow Wagtail, which hung about on the beach for at least ten minutes. We wait to see if it is the latest ever at the Bill....(AH).

 

 

(above) Yellow Wagtail on the beach at Selsey Bill .. surely our latest ever? (A. House)  

 

 

 

Rock Pipit on Selsey beach, and Slavonian Grebe off Church Norton (A. House)

 

 

 Pagham Hbr: Quite a bit on the sea at Church Norton for the first time this autumn, as follows - 2 Slavonian Grebes (my first of the autumn here), 9 Great Crested Grebes, 28 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 female-type Eider, 7 Common Scoter that dropped in on the sea, 1 Red-throated Diver W and 12 Gannets E. Also the Spoonbill was on Tern Island again, snoozing through the high tide.

 

Selsey - Church Norton: The regular walk (by SH/SaH) produced a single Redwing, a late Swallow, 20 R/b Mergansers, and the Eider and Red-throated Diver mentioned above.
 

 Finally, a rarity... our esteemed Log-keeper JA seen wandering away from the Bill-tip (well, only as far as Medmerry!)   (photo: Sam Hill)
             

Saturday, 16th November: Another fine but cool morning with a light N/NW wind. The main news so far comes from CRJ who reports there are actually 4 Snow Buntings at Medmerry. Meanwhile at the Bill, Paul Matson logged three species of diver, which was the main action until eventually there was too much glare from the sun.

Snow Buntings at Medmerry (A. House)

Medmerry: The 4 Snow Buntings reported earlier by CRJ were on the rough ground beyond the caravan park; they were there this afternoon, along with 4 Stonechats and 5 Linnets, though they took some finding amongst the dozens of people present (AH)  

 

Pagham Hbr: Tramway: First thing this morning a Water Rail and a Kingfisher in the creek, and 6 Reed Buntings, 4 Song Thrushes and 40 Goldfinch around the pathway (AH). At Church Norton the Spoonbill was present around Tern island but sleeping much of the time (CRJ). A Kingfisher was at the North Wall (P/James/SOS).

Sidlesham: An unusual sight of a Buzzard sat on the big greenhouses near our house (AH).

 

Buzzard on greenhouse at Sidlesham (A. House)

Selsey Bill (0730-0930hrs):   NW2-3,  very sunny.  (Obs: PM/ S.Hat)

Common Scoter 25 W

Red-breasted Merganser 5E, 8W

Eider 3W

Wigeon 23E

Shoveler 1E

Shelduck 1W

Great Northern Diver 3os, 1W

Red-throated Diver 1os, 8W

Black-throated Diver 1W (with 2 RT's for a good comparison)

Razorbill 1os

Great-crested Grebe 1os

Med Gull 4os

Rock Pipit 1ob

Pied Wagtail 1ob

Turnstone 20W/ob

2 large flocks of c200 Starlings N off sea

West Wittering: A Black-throated Diver off the north end of East Head looking towards Pilsey Island. Also 12 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Common Scoter, Razorbill and 7 Great Crested Grebes. Pair of Stonechats and 2 Common Snipe in the dunes. Two Spotted Redshanks on Snowhill Marsh (P. James/SOS).

 

 Interesting Turnstone roost at East Head (Alan Petherbridge)

13th - 15th November 2013

Friday, 15th November: A cold but beautifully sunny morning with a brisk N wind. I headed to the Bill where I found nobody else present, until Sarah joined me a little while later. Then I decided to start on my late breakfast - a big mistake as it turned out. As I tucked into my first sandwich, Sarah called a couple of distant divers; then as we were determinedly scoping I reached down for more food - only to find a wretched dog devouring the last of my packed lunch - the lot, all bar a banana! For sheer stealth it put AH's famous Zippy in the shade, but it did nothing for my humour, especially when the unapologetic lady owner called the dog away and scuttled off, keeping her distance and not even acknowledging my good wishes to her! Ah well.. having got that off my chest on with the bird news. I start with an apology to those who sent me texts yesterday - as you will gather I forgot to include the news on the blog! Today at the Bill there were a few highlights; a late Swallow, a Merlin in from the sea, at least 3 GND's and the start of what looks like a flock of Common Scoters taking up winter residence. There were also 3 Velvet Scoters moving E that dropped onto the sea for ages; later they headed E but seemed to drop again so may also be present offshore. I paid a fairly fruitless visit to Medmerry, seeing little of note, but it seems I slipped up as Sarah rang me mid-afternoon to say she'd found a Snow Bunting there. Well done.

 

Selsey Bill (0740-1110hrs): Dry, cool, sun, N 3-4.  (Obs: OM/SR)

Gannet - 6W

Brent Goose - 1E, 21W

Common Scoter -  9E, 27W, 20+ os (small flocks frequently moving then dropping onto sea)

Velvet Scoter - 3E then os, possibly off E again

Eider - 1W

R/b Merganser - 5E, 1W

Teal - 4E, 4W

Great Northern Diver - 3+ os

Red-throated Diver - 6W

Razorbill - 2E, then os

Auk sp - 1E, 2W

Merlin - 1 in N from sea (0920hrs)

Sparrowhawk - 1 p

Med Gull- 3W

Swallow - 1W

Pied Wagtail - 2 ob

Rock Pipit - 1 ob

Song Thrush - 1N

Goldfinch - 5W

"Coastguard chopper, west, over the triangle..." (S. Russell).

 

 

Pagham Hbr: Church Norton: A Firecrest and a Chiffchaff along the path from the car park, also 6 Bar-tailed Godwits (one with a trace of s/plum) and the leucistic Curlew in the harbour (OM).

North Wall area: A Chiffchaff in bushes behind the stables, 2 Stonechats still in the horse field. Breech Pool still quiet, 102 Teal, 15 Wigeon and 1 Cormorant. No waders. In the field behind 87 Canada Geese and 53 Curlew. A Rock Pipit and female Kestrel along the wall. Flock of 900 Brent geese in field behind Honer Farm. On arrival home I found 3 Chiffchaffs in my Pagham garden (JW).

 

 Medmerry: Walking along the beach at Medmerry this afternoon I was watching a pair of Stonechats and a Rock Pipit amongst the granite rocks, piles of rubble, etc next to the caravan park, when a dumper truck flushed a Snow Bunting. I had a good view of it through the scope, but once it gets amongst the rubble it's going to be very hard to pinpoint....later update ....

Unfortunately I didn't manage to relocate the Snow Bunting but it's probably still there though perfectly camouflaged.  It was in the rough area that comes just after the caravan site, where the piles of aggregates, rubble, car tyres, and granite blocks are.  There were a pair of Stonechats and a Rock Pipit, plus a pair of Pied Wagtails, and in the distance a Kestrel, then a small dumper truck came along and flushed something that flew onto the granite blocks, I took a look through the scope and saw the Snow Bunting. It was low tide so I walked along the beach to the breach and took the attached photo. 

 

Medmerry breach (S. Russell)

 

Thursday, 14th November: Bright and clear again with a cool NW; one of those mid-Nov days when you get the feeling autumn is over but winter hasn't quite begun...

Firstly, an item of late news...."yesterday additionally : looked out to sea from Pagham Beach, only birds visible were Great Crested Grebes - 24 of them. At Harbour Mouth and on North Wall single Rock Pipits - and attach a pic of three Goldeneyes on the Tidal Lagoon " (ARK).

Goldeneyes, Pagham Hbr tidal (small) lagoon, 13th Nov (A.R.Kitson)

 

Selsey Bill: As dead as you would expect in a bright north-westerly - just a few Mediterranean and Common Gulls offshore (AH).

Pagham Hbr: Church Norton: Quiet for birds, but extremely noisy as the Churchyard Chainsaw Massacre was taking place with a dozen cars in the car park and what sounded like as many power-tools being used. I didn't dare look too closely! Bird-wise, not much out of the ordinary on the high tide, plenty of roosting wildfowl and waders, a Chiffchaff and a couple of Meadow Pipits was about it. Ferry Pool: A count of birds present produced 48 Shoveler, 65 Teal, 55 Wigeon, 4 Mallard and 80 Lapwing (AH).

 

 

Redshank at Church Norton, and Shoveler on the Ferry Pool (A. House)

 

 A wander around an increasing chilly Reserve this evening produced a lone Swallow making its' way eastwards alone the cycleway near the Visitor Centre, no doubt for a long trip across the channel tonight. Also reported from the reserve was the continued presence of the Spoonbill in the harbour, a single Lesser Redpoll over and an Water Rail in the channel near the Visitor Centre (Ivan Lang). Also a report of 2 Bearded Tits at the North Wall (presumably Breech Pool) (per SOS).

 

 

Wednesday, 13th November: A bright sunny and crisp late autumn day following an overnight frost - the latter being the first (proper one at least) of the autumn. My own plans to head for the Peninsula were scuppered when my good lady reminded me of a funeral commitment in Brighton (!) but it seems that I didn't miss too much bird-wise today. Updates follow...

Pagham Hbr:

North Wall: What a lovely day. A male Stonechat in the horse field.  Breech Pool very quiet, 120 Teal, a few Mallard and 1 Black-tailed Godwit. In the fields behind 62 Canada Geese and 39 Curlew. Along Pagham Rife 37 Coot, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Green Sandpiper. The flock of distant corvids that I had dismissed as Rooks became, on closer inspection, 53 Carrion Crows. Honer reservoir held 47 Black-headed Gulls and 10 Tufted Ducks. The mixed finch flock to the east of the reservoir are still there, around 120 birds, mainly Linnets. Behind Honer farm cottages was a flock of 620 Brent Geese. There was a steady procession of Brents flying up to the field behind the Village Hall and I later counted 760 there (Jim W).

The Spoonbill was reported to be still present at Church Norton at 1313hrs (per RBA).

The following report is from Alan Kitson," Pagham Harbour and environs was golden aglow in sunshine, gorse in bloom on the Spit, 230 Golden Plovers like a streak of custard on the Central Plateau and five redhead Goldeneyes on the Lagoon, their eyes sparkling for sure. Three of the latter flew to the Tidal Lagoon. Also seen were four Pochard on the Lagoon, 70 Knot in the Harbour and 1000 Brent Geese which unhelpfully went into the out-of-bounds reservoir" (per SOS website).

10th - 12th November 2013

Tuesday, 12th November: Still wincing over missing the chance yesterday to set a record Little Gull count at the Bill; today was a bit like what comes after the Lord Mayor's show! Rain  and drizzle hung on until late morning, whilst the wind had eased and backed to the NW - whoopee! Actually it wasn't too bad, with a variety of sea-duck moving including 3 Velvet Scoters, plus at least 5 Great Northern Divers offshore.
 
Selsey Bill (0645-1245hrs): Rain/drizzle, drier late morning. Wind NW 2-3. (Obs: GH/OM/SR)
Gannet - 16E, 20W
Great Northern Diver - at least 5 os
Red-throated Diver - 2E, 2W
Great Crested Grebe - 4E, 1 os
Brent Goose - 320W (several flocks actually headed E before eventually returning W).
R/b Merganser - 17E, 24W, 3 os
Common Scoter - 50E, 88W
Velvet Scoter - 3E
Eider - 3W
Wigeon - 25W
Razorbill - 1W
Auk sp - 6W
Dunlin - 8W
Med Gull - 7W
Kittiwake - 1E
Rock Pipit - 2 ob
Meadow Pipit - 5N


Monday, 11th November: What a thoroughly miserable day; rain and drizzle persisting throughout, driven on by a fresh S/SSW wind with awful visibility offshore, making it virtually impossible to sea-watch. Andy House braved things for about half an hour this morning, logging 20+ Brent Geese and 12 Pintail passing in the murk, but was sadly forced to abandon; shame though as a call from Seaford advised me of some Balearic Shearwaters and a Sooty moving west at their end. One late item of news from yesterday concerns a Spoonbill snoozing on the mud near Tern Island, Church Norton (RJS), but otherwise it seems bird news will be at a premium today! Evening update - seems we may have missed a good day as enquiries reveal well over 200 Little Gulls to the east of us, whilst Portland to the west logged over 1000. And to rub salt into the wound I think the wind will shift back to the north tomorrow... ouch!

Please see attached update re Medmerry:-
Further to Chris Janman's posting last week about Medmerry, to confirm, the Environment Agency has celebrated the completion of the flood defence structures (and the protection this brings to local communities) but there is still some way to go for them to complete the various paths and the two small car parks so that it is fit for public opening. So far they are unable to give me a date when it will be handed to the RSPB to take on the day to day management, so for now most of Medmerry remains a closed construction site. I'm eager that folk get access as soon as it is safe to do so, and I'm seeking an update this week from EA - I'll keep you posted. The good news is that the breach went well, nature is busy creating the new wetlands and reshaping the beach, and good numbers of Teal in particular (ca. 1,000) are already using the site. If anyone has any questions, feel free to email me (per Adrian Thomas, RSPB/SOS website)



Sunday, 10th November: A bright crisp morning with a cool NW wind. Unfortunately the morning was a little brighter than a certain Mr Forbes who stayed over at my place last night and imbibed a fair quantity - hence neither of us was particularly sparkling or keen to go birding this morning! Fortunately most of the regulars were out in the field though...a seawatch at the Bill producing a good movement of Woodpigeons out S. Fuller details later.....

(0700hrs) Walk Selsey to Church Norton: (S&SaH)

Water Rail - 1 and Stonechat  - both at the Severals,

R/b Merganser - 6 os and Merlin on Norton spit

 

Merlin at Church Norton (Sam Hill)

 

Pagham Hbr: North Fields: A WeBS count by Jim Weston recorded the following: Lapwing 380, Golden Plover 138, Curlew 73, Black tailed Godwit 2, Brent Geese 880, Canada Geese 53, Mallard 67, Teal 44, Wigeon 16, Coot 6, Moorhen 14, Little Grebe 1, Black Swan 1 (with the Canadas) and 10 Little Egret (coming into roost at Owl Copse). Also 78 Jackdaws came into roost at Owl Copse. Three Roe Deer nearby (JW).

 

Selsey Bill: 0700 - 1000hrs: NW4, sunny. (Obs: JA/PB/SR)

Great Northern Diver - 3 os

Gannet - 2E, 7W

Shag - 1os

Brent Goose - 4E, 21W

Red-breasted Merganser - 4W, 6os

Common Scoter - 1E, 1W

Pintail - 2E

Wigeon - 1W

Kittiwake - 1W

Med' Gull - 13W, 10 os

Common Gull - 6W

Razorbill - 2W

Woodpigeon - c. 3100 SW

Meadow Pipit - 2W

Pied Wagtail - 3W

Black Redstart - 1p 

Goldfinch - 8E, 13W.

Additional 1300 - 1500hrs (Obs: SH).

Great Northern Diver - 3 still present

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 1W

Diver Sp - 2E
Gannet -  2W, 50 os (distant feeding flock)

Brent Goose - 1W

Common Scoter - 14W

R/b Merganser - 8W
Great Skua - 1W
Kittiwake - 4W
Little Gull - 1W
Common Gull - 6W
Med Gull - 4W
Auk sp - 1E, 5W

 

 

 

7th - 9th November 2013

Saturday, 9th November: Dry early on, but as I write this at home (0915hrs) the sky is black, the rain torrential and a thunderstorm is going on! Birding activity is therefore currently suspended, for me at least! Further update on the weather...heavy rain most of the morning then becoming showery with drier interludes =  a lousy day! The wet weather prompted me to catch up on some paperwork, so many thanks to all those who answered my request for information on the Peninsula 2013 year list. It is hoped to publish these details on this site at the end of the year; hopefully also with a summary of the year's highlight.
 

Selsey Bill 0840-0940hrs: Cloud, rain. W3-4.  (Obs: AH)  The only report so far!

Gannet - 250W
Great Northern Diver - 3 os
Great Crested Grebe - 2 os

Shoveler - 1W

R/b Merganser -  5 os

Common Scoter - 5W
Mediterranean Gull - 12 os
 

 

Pagham Hbr: The Juv Red-backed Shrike is still present on the Reserve at 12.30. It has now relocated slightly as it has moved on the north wall just east of the footpath to Halsey's Farm. It was present in a rose bush and hawthorn at the corner with Owl Copse. Also 4 Rock Pipits, a Kingfisher and 2 Water Rails (Ivan Lang).

 

Friday, 8th November: A dry morning but wet and miserable again by afternoon. A sea-watch at the Bill produced nothing exceptional but a variety of species including three species of diver and another late flurry of Swallows.

Selsey Bill 0645 to 1010hrs: Dry, cloudy, wind S2 then SSW4. (Obs: JA/GH et al)

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Black-throated Diver - 1W

Red-throated Diver - 4W

Great Crested Grebe - 1E,1W, 2os

Gannet - 9E, 19W

Brent Goose - 2E, 63W

Shelduck - 1W

Teal - 4E

Common Scoter - 6E, 52W

Red-breasted Merganser - 9W

Oystercatcher - 4ob

Great Skua - 1E

Med' Gull - 9os, 7W

Kittiwake - 1E, 5W

Little Gull - 1 adult E

Common Gull - 5W, 3os

auk sp - 4W

Woodpigeon - 6E, 25W, 21S

Stock Dove - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 4E, 9W

Pied Wagtail - 9W

Skylark - 2W

Swallow - 27 S

Chiffchaff - 1p

Linnet - 7E

Goldfinch - 19E, 26W, 133S

Greenfinch - 11E, 12W

Reed Bunting - 2W

 

 

 

Stonechat at the Severals, Church Norton (A. House)

 

Pagham Hbr: Church Norton: A Stonechat on the 1st Several, a Kingfisher over the horsefield creek, a couple of Chiffchaffs in the hedges and a Red-breasted Merganser on the sea was it for a quick look (AH).

 

Thursday, 7th November: Overnight rain gave way to a dry and fairly cool morning with a light-mod NW wind, giving periods of sunshine. It was good to be out birding on a nice day even if the wind was not in a favourable quarter, so I headed to the Bill where I was soon joined by three-quarters of the Worthing contingent (Bernie, Dave Smith and Dorian). Best birds there were three Great Northern Divers offshore, a small movement of Med Gulls and a group of late Swallows; then with the wind easing, we decided to head for East Head and West Wittering to check through the waders on the rising tide - especially Ringed Plovers!

Selsey Bill (0750-1020hrs): Dry, cloud then sun, NW 5-6, decreasing. (Obs: OM/BFF/DIS/DM).

Gannet - 3E, 15W

Great Northern Diver - 3 os

Brent Goose - 4E, 53W

Common Scoter - 2E, 8W

Shoveler - 1W

Med Gull - 36W, 18 os

Swallow - 5

Pied Wagtail - 4W

Rock Pipit - 1 ob

Meadow Pipit - 9SE, 10W

Goldfinch - 60W

 Distant record shot of 4/5 of the Swallow flock at the Bill

 

An all too familiar sight now on Selsey Bill beach, hence many migrants don't stick around; just a minute before this bit of beach was busy with Med Gulls and Turnstones!

 

A Black Redstart played hide and seek with me late this afternoon around the fishermans' huts at East Beach, Selsey (SR).

At East Head the first bird of note was a Black-throated Diver off the northern end; the others got onto it before me and it took a little time before I could make out the clear white 'flank patch,' lack of bill bulk and clean black/white face pattern that surely clinched it. A couple of R/b Mergansers and a few Great Crested Grebes were present in the channel but little else, although a distant flock of Bar-tailed Godwits was noted across the water on Pilsey sands. Our plan to check out the waders roosting on the very high tide was not successful as most would not settle, perhaps due to the lack of exposed mud at the time. A pair of Stonechats, a few Meadow Pipits and a few Skylarks were all we could find on the Head, so we moved to the car park area where a good number of Brent and waders were now roosting (when not being disturbed by walkers). At least 30 Golden Plover were flying around, whilst 140 Ringed Plovers were scrutinised for a smaller congener without success. We then checked Snowhill Marsh and West Wittering and logged 2 Spotted Redshanks, a Greenshank and 6 Snipe, then another late flock of 4 Swallows, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Firecrests and 2 Goldcrests (BFF/DIS/DM/OM).

 

Last of the summer wine tour: Above (left-to-right) - Dave Smith, Bernie Forbes and me!

below: Dorian  in action - ooh what a big one!

Andy House also visited East Head and added 8 R/b Mergansers, up to 20 Great Crested Grebes and a Shag.

R/b Mergansers and Skylark, East Head (A. House)

 

 

4th - 6th November 2013

Wednesday, 6th November: Another grey, gloomy and wet morning with a strong westerly; unsurprisingly not a lot to offer bird-wise, or at least nothing unusual, although the Red-backed Shrike was apparently still present early afternoon for the sixth day  (per RBA).

Pagham Hbr: Not much to report today....Pagham Lagoon: Very little out of the ordinary - 6 Wigeon, about 30 Little Grebes and a few Tufted Ducks in amongst the Coots!
Pagham Beach: 30-40 Mediterranean Gulls and a couple of Common Gulls along the strandline and nothing on the sea. North Wall: Had a quick look for the shrike, but no joy in the blustery conditions. A Water Rail was on the Breech Pool along with about 20 Black-tailed Godwits, and along the wall, a Yellowhammer was amongst about a dozen Reed Buntings, also a Rock Pipit present along with a flyby Kingfisher and a Peregrine (AH).

Med Gull, Pagham beach (A. House)

 

A further report from JW at midday: Almost high tide. 2 Rock Pipits along the North Wall. Breech Pool quiet in the face of a strong S wind, apart from an obliging Water Rail. The field due north of the stables, although recently ploughed, is now partially flooded. Birds have been quick to take advantage, this morning there were 210 Golden Plover, 160 Lapwing and 1 Common Snipe. 112 Brent Geese behind the village hall. Jim

 

Selsey Bill (1000-1200hrs): Needing to get out I did a 2hr. watch but with little success. (SR)

WSW F7/8  High tide, visibility limited to 1.5 miles.  Dry and overcast.

Gannet - 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 1W, 2os

Brent Goose - 51W

Common Scoter - 3 os, drifted W 

Wigeon - 1W

Turnstone - 49 ob

Med. Gull  - 5W, 2os

Goldfinch - 22W

Pheasant - 1 gardens

Chris Janman reports "After the recent BBC Television statements about Medmerry now being “open”, I took a trip around the area looking for access points; the potential future car parks at Easton and Earnley are still firmly padlocked, and in any case no direct footpaths are laid towards the Reserve. One can gain limited access through West Sands Caravan Park at Selsey West beach, that’s if you are prepared to slog through un-levelled shingle, wade through a foot of clay or hop from granite boulder to granite boulder. They may have finished work on the main sea encroachment , but there still remains much work to be done before the public can gain safe and firm access to the perimeter.

Just south of Earnley Concourse 800 Brent were feeding on grassland. Not even a Chiffchaff in the sheltered spots at Church Norton, about 100 Grey Plover and a few Bar-tailed Godwits were present. At Selsey Bill, 1240-1315, lots of Black-headed Gulls, 3 Common Gulls and 32 Mediterranean Gulls, 60 Turnstone on the beach." (CRJ).

(Note: I think the 'official opening' was for dignitaries and not the likes of us; as I understand it things are running a bit late and official public access won't now be until the end of this month...and I would expect even that date to slip a bit - OM).

Tuesday, 5th November: A grey and damp start which is forecast to brighten later. An early report this morning by Sam Hill at 0657hrs (presumably on his way to work) of the female Marsh Harrier in a field at Ferry Corner. Otherwise a very slow news day on the Peninsula; looks like most of the locals had the day off and it was left to Sarah Russell to provide the only full report...

Pagham Hbr: Sidlesham: Just a short walk along the tramway this afternoon and with an increasingly high tide the birds were disappearing fast, but I did notice 3 Avocet quite close in, 57 Brent Geese, 18 Shelduck, c175 Wigeon, 24 Redshank, 17 Curlew, 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Lapwings and 2 Great Crested Grebes. Ferry Pool: A good number of birds present but they were mainly Teal (70) and Wigeon (140), plus 36 Shoveler, 111 Lapwings, 3 Shelduck, 4 Dunlin, 5 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Redshank (SR).

 Monday, 4th November: The S/SW severe gale and heavy rain overnight gave way to a bright clear and somewhat cooler morning with a stiff NW force 5-6. The latter direction is never usually productive for sea-watching at the Bill, but after a quick visit to Pagham North Wall I figured it must surely be worth a look in case some storm-blown phalarope was lingering close inshore for shelter. Dream on! All that was offer was a gathering of 40 Med Gulls amongst the throng of other gulls riding the surf and no sea passage at all in over two hours. It was however a very high tide, with waves crashing over the usual sea-watching spot, making it impossible to be 'on the wall' and creating a blizzard of beach flies at times. At Pagham Hbr the Red-backed Shrike was still present and still showing well at Halsey's farm, whilst a Marsh Harrier was in the area.

 

Pagham Hbr: North Wall: In White's Creek plenty of Wigeon, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Bar-tailed and c.120 Black-tailed Godwits and 150 Golden Plover, whilst the Breech Pool held another 20+ Black-tailed Godwits and a Water Rail, plus 2 Cetti's Warblers (G&R Hughes/OM). Later a Marsh Harrier was present, also a Peregrine and 2 late Swallows (G&RH). The Red-backed Shrike was still present at Halsey's for it's fourth day; also a pair of Stonechats and a couple of Reed Buntings in the area.

The below pic's show a selection of species at the North Wall today: from the top - Peregrine,  Marsh Harrier (both G. Hughes),  gathering of Black-tailed Godwits (plus 2 Bar-tailed !!) with Wigeon in White's Creek (OM), then Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank and Grey Plover (all four by Dorian Mason). Good job I told you which is my pic amongst this exalted line-up!

 

A very high tide and crashing waves at the Bill made sea-watching from the wall impossible.

  

 

 

Selsey Bill (1015-1245hrs): Bright, sunny. Wind NW 5-6, decreasing. (Obs: OM).  Slow!!

Brent Goose - 3W

R/b Merganser - 2E

Med Gull - c.40 os

Pied Wagtail - 5W

Meadow Pipit - 3W

Rock Pipit - 1 ob

Goldfinch - 10W

 



 

1st - 3rd November 2013

Sunday, 3rd November: Mainly bright and clear this morning with a strong to gale force westerly blowing. Little reported by early afternoon and with rain forecast for later it may stay that way - but you never know!

 

At Selsey Bill an uninspiring watch included a few Brent Geese, 2 Wigeon, several Great Crested Grebes,  5 Stock Doves and a few finches moving (JA). After visiting Church Norton I did 45 mins at Selsey Bill (11.15-12.00), 4 Med Gulls on the sea, (no Grey Phal's unfortunately!) but a distant Arctic Skua os  viewed for one second before it disappeared into the troughs (CRJ).

 

At Pagham Hbr, the Red-backed Shrike was still present (per CRJ), whilst AH comments "Not much to report at a very windy Church Norton today - a couple of Peregrines hunting, a dozen Shelduck and a few Great Crested Grebes in the harbour, and three Skylarks over."

 

Peregrine hunting over Pagham Hbr (photo: A. House) 

On the way home I called in at Halsey’s Farm to see the Red-backed Shrike again, which performed brilliantly on it’s usual hedgerow on the sunny side of the hedge until I left at 1255 (CRJ). The Spoonbill flew from second Severals in the direction of Medmerry 3pm (SH).

 

Record shot of the Spoonbill in flight (photo: Sam Hill)

 

 

 

Two better shots of the Red-backed Shrike at Halsey's Farm (photos: Dorian Mason) 

 

Little Egret and Kestrel, North Wall (photos: Dorian Mason)

 

 

Eight Shoreham District OS members gathered in Church Lane this morning for a walk around the North Wall. Weather conditions were far from perfect with the threat of
rain in the air and a very blustery SW west wind. Venturing out along the
wall we took the lower path past the Breech Pool having two fly by views of
a dashing Kingfisher and couple of Reed Buntings trying to compete with the
gusting wind! On the pools a large flock of calling Black -tailed Godwits
were nervously feeding, finding a couple of Common Snipe around the edge of
the marsh. We headed for Halsey's farm checking out the hedgerows for
yesterday's shrike although one returning birder reported that he could not
find it! Staking out the surrounding fields and seeking a little shelter in
the lee of one of the hedgerows we enjoyed a couple of Stonechat feeding
along a fence line as well as a few Meadow Pipit .Delightful male Peregrine
made a close fly past and we counted around 130 Golden Plover wheeling
around out in the harbour. Perseverance paid off when Dave Smith located the
Red-backed Shrike in a nearby hedgerow. We enjoyed cracking views of this
late migrant as it continuously fed catching wasps on the sunny side of the
shelter belt of trees, the crescentic markings on its breast showing well in
the scope. Later on we tried to walk around Owl Point although forced back
by the high tide, the light on the ducks and waders in the harbour from this
angle was just superb. Compensation in the way of 6 roosting Avocets amongst
a group of Curlew. Returning by the shrike we had further close views and
along the North Wall 3 Rock Pipits being buffeted by the wind. After lunch
we took a windy stroll down the east side to the lagoon. In the hedgerow
alongside the Slipe field we could hear calling Chiffchaff (at least 3
birds) with Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest. On the lagoon 11 Med Gulls were
loafing with the Little Grebe (at least 30) and 3 Great-crested Grebe. At
this point we ventured back as there was no shelter from the increasing
wind. Despite the strong gale force wind we all enjoyed the walk and for
some a new bird and new location (Bernie Forbes+Dave Smith).


 

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Saturday, 2nd November: A day that began brightly but turned increasingly wet and windy. Coverage of Pagham Harbour and the Bill was quite good, the best birds reported being the Red-backed Shrike and a ringtail Hen Harrier at the former (Halsey's farm area) and an adult Little Gull and 2 Great Northern Divers off the latter. A Black Redstart was also seen at Sea lane, Pagham. A full sea-watch log appears below, but I start with news from the harbour, and thanks to all for keeping the news coming...

 

 

 

 

juv Red-backed Shrike at Halsey's Farm, and fem Goldeneye on the Lagoon (photos: A. House)

Pagham Hbr: North Wall: The juvenile Red-Backed Shrike was showing well in the hedgeline east of Halsey's Farm this morning. It caught at least half a dozen wasps while I was watching it, bashing the sting out on a branch before devouring them. Not a lot else in high winds and a big tide - a flock of Snipe that grew to about 20 went round and round over the Breech Pool, along with about 60 Golden Plover and a couple of hundred Lapwing, and at least a dozen Reed Buntings were about. Pagham Lagoon: One Goldeneye, 4 Wigeon, 60 Mediterranean Gulls and 40 Little Grebes was about it (AH). JW also added a few Tufted Ducks and 2 Great Crested Grebes, then just off the reserve, a Black Redstart in the central trees along Sea Lane, Pagham. 

S&SaH report that the shrike was still present at 1330hrs and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier was also patrolling the area.

 

Selsey Bill (0640-1040hrs): Dry and sunny, some cloud. Wind WSW 3-4  (Obs: JA/OM et al)
Gannet - 4E, 6W

Brent Goose - 20W

Common Scoter - 6E, 3W

R/b Merganser - 4E, 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 3E, 6W, 3 os

Great Northern Diver - 2 os

Little Gull - 1 ad W

Med Gull - 3 os

Meadow Pipit - 18W

Pied Wagtail - 1E, 7W

Goldfinch - 205W

Linnet - 14W

Greenfinch - 94W

Chaffinch - 9W

Additional: 1215-1400hrs:  (Obs: OM) Overcast, heavy showers, wind increased to SW7-8       

Gannet - 224W

Brent Goose - 43W

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 2W

Razorbill - 1W

Kittiwake - 3W

 

 

Brent Geese moving west off the Bill

Selsey:  At Northcommon Farm, 47 Curlew, 1 Chiffchaff and a fly-over Grey Wagtail. Nothing worth a mention at East beach pond and surrounding area, whilst at Coastguards/West beach a single Rock Pipit was the only bird of note (OM).
 

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Friday, 1st November: Well that's it then, October is over - but the early part of this month can also be exciting with some unexpected surprises so let's hope it delivers. Not a promising start today though, being dull and overcast with frequent showers, and the brisk SW wind produced surprisingly little offshore except the first Great Northern Divers of the autumn/winter. Late news of a juv Red-backed Shrike at Pagham Hbr, around the wire fence at the entrance to Halsey's Farm (from North Wall); it's worth checking this out as it's a late date for the species (2 reports per SOS website).

Selsey Bill 0630-0930hrs: Dull, showers, SW5-6. (Obs: JA/AH/SR)
Great Northern Diver - 2 os
Great Crested Grebe - 2E, 5W, 1os

Slavonian Grebe - 1W
Gannet - 6W
Brent Goose - 3W
Wigeon - 1E
R/b Merganser - 1E, 2W
Turnstone - 50 ob
Oystercatcher - 5 ob
Med Gull - 7 os
Kittiwake - 1W
Meadow Pipit - 3W
Goldfinch - 38W