4th - 6th March 2015

Friday, 6th March: Misty and murky to start, with the sun soon breaking through to give a fine day with a light SW breeze...

First news is of a report from yesterday... a hybrid Black Brant x dark-bellied Brent Goose was in amongst a large flock of the latter at Summer Lane, Pagham, together with singles of Pale-bellied Brent and Barnacle Goose (per David Cooper). Interestingly, although the Barnacle has recently been reported this year, the hybrid and Pale-bellied Brents have not, so perhaps they are new in? A fuller report with some good photos can be viewed at Dave's excellent blog at: http://eastsussexbirding.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/5th-march-2015-southampton-pagham.html

 Two images of the hybrid Black Brant x dark-bellied Brent Goose (D. Cooper)

Pagham: I had a look at Summer Lane this morning but no geese at all. At the nearby sewage works were plenty of Pied Wagtails, a single Grey Wagtail and two Reed Buntings (BI).

Selsey Bill: Nothing moving again - just a single distant 'diver sp' east - in the hour I was there, though there were still half a dozen Great Northern Divers, a Slavonian Grebe and the resident Eider offshore. (AH et al)

Eider off Selsey Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The two Green Sandpipers were again at the back, there were four Snipe asleep on the bank, as were the two Avocets, and there were two Redshank by the road. Otherwise there  were still 70+ Shoveler on the pool and 50 or so Lapwing and Brent Geese and 4-500 Wigeon on the fields. (AH)

Shoveler on the Ferry (AH)

Farmland north of the North Wall: Fairly quiet on a walk from Brimfast Farm to Bramber Farm and back to Marsh Farm. Highlights were half a dozen Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings, a Stonechat, a flyover Grey Wagtail and a scattering of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits. (AH)

Yellowhammer at Brimfast Farm (above) & Meadow Pipit at Marsh Farm (AH)

Medmerry:  Eastons - At the 'stilt pool'  were three Spoonbills, (they appeared from the colour rings to be the Church Norton birds) and also a female Red-breasted Merganser (BI). Later, there were 8 Avocets settled and feeding well there, plus a Peregrine and 3 Spoonbills out in the middle of the reserve, plus 3 'boxing' Hares, whilst 2 Great Crested Grebes were close inshore on the sea (PLS). (Presumably just 3 Spoonbills involved? Eds)

 Spoonbills and fem Red-breasted Merganser on the 'stilt pools' at Medmerry (BI)

Ham Farm - Chainbridge area - Late this afternoon there were at least 30 Yellowhammers between Ham Farm and Chainbridge Field this afternoon, along the bottom of the banks, and with them were 20+ Linnets, 20+ Goldfinches, 5+ Reed Buntings, 20+ Skylarks and 100+ Meadow Pipits. 

There was a Chiffchaff in the hedge by the bridge, and on the newly ploughed fields by Ham Farm there were at least 200 Pied Wagtails, and a few Mediterranean Gulls amongst the Black-headed Gulls. A Buzzard and a couple of Little Egrets were around, but bar a few displaying Lapwing, and a few Ringed Plovers and Curlews there was not much else to report from the reserve. (AH)

Reed Bunting (above), Yellowhammers & Little Egret at Medmerry (AH)

 

Chichester GPs: All the pits from Ivy Lake in the west to Peckham/Leythorne in the east - Combined counts were as follows: 29 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 52 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swan, 10 Pochard, 116 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 54 Shoveler, 22 Mallard, 165 Coot, 8 Moorhen, 2 Little Egret and 1 Kingfisher. No passerines of note in spite of a good search, though there were 2 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 5 Chaffinches. No sign of the Tundra Bean Goose or associated Greylags at 13.30. (MD)

Thursday, 5th March: A beautiful, still and sunny morning, but not much change in the bird world.....

Selsey Bill: A group of 16 Eider dropped in offshore from the west early this morning, but not much else bar a Partridge (presumably Red-legged) heading west over the sea, and a few Great Northern Divers. (GH)

Eider off Selsey Bill (GH)

Church Norton: The ever-elusive Whimbrel briefly appeared from the vegetation first thing, but had gone back into hiding by late morning. There were four Slavonian and three Great Crested Grebes offshore, but birds in the harbour were unchanged from yesterday, though three groups, totalling about 200 birds, of Brent Geese set off purposefully out of the harbour heading east, though at least 1000 more remained in situ. There were still 20+ Skylarks on the spit. (AH) Also, a Raven could be heard in the trees behind the Severals. (A&YF)

Whimbrel (above), Slavonian Grebes, Ringed Plover & Skylark at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry Breach: A Kingfisher near the breach this morning, plus a few Ringed Plovers, but otherwise quiet. (GH)

Eastons: There were two Avocets and a Spoonbill on the pools this morning (PH).

Ferry Pool: There were two Green Sandpipers at the back this morning, 79 Shoveler were on/around the pool, plus six Tufted Ducks, and in the fields 500 Wigeon, 200 Brent Geese and a maximum of 50 Lapwing. (AH)

Long Pool/Ferry Channel: A few Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings along the fields, plus three Buzzards together overhead, a pair of Little Grebes and eight Tufted Ducks on the pool, and in excess of 20 Avocets roosting at the far end of the channel. (AH)

Little Grebe on the Long Pool (above), and Avocets in Ferry Channel (AH)

North Wall: A really nice spring day. On the Breech Pool were the usual Teal and Mallard plus 4 Tufted Ducks and 3 Gadwall, though the only waders were 2 Common Snipe. In Honer Field 2 were 60 Curlews, 25 Black-tailed Godwits and 11 Moorhen. Grey Herons were still busy at Owl Copse, where Dunnocks were in full song. The main Brent Goose flock was again just east of Marsh Farm and I estimated the flock at 2600. A Buzzard flew over carrying nesting material. (JDW) 

Gadwall (above), Brent Geese & Dunnock from the North Wall (JDW)

Wednesday, 4th March: Another gloriously bright - but cold and windy - morning, as we await a turn in the wind direction.....

Selsey Bill (0745-1015hrs): Sunny, some cloud, cold, WNW4-5 (Obs: OM/GH/C&ME et al). Half a dozen Eider and Great Northern Divers offshore, but still not really any evidence of movement. Full log below...

Red-throated Diver - 2E
Great Northern Diver - 6 os
Diver sp - 2E
Great Crested Grebe - 1 os
Fulmar - 1W
Brent Goose - 6W
Eider - 6 os (including 3 drakes amongst a flock of 5) 
R/b Merganser - 3E, 6W, 6os
Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Church Norton: Huge numbers of Brent Geese in the harbour - maybe 2000 at the peak - with a lot of coming and going and that sense of impending activity. They want to be on their way! Not much else to be seen bar the usual waders and wildfowl, but there were at leas 20 Skylarks along the spit. (AH)

Brent Geese (above), Wigeon, Skylark & Ringed Plover at Church Norton (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Kingfisher flew through and a Snipe flew over this morning, and there were 120 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Lapwing and 60 Shoveler around the pool, plus 2-300 Wigeon and Brent Geese on the fields. (AH)

Wigeon over Ferry Field (AH)

North Wall: A pleasant sunny morning along the Wall. On a rising tide there were 160 Black -tailed Godwits along White's Creek along with 2 Spotted Redshanks. A Spoonbill had been reported on Breech Pool but I was unable to locate it. Along with the usual Teal, Mallard and Wigeon were 2 pairs of Shoveler, and 2 calling Cetti's Warblers were along Pagham Rife. 

At Owl Copse there was a group of 7 Grey Herons and the first Little Egret of the spring. 

On Honer Reservoir there were 11 Tufted Duck and 5 Little Grebes, and in the field behind were 15 Mute Swans and a single Black Swan. Along the hedgerow in that location was a mixed flock of Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipits and Long-tailed Tits. 

Brent Geese were gathering in the large field to the east of Marsh Farm and I counted 1600 but small groups were arriving all the time. (JDW)

Black-tailed Godwits (above), Shoveler & Grey Herons and Little Egret from the North Wall (JDW)

Runcton: A Moorhen in my front garden this morning, presumably feeding on seed spilled from a feeder. It has been a long time since I last had one in the garden. (CRJ)

Moorhen in a Runcton garden (CRJ)

Medmerry - Breach viewpoint: Having gained proper entry at the 'guardhouse' I was soon challenged by a security patrol near the viewpoint parking area by the 'posh' caravans, but after a friendly chat all was well. My heart then sank somewhat as I viewed the changes in this area, with groundworks and concrete-laying for more caravans going on apace on what up until recently used to be a nice little undeveloped spot for migrants; nothing we can do I'm afraid so let's just hope it doesn't lose all its attraction.

Out in the middle of the reserve three Spoonbills were preening and lazing and at least 500 Brent Geese were scattered in various groups around the lagoons. A high tide roost of waders included 190 Grey Plover, 120 Golden Plover and c.100 Dunlin, though strangely I couldn't locate a single bird offshore.(OM).
Eastons: Fantastic views of a (colour-ringed) Spoonbill this afternoon on the 'stilt pools' – it was feeding on the nearest edge of the northernmost pool, completely unconcerned as we walked by. A Red-breasted Merganser also dropped in briefly (PH). Also a Green Sandpiper and a Peregrine there (PLS).

(above) view of Medmerry from the Breach Viewpoint, with scattered groups of Brent Geese and (below) two views of the ongoing works on the area previously good for passerine migrants; I suspect we might struggle to find such delights as Snow Bunting from now on; we shall see! (OM).  

Chichester GPs - Drayton pits: Wildfowl numbers are predictably declining, but a count still produced 60 Shoveler, 38 Canada Geese, 12 Greylags, 45 Tufted Duck, 30 Pochard, 40 Gadwall and 31 Mute Swans, with most of the latter hemmed into a corner of one lake by a single dominant bird. Two Snipe and two Green Woodpeckers were also logged but there was little else of note (OM).

View of Drayton GPs with some of the Mute Swans hemmed into one corner (OM)

1st - 3rd March 2015

Tuesday, 3rd March: Similar weather to yesterday; sunny, cold and bright with some cloud and a fresh to strong westerly wind keeping things cool.

Selsey Bill: (0830-1000) WNW 5 (CRJ et al)

Great Northern Diver - 6os

Eider - 1os

Red-breasted Merganser -  4W

Mediterranean Gull - 3W

Meadow Pipit - 6N

Church Norton: There were six Bar–tailed Godwit in the harbour, 6 Slavonian Grebes offshore, a Sandwich Tern went east offshore, five Meadow Pipits went over north and a Buzzard was along the west side. (CRJ) Also, there were 20 Avocets in the harbour. (A&YF)

Fishbourne Creek: There were a total of 24 Red-Breasted Mergansers off Dell Quay, but not a single Goldeneye - they always seem to slip away unnoticed at this time of year. Among the roosting waders there were a Greenshank, two Spotted Redshank, the Whimbrel in its usual haunt and c150 Black-tailed Godwits, and along the edge were a Stonechat and a couple of skittish Rock Pipits. There were still plenty of Wigeon around, plus a huge flock - c1500 - of Brent Geese on the water towards the Marina, whilst the Yellowhammer flock near the riding stables numbered between 30 and 40 birds, mostly feeding on the adjacent arable field. (AH)  We called in early afternoon, on our way back after a trip to Hants, and in the wet field south of the R. Lavant a Black Brant was consorting with the  Brents. In the creek were 42 Pintail and 13 Gadwall. (BFF/DM).

Red-breasted Mergansers (above), Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Yellowhammer & Grey Plover at Fishbourne Creek (AH)

Ferry Pool: Still two Avocets and c200 Black-tailed Godwits on the field, but barely 50 Lapwing and 30 Brent Geese this morning. (AH) Also, there was a singing Chiffchaff along the path towards the sewage farm. (A&YF)

Long Pool/Ferry Channel: Still 30-40 Avocets, which briefly came into view, at the end of the channel, and 50+ Teal were within it, but otherwise quiet on the high tide. Half a dozen Reed Buntings were along the Long Pool, the two Great Crested Grebes were still present upon it and there were a few singing Skylarks over the west side. (AH)

Reed Bunting (above) & Mallard from the Long Pool (AH)

Monday, 2nd March: Another cold and bright, but very windy day, with a gusty westerly making it feel chilly .... which was one reason I managed to put in a 4-hr shift at the Bill, staying in the sun whilst sheltering from the blasting wind! (OM).

Selsey Town: Three Spoonbills were seen heading east over the East Beach Pond area this morning at around 8,30am. (Presumably they had emanated from Medmerry and were the same three seen later at Church Norton - see below.) (GH)

Selsey Bill (0735-1135hrs): Cloud and sun, wind strong W6-7. (Obs: OM/AH/CHW et al).

A Spoonbill west at 8.45am was a surprise on an otherwise quiet morning, with offshore movement at a premium. Log below....

Red-throated Diver - 1E
Great Northern Diver - 5 os
Diver sp - 3E
Great Crested Grebe - 2W
Slavonian Grebe - 1W
Gannet - 9E
Fulmar - 1W
Spoonbill - 1W (0845)
Brent Goose - 1W
Shelduck - 1W
Red-breasted Merganser - 4E, 8W
Razorbill - 1W, 1os
Auk sp - 2E
Common Gull - 5W
Mediterranean Gull - 1os
Meadow Pipit - 8N

Spoonbill (above) & Fulmar past Selsey Bill (AH)

Church Norton: Three Spoonbills were seen coming in to land in the harbour from the west this morning (see above). (A&YF)

Two Slavonian Grebes and two Great Crested Grebes were offshore and a single Red-breasted Merganser was in the harbour, along with 500+ Brent Geese, 200 Wigeon and 50 Teal, plus the usual waders. (AH)

Slavonian Grebe (above) & Teal at Church Norton (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were still in excess of 200 Black-tailed Godwits on the fields this morning, and a dozen Curlew, though barely 100 Lapwings. A pair of Gadwall were amongst the many Shoveler and Wigeon and the two Avocets were still present. (AH)

Black-tailed Godwits on the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool/Ferry Channel: There were still at least 40 Avocets at the far end of the channel, and a Spotted Redshank flew towards the Ferry. A pair of Great Crested Grebes were on the Long Pool and there were half a dozen Reed Buntings and Skylarks in the viicinity. (AH)

Avocets over Ferry Channel (above) & Great Crested Grebe on the Long Pool (AH)

North Wall: A bracing morning along the Wall this morning. Very few ducks on the Breach Pool, but there was a steady procession of Brent Geese coming in for a wash and brush up before settling in Honer 3 field. Small parties of Curlews were at several locations totalling 170 in all, with a few Black-tailed Godwits amongst them. There were seven Pintail at the Owl Copse end of the Wall and a pair of Little Grebes were whinnying at that location. A Weasel was along the lower wall path. (JDW)

Brent Geese (above) & Curlews from the North Wall (JDW)

Chichester Marina: Quiet again today with that end-of-winter feel; the marsh held just 50 Curlew, a dozen Brent Geese and a calling Water Rail, whilst the usual 10 or so Tufted Ducks were on the old canal. In and around the channel there were 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, a couple of Great Crested Grebes, perhaps 10 Little Grebes, 100 Brent Geese, 50+ Dunlin, 30 Shelduck and another 50 Curlew (OM).

Chichester GPs: The Tundra Bean Goose was present again at lunchtime today, with Greylags on Trout Lake East. (AB)

Combined totals for the New, Runcton, Vinnetrow, Peckham and Leythorne lakes were 40 Shoveler, 37 Tufted Duck, 11 Pochard, 2 Mallard, 72 Coot, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Egret, at least 4 Chiffchaffs and 1 Kingfisher. (MD).

Tundra Bean Goose (above) & Great Crested Grebe at Chichester GPs (AB)

Sunday, 1st March: A bright and sunny start with a strong W/SW wind, but with a forecast of rain sweeping in by mid-afternoon...
Selsey Bill  (06.45-09.00hrs): Bright, wind W5-6 (Obs: SH/PM/AH)
Red-throated Diver - 9E, 3W, 1os
Black-throated Diver - 1os then W
Great Northern Diver - 7 os
Diver sp - 2E
Great Crested Grebe - 4W
Gannet - 2E
Fulmar - 1E
Eider - 1 os
Common Scoter - 1E
R/b Merganser - 3E, 28W,12 os
Razorbill - 1E, 1W
Auk sp -  2W, 1 os
Mediterranean Gull - 2 os 

First-winter Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Church Norton: A Spoonbill was in the harbour again this morning, and there was also a Short-eared Owl present. (A&YF/RJS)

There were also two Red-breasted Mergansers offshore, four Bar-tailed Godwits flew into the harbour and a Water Rail flew over low and dropped into the first Several. Also the Green Sandpiper and two Chiffchaffs were at Park Farm, Selsey. (S&SaH)

Ferry Pool: Around 200 Black-tailed Godwits were on the pool this morning, along with the pair of Avocets, but there were only 2-300 Lapwing present. At least 500 Brent Geese and Wigeon were on the fields, and about 60 Shovelers and six Tufted Duck were on the water. (AH)

Shoveler over the Ferry (AH)

Pagham Lagoon/Spit: There was just one Goldeneye on the Lagoon this morning, along with four Pochard, 20+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Wigeon and 80 Brent Goose, and there were a handful of Mediterranean and Common Gulls present, too. Also a Stonechat was in the gorse.

It was very quiet on the spit - with just a few Skylarks and Greenfinches being present, and not much in the harbour beyond the regular species. (AH)

Goldeneye (above), Stonechat, and a selection of Gulls - Black-headed, Common, Herring and Mediterranean - on the Lagoon (AH)

North Wall: The west wind had emptied White's Creek of birds - with just a handful of Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank being the only waders present.

The Breach Pool was not much better - with just 75 Wigeon and  25 Teal on the water, plus 200 on the grass, a Snipe which flew into the harbour and a calling Cetti's Warbler, though there was a constant movement of Brent Geese heading inland. (AH)

Teal (above), Wigeon & Brent Geese from the North Wall (AH)

'South Mundham Flood:' First time I have visited this site (just north of Sefter Farm) this winter, and there wasn't much of a flood, or many birds, though half a dozen Shelduck were on what little water there was, and a Grey Wagtail, a dozen Meadow Pipits and 40+ Skylark were also present. (AH)

Skylark over South Mundham Flood (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane west - There were four Spoonbills present on the reserve this morning. (A&YF/RJS)

There were still two this afternoon, on the Stilt Pool, along with a single Dunlin, four Gadwall, 30 Teal and 60 Wigeon. here were four Sanderling on the beach, and three Green Sandpipers shot noisily out of the creek opposite the flint barn, but the only other wader seen was a single Curlew. there were three Stonechats together by the flint barn, but passerines were scarce in the strong wind, with just a few Skylarks and Meadow Pipits noted. (AH)

Spoonbill (above) & Stonechat at Medmerry (AH)