10th - 12th June 2015

Friday, 12th June: A Met Office forecast of warm humid weather with some severe thunderstorms and heavy rain....... mmm! well, after little more than a dampening overnight it was sunshine and heavy cloud this morning with a NE breeze - the deluge having largely passed us by - though there are further warnings of heavy rain this afternoon. The Hudsonian Whimbrel made the television news yesterday evening - on South Today at least. Also, late this afternoon a Red-footed Falcon was seen over the harbour.
 

Church Norton: The Hudsonian Whimbrel wasn't showing early on, though it was reported as present again later on, via the news sites. Very quiet otherwise, with calling Cuckoo, Blackcap and Chiffchaffs the highlight, and just a few Curlews and Common and Sandwich Terns evident in the harbour. (AH)

Later this afternoon, when the wind dropped the Hudsonian Whimbrel showed quite well out on the mud along the west side in the company of two Whimbrels and two or three Curlews. (BI/AH)
This afternoon a male Red-footed Falcon was seen going east over Church Norton Spit, then Pagham Spit, before being lost to view. (IL)

Hudsonian Whimbrel at Church Norton (BI)

Ferry Pool: A Green Sandpiper was present this morning, along with eight Avocets, ten Redshank, four Lapwing and c100 Black-tailed Godwits. (AH)

 Green Sandpiper (above) & Avocets on the Ferry (AH)

Late this afternoon there were 8 Redshank, 76 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Avocets, 4 Teal, the Shelduck family, 3 Lapwings, 3 Reed Buntings, 1 Reed Warbler and a Whitethroat around the pool. (SR).

Selsey Bill: A short watch - 7.30-8.15am - produced little, just 20 Gannets feeding well offshore and 12 Sandwich Terns east. The House Martins were still busy in their puddle, with at least 20 birds coming and going. (AH)
For the BTO House Martin survey I have found 15 nests found so far within the Bill recording area, including 3 under construction. (SR)

House Martins at the Bill (AH)

Medmerry Breach: Three Whimbrel dropped in briefly early on, and a Little Tern and a couple of Sandwich Terns were feeding in the channels. Very little else was about, though, just a couple of Ringed Plovers, 20 Oystercatchers, 10 Shelduck and at least 30 Linnets. (SH/AH)

Linnets (above) & Oystercatcher at Medmerry (AH)

Thursday, 11th June: More of the same weather-wise; dry and sunny, some scattered cloud, but with a strong, cool E/NE wind. Similar on the bird front too; the Hudsonian Whimbrel was still present early morning.....

Could visiting bird-watchers looking for the Hudsonian Whimbrel please park at the Pagham Harbour Visitor Centre car-park (it's free!) and walk up from the Ferry, as the Church Norton car-park is very small and overfull, which is causing issues for churchyard users. Currently the bird is in the vegetated saltmarsh along the west side, midway between the Ferry and Church Norton, so it as close to park at the Visitor Centre anyway. 
Also there is a wedding tomorrow, and a practise today, so part of the car-park will be cordoned off, further reducing access, and obviously we would hope that people will respect the couple's big day.
Thanks AH/OM/IL (warden) 

Hudsonian Whimbrel-watchers viewed from Owl Point (AH)

Church Norton: The Hudsonian Whimbrel was still present along the west side of the harbour, though not showing especially closely, or well, in the vegetated saltmarsh. Also three Grey Plovers, a Whimbrel and three Curlews were present, a Cuckoo went over the harbour and several Whitehroats and Linnets were in the bushes. A juvenile Goldfinch and a flock of about 20 juvenile Long-tailed Tits were in the churchyard and a couple of Lapwings were along Rectory Lane. (AH et al)
The Hudsonian Whimbrel was still present early evening (IP et al), a visiting birder reported a Spoonbill flying over the harbour at lunchtime, and there was a Peregrine and several Common and Little Terns in the harbour this evening. (AH) 

Juvenile Goldfinch (above), juvenile Long-tailed Tit & Lapwing at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry Breach: This morning there was a Ruff and three summer-plumaged Knot around the pools, along with a Bar-tailed Godwit, six Grey Plover and 12 Dunlin. (SH)
 

Ferry Pool: A Greenshank was roosting at high tide with a dozen Redshank and there were still two Little Ringed Plovers, eight Avocets, c100 Black-tailed Godwits and the family of six Shelduck-lings present. (AH)
 

Greenshank (above) & Shelduck-ling on the Ferry (AH)

Halseys Farm - North Wall: Pretty quiet through the farm, bar a Chiffchaff and the odd Whitethroat, and along the North Wall there were a number of Whitethroats, and plenty of singing Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers, but no waders were on view anywhere, bar a few Lapwings in the harbour. (AH)
 

Whitethroat from North Wall (AH)

Wednesday, 10th June: Similar weather to yesterday - dry with sunshine and cloud but still with a nagging fresh - strong NE wind keeping the temperature down.

The main news is that the Hudsonian Whimbrel was still present again early this morning....and remained until at least 2100hrs after going missing for a while.

On a different note, the Spring sea-watching summary for 2015 together with data tables, compiled by JA, is now complete and available to view - just click the link on the title bar.

Church Norton: The Hudsonian Whimbrel was again present with a Whimbrel, but viewing for the growing crowd was difficult as it was in the creeks near the concrete slabs with the sun directly behind it. Unsurprisingly little else was noted in the very strong north-easterly, though a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were singing. The Lapwing was still defending her chick along Rectory Lane, a pair of Ringed Plovers have nested in the same cropped field and there were two Red-legged Partridges (AH/C&ME/CRJ/SR).

Later, the Hudsonian Whimbrel was viewable on the mudflats from the Hide/steps area at midday, but then flew towards North Wall at around15:30 and was lost from view from the Church Norton side (via Sussex Birders Facebook/BI/SR/RBA). However it re-appeared at Church Norton and was back viewable from the hide area by early evening (RBA)...

Lapwing (above) & Red-legged Partridge at Church Norton (AH)

There was no sign of the Hudsonian Whimbrel for quite some while this afternoon, but the tide was very full and it was blowing a north-easterly gale. Not much else to be seen, but the Cuckoo fought valiantly against the wind to cross the harbour to Pagham Spit, and there were a handful of Gannets and Common and Sandwich Terns offshore and a couple of Little Terns in the harbour. (AH)

Common Tern (above) & Sandwich Tern at Church Norton (AH)

Selsey Bill: Nothing moving on the sea early on, bar half a dozen Common Terns west, but the House Martins were again enjoying the muddy puddles (courtesy of SR!), with at least twenty birds present, coming and going from east and west. (AH)

House Martins at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were 14 Avocets this morning, along with the Shelduck family, eight Redshank and the 100 or so Black-tailed Godwits, all of which got very upset with a low-flying Buzzard.  (AH)

Black-tailed Godwits (above), with Avocets & Buzzard on the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: Two Lesser Whitethroats were calling repeatedly, and Sedge and Reed Warblers, Whitethroats, Reed Buntings and Linnets were present all the way along. Twenty Swallows with a few Swifts and House Martins were overhead, whilst there were a dozen (presumably returning) Lapwing in Ferry Channel, and a Common Tern went over.(AH)

Whitethroat on Long Pool (AH)

North Wall: Far from the madding crowds - the North Wall was a place of wind and solitude this morning! The 40 or so Mute Swans continue to loaf and sleep around the sluice gates. Last weekend they were joined by a pair with 4 cygnets, still there today but unfortunately with only 2 cygnets. Apart from 8 Tufted Ducks there was nothing to report from the Breech Pool, though Whitethroats and Reed Buntings were feeding young along the Wall and a party of Long-tailed Tits were foraging through Owl Copse. Also, a family of young Swallows being fed at Honer Farm. Other than that all very quiet. (JDW) 

Juvenile Swallow (above) & Mute Swan family from North Wall (JDW)

7th - 9th June 2015

Tuesday, 9th June: Dry and cloudy with some prolonged sunny periods, but with a brisk NE wind giving a chilly feel to the day....

Having extolled the Peninsula's chances of a spring overshoot rarity from the Continent, who could have forseen that when our big moment came it would be from the opposite direction with the finding of an American wader in the form of a HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL. This star find at Church Norton was made by George Kinnard - a keen young observer who deserves full credit for a great discovery and identification - I'm very envious and once again a rarity has been found when all the regulars were not birding the patch for various reasons!

Hudsonian Whimbrel has fairly recently acquired full species status (per BOURC) having been split from Eurasian Whimbrel; there have I think been less than ten UK records, and it is a new County and Peninsula record, not to mention a British Life tick for many observers including yours truly (OM). Doubtless more news and pic's of the mega will follow...........

Church Norton: A Hudsonian Whimbrel was discovered late morning in the company of up to four Eurasian Whimbrel, around the mudflats and viewable from in front of the hide or the small shingle beach.

Hudsonian Whimbrel at Church Norton (AH)

Further views of the Hudsonian Whimbrel (AB above & DM below)

Selsey Bill (0730 - 1130hrs):         Dry, sun/cloud, NE4-5     (Obs: C&ME/ DF)
Fulmar - 1E, 2W
Gannet - 37E
Little Egret - 1 ob
Common Scoter - 1E
Kestrel - 1 out at sea, 5 minutes later sat on wall with prey in talons  
Auk sp - 1E                   
Little tern - 2os
Common Tern - 24os
Sandwich Tern - 9os
Swifts - 9 p over beach                     
             

Ferry Pool: The first two Green Sandpipers of the autumn (which is what it felt like today!) were on the pool early this morning, with one still there by late afternoon, and there were also two Little Ringed Plovers, eight Redshank, 16 Avocets and c120 Black-tailed Godwits present early and late. (AH/AB)

Green Sandpiper (above) & Black-tailed Godwits and Avocets on the Ferry (AH)

Monday, 8th June: Another fine dry day with sunshine and cloud and a light NE breeze. Most of us who watched at the Bill this spring were left with the feeling that it was one of the worst ever for passage totals.... well, now you can check, because our esteemed log-keeper JA has produced the season's totals and first dates in table form to compare against previous years... just click the link to spring data 2015 on the header page. I will apologise to the author and all readers in advance, but a certain amount of editing and reduction was necessary in order to get the tables to fit, and such are the quirks of the Blogger system (and me) that a few frustrating anomalies remain in the layout, but I'm sure you'll get the jist of it (OM).

Selsey Bill (1030-1130hrs): Sun and cloud, NE3. A Raven went west behind the Bill House late this morning. Despite the considerable increase of records on the peninsula in recent years, this remains a very rare bird at the Bill itself, with few, if any, confirmed sightings, so this is undeniably the bird of the day! This apart, the highlight, if it can be called that, was the pleasure of watching a dozen House Martins coming and going at a muddy puddle in the car parking area - returning after each disturbance by cars, dogs and people (OM). Log below...
Gannet - 1E, 1W
Little Egret - 1E
Little Tern - 2 os
Common Tern - 20+ os
Commic Tern - 15E (single flock that appeared to move straight through)
Sandwich Tern - 15 os
Swift - 5 present
House Martin - 12 p (local, collecting mud)
Raven - 1 over the old Pontins estate, drifted W high behind Bill House, mobbed by gulls (1138hrs).

House Martins collecting mud at Grafton Road, Selsey Bill; although they have featured several times in these pages recently, their sheer charm surely makes them worthy of a further inclusion (OM).

Medmerry Breach: A Raven was present early this morning, along with six Grey Plovers - one in smart summer plumage - and 20 Dunlin. (SH)
Stilt Pool:  One Avocet couple were leading their 3 chicks down to the water but had a lot of problems with a Little Ringed Plover trying to round up their chicks, comical to watch; also another chick almost out of sight that could have been part of another family.  Still 12+ Avocets sitting so more to come.  Mute Swan family, 2 Redshanks, 2 Gadwall, Tufted Ducks, sitting Black-headed Gulls, a handful of Lapwings, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Reed Buntings and plenty of calling Yellowhammers and Skylarks.  At Ham 2 Corn Buntings either side of the path (SR).

Ferry Pool: No sign of the Black-winged Stilt by mid-morning, but there were 13 Avocets, 104 Black-tailed Godwits, six Redshank, two Little Ringed Plovers and six Lapwing present. (OM/AH)

Black-tailed Godwits (above) & Lapwing at the Ferry (AH)

This evening the Barn Owl was hunting nearby again, and there were 19 Avocets on the pool. (AH)

Barn Owl (above) & Avocets at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A juvenile Grey Wagtail was in White's Creek early on, but otherwise it was quiet, with just the usual Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers, plus half a dozen Reed Buntings and Linnets, and not a wader to be seen. Also present were a number of plants of Broomrape, a strange parasitic species that does not produce chlorophyll, and which appears intermittently along the banks. (AH)

Grey Wagtail (above), Sedge Warbler & Broomrape at the North Wall (AH)

Pagham Spit: The Little Terns still seem to be dong well, with at least a dozen individuals on show at times and a constant procession of birds bringing sand-eels into the fenced area. Not much else about, just a single Common Tern and a couple of pairs of Ringed Plovers along the beach. (AH)

Little Terns (above) & Ringed Plovers at Pagham Spit (AH)

Sunday, 7th June: A fine sunny day with some high cloud and a light-moderate NE-SE coastal breeze. Whilst the bulk of migration has of course well and truly passed by now, there's always the chance of a late migrant, or perhaps even a rarer overshoot, given the warmer weather and wind direction.....

Selsey Bill (0550 - 0830hrs): Sunny (Obs: SH/IP/SR)
Fulmar - 1W
Gannet - 14E, 6W
Little Egret - 1 ob
Sanderling - 4W
Little Tern - 4os
Common Tern - 24os
Sandwich Tern - 13os
Swift - 4 present
House Martin - 12p
Swallow - 3p
Jay - 1

Ferry Pool: The Barn Owl was hunting in the field south of the Ferry again this morning at around 7am. (PC)

The Black-winged Stilt was still present at the back, and there were 12 Avocets, 12 Black-tailed Godwits and four Redshanks on the pool, along with the family of six young Shelducks. A Lesser Whitethroat was still singing from the hedge opposite. (AH/PC)

Shelduck-ling (above) & Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

 

Church Norton: There were three Cuckoos late this afternoon - two males flying round first Several, while another was calling from Norton. Also there was a Lesser Whitethroat by the first Several and a female Roe Deer with two very young fawns in the marshy area by concrete wall. There was a very early Clouded Yellow in the area, as well. (S&SaH)

Clouded Yellow at Church Norton (SH)

Fishbourne Creek: There were a total of 12 summering Brent Geese in the main channel, but not much else of note - just a handful of Redshank, 20+ Shelduck and a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

There was a freshly fledged family of six Swallows on the hedge by the riding school, waiting for their parents to bring them food, and there were at least 20 further adults, plus four House Martins hawking overhead. (AH)

Brent Geese (above) & Swallows at Fishbourne Creek (AH)

Chichester GP's - Drayton Pits: A check of the wildfowl on the pits came up with a mild surprise in the form of an unseasonal drake Wigeon consorting with Mallards and Gadwall. More usual fare consisted of at least two pairs of Great Crested Grebe, each with young, at least seven pairs of Little Grebe, a pair of Mute Swans with cygnets, 48 Canada Geese, 11 Gadwall, 25+ Tufted Duck, plenty of Mallard and Coots, and a pair of Pochard with four young, plus a further eight adults - mainly drakes, so it's likely a few more females are brooding. Other species included a pair of Stock Doves, a couple of Chiffchaffs, a Cetti's Warbler, a pair of Reed Buntings and at least 6 pairs of Reed Warbler along the area that was accessible. The highlight came when I scanned the sky and located two Hobbies which were high up over the lakes, apparently catching insects, before eventually drifting off. (OM)

Drayton GP's this morning: view over the lake with Canada Geese flying in, drake Wigeon, two distant views of the Hobbies hunting very high up, Pochards and female Pochard with young (OM).

Medmerry: Porthole Farm to Ham Farm - There were several Yellowhammers and Whitethroats around Porthole Farm, plus a Grey Partridge in the uncropped area and at least a dozen Linnets, with 100+ Swallows and House Martins over the treatment works and two Mediterranean Gulls heading west. There was also a Sparrowhawk in Ham Lane.

Yellowhammer (above), Whitethroat & Mediterranean Gull at Porthole Farm (AH)

Possibly the same Cuckoo was at Porthole and Ham Farm, though it was much more obliging at the latter site. There were at least three Corn Buntings, a couple of Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits, plus a dozen Skylarks around the banks and the reserve, though the only waders were a couple of Redshank and a Lapwing. Around the farm there was a Kestrel, and  aBlackcap, two Chiffchaffs and a Cetti's Warbler were all singing. (AH)

Cuckoo (above) & Kestrel at Ham Farm (AH)