4th - 6th April 2019

Saturday, 6th April: A slightly warmer morning of hazy sunshine, with the wind easing slightly as it shifted to the north-east...... 

Selsey Bill: It was a predictably quieter morning for sea passage, though there were still a few Common Scoters, Sandwich and Common Terns going east and the Red-necked Grebe popped up a couple of times offshore.
There was, however, quite a bit of visible migration, including the first Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtails of the spring, a couple of Siskins, five Wheatears and four Swallows, plus nearly 150 Meadow Pipits. Full log below..... 
(0615-1100hrs): (JA/SH/PB/PM/BI/IP/AH/CRJ/JF et al)
Great Northern Diver - 3os
Red-throated Diver - 4E
Red-necked Grebe - 1os
Great Crested Grebe - 2os
Gannet - 58E, 9W
Shag - 1os
Common Scoter - 264E
Eider - 1os
Red-breasted Merganser - 5E
Whimbrel - 2E
Turnstone - 5E
Common Gull - 2E
Mediterranean Gull - 7E
Sandwich Tern - 105E
Common Tern - 38E
'Commic' Tern - 8E
Guillemot - 1W
Razorbill - 3W
Tree Pipit - 1N
Meadow Pipit - 297N
Yellow Wagtail - 4N
Swallow - 9N
Wheatear - 6N
Willow/Chiff - 2N
Linnet - 22N
Siskin - 2N

Later on in the morning, a Merlin went along the beach. (NM)

Wheatear (above), Sandwich Tern & Gannet at the Bill (AH)

(1230-1500hrs) (C&ME)

Red-throated Diver - 3E

Red-necked Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 4W

Brent Goose - 3E

Common Scoter - 17E

Red-breasted Merganser - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 55E

Meadow Pipit - 2N

Swallow - 3N

(1600-1730hrs) (SH/JA)

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Red-necked Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 37E, 6W, 1os

Common Scoter - 19E, 2os

Velvet Scoter - 6E

Marsh Harrier - 1N (female in off sea at 16.17pm)

Turnstone - 12E
Sandwich Tern - 13E

Swallow - 1N

Ferry Pool: There were a dozen Avocets on the pool, plus six Redshank, ten Lapwing, c20 Teal and similar of Shovelers, whilst the Spotted Redshank and half a dozen Black-tailed Godwits were in the channel opposite. (AH)

Spotted Redshank (above) & Black-tailed Godwit in Ferry Channel (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: A Swallow went over this morning and both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen. (IP/RM)

Church Norton: Two Yellow Wagtails flew in off the sea and a few Linnets went over, but otherwise it was the usual Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs around the churchyard/Mound area, a Reed Bunting on the Severals and a Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff in Bluebell Wood.
There were at least 50 Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls in the harbour, plus a Peregrine, but few waders beyond the regular Whimbrel, four Black-tailed Godwits and  a few Curlew and Redshank. (AH/IP/RM)
Later, two Sedge Warblers were singing at the Severals, and an Adder and several Speckled Wood butterflies were nearby. Three Blackcaps were around Bluebell wood and a Swallow and a Wheatear were also about, plus 10 Chiffchaffs.(SH)

Blackcap (above), Whimbrel & Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

Ivy Lake: This afternoon there were two Common Terns around the main Ivy Lake, with 100+ Sand Martins overhead, with at least one House Martin among them. A Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk flew over, while the Egyptian Goose family were on West Lake, complete with eight goslings. The other notable sight was a Great Tit eating a bee. (AW/MB)

Marsh Harrier (above), Buzzard, Sand Martin, House Martin & Egyptian Geese at Ivy Lake (AW)

Birdham Pool: I was very excited to see this morning, the bonding display of the Great Crested Grebes on the pool. (MR)

Great Crested Grebes at Birdham Pool (MR)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - A dozen Swallows were over the settling tanks this evening - the first I've seen here this spring - along with 100+ Mediterranean and 200 Black-headed Gulls, whilst a Buzzard was eating something on an adjacent rooftop. Also, a Mistle Thrush and two Willow/Chiffs were seen. (AH)

Mediterranean Gulls (above) & Buzzard and Magpies at Medmerry (AH)

Friday, 5th April: Another fairly cool and grey morning, but with the wind moderating slightly and shifting round to the south-east...... 

Selsey Bill: A fresh south-easterly always brings promise at the Bill, and it didn't disappoint  the good turn-out of expectant watchers this morning, with a good selection of species, including the first big eastward movement of terns.
Highlights included the first Little Tern of the year, over 600 Sandwich Terns, 300 Common/Comic Terns, ten Velvet Scoters, 24 Arctic Skuas, eight Bonxies, three Manx Shearwaters, two Black-throated and over 50 Red-throated Divers, 600+ Common Scoter and 600+ Gannets. Full log for 9.5 hrs below..........
(0610-1540hrs) (JA/PB/PM/OM/AH/BI/IP/CN/CRJ/C&ME et al) 

Red-throated Diver - 59E

Black-throated Diver - 2E
Great Northern Diver - 3 os
diver sp - 4E
Great Crested Grebe - 1E
Fulmar - 5E, 14W
Manx Shearwater - 3E
Gannet - 658E, 3W
Brent Goose - 20E
Eider - 1W
Common Scoter - 679E, 4W
Velvet Scoter - 10E
Red-breasted Merganser - 7E, 1W
Grey Plover - 1E
Sanderling - 1E
Curlew - 1E
Arctic Skua - 24E, 1W (all d/p birds)
Great Skua - 8E
Little Gull - 2E
Mediterranean Gull - 2E, 1W
Common Gull - 9E, 1W
Kittiwake - 65E, 2W
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 3E
Sandwich Tern - 640E
Little Tern - 1E
Common Tern - 134E
'Commic' Tern - 202E
auk sp - 3E, 2W
Swallow - 1N
Meadow Pipit - 1S, 3N
Linnet - 6N

Late this afternoon a summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebe was sat offshore and there were still a few Common Scoters, Sandwich and Common Terns heading east. Full log below. (SH/JA/AH)
(1600-1800hrs)
Great Northern Diver - 9os
Red-throated Diver - 5E
Black-necked Grebe - 1os
Gannet - 17E, 6W
Brent Goose - 4E
Common Scoter - 62E, 20os
Turnstone - 16E
Sandwich Tern - 56E
Common Tern - 16E
Swallow - 1N

Early morning at the Bill and there is already precious little viewing space at the 'south-east corner' for observers arriving later! (OM)

Bonxie (above), Arctic Skua, Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoters, Common Terns, Sandwich Terns, Gasnnet, Brent Geese & Common Scoters past the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The two Little Ringed Plovers were present again, along with 12 Avocets, four Black-tailed Godwits, eight Avocets, seven Shelduck, 26 Shovelers and 40+ Teal, plus a Buzzard sat at the back. (AH/IP)

Little Ringed Plover (above) & Avocets on the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: A Sedge Warbler was singing again this morning, whilst two Reed Buntings were in the hedges and a Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Little Grebes were on the pool.
At least 50 Grey Plover and half a dozen Knot were in Ferry Channel on the high tide, along with 20+ Black-tailed Godwits and similar of Redshank and Curlew. (AH/IP)

Little Grebe (above) & Grey Plovers and Knot from Long Pool (AH)

Thursday, 4th April: A very cold and grey morning, with a near gale-force southerly wind and intermittent squally showers...... 

Selsey Bill: The first eight Manx Shearwaters of the year went west this morning, along with over 15 Fulmars and a steady flow of Gannets, whilst easterly movement included 450 Brent Geese (some of which were very distant), four Arctic Skuas and two cracking summer-plumaged Black-throated Divers. Full log below....... 
(0625-1325hrs) (GH/AH/OM/C&ME/RJS et al)
Red-throated Diver - 7E
Black-throated Diver - 2E 
diver sp - 6E
Fulmar - 17W
Gannet - 68E, 70W
Manx Shearwater - 8W
Little Egret - 1E
Brent Goose - 453E
Common Scoter - 72E, 3W
Red-breasted Merganser - 6E, 1W, 4os
Pintail - 2W
auk sp - 1E
Great Skua - 1E, 1W
Arctic Skua - 4E (all d/p)
Sandwich Tern - 15E, 8os
Kittiwake - 10E, 3W
Mediterranean Gull - 4E
Common Gull - 3W
Linnet - 2W

 Arctic Skua and Brent Goose flocks passing the Bill this morning (OM)

Fulmars (above), Sandwich Tern, Gannets, Pintail & Common Gull at the Bill (AH)

And there was some further movement through the day........
(1445-1600hrs) (SR)
Red-throated Diver - 2E
Gannet - 49E
Brent Goose - 98E
Great Skua - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 12E

(1630-1800hrs) (JA/SH)
Great Northern Diver - 3os
Red-throated Diver - 3E
diver sp - 1E
Manx Shearwater - 1E
Fulmar - 1E
Gannet - 158E, 5W
Brent Goose - 11E
Common Scoter - 4E
Red-breasted Merganser - 1E
Arctic Skua - 5E (all d/p)
Kittiwake - 13E
Sandwich Tern - 16E

Ferry Pool: There were just ten Avocets, a dozen or so Lapwings, four Redshank, c20 Teal, c40 Shoveler, six Shelducks and four Gadwall on the pool this morning, with a pair of the latter and 25 Black-tailed Godwits in the channel opposite. (AH)

Avocets (above), Gadwall & Black-tailed Godwits around the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The bushes were more or less birdless in the poor conditions this morning, whilst the harbour was equally quiet on the high tide, though the regular Whimbrel and a few Curlews were present, as were half a dozen Sandwich Terns among the Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls. (AH)

Ivy Lake: Early this evening the Common Tern and two Mediterranean Gulls were among at least 200 Black-headed Gulls, whilst at least 200 Sand Martins and 50 Swallows were feeding low over the water. (AH)

Sand Martin (above), Swallow & Mediterranean Gulls at Ivy Lake (AH)

1st - 3rd April 2019

Wednesday, 3rd April: A cold and mostly bright morning, after a sharp frost, with just a light northerly, veering round as the day progressed...... 

Selsey Bill: A Bonxie sat on the sea before flying off east was the highlight of a quiet morning. Full log below. (C&ME/IP/A&YF/RP)
(0715-1115hrs)
Great Northern Diver - 2os
Red-throated Diver - 3E
Gannet - 9E, 17W
Brent Goose - 1E, 1W
Common Scoter - 24E
Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 7W
Bonxie - 1os, then E
Sandwich Tern - 7E, 30os
Meadow Pipit - 4p
Pied Wagtail - 1N
Chiffchaff - 2p
Willow Warbler - 3p

Shelduck off the Bill (RP)

Ferry Pool: There were 14 Avocets and a Little Ringed Plover on the pool, plus 20 Lapwing, c30 Teal, c40 Shoveler and four Gadwall, with 24 Black-tailed Godwits in the channel opposite. (AH)

Little Ringed Plover (above) & Avocet at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were three or four Blackcaps and Willow/Chiffs around this morning, but not much else of a migratory nature! The harbour was quiet, too, though there were at least 20 Sandwich Terns and c30 Mediterranean Gulls present, plus one of the Peregrines. (AH/IP)

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

Pagham Lagoon/Spit: This morning on the Lagoon there were several Great Crested Grebes, the usual boisterous Black-headed Gulls, a pair of Mediterranean Gulls, a lone Little Grebe and an obliging Common Redshank. 

A single Northern Wheatear made an appearance along with a good number of Skylarks and Linnets on the spit, whilst a single Peregrine was sat on a stump out on one of the islands with Oystercatchers and a few Curlew close by. 

Also, I noted that the edge of the shingle path is now extremely close to the edge of the small lagoon and it won't take much to break through. (GWh)

Linnet (above) & Redshank on Pagham Spit (GWh)

North Wall: A male Sparrowhawk was seen sheltering from the hailstorm near the sluice gates in a tree in the gardens to the house, whilst the Breech Pool held a large number of Teal (counted 37), a couple of Black-tailed Godwits (with many more on the harbour mudflats) and a single Water Rail, which made a brief appearance. Also, several Little Egrets were dotted around and a male Blackcap played hide and seek in the May blossom. (GWh)

Sparrowhawk (above) & Black-tailed Godwit at the North Wall (GWh)

Sidlesham: A Tawny Owl was calling, then seen to fly off from our garden on the west of the village at dusk this evening. The first time I have seen or heard one here since last spring. (AH)

Runcton: The Reed Buntings were back again today - we often get them at this time of year and I suspect they breed in rife along Marsh Lane. (CRJ)

Reed Bunting in a Runcton garden (CRJ)

Chichester Pits: A brief look for the Brambling was unsuccessful, though the Common Tern was still on on Ivy Lake and c 50 Sand Martins and a few Swallows before they moved off high. (CRJ)
This evening there were at least 150 Sand Martins, 20+ Swallows and a few House Martins feeding low over the water, and the Common Tern was still present. (AB/CG/AH)

Common Tern (above) & Sand Martins at Ivy Lake (AH)

Tuesday, 2nd April: A fairly cold and dank day of heavy cloud, drizzle and some persistent showery rain, with a fresh, westerly breeze.....though brightening up by mid-afternoon. 

Selsey Bill: There were over 450 Brent Geese and 150 Common Scoters east, whilst at least half a dozen Wheatears were on the beach and over 250 Meadow Pipits flew in off the sea, heading north. Full log below...... 
0715-1315hrs: (AH/OM/IP/RP/DF/DS/MO-W)
Red-throated Diver - 5E
Great Crested Grebe - 1W
Fulmar - 1W
Gannet - 53E, 20W
Brent Goose - 465E
Common Scoter - 151E, 4W
Red-breasted Merganser - 3E, 1W
Dunlin - 2W
Curlew - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 8E, 15W
Pied/alba Wagtail - 4N
Meadow Pipit - 260N
House Martin - 1N
Wheatear - 9 ob
Linnet - 2N

Wheatears (above), Brent Geese, Fulmar & Gannet at the BIll (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just 12 Avocets and the usual c20 Teal and c40 Shovelers on the pool this morning, with a Swallow over and a dozen Black-tailed Godwits in the channel opposite. (AH)
Also, a pair of Grey Wagtails were working their way around the Discovery Area pool this morning and there were two Blackcaps and three Chiffchaffs in the bushes. (SR)

Black-tailed Godwits in Ferry Channel (AH)

Chi GPs - Ivy Lake complex: The female Brambling was still in the trees by the west end of Deep Lake this morning, and again this afternoon, though elusive, whilst up to 150 Sand Martins and a few Swallows and House Martins were feeding over Ivy Lake. (BI/CRJ)
This afternoon a Common Tern was feeding over Ivy Lake and 30+ Sand Martins and a Swallow were still present. (MO-W)

 Common Tern and Sand Martins at Ivy Lake (AW)

Medmerry: Windmill area - There were at least five Wheatears on the shingle near the rocks this morning, two Swallows went over and there were several Meadow Pipits present, including one that was displaying. (AH/IP)

Wheatear at Medmerry (AH)

Church Norton: Both Peregrines were about, and were seen mating, this morning, though the harbour didn't hold much else of note  beyond half a dozen Sandwich Terns and a few Mediterranean Gulls, plus the Whimbrel, whilst a single Red-breasted Merganser went west offshore.
Around 80 Meadow Pipits and a Swallow were seen heading north over the harbour, but the bushes were quiet in the poor conditions, though one or two Blackcaps and Willow/Chiffs were about. (AH/IP/DF/DS)

Later on the bushes remained quiet but easily the highlight was a male Redstart, initially behind the hide then moving toward the mound/path. Also, in the harbour, only one Peregrine could be found, though there were nine Sandwich Terns present and the Whimbrel was still around. (C Murphy)

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

Runcton: Two Reed Buntings were briefly present on my garden feeders this afternoon. (CRJ)

Monday, 1st April: Another dry, bright and sunny day after a decidedly chilly start, with the fresh north-easterly wind persisting...... 

Selsey Bill: A Red-necked Grebe west early on was the highlight of an otherwise quiet morning.  Full log below. (AM/IP/BI/AH/RP)

(0630-0930hrs)

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Red-necked Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 30E, 8W, 3os

Common Scoter - 4E

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 1W

Sandwich Tern - 4E, 8os

Meadow Pipit - 12N

Chiffchaff - 1p

Goldfinch - 4N

Also 1315-1445hrs: (C&ME)
Gannet - 2E, 1W
Shag - 1E
Common Tern - 3E
Sandwich Tern - 9os
Swallow - 1N

Sandwich Tern (above) & Gannet at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The two Little Ringed Plovers were in the dried out creek in the field again, whilst the pool held 15 Avocets, ten Lapwing and 25 Black-tailed Godwits (with another 40 on the channel opposite), along with c20 Teal and c40 Shovelers. (AH)

Avocets on the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: A Willow Warbler was singing along the hedges first thing this morning, and there were also a Chiffchaff and a Reed Bunting present, whilst there were up to half a dozen noisy Little Grebes on the water. (AH)

Little Grebe (above) & Reed Bunting along Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: A Willow Warbler was in the hedges near the Mound, along with a couple of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, but it was generally very quiet, with half a dozen Sandwich Terns in the harbour the only other birds of note. (AH/IP)
Also a number of butterflies on the wing, especially around the Severals, with Peacock, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell of note. (AM)

Willow Warbler (above) & Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

Red Admiral (above) and Small Tortoiseshell near the Severals (AM) 

North Wall: In the flooded field SE of the Honer reservoir were 2 Little Ringed Plovers, whilst on the reservoir itself were 18 Tufted Ducks, 5 Gadwall and 2 Little Grebes.

It was chilly along the Wall early on in the NE wind, but on White's Creek were just 31 Black-tailed Godwits, a Spotted Redshank and 12 Common Redshank, together with 2 Little Grebes. A lot of mud is now showing on the Breech Pool, but the only waders present were 121 Black-tailed Godwits (including the ones earlier from White's Creek), whilst on the duck front there were 87 Teal, 3 Gadwall and a few Mallard, plus a couple of Little Egrets. (JDW) 

 Little Egret and Black-tailed Godwits on the Breech Pool (JDW)

Birdham Pool: Unusually, there were four Great Crested Grebes on the pool early this morning, all chasing each other about. (MR)

Agitated Great Crested Grebe at Birdham pool (MR)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Three Wheatears were along the banks this afternoon, along with three reed Buntings and 20+ Yellowhammers, whilst two Swallows and a Buzzard went over and six Little Ringed Plovers were still on the Stilt Pool, along with six Dunlin, but just 12 Avocets.

Also, two Barn Owls were hunting the banks later on and mammals were out and about, including four Foxes, three Brown Hares and a Roe Deer. (S&SAH)

Earlier on, a Sedge Warbler was singing near Easton Lane. (TG-P)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: Twelve Cattle Egrets were in the fields south of the dairy buildings. (TG-P)

Ivy Lake: A female Brambling was in the lakeside trees this afternoon,, whilst 120 Sand Martins and two Swallows were over the water, up to 15 Blackcaps were spread around the hedges and the pair of Egyptian Geese still had nine goslings with them. (G Kinnard per Twitter)

The Brambling was still present at 6pm this evening. (AH)

Brambling at Ivy Lake (AH)