4th - 6th January 2020

Monday, 6th January: A fairly chilly morning, with a mix of heavy cloud and odd glimpses of the sun, with the breeze fresh and from  a south-south-westerly direction........

Selsey Bill: Over 800 auks went west, of which nearly half were identified as Razorbills, with a few of the other regular species about, including three Fulmars west and three Slavonian Grebes east. Full log below. (IP/AH/MO-W)

(0745-1005hrs) (SSW, F5)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 3W

Slavonian Grebe - 3E, 
Great Crested Grebe - 1W, 1os

Fulmar - 3W

Gannet - 3E, 37W

Brent Goose - 17W

Red-breasted Merganser - 4E, 2W, 2os

Curlew - 1W

Turnstone - 1E

Common Gull - 5W

Meditterranean Gull - 3os

Kittiwake - 5W

Sandwich Tern - 7os

Razorbill - 1E, 404W

Guillemot - 9W

auk sp - 140E, 417W

Fulmar (above), Red-throated Diver, Sandwich Tern, Razorbills, Gannets, Mediterranean Gulls & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Two Snipe dropped into the reeds and a dozen Curlew were among c200 Lapwing and c120 Wigeon on the field, with another 20 of the latter, plus c30 Shoveler and c180 Teal on the pool. (AH) Later on the Spotted Redshank was in Ferry Channel and there were c.15 Avocets at the far end but there was no sign of the Marsh Tit on the hide feeders. (BI)

Wigeon on the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: It was quiet this morning apart from impressive flocks of Golden Plover, Redshank and Lapwing  and 60 feeding Curlew in the field at the end of the Wall.  The area around Marsh and Honer Farms was devoid of Brent Geese until in excess of 1,000 arrived from the harbour.  Two Grey Wagtails were on the lettuce fields this morning and there were half a dozen Chiffchaffs at the sewage works. (IH/PC/BI)

Church Norton: Around 80 Knot were out on the mud, along with similar of Grey Plovers and at least 500 Dunlin, whilst 30 Curlews were on the maize stubble fields along the west side.

Seven Skylarks flew out from Tern Island, but there was little else beyond a few Teal, Wigeon and Shelducks and the regular waders, though c200 Golden Plovers and 500 Lapwing were out on the mud towards the Tramway and at least 800 Brent Geese dropped in over the North Wall. (AH)

Knot and Grey Plovers, Grey Plovers & Teal at Church Norton (AH)

Almodington: At least 30 Redwings along with a Mistle Thrush were in the horse paddocks at the end of Mapsons Lane mid-morning. (BI)

Fishbourne Creek: The Water Pipit showed briefly this morning to wash near the Lavant outflow before flying back to its usual place in the grass. Also present along the creek were 3 Greenshank, 3 Goldeneye, a Kingfisher and a good number of waders including Knot. (AW/BI)

Water Pipit (above), Goldeneye, Greenshank and Knot at Fishbourne Creek (AW)

Sunday, 5th January: Rather similar weather to yesterday; dull and cloudy with a fairly light WSW wind, but with irritating and fairly frequent periods of drizzly rain plus a few brief sunny interludes....

Selsey Bill: A couple of Great Northern Divers were offshore, as were several Slavonian Grebes, whilst over 250 auks (about half of which were Razorbills) and Red-throated Divers were moving through, mostly westwards. Full log below....

(0740-1100hrs):  (wind WSW3)  SH/PB/SR/CN/MO-W/IP/OM et al

Red-throated Diver - 4E, 13W

Great Northern Diver - 1W, 3os

diver sp - 1W

Slavonian Grebe - 4E, 3os

Great Crested Grebe - 2os

Gannet - 3E, 1W, 5os

Brent Goose - 1W

Shelduck - 4W

Common Scoter - 2E, 2W, 2os

Red-breasted Merganser - 5E, 8W, 6os

Razorbill - 6E, 102W

Guillemot - 4W

auk sp - 39E, 124W

Sandwich Tern - 2E

Common Gull - 1W

Selsey, Northcommon Farm: The Little Owl was again present at dawn (PB) but not thereafter.

Selsey, Park Farm: A Tufted Duck and two Shoveler were on the small reservoir this morning. (S&SaH)


Chi GPs - Drayton House pits: The Bittern again appeared briefly in flight, viewed from the metal gate, and headed towards the South pit (at 0926hrs). Also present in the general area was a Mistle Thrush, the pair of Coal Tits, a Snipe and a surprise Barn Owl. (BI) Later, a Firecrest was present nearby (RJS).

Church Norton: A Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler were calling from the Severals and a Stonechat was in the horse field.

In the harbour three Avocets were on the concrete spit, and the same or another three were down along the west side just visible from the bank, whilst a Kingfisher was settled on the metal work. Also a flock of 100+ Golden Plover were with 500+ Lapwings - the whole lot taking flight when disturbed by a presumed predator, though nothing could be traced.

Offshore a single Slavonian Grebe and a Red-breasted Merganser were present, plus six Gannets amongst a flock of feeding gulls. (OM/S&SaH)

Marsh Farm: Nine Cattle Egrets were by the dairy this morning. (MRE/JG)

Cattle Egrets at Marsh Farm (JG)

Dell Quay/Fishbourne Creek: A Long-tailed Duck was present at Dell Quay around midday as were six Goldeneye, two Pintail and two Red-breasted Mergansers. At Fishbourne Creek, a Spotted Redshank was found along with 20 Curlews, six Dunlin, 15 Redshanks and two Turnstones. In the gull roost were 200 Common Gulls, 50 Black-headed Gulls and 20 Herring Gulls of various ages. There was no sign of the Water Pipit but a Rock Pipit was along the saltmarsh. (CMu) Later in the day there were two Water Pipits present at the Creek. (MRE)

Redshank at Fishbourne Creek (CMu)

Saturday, 4th January: Another dull and cool morning, with a light to moderate westerly breeze..............

The Review of the Year for 2019 is now up and ready and can be accessed from the bar above, as can the newly updated Stats page. (Eds)

Selsey Bill: a fairly quiet morning, though a few Razorbills, Sandwich Terns and a Slavonian Grebe were offshore. Full log below... 
(0740-0930hrs) (W, F3)  (SH/BI/IP/SR/MO-W/PM)
Great Northern diver - 3os
Red-throated Diver - 4E, 1W, 1os
Slavonian Grebe - 1W
Gannet - 12E, 1W
Brent Goose - 1W
Wigeon - 20W
Common Scoter - 5W
Red-breasted Merganser - 3E, 4W, 4os
Curlew - 1E, 1W
Common Gull - 5W
Mediterranean Gull - 2os
Sandwich Tern - 7os
Razorbill - 1E, 8W, 9os
auk sp - 22E, 6W

Ferry Pool and Long Pool: There were three Gadwall, c40 Shoveler, c80 Teal, c150 Wigeon and c300 Lapwings around the pool and field this morning.

A Spotted Redshank was at the far end of Ferry Channel, which also held c30 Redshank, five Grey Plovers and c50 Teal, but there was nothing along the Long Pool. (AH)

Later a Raven was mobbing two Buzzards over Ferry Field. (RP)

Spotted Redshank Grey Plover (above) & Teal in Ferry Channel (AH)

Northcommon Farm: A Little Owl was on the stables by the farm early this morning (SH), and it was seen again on the stables roof around dusk. (SR) 

Park Farm, Selsey: A Grey Wagtail was at the farm and four Tufted Ducks and a Shoveler were on the reservoir. (S&SaH)

Fishbourne Creek: There were two Long-tailed Ducks south of Dell Quay this morning, with up to nine Goldeneye, whilst the frequently elusive Water Pipit was again near the Lavant outflow, along with two Redwings, two Knot, a Pintail and three Spotted Redshanks. (IP/RW/PM/OM/et al) 

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: All 24 Cattle Egrets were present near the buildings for a while this morning before flying off again. Also, a Grey Wagtail and a couple of Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits were nearby, the pair of Stonechats and three Skylarks were along the concrete road and at least 1000 Brent Geese dropped into the fields to the south. (AH)

Cattle Egrets (above), Grey Wagtail, Stonechat & Brent Geese at Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (AH)

Drayton Pits: The Bittern was seen in flight again on the North Pit early this afternoon, briefly showing along the east side until gulls mobbed it and forced it back into the reeds, whilst there was also a Marsh Harrier about and a pair of Coal Tits were displaying near the metal gates. (OM)
Later, the Bittern was seen flying south from the above location at around 1500hrs, viewed from the metal gates. (CRJ)

Bittern (above) at Drayton House North pit...after some recent superb photos of this bird taken by others, back to reality today...a hastily-grabbed record shot just before gulls drove it back into reeds! (OM)

Coal Tits at the Drayton North pit (OM)

Wilf's Copse, Hunston: A Tree-creeper and two Nuthatches were in the copse, whilst 25 Fieldfare and a couple of Redwings were on the adjacent fields. (IP)

Medmerry: Stilt Pool - A female Dartford Warbler was in the gorse near the Stilt Pool this morning (BI) whilst the same or another was in gorse along the track early afternoon, opposite where it joins the footpath from Earnley car park. (IP)

Church Norton: The harbour was quite quiet this morning, though up to ten Avocets, plus lots of Dunlin and Grey Plover were about and the Peregrine flew into its island, whilst a Water Rail was at the back of the Severals.

At least 500 Brent Geese flew out west from the far side and c50 Wigeon flew in over the harbour mouth, whilst offshore there were a few Common Gulls, six Red-breasted Mergansers on the sea and up to ten Gannets amongst a large and distant feeding flock of gulls. (AH/S&SaH)

Wigeon (above) & Common Gull at Church Norton (AH)

Later on, two Great Northern Divers and a dozen Red-breasted Mergansers were on the sea, towards the harbour mouth. (AW)

Great Northern Divers at Church Norton (AW)

1st - 3rd January 2020

Friday, 3rd January: A fairly grey start to the morning, though the sun came out as the westerly breeze freshened..........

The Review of the Year for 2019 is now up and ready and can be accessed from the bar above, as can the newly updated Stats page. (Eds)

Selsey Bill: Three Slavonian Grebes, three Sandwich Terns and a Guillemot were the highlights, whilst 100+ auks went west. Full log below.
0750-0945hrs (wind WSW F4-5) (SR/BI/AH/MO-W/IP/RP)
Red-throated Diver - 10E, 6W
Great Northern Diver - 3os
Slavonian Grebe - 3os
Great Crested Grebe - 1E, 3W, 2os
Gannet - 9E, 30E, 1os
Brent Goose - 1E, 7W
Wigeon - 7W
Common Scoter - 2W
Red-breasted Merganser - 5E, 7W, 4os
Common Gull - 2W
Mediterranean Gull - 2E
Sandwich Tern - 3os
Guillemot - 1E
Razorbill - 4E, 22W
auk sp. - 10E, 105W

Red-breasted Merganser (above) & Common Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were c30 Shoveler, c50 Teal, c10 Wigeon and c200 Lapwing around the pool and field, whilst the Kingfisher was again in the channel opposite and three Skylarks flew over. (AH) 

Kingfisher (above) & Shovelers, Wigeon and Lapwing around the Ferry (AH)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: There were 22 Cattle Egrets and the four Egyptian Geese around the buildings this morning. (BI)

Fishbourne Creek: Lots of birds on a low tide including  a huge mixed flock of gulls , with  7 Goldeneye, 2 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 8 Rock Pipit and a Grey Wagtail the best I could muster. (JW)

North Wall: The Kestrel was on a post at the horse paddocks at first light this morning but viewing from the sluice gates was not helped by a spaniel racing out towards the assorted Wigeon, Teal and Lapwing sitting contentedly on the mud.  The owner at least had the good grace to be embarrassed and promised the use of a lead in future. 
Along the Wall a Raven flew over, a Cetti's Warbler called, 79 Curlew were in Honer 3 field and for a short time 62 Brent Geese were in the field at the end of the Wall, whilst 140 Golden Plover were close to White's Creek.  There were 22  Cattle Egrets at Marsh Farm but I could see no Brent in the usual field between Marsh and Honer Farms, though there were, however, 25 Curlew and about 200 Starlings. 
Lots of passerines still feeding in the broccoli field south of Honer reservoir, but just 8 Tufted Ducks were on the reservoir itself. Initially there were 560 Brent Geese close to Bramber Farm but later they moved to the east of Marsh Farm and their numbers had increased to nearly 900. A Marsh Harrier was also quartering the reeds behind the Breech Pool. (IH/JDW)

Hunston: There was a Tree-creeper and a Nuthatch in Wilf's Copse this morning. (BI)

Nuthatch at Wilf's Copse (BI)

Earnley: There were a pair of Mistle Thrushes and a dozen Redwings near the Butterfly Gardens this morning. (AH)

Mistle Thrush at Earnley (AH)

Medmerry: Old House Farm - A Grey Partridge, a pair of Yellowhammers, a few Meadow Pipits and c150 Fieldfares were around the maize stubble fields along Ham Road this morning. (AH)

Fieldfares at Medmerry (AH)

Birdham Pool: The female Mandarin was still present at mid-day, tucked in on the right-hand side. (JW)

East Head: A pair of Eider and two Great Northern Divers were in the harbour, off Pilsey Island, viewed from Ella Nore this afternoon. (PH)

Drayton Pits: The Bittern gave a fly around this afternoon and earlier there was also a Firecrest and c.140 Pochard present (all viewed from the gate). (AB/BI/CG)

Bittern at Drayton Pit (AB)

Thursday, 2nd January: A fairly cool and grey morning after early morning drizzly rain, with a moderate southerly breeze......

The Review of the Year for 2019 is now up and ready and can be accessed from the bar above, as can the newly updated Stats page. (Eds)

Also, we are very sad to report that the chapel at Church Norton has suffered what appears to be criminal damage, as the main stained-glass windows were smashed yesterday by stones apparently thrown from inside the building. If anyone has any information whatever or saw anything suspicious, please contact us and we will pass on the information in confidence to the appropriate authority. (Eds)

Selsey Bill: Five Sandwich Terns and a Slavonian Grebe were back offshore this morning, and there were a few more auks and Gannets about. Full log below. (AH/SR/IP)
(0800-0930hrs) (SSW, F4)
Great Northern Diver - 3os
Red-throated Diver - 10E, 12W, 1os
Slavonian Grebe - 1os
Great Crested Grebe -2W, 1os
Gannet - 19E, 29W, c50os
Brent Goose - 1E
Wigeon - 10W
Common Scoter - 2E
Red-breasted Merganser - 6E, 1W, 2os
Oystercatcher - 2E
Turnstone - 1
Common Gull - 1E, 3W
Mediterranean Gull - 1W
Kittiwake - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 5os
Razorbill - 13W, 5os
Guillemot - 4W
auk sp - 2E, 18W

Sandwich Tern (above), Red-throated Diver, Gannet & Great Crested Grebe at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were three Gadwall, seven Shelduck, c25 Shoveler  c80 Teal, c120 Wigeon and c300 Lapwing around the pool and field this morning, with a Kingfisher briefly in the channel opposite. (AH)

Gadwall (above) & Shoveler at the Ferry (AH)

Birdham Pool: The female Mandarin was still on the pool this morning, swimming with Mallards and several Tufted Ducks for a while. (OM/BFF)

 Female Mandarin on Birdham Pool, below with Tufted Duck (OM)

Fishbourne Creek: A Jack Snipe was near the Lavant outflow this morning, but two visits failed to locate yesterday's Water Pipit. However, up to ten Rock Pipits were present, plus a Cetti's Warbler and a Chiffchaff, whilst in the channel were several hundred Brent Geese, plenty of Wigeon and the commoner waders, but little else of note.  (OM/BFF)

Dell Quay: The tide was well out when we visited thus the seven Goldeneye present were somewhat distant. Several Great Crested Grebes were considerably nearer, but there was little else of note bar two Greenshank feeding on the mudflats. (OM/BFF)

Chi Marina: The reedbed and pool were well flooded and c.120 Teal were at the back; taking flight occasionally when something unseen spooked them, whilst a Cetti's Warbler called a couple of times. In the channel were a couple of Red-breasted Mergansers and a few Little Grebes, whilst the mudflats were teeming with feeding Dunlin and c.30 Grey Plover, but nothing much else. (OM/BFF)

Church Norton: A Peregrine was upsetting all the waders this morning, with at least 1000 Lapwings, 200 Golden Plover and 500 Black-tailed Godwits coming up from the far side of the harbour, along with all the Dunlin, Knot and Grey Plovers. 
When the dust had settled there were a minimum of 34 Avocets in the central channel, but a look along with west side didn't add much else beyond a couple of Meadow Pipits, though a Raven cronking from the pine in the car-park before it flew off was a surprise. (AH/IP)

Raven (above), Peregrine, Avocets, Dunlin & Black-tailed Godwits at Church Norton (AH)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: An early afternoon visit produced only 4 Cattle Egrets for us near the dairy buildings (OM/BFF) although later the flock was re-located in the field next to the donkey (SR)

New Year's Day, Wednesday, 1st January: There was thick grey cloud and a light south-easterly breeze to see the new year in....but remaining dry and pleasantly calm.

We would like to wish a Happy and bird-filled New Year to everyone! (Eds)

The Review of the Year for 2019 is now up and ready and can be accessed from the bar above, as can the newly updated Stats page. (Eds)

Selsey Bill: A Long-tailed Duck, first east then back west, was the highlight of a fairly slow start to the New Year. Full log below. (SH/PB/AB/IP/BI/SR/AH/JA)
(0800-0930hrs) (ESE, F2)
Great Northern Diver - 2E, 4os

Red-throated Diver - 2E, 3W

Great Crested Grebe - 3E, 3os

Gannet - 22E

Brent Goose - 39W

Shelduck - 2E, 7W

Wigeon - 14E, 2W

Teal - 2E, 1W

Common Scoter - 2E, 1W

Long-tailed Duck - 1E, then W

Red-breasted Merganser - 11E, 4W, 1os

Common Gull - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 7E

Razorbill - 2W

Common Scoters and Wigeon at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool and Long Pool: The Ferry held little beyond two Gadwall and a few Shoveler and Teal, though a Spotted Redshank was in the channel opposite and c40 Avocets were at the far end of Ferry Channel. (RP/RHa/SHa/IP/AH)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: There were 24 Cattle Egrets near the dairy buildings today, along with four Egyptian Geese, whilst a Merlin was seen nearer Honer Farm and a Chiffchaff, a Mistle Thrush and a pair of Stonechats were along Church Farm Lane. (AB/PB/BI/AH/IP/S&SaH/KF et al)

Cattle Egrets (above), Egyptian Geese & Stonechat at Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (AH)

Apuldram: A Firecrest was in the church car-park this morning. (AB/PB)

Birdham Pool: A female Mandarin was on the pool, along with a Grey Wagtail, ten Little Grebes,  c30 Teal, c20 Tufted Ducks and a Grey Heron. (BI/AH/IP)

Mandarin at Birdham Pool (AH)

Fishbourne Creek: The Water Pipit was again around the Lavant outflow this morning, along with at least half a dozen Rock Pipits and a Grey Wagtail, plus a single Jack Snipe.
There was no sign of the Long-tailed Duck at Dell Quay, though there were eight Goldeneyes and a Kingfisher there, plus a fly-over Mistle Thrusah, an unexpected Whimbrel that flew through, whilst along the channel there were three Greenshank, c200 Black-tailed Godwits, a handful of Gadwall, lots of Wigeon, Brent Geese and the commoner waders, whilst a Lesser Black-backed Gull and at least 200 Common Gulls were in the roost. (BI/AH/iP/SR/PB/AB et al)

Water Pipit (above), Rock Pipit, Kingfisher & Greenshank at Fishbourne Creek (AH)

Medmerry: Toe End round to the Stilt Pool - A Merlin at Easton Lane and a couple of Dartford Warblers were the highlights, whilst among other birds seen were a Great Northern diver off the beach, 13 Stonechats, 50+ Pied Wagtails, 100+ Meadow Pipits, two Peregrines, four Kestrels and a Buzzard. (S&SaH/TB/NR)
Later, c40 Fieldfare went over Ham Road and a Linnet was at Easton Lane car-park. (IP)

Drayton Pits: A Bittern flew over the north pit this afternoon before dropping into the reeds, whilst a male Bullfinch was in the hedges. (IP)

Ivy Lake complex: An adult Egyptian Goose was seen, and also six young goslings were reported,though other than six Greylag Geese it was quiet. (RHa/SHa/IP et al)

West Wittering: Two Ravens were between West Wittering and West Itchenor today. (GM)

Sidlesham: A female Bullfinch was near Sidlesham Common this afternoon, (IP), whilst later, a Tawny Owl was calling to the west of the village. (AH)

Church Norton: About 20 Gannets were feeding well offshore and three Common Scoters flew west, whilst in the harbour there were a Peregrine on its island, a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits, the regular Whimbrel, lots of Grey Plovers, Curlew and Dunlin, plus a few Knot and half a dozen Pintail. At dusk at least 1000 Brent Geese dropped into the harbour, too.

Also a Roe Deer swam out from the west side (doubtless disturbed by the shooting taking place), swam to Tern Island then across the harbour mouth to the Spit, before running back along the top. (AH/RHa/SHa/RP/IP)

Whimbrel (above) & Roe Deer at Church Norton (AH)