10th - 13th January 2020:

Monday, 13th January: A mostly grey and breezy morning, with a freshening southerly breeze and the prospects of gales and heavy rain later.....

Selsey Bill: It was generally very quiet, though there were a definite ten Sandwich Terns offshore. (AH/IP/M-OW)
(0800-0945hrs) (SSW, F5)
Red-throated Diver - 1W
Great Crested Grebe - 2W
Gannet - 2W
Red-breasted Merganser - 6E, 4W
Common Gull - 2W
Mediterranean Gull - 3W
Sandwich Tern - 10os

Sandwich Terns (above), Mediterranean Gull & Common Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Two Gadwall flew into the channel opposite, whilst c30 Shoveler, c100 Teal and six Shelducks were on the pool. (AH)

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

North Wall: It was windy and fairly quiet at the Wall this morning although there were 1,300 Brent Geese in Honer 3 field accompanied by 48 Curlew and a further 100 Brent Geese were in the Marsh/Honer Farms area. Today's  tally also includes a Kestrel, two Wrens, two Little Grebes and a Reed Bunting. (IH/TH) A Grey Wagtail was around the sluice gates and a Rock Pipit was along the Wall. At 10.30 the Brent Goose flock numbered 1600 but other geese were continually flying in from the Harbour. Also, a Marsh Harrier was behind the Breech Pool and 10 Roe Deer were seen. (JDW)
Later, at least 2000 Brent Geese were in and over the fields west of the Breech Pool. (PB)

Church Norton: Waders dominated again this morning, with at least 500 Golden Plovers and Black-tailed Godwits swirling around with at least 1000 Lapwings over the west side, whilst 100+ Knot were among many Dunlin and Grey Plovers out on the mud.

Otherwise it was quiet, though a Sandwich Tern was sat out with four Common Gulls, a Red-breasted Merganser was in the channel and a Peregrine was on its island. (AH/IP)

Golden Plovers (above), Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwings & Sandwich Tern at Church Norton (AH)

Chi GPs - Drayton House pits: A rather good morning at the pits on my slightly-delayed WeBS count today. Most of the action was on the North pit, although the South pit held the vast majority of the 175 Shovelers present. The highlights were a Bittern - presumably the same one seen recently - which flew to the south-east corner of the North pit mid-morning, a Marsh Harrier and a hunting Peregrine in the same general area, three Firecrests, two Chiffchaffs and a Bullfinch along the hedgerows and an amazing (and pretty accurate) 224 Pochards (most on North pit). (OM)

 Firecrest and Marsh Harrier at Drayton North pits (OM)

Sunday, 12th January: A bright and breezy morning, quite mild when out of the fresh south-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: It was fairly quiet this morning, though a Fulmar went west and a Great Northern Diver was on the sea Full log below... (SH/IP/BI/SR et al)
0745-0930hrs:  (SW4-5)  (SH/SR/IP/MO-W/BI et al)
Red-throated Diver - 2E, 1os
Great Northern Diver - 1os
Great Crested Grebe - 1W
Fulmar - 1W
Gannet - 2E, 5W, 3os
Brent Goose - 2W
Shelduck - 3W
Red-breasted Merganser - 6E, 11W, 2os
Razorbill - 1E
auk sp - 3E
Sandwich Tern - 3os
Kittiwake - 4W
Mediterranean Gull - 1W
Rock Pipit - 1 ob

Ferry Pool: Early on, an Avocet was on the pool along with eight Shelducks, a dozen Shoveler and c100 Teal, whilst later, at high tide, at least 500 Golden Plovers and similar of Lapwing, plus 100 Wigeon were on the pools at the back of the field. (AH/IP & the SOS)

Golden Plovers on the Ferry (AH)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: There were still 23 Cattle Egrets and four Egyptian Geese near the dairy buildings today. (PJ)

Sidlesham: A Marsh Harrier flew south over Keynor Copse early this morning. (AH)

Wilf's Copse, Hunston: The Nuthatch was showing and calling at 10am this morning. (JW)

Fishbourne Creek: The Long-tailed Duck was off Dell Quay late this morning, whilst three Goldeneye and five Greenshank were also in the vicinity. (JW)

The Long-tailed Duck off Dell Quay (JW)

North Wall: Seven Redwing and the usual Kestrel were at the horse paddocks this morning, a Raven flew over and two Marsh Harriers were patrolling the reed beds.
A Spotted Redshank was in the creek and flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing were joined in the harbour by some 1,500 Brent Geese which flew from their favoured field between Marsh and Honer Farms. (IH/PC)
A Barn Owl was out hunting at 3.30pm, and there were also two Marsh Harriers and a Kingfisher about. (S&SaH)

At least eight Cattle Egrets went into roost at Owl Copse at about 4.30 pm. (TH)

Long Pool: Early on a Marsh Harrier was over the pool before heading off over the west side and two Spotted Redshanks were feeding together in Ferry Channel. (AH)

Marsh Harrier (above) & Spotted Redshanks at the Long Pool (AH)

Later, one Spotted Redshank was still present, whilst at least 40 Avocets and a dozen Pintail were among the many birds at the far end of Ferry Channel, including at least 400 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Golden Plovers and at least 1000 Lapwing which all repeatedly took to the air. (AH/IP & the SOS)

Spotted Redshank (above), Black-tailed Godwits, Avocets & Golden Plovers at the Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: The Whimbrel and a Bar-tailed Godwit were in the harbour, along with large numbers of Knot, Dunlin and Grey Plovers, whilst on the water at high tide were three Red-breasted Mergansers, a Great Crested and a couple of Little Grebes and a few Pintail among the Wigeon and Teal.
About 30 Ringed Plovers were with a few Turnstones on the beach, but the only birds offshore were a few Common and Mediterranean Gulls, with a few more of the latter two in the harbour. (AH/IP & the SOS)
Also, later, a Goldeneye was in the harbour and one of the Peregrines was back in its usual haunt. (S&SaH) 
Earlier in the day there were at least seven Bar-tailed Godwits and a Sanderling in with the waders and a Peregrine flew through before landing at the back of the island. There was also a Green Woodpecker & a Goldcrest behind the hide. (BI/CG/NM et al)

Whimbrel (above), Ringed Plovers and Dunlin & Knot, Dunlin and Grey Plovers at Church Norton (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: A Grey Wagtail and two Stonechats were around the fields, whilst three Tufted Ducks were on the reservoir. 
Also 300+ Golden Plover came up from the Medmerry direction, 48 Great Black-backed Gulls were on a factory roof and a Sparrowhawk went over the north of the village. A Hedgehog was out and about, too. (S&SaH)

Drayton Pits: One Coal Tit was showing again today, and there was also a Marsh Harrier about, along with a Jay, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and two Buzzards. (S&SaH)

Coal Tit at Drayton Pit (SH)

Saturday, 11th January: A grey and overcast morning, with a brisk south-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: There was a bit more activity this morning, including seven Slavonian Grebes offshore and two Fulmars and 290 Gannets west. Full log below. (SH/PB/SR/IP/BI/MO-W/AH)
(0750-1000hrs) (SSW, F4-5)
Great Northern Diver - 3os
Red-throated Diver - 5E, 9W, 1os
diver sp - 3W
Slavonian Grebe - 1W, 7os
Great Crested Grebe - 1W
Fulmar - 2W
Gannet - 5E, 290W
Wigeon - 3W
Teal - 4W
Common Scoter - 1W
Red-breasted Merganser - 8E, 8W
Turnstone - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 2W
Common Gull - 3W
Kittiwake - 1E, 8W
Sandwich Tern - 7os
Razorbill - 5W
auk sp - 2E, 9W, 1os

Fulmar (above), Great Northern Diver, Gannet & Common Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were exactly 40 Avocets roosting on the pool, but there were no ducks to be seen, save three Shelducks and a pair of Mallards. (AH)

 Avocets (AH top) & Lapwings (RP) at the Ferry 

Later there were 43 Avocets on the pool, with at least 500 Lapwings taking to the air from the field. Also a Sparrowhawk took a Robin by the Visitor centre feeders. (RP)
Also, a Merlin was seen a couple of times, hunting over the field. (RN)

Park Farm, Selsey: There were just three Red-legged Partridges on the fields this morning, though 200+ Golden Plovers and similar of Lapwings came up distantly to the west. (IP/RM)

Northcommon Farm: A Little Owl was around the buildings again this morning. (BI)

North Wall: The usual Kestrel was present at the horse paddocks this morning and about 1,500 Brent Geese were in the field between Honer and Marsh Farms, where also two Ravens and a Peregrine flew over. (IH)

Fishbourne Creek: At Dell Quay there were four Greenshank and four probable Spotted Redshank, with single Goldeneye and Red-Breasted Merganser further down the channel and seven Pintail opposite the Lavant outfall. (RW)

Highleigh: A Tawny Owl was calling to the north of Keynor Lane/Ham Road this evening. (BI)

Church Norton: A Fulmar, two Sandwich Terns, up to five Gannets, a dozen or so Common and Mediterranean Gulls and two Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore this morning, with three more of the latter and a female Goldeneye inside the harbour.
Two Sanderling, up to ten Bar-tailed Godwits and 100+ Knot were among the many Grey Plover, Dunlin and Redshank roosting in the harbour towards high tide, along with the usual Wigeon and Teal, whilst a couple of Goldcrests and a handful of Long-tailed Tits were along the sheltered hedges. (IP/RM/AH)

Fulmar (above), Sandwich Tern, Mediterranean Gull, Goldcrest & Redshanks at Church Norton (AH)

Friday, 10th January: A bright, if chilly, morning, with lots of sunshine and a moderate north-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: Unsurprisingly quiet, given the conditions, though six Sandwich Terns were offshore. Full log below 
(0750-0915hrs) (wind WNW F3) (SR/BI/IP/AH)
Red-throated Diver - 1E, 6W
diver sp. - 1W
Great Crested Grebe - 1W, 1os
Gannet - 4E, 9W
Brent Goose - 1E, 2W
Common Scoter - 3W
Red-breasted Merganser - 9E, 6W, 1os
Curlew - 2W
Common Gull - 2W
Mediterranean Gull - 3W, 2os
Sandwich Tern - 6os
auk sp. - 12E, 4W, 1os

Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Around 300 Lapwings were on the field, along with c50 Wigeon, whilst the pool held the usual mix of a dozen Shelduck, c30 Shoveler and c100 Teal. (AH)

Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)

Northcommon Farm: The pair of Little Owls were showing on the roof of the stables again early this morning. (IP)

Highleigh: A Little Owl dropped across the road and into a garden at dusk this evening. Also, three Tawny Owls were calling to the west of Sidlesham. (AH)

North Wall: It was fairly quiet this morning although there were impressive flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover circling above and about 2,000 Brent Geese, accompanied by 130 Curlew, grazing between Marsh and Honer Farms.  

A Kestrel at the horse paddocks, widespread Wigeon and a couple of calling Cetti's Warblers were the only other bird-life of note. (IH) 

Later on over high tide, 18 Common Snipe and two Jack Snipe came in off the saltmarsh and into the reeds at the back of the Breech Pool, there were a few Pintail with the Wigeon and at least 300 Black-tailed Godwits were on the islands. (BI)

A Barn Owl was out hunting at 3.15pm this afternoon. (DSh)

There was no sign of the Barn Owl later, though a Grey Wagtail, two Pied Wagtails and a couple of Redwings and Song Thrushes were in the paddocks and a huge flock of Brent Geese were flying around over the North Fields. (AH)

Redwing (above), Grey Wagtail, Brent Geese & sunset over White's Creek from the North Wall (AH)

Pagham SF: The Siberian Chiffchaff was still at the sewage farm along with c.15 Chiffchaffs, two Grey Wagtails and a dozen Pied Wagtails. A Buzzard went over mobbed by Carrion Crows and a cream-capped Marsh Harrier was over the rearwards reeds. (BI)

Siberian Chiffchaff at Pagham SF (BI)

Church Norton: A brief but very productive thirty minutes looking out to sea where a Mediterrenean gull was close by. The light was good which was just as well as birds were pretty distant but a few Gannets glided by and then two Sandwich Terns flew by only to be harried by a large dark barrel-chested bird, a Great Skua! (M Russell per SOS)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - At least ten Yellowhammers were along the banks and fields this morning, along with half a dozen Stonechats, a couple of Green Woodpeckers, a few Skylarks and a couple of hundred Linnets, whilst at least 50 Stock Doves were among the many Wood Pigeons.

About 40 Redshank near the poplars were the only waders seen, whilst on the reserve there were about 80 Brent Geese, but not much else. The Stilt Pool held just a few Canada and Brent Geese, Wigeon and Teal, along with up to 100 Meadow Pipits and lots of roosting Black-headed, Herring and Common Gulls. (AH/IP)
Later on, three Greenshanks were near the poplars from Easton Viewpoint along with three Gadwall, two Kestrels, a Mistle Thrush, six Stonechats and three Pied Wagtails. (SR)

Yellowhammer (above), Stonechat, Linnets, Meadow Pipit, Green Woodpecker & the Queen Mary 2 at Medmerry (AH)

Drayton Pits: One Coal Tit was near left of the gates today and there were three Bullfinches, a male and two females to the right. On the water c.100 Pochards and few Great Crested Grebes could be seen. (BI)

Coal Tit at Drayton (BI)

Chichester Marina: One (and possibly two) Marsh Harriers were around the reed-beds late this afternoon, along with a Buzzard and a pair of Shelduck, whist two Red-breasted Mergansers were in the marina itself. (MRo)

Marsh Harrier (above), Shelducks & Red-breasted Merganser at Chichester Marina (MRo)

Fishbourne creek & Dell Quay: The Water Pipit was still present near the Lavant outfall early afternoon, whilst a Long-tailed Duck was near Dell Quay (IH)

7th - 9th January 2020

Thursday, 9th January: A mostly grey and drizzly morning, though fairly mild in the moderate south-westerly..........

Selsey Bill: It was fairly slow this morning, though a Guillemot was on the sea and a few Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Gannets went west. Full log below. (AH/MO-W/SR/PC)
(0815-1000hrs) (SW, F5)
Great Northern Diver - 2W
Red-throated Diver - 1E, 2W, 1os
diver sp - 1os
Great Crested Grebe - 6W
Gannet - 2E, 21W
Pintail - 2W
Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 8W, 4os
Mediterranean Gull - 2os
Kittiwake - 8W
Sandwich Tern - 1os
Guillemot - 1os
Razorbill - 1E, 14W
auk sp - 8E, 4W

Great Northern Diver (above), Kittiwake & Gannets at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: This morning there were six Shelducks, c40 Shoveler and c120 Teal on the pool, with c50 Wigeon on the field. (AH)
Also, 31 Avocets were off the Tramway and a Marsh Harrier was in the harbour. (BFF/DM)

Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: This morning started with a Kestrel and Song Thrush at the horse paddocks, a calling Cetti's Warbler and about 1,500 Brent Geese south of Marsh Farm until they were disturbed by dog walkers and moved to the field between Marsh and Honer Farms, where there were also 45 Curlew.  
A further 18 Curlew were in Honer 3 field and 2 Marsh Harriers were searching the fields beyond the Breech Pool.  My visit ended with a small group of Mediterranean Gulls flying over and a Wren flitting about in the hedgerows approaching the lane.  (IH)


A generally quiet week along the Wall this week. A Rock Pipit was along the Wall most days and a flock of 12 plus Long-tailed Tits are regulars, whilst Great Tits and Wrens have begun to sing. The Breech Pool is overflowing and only holds Teal and Mallard with occasional Tufted Ducks and digesting Cormorants. Brent Geese have continued to forage east and south of Marsh Farm, today the count was well over 3000. (JDW)


Church Norton: A Marsh Harrier was over the Severals this morning, whilst a Chiffchaff, one or two Goldcrests and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were around the car-park.
At least five Gannets were feeding offshore, but the only other birds about were a few Common and Mediterranean Gulls, whilst in the harbour the regular Whimbrel was in its usual area, a few Redshank, Curlew and Grey Plovers were roosting and at least 40 Wigeon and Teal were on the water. (AH et al)

Marsh Harrier (above), Gannet, Whimbrel and Gannet & Goldcrest at Church Norton (AH)

Wednesday, 8th January: The opposite of yesterday morning - starting brightly and slowly clouding over, though the breeze was fairly light and from the south-west.......

Selsey Bill: It picked up a bit, after a slow start, with a few Razorbills going west and dropping in on the sea, whilst a few Gannets and Kittiwakes also went west. Full log below... 
(0800-1115hrs):  (Wind SW 3-4)  (AH/MO-W/OM)
Red-throated Diver - 2E, 1os
Great Northern Diver - 1W, 1os
Slavonian Grebe - 2E
Great Crested Grebe - 2W, 3os
Gannet - 40W
Brent Goose - 8W
Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 6W, 6os
Razorbill - 96W
auk sp - 8E, 35W
Sandwich Tern - 1E, 1W
Kittiwake - 12W
Common Gull - 2W
Mediterranean Gull - 3E, 2W

Razorbills (above), Sandwich Tern, Red-breasted Mergansers & Cormorant at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: As usual, there were just duck this morning, with two Gadwall, six Shelducks, c30 Shoveler, c100 Teal and c150 Wigeon present. (AH)

North Wall: A Kestrel was at the horse paddocks this morning and two Marsh Harriers were active in the fields behind the Breech Pool.  
About 90 Brent Geese were in the field at the end of the Wall but they later left to join the flock between Marsh and Honer Farms which built to about 1,000 individuals, accompanied by 100 Curlew at 9.30 a.m. 
Several Great Tits were singing in the Owl Copse area, a Cetti's Warbler called and finally, as I reached my car in Church Lane, a Goldcrest appeared. (IH)

Also, a covey of five Grey Partridges were in the field just before Pagham SF from Summer Lane. (PC)

Church Norton: A Marsh Harrier was over the far end of the harbour, then it, or another flew over from the west side towards the Severals, whilst a Peregrine was on its island.
The regular Whimbrel, ten Bar-tailed Godwits and c50 Knot were among the large numbers of Dunlin and Grey Plovers present, along with a few Wigeon and Teal. (AH)

Marsh Harrier (above), Whimbrel, Grey Plovers & Bar-tailed Godwits and Oystercatchers at Church Norton (AH)

Chi GPs: New Lake held c.80 Shoveler but little else, though a Treecreeper was in the trees at the entrance.
Runcton & Vinnetrow Lakes were rather quiet but held a combined total of c. 30 Pochard and perhaps 40 Tufted Ducks, whilst along the pathside vegetation were two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, four Greenfinches, two Goldcrests and a dozen Long-tailed Tits. (OM)

Tuesday, 7th January: A morning that brightened up after a grey start, with the south-south-westerly breeze a little lighter than yesterday...........

Selsey Bill: Much quieter than yesterday, though a Rock Pipit dropped in and a few Razorbills were still on the move. Full log below. (SR/AH/IP)

(0800-0930hrs) (SSW, F4)

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 3W

Slavonian Grebe - 1E, 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 2E

Gannet - 6E, 26W

Red-breasted Merganser - 12E

Sandwich Tern - 4W

Razorbill - 3E, 41W, 8os

auk sp - 26W

Rock Pipit - 1

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

Later on, from about 11.05 - 1205hrs, (viewing mostly from the more sheltered end of the slipway between the Bill-tip and the Lifeboat station) there were two Great Northern Divers and a Great Crested Grebe on the sea, three Gannets and 71 Kittiwakes west, and a very distant diver sp. east.

The main event, however, was the absolutely incredible number of auks moving west. At around 11.20hrs one group settled on the sea about 200 yards offshore and spent a few minutes diving and preening, which gave me time to make four quick counts of the raft (a minimum of 276, and a maximum of 297 birds counted - all Razorbills) before they took off again, but while I was trying to count them at least four times this number flew west a bit further out.

The birds kept coming and I'd never seen anything quite like this at the Bill; my best "guesstimate" would be that there were between three to four thousand birds moving west, virtually all Razorbills, with only one reasonably close Guillemot definitely identified! (SHo)

Ferry Pool and Long Pool: A Merlin was sat out on a post in the pool late this morning, whilst 30 Avocets were at the far end of Ferry Channel. (BFF)

Earlier it was just ducks - with c30 Shoveler, c150 Teal and c100 Wigeon, plus eight Shelducks on and around the pool. (AH)

Shovelers, Teal and Wigeon on the Ferry (AH)

Chichester Marina: A Ring-necked Parakeet was seen in the trees along the canal today. (B Yates)

Ring-necked Parakeet at Chichester Marina (B Yates)

Medmerry: Ham Road - About 40 Fieldfares were by the last houses at the north end of the road this morning, put up with c200 Starlings by a male Sparrowhawk, and there were another 20 Fieldfares by the junction with Easton Lane. (AH)

Fieldfares at Medmerry (AH)

Medmerry: Ham Farm - A pair of Peregrines put on a display, chasing each other around by the derelict building this morning - hopefully more interested in pairing up than fighting.
There wasn't much else about, though, beyond a dozen Reed Buntings, c50 Skylarks and c200 Meadow Pipits, whilst the tidal area just held a few Shelducks and Redshanks. (AH)

Peregrines (above), Skylark, Reed Bunting & Meadow Pipit at Medmerry (AH)

North Wall:  A Kestrel was perched on a post at the horse paddocks this morning and 92 Curlew were feeding with Wigeon in the field at the end of the Wall. At least 20 Cattle Egrets could be seen distantly at Marsh Farm and successive small groups of Brent Geese flew somewhere to the north-west of the farm while a further 400 Brent Geese were sat on the water near the Wall. (IH)