4th - 6th November 2020

Friday, 6th November: A cold and bright morning, with a fresh breeze, starting north-east before shifting to the east...........

Selsey Bill: There was a lot of variety this morning, if not that many birds, including seven Velvet Scoters west, seven Eider east (three drakes and three ducks together, then an immature drake) and five west (all drakes), a Merlin catching prey offshore, a brief Black Redstart, three Sandwich Terns and two late Swallows. Full log below. (BI/RP/AH/IP)

(0645-0920hrs) (ENE, F4-5)

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 2W

Great Crested Grebe - 1E, 1os

Gannet - 1W

Brent Goose - 7E, 1W

Shelduck - 2W

Wigeon - 5W

Teal - 1W

Eider - 7E, 5W

Velvet Scoter - 7W

Common Scoter - 2E

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Merlin - 1

Common Gull - 4E

Sandwich Tern - 3os

Wood Pigeon - 419E

Stock Dove - 11E

Swallow - 2

Meadow Pipit - 5E

Pied Wagtail - 5E, 1 present

Black Redstart - 1

Chiffchaff - 1

Linnet - 9E

Chaffinch - 1E, 2 present

Goldfinch - c200E

Velvet Scoters (above), Eider, Common Scoters, Merlin, Swallow & Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A female Marsh Harrier drifted over the fields behind the pool mid-morning. (A&YF) Earlier there were plenty of Shovelers, Wigeon and Teal present, plus a few more of the latter in the channel opposite. (AH)

Teal in Ferry Channel (AH)

Late this afternoon two Greylag Geese flew over and into the harbour. (AH)

Greylag Goose over the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: Shortly after sunrise, two Marsh Harriers were flying together north of the Breech Pool, a Water Rail called and an unusually confiding Cetti's Warbler made an appearance. Over the harbour were flocks of about 200 Lapwing and nearly as many Golden Plover. (IH)

Highlight this morning was male and female Marsh Harriers together, first seen in the frequently flooded field just south-east of Honer reservoir, they quartered the field for a few minutes before being driven off by the local Crows. I relocated them over the reeds behind the Breech Pool where they performed well to the delight of visiting bird watchers. 

Along White's Creek were 180 Golden Plover, 16 Ringed Plovers and six other wader species, whilst Brent Geese numbers continue to rise and there were at least 300 along the Creek. Both Pied and Grey Wagtails were around the sluice gates, but it was very quiet along the Wall. At Honer reservoir there were seven Gadwall, nine Tufted Ducks, 27 Coot and two Mute Swans. (JDW)

Grey Wagtail (above) & Golden Plovers at he North wall (JDW)

Church Norton: It was very quiet here, with the bushes devoid of birds, even around the sheltered areas of Greenlease Farm, where a Pied Wagtail was the highlight!. The harbour wasn't much better, with just the usual scattering of Grey Plovers, Dunlin, Redshank and Curlew, plus a few Wigeon and Teal. (AH)

Pied Wagtail (above) & Grey Plover at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to Marsh Barn - Late this afternoon a Dartford Warbler was seen along the bank and two Egyptian geese, 30+ Golden Plovers and 100+ Lapwing were around the tidal areas, but there was no sign of any Barn Owls, which appear to have been absent for some time now. (S&saH)

Thursday, 5th November: Another beautifully sunny morning, becoming warm after another frosty start, with barely a breathe of breeze.......

Covid Lockdown 2: As we all now know the second lockdown begins today and it is scheduled to last a month! We shall see, but we don't intend to repeat here all the conditions and difficulties that may follow. Instead, we would just ask birders to exercise common sense during this period and in particular, bear in mind the bit about avoiding unnecessary travel and meeting up with just one other person outside in a public place.

Meanwhile, we hope the blog will continue as normal, though it will mainly be up to those living on or adjacent to the various Peninsula sites to supply the sightings!  (Eds)

Selsey Bill: It was very quiet indeed, with a dozen Brent Geese and a Red-breasted Merganser west being about it. full log below. (RP/AH/MO-W)

(0700-0800hrs) (N, F1)

Brent Goose - 12W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Pied Wagtail - 2W

Goldfinch - c40

Ferry Pool: About 200 Lapwings were on the pool this morning, along with c40 Black-tailed Godwits, ten Shelducks and c80 Shovelers. (AH)

Later on, a single Avocet was back on the pool. (RP)

Lapwings and Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A Marsh Harrier went over this morning, whilst out in the harbour there were ten Avocets and c60 Golden Plovers. (PB)

Late this afternoon a Merlin was seen over the wall, having been seen there yesterday as well. (GW)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were at least four widely spread Dartford Warblers along the banks this morning, along with at least 20 Stonechats, half a dozen Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings and numerous Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Linnets. 

Also, five or six Grey Wagtails were in the boggy corner of the brassica field, a Mistle Thrush was briefly in the poplars and half a dozen Song Thrushes were about, too, whilst a Kingfisher was in the tidal areas.

A Greenshank was near the poplars, but the only other waders noted were a few redshank and Curlews, with two Black-tailed Godwits and 50 Lapwings on the Stilt Pool, which was otherwise full of wildfowl, including c80 Canada Geese, ten Gadwall, four Shovelers, c80 Teal and c200 Wigeon. (AH)

Dartford Warbler (above), Grey Wagtail, Skylark, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Gadwall & Fox at Medmerry (AH)

Church Norton: A Grey Phalarope was by the groynes adjacent to Tern island at around 1.00pm, but disappeared soon afterwards. (GK/RBA) 

It was otherwise quiet, with three Ravens circling high over the harbour and a Common Buzzard east being the highlights. (CRJ)

This morning there was a Kingfisher up the west side from Church Norton and a Brambling was seen among a flock of Chaffinches on the path by Long Pool. Unfortunately they all flew in the direction of the Tramway and couldn't be relocated. (AW)

Kingfisher at Church Norton (AW)

Fishbourne Creek: With the tide well out this morning Wigeon were numerous, Brent Geese were thinly distributed along the channel, and there were a few Teal and three Pintail off the Lavant Outfall and a redhead Red-breasted Merganser was below Dell Quay, whilst the Mute Swan herd was above Dell Quay. 

The usual range of waders contained three Greenshank at Fishbourne and 12 Ringed Plovers and a Spotted Redshank at the Lavant Outfall. Rock Pipits were at Fishbourne (2), Lavant Outfall (2) and a number on the far seawall at Dell Quay, where there was also a Kingfisher. (RW)

Rock Pipit and Kingfisher at Dell Quay (RW)

Medmerry: Windmill to the Breach - This afternoon there was a Great Northern Diver offshore near Toe End, with a Rock Pipit and a Purple Sandpiper on the boulders, whilst there was a second Purple Sandpiper among roosting waders out on the shingle. (AW)

Great Northern Diver (above), Purple Sandpiper & Rock Pipit at Medmerry (AW)

Wednesday, 4th November: At last the wind has abated, and after a frosty start, it was a beautiful warm and sunny day, with just a light northerly breeze.......

Selsey Bill: Two Purple Sandpipers were on the rocks at the end of Hillfield Road, but otherwise it was very quiet this morning. Full log below. (AH/RP/MO-W)

(0715-0830hrs) (N, F2)

diver sp - 1W

Brent Goose - 1E

Turnstone - 10

Purple Sandpiper - 2

Mediterranean Gull - 3W

Common Gull - 2W

Wood Pigeon - 20E, 60W

Meadow Pipit - 10W

Pied Wagtail - 2W

Purple Sandpipers (above) & Common Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A female Black Redstart was showing well the Discovery Area this morning, whilst  a Stonechat was along the Tramway.

Also, four Snipe, two Avocets, c50 Black-tailed Godwits, c50 Lapwings, eight Shelducks and c100 Shovelers were on the pool. (TG-P/AH/CT et al)

Later, a Great White Egret was seen from the Tramway, going across the harbour, but could not be relocated. (TG-P)

Black Redstart (above), Stonechat & Snipe around the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: A ringtail Hen Harrier flew low across the harbour then circled around before heading off west mid--morning, whilst Ferry Channel held a Kingfisher and c20 Redshank and c50 Wigeon and Teal, but the hedges just held half a dozen Reed Buntings and a Cetti's warbler. (AH)

Hen Harrier (above), Kingfisher & Reed Bunting around the Long Pool (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: A Merlin was around late this afternoon. (SH)

North Wall: At Whites Creek this morning there were, in addition to the usual ducks and waders, a Spotted Redshank and a Kingfisher while along the Wall there were three Stonechats, three Rock Pipits, a dozen or so Meadow Pipits, a few Reed Buntings and a calling Cetti's Warbler. Three Avocets and about 100 Brent Geese could be seen further out as well as an occasional Grey Plover, Pintail and Shelduck. The hedgerows leading from the Wall to Church Lane contained a Song Thrush, a Jay, a flock of Long-tailed Tits and a 'crest. IH/SP et al)

Stonechat from the North Wall (IH)

Medmerry: Coastguards to the Breach - There were two Black Redstarts by the first caravans past the windmill, with a couple of pairs of Stonechats and a few Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails nearby, whilst another two pairs of Stonechats, c30 Linnets and a few more Meadow Pipits were around the rough ground at Toe End.

A Greenshank was in the tidal area, along with c30 Grey Plovers and Ringed Plovers, c20 Dunlin, a few Curlews and Brent Geese, 11 Pintail, c60 Shelducks and 50+ Wigeon and Teal. (AH)

There was also another Black Redstart by the Coastguard Station and a further one towards the Bill. (JW)

Black Redstart (above), Greenshank, Stonechat & Pintail at Medmerry (AH)

1st - 3rd November 2020

Tuesday, 3rd November: Another morning of gale-force winds, though this time from the west and bright and cold after a drizzly start.....

Selsey Bill: A Purple Sandpiper flew west along the beach, whilst two Great Northern Divers and a Red-throated Diver were also seen, though it was generally quiet. Full log below. (RP/AM/AH/IP/MO-W)

(0700-0845hrs) (W, F7-8)

Great Northern Diver - 1E, 1W

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Great Crested Grebe - 2W

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 15W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Purple Sandpiper - 1W

Turnstone - 10

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2W

Mediterranean Gull - 3W

Wood Pigeon - 90E, 50w

Stock Dove - 1E, 1W

Meadow Pipit - 40W

Pied Wagtail - 4W

Linnet - 15W

Goldfinch - 40

Great Northern Diver (above), Lesser Black-backed Gull, Meadow Pipits, Brent Geese & Stock Dove and Wood Pigeons at the Bill (AH)

Later on, a remarkable six Purple Sandpipers were seen on the beach before they flew off east and were seen again towards the Lifeboat Station. (AM)

Three Purple Sandpipers at the Bill (AM)

Ferry Pool: There were seven Avocets on the pool this morning, along with 25 Black-tailed Godwits, a dozen Shelducks and 105 Shovelers, whilst five Redshank and 20 Teal were in the channel opposite. (AH/AM)

Avocet (above) & Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: At dusk this evening four Barnacle Geese went over the harbour, calling loudly, and carried on west in the company of three Brent Geese. (AH)

North Wall: A Rock Pipit, half a dozen Meadow Pipits, a Grey Wagtail and a Pied Wagtail were all to be found along the rocks this morning while Whites Creek contained modest numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwing, a few Curlew and a single Grey Plover. 

Unsurprisingly in the strong wind there was little activity in the hedgerows but a Kestrel was hunting at the stables. (IH)

Kestrel at the North Wall (IH)

Church Norton: The Wheatear was again around the concrete blocks, along with 20 Linnets, whilst a Rock Pipit went over, as did a Skylark and a couple of Meadow Pipits.

A Merlin was hunting passerines in the big fields at Rectory Lane and two Peregrines were out on the mud, one with a kill which ate its fill before flying off, leaving the remains to the other one. 

There were also plenty of Dunlin and Grey Plovers on the mud, along with about ten Knot, and there were c40 Brent Geese and Wigeon also about. (AH)

Peregrine (above) & Grey Plover at Church Norton (AH)

Monday, 2nd November: Yet another windy day, with a near gale-force south-westerly blowing drizzly rain through early on, though brightening up as the morning progressed and quite warm in the sun..........

Selsey Bill: A Purple Sandpiper among the Turnstones, a Red-throated Diver east and a Great Northern Diver offshore were the meagre highlights his morning. Full log below. (BI/RP/IP/AH)

(0700-0830hrs) (SW, F7-8)

Great Northern Diver - 1W, then os

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Gannet - 1E, 7W

Common Scoter - 1W

Purple Sandpiper - 1

Turnstone - 10

Kittiwake - 1E

auk sp - 1E

Meadow Pipit - 1W

Pied Wagtail - 1

Purple Sandpiper at the Bill (AH)

Later, there were two Purple Sandpipers together at the Bill. (AW) but later still on the very high tide there were 18 Turnstones and a few Mediterranean Gulls, but the 2 Purple Sandpipers couldn't be found, though much of the beach was impassable. (CRJ)

Two Purple Sandpipers at the Bill! (AW) and below Mediterranean Gull and a very high tide there (CRJ)

Ferry Pool: There were c70 Black-tailed Godwits roosting on the pool this morning, along with a handful of Lapwing, c20 Teal and c60 Shovelers. (AH)

Later, two Egyptian Geese went south-west over the Visitor centre, whilst eight Swallows were over the Tramway and a Marsh Harrier and 100+ Golden Plovers were out in the harbour from there. (TG-P)

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

Church Norton: The Wheatear was around the concrete blocks again this morning and a Swallow was near the hide, whilst a Stonechat and c30 Linnets were along the harbour's edge and a couple of Goldcrests were in the hedges at the back of the churchyard.

There wasn't too much in the harbour beyond c25 Brent Geese, c100 Wigeon, half a dozen Knot and about 20 Dunlin and Grey Plovers. (AH/A&YF)

Later a furtive Water Rail was along the path between the hide and the steps, whilst the regular Whimbrel was again present and six Great Crested Grebes were in the harbour. (CRJ)

Wheatear (above), Stonechat, Brent Geese, Wigeon & Grey Plover and Redshank at Church Norton (AH)

 

Sunday, 1st November: The new month started as the old ended, with gale force south-westerlies and heavy cloud bringing spells of drizzle, though there were the odd warm, sunny intervals...

Selsey Bill: There wasn't too much going on this morning, with persistent drizzly mist keeping visibility limited, though the Purple Sandpiper went west and there were just a few Gannets and Kittiwakes about. Full log below. (SH/BI/AH/IP)

(0645-0900hrs) (SW, F6-7)

Red-throated Diver - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 1E, 9W

Brent Goose - 2W

Purple Sandpiper - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 2W, 1os

Kittiwake - 7W

Ferry Pool: There were just five Avocets on the pool this morning, along with 25 Black-tailed Godwits and c75 Shovelers, though few other wildfowl, whilst c100 Lapwings were on the fields at the back. (AH)

Later on, seven Swallows were feeding over the Tramway. (AB)

Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)

Park Farm: There were just a Sparrowhawk and four Pied Wagtails around again today. (S&SaH/IP)

Church Norton: A Wheatear was on the concrete blocks this morning, along with c80 Linnets, with a few Meadow Pipits and Skylarks along the spit, whilst a Chiffchaff was between the Severals and a Swallow went over, a couple of Goldcrests were in Bluebell Wood and the churchyard and a Redwing and a Jay were in the car-park.

A juvenile Kittiwake, four Gannets and a few Mediterranean Gulls were offshore, whilst at least 60 Brent Geese, along with a few Pintail, Wigeon and Teal were in the harbour, and there were a few more waders about on the rising tide, including seven Knot, c20 Turnstones, c40 Grey Plovers and c150 Dunlin. (AH/IP/DM/DIS)

The Wheatear was still present later on, and a few Swallows were about, too, whilst a Dartford Warbler and two Reed Buntings were along the Severals, a Kingfisher was on the metalwork and the regular whimbrel was near the bench. (S&SaH/AB/AH)

Wheatear (above), Kittiwake, Linnets, Grey Plovers, Meadow Pipit, Jay & Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)