4th - 6th October 2022

Thursday, 6th October: A warm and bright, if somewhat breezy, morning in a moderate westerly....

Selsey Bill: There was still a bit of a westerly auk movement - all those identified were Razorbills - along with nine Skylarks and seven Brent Geese, but otherwise it was quiet. Full log below. (SR/AH)

(0745-0900hrs) (W, F4-5)

Gannet - 2E, 7W

Shag - 11E

Brent Goose - 7W

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 5os

Razorbill - 32W

auk sp - 473W

Skylark - 9W

Swallow - 14W

Meadow Pipit - 7N

Pied Wagtail - 1W

Sandwich Tern (above) & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just wildfowl on the pool this morning , namely c30 Shovelers, c60 Teal, five Shelducks and the Brent Goose. (AH)

Shoveler on the Ferry (AH)

East Beach Pond: A Water Rail was skulking in the sallows, a Kingfisher and a Pied Wagtail flew across the pond and there were seven Chiffchaffs in the willows. (SR)

Chiffchaff at East Beach Pond (SR)

Church Norton: This morning a Spotted Flycatcher and a Blackcap were around the hide, a Mistle Thrush, three Chiffhcaffs and four Great Spotted Woodpeckers were in the churchyard, and c30 Swallows went over, but the hedges and Severals were quiet, though there were a number of Hornets along the path to the beach. 

Two Wheatears were along the beach, with two Cetti's Warblers heard, whilst a lone Goldcrest was in Bluebell Wood, with nine Teal and five Tufted Ducks on the second Several. 

Also, a huge Grey Seal was basking close offshore. (AH/CRJ)

Later, as the tide dropped, a Little Stint and a Curlew Sandpiper were among the Dunlin out on the mud. (RJS/MG/KJ et al)

This evening, a Whimbrel and a few Grey Plovers and Dunlin were the only birds of note in the harbour. (AH)

Spotted Flycatcher (above), Sparrowhawk and Carrion Crow, Hornet, Whimbrel (AH) & Mistle Thrush (CRJ) at Church Norton 

North Wall: There were four Stonechats in the horse field at Welbourne, whilst along the Wall were two Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, two Stonechats and at least 12 Reed Buntings, with 33 Black-tailed Godwits on the Breech Pool and a Kingfisher at Owl Water. (JDW)

There were also two Jays and two Reed Buntings at Halsey's Farm (CRJ)

Later on, a Marsh Harrier was being mobbed by a Kestrel north of the Breech Pool and a Kingfisher was perched on the harbour side of the wall, whilst three (presumalby) Common Seals were out in the harbour. (CEv)

Kingfisher at the North Wall (CEv)

Honer Reservoir: There is now a large flock of sheep in the field north of Honer Cottages, and this morning they were attended by 27 Cattle Egrets, whilst at Honer reservoir there were three Shovelers and four Common Sandpipers. (JDW)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Short-eared Owl hunting near the car-park at dusk was the highlight this evening, with otherwise four Cattle Egrets, c200 Wigeon and c50 Lapwings on the reserve, a Chiffchaff, two Yellowhammers and c30 Meadow Pipits along the banks and a Swallow and two Kestrels over. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: The Red-backed Shrike was showing very well again this morning, along the road just south of the RSPB car-park, and there were also a couple of Stonechats and c30 Meadow Pipits in the vicinity. (AH et al)

Red-backed Shrike at Medmerry (AH)

Wednesday, 5th October: A very windy day, with a near gale-force south-westerly blowing.....

Selsey Bill: Over 750 auks went west on an otherwise quiet morning. Full log below. (SR/CRJ)

(0700-0945hrs) (SW F7)

diver sp. - 1E

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 5E. 110W,

Shag - 13E

Brent Goose - 2E, 2W

Wigeon - 2W

Common Scoter - 1E, 1W

Turnstone - 1ob

Mediterranean Gull - 3W

Great Black-backed Gull - 18W

Sandwich Tern - 7W

auk sp. - 41E, 757W

Razorbill - 33W

Guillemot - 1W

Swallow - 4S

(1630-1745hrs) (WSW F5) (SH)

Gannet - 1W, 3W, 11os

Shag - 16W

Grey Plover - 2W

Mediterranean Gull - 10W

Sandwich Tern - 4W

auk sp. - 1E, 2W

Gannet & Sandwich Tern at the Bill (SR/CRJ)

North Wall: It was predictably quiet along the wall this morning at high tide and in very windy conditions. There were 32 Black-tailed Godwits and a Little Egret on the Breech Pool along with a few Teal, and a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard were over the reeds behind the pool. A flock of 200 Wigeon flew over into the harbour but that was about it. (LP) Nine Pintail were also on Church Barton reservoir and two Common Sandpipers were at Honer (JDW)

Black-tailed Godwits at the North Wall (LP)

Ferry Pool: Being close to high tide there was an increase in waterfowl with 63 Teal, 22 Shoveler, 18 Wigeon, 9 Shelducks and the Brent Goose. The only waders on the pool were four Black-tailed Godwits and there was a Buzzard present, with c50 Stock Doves in the adjacent field. (SR)

Wigeon at the Ferry (SR)

Medmerry: The Red-backed Shrike was still present near Earnley car-park today. (per BG)

Fisher: A White-tailed Eagle was near Bramber Farm at midday before flying from a willow tree towards Hunston. (JDW)

Church Norton: A Spotted Flycatcher and two Green Woodpeckers were behind the hide whilst the highlights in the harbour were 33 Dunlin and five Grey Plovers (SR)

Tuesday, 4th October: The wind was from the WSW this morning, gusting to F4, hopefully remaining dry throughout the day...

Selsey Bill: There was a good eastward movements of auks this morning and the first Red-breasted Merganser of the autumn was also logged... full log below. (SR/IP/P&LH et al)

(0700-0900hrs) (W F4)

Gannet - 8E. 40W, 25os

Great Crested Grebe - 2W

Shag - 37E

Brent Goose - 27W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Common Scoter - 7W

Turnstone - 2p

Oystercatcher - 2p

Kestrel - 1p

Merlin - 1N

Sandwich Tern - 4E. 1os

auk sp - 672E, 55W

Razorbill - 58E

Swallow - 27W

Meadow Pipit - 14N

Pied Wagtail - 7W

Yellow Wagtail - 2W

Grey Wagtail - 3W

Linnet -36W

(1350-1530hrs) (SW F5) (P&LH):

Gannet - 52os

Shag - 4W

Brent Goose - 3W

Sandwich  Tern - 14os

auk sp - 30E

Razorbill - 14E

(1630-1800HRS) (SW F5) (SH)

Gannet - 8E, 43W

Shag - 19W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Turnstone - 5ob

Kittiwake - 3W

Sandwich Tern - 17os

auk sp. - 73E, 43W

Razorbill - 5E, 2os

Guillemot - 1E

Also, a Raven flew over the Wave roundabout this morning. (P&LH)

We don't often feature other sites on the blog but a certain log-keeper of this parish had a particularly notable (and envy-inducing!) seawatch this morning in Scilly: "in 90 minutes (!): 2800 Great Shearwaters, 400 Sooty Shearwaters, 200 Balearic Shearwaters ,100 Cory's Shearwaters and a Manx Shearwater"...! (JA)

Brent Geese & Kestrel at the Bill (SR)

Ferry Pool: The Brent Goose, eight Teal, 12 Shoveler, 44 Lapwings and 24 Black-tailed Godwits were present today as was the regular Kingfisher and 30 Goldfinches. (SR)

Shoveler at the Ferry (SR)

Medmerry: The Red-backed Shrike was still showing well 200m south of Earnley car-park this morning. Also, the were 150 Mediterraean Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull around the track to Flint Barn and two Stonechats and 12 Yellowhammers along the banks. 

Two Little Grebes were on the barn pool, six Cattle Egrets were nearby and a Greenshank and three Ringed Plovers were also noted as were c.50 Swallows overhead. (P&LH)

North Wall: The four Curlew Sandpipers were still along Whites Creek this morning along with two Greenshanks, eight Grey Plovers, and plenty of Redshank and Lapwings. There were lots of ducks around, with at least 200 Wigeon, 30 Pintail and 24 Mallards along the creek. 

A Grey Wagtail was by the sluice and four Stonechats were around the paddock but other than a couple of Great Tits and a Wren it was quiet along the bushes. (LP/PC)

Church Norton: There seemed to have been an arrival of Blackbirds in the churchyard this morning with eight present, also a Spotted Flycatcher and up to six Chiffchaffs in the area. Also present a Jay, seven Meadow Pipits, two Stonechats, 10 Skylarks, a Greenshank and the usual close Whimbrel. (CRJ)

Fishbourne Creek: An adult Yellow-legged Gull was out on the mud this morning (SM)

1st - 3rd October 2022

Monday, 3rd October: A light ENE wind to start the day veering southerly later on... forecast to remain dry...

Editorial note:  Please ensure all contributions to the blog this week are sent to selseybirdblog@gmail.com

Selsey Bill: A Red-throated Diver west west and there was a good movement of Linnets and Pied Wagtails this morning. Full log below. (SH/IP)

(0730-0900hrs) (W F3)

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Gannet - 46W, 9os

Shag - 14E

Brent Goose - 39W

Wigeon - 1W

Common Scoter - 3E

Turnstone - 30 ob

Oystercatcher - 2ob

Kestrel - 1p

Sandwich Tern - 6os

House Martin - 7E

Swallow - 276E

Meadow Pipit - 11N

Pied Wagtail - 23E

Yellow Wagtail - 2W

Grey Wagtail - 1W

Linnet -101E

Common Seal - 1os

Brent Geese at the Bill (SR)

Ferry Pool: A flock of c25 House Martins and Swallows were feeding over the pool but there was little of interest here today. Eleven Shoveler, 12 Lapwings, five Shelduck, nine Teal, one Black-tailed Godwit, four Stonechats and the usual Brent Goose. 

A Spotted Redshank and a Grey Wagtail were in the channel opposite and a Water Rail again dashed across Red Barn Ditch where there was also a Kingfisher, Kestrel, two Chiffchaffs, a Pied Wagtail, a party of Long-tailed Tits and a Buzzard. A KIngfisher was also at the Ferry Pool itself. (SR/CRJ)

Black-tailed Godwit at the Ferry (SR)

Medmerry: Stilt Pools - There was no sign of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at the Stilt Pool up to 0930hrs this morning. There were, however, a Greenshank, five Snipe and two Kingfishers present. (PB) 

Late this evening the Buff-breasted Sandpiper was reported present on the pool opposite the Stilt Pool from mid-morning and into the afternoon. (S.Humphrey/J.Goodridge/A.Bird)

Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Medmerry (S.Humphrey)

Medmerry: The ever-obliging Red-backed Shrike was still south of the Earnley car-park this morning..(GT)...and remained this afternoon. (TG-P)

Medmerry: Oakhurst Farm to Ham viewpoint - Four Ruff were in the stubble field near Oakhurst Farm late this afternoon as were 30 Mediterranean Gulls and c.250 Black-headed Gulls. 

There were also four Cattle Egrets, four Tufted Ducks, two Common Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and two Merlins noted and also recorded were c100 Swallow and 10 House Martin east early, 20 Meadow Pipit, one Pied Wagtail, five Stonechat, 15 Long-tailed Tit, a Cetti's Warbler, two Blackcap, five Chiffchaff, two Goldcrest, five Skylarks, two Yellowhammers, two Corn Bunting, 20 Goldfinch and five Reed Buntings. (CRJ)

Birdham: A juvenile Red Kite flew over this morning. (GT)

North Wall: A Green Woodpecker was in Pagham churchyard this morning and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was along the lane. A Marsh Harrier was over the reeds behind the Breech Pool this morning and a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail and a Cetti’s Warbler were around the sluice. 

In Whites Creek there were four Curlew Sandpipers, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, eight Grey Plovers, 20 Dunlin, 100 Lapwing, 50 Redshank, 60 Wigeon and 16 Pintail. A few Teal were on the Breech Pool with c500 House Martins along with a few Sand Martins and Swallows overhead. Along the wall were two Stonechats, two Chiffchaffs and a smart male Linnet and four Little Grebes were on Owl Water. 

At Halsey’s Farm another Kingfisher was along the rife, two Jays and a Green Woodpecker flew through, and three Stonechats and a few Meadow Pipits and Linnets were on the fences. Along Honer Lane were eight Stonechats and on the reservoir were two Shoveler, a Common Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail. (LP/CT./JDW)

Curlew Sandpipers (above), Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher and Cetti's Warbler at the North Wall (LP)

More from the North Wall: Stonechat, above, and Great Spotted Woodpecker (JDW)

Church Norton: A brief look revealed a Spotted Flycatcher, Green Woodpecker and three Chiffchaffs in the field behind the hide and a rather late Lesser Whitethroat with two Chiffchaffs in the churchyard. 

With the tide rising and some disturbance from a dogwalker there wasn't much on show in the harbour - nine Pintail, two Teal, 18 Wigeon, five Grey Plover, seven Turnstones and eight Curlew. (SR)

Chiffchaff at Church Norton (SR)

Sunday, 2nd October: A wet start to the day with a NNE wind of F3, backing to the west...hopefully drying up as the day progresses...

Editorial note:  Please ensure all contributions to the blog this week are sent to selseybirdblog@gmail.com

Selsey Bill: Not much to report in horrible weather! Full log below. (SH/SR)

(0650-0900hrs) (W F2)

Gannet - 3E, 69W

Shag - 12E

Brent Goose - 7W

Turnstone - 3ob

Sandwich Tern - 8os

Common Tern - 1os

auk sp. - 12E

Razorbill - 2E, 1W

House Martin - 136p

Sand Martin - 2E

Swallow - 863 drifting east

Meadow Pipit - 1N

Pied Wagtail - 1W

Shags heading east (above) & SH showing dedication to the cause at the Bill in the rain (SR)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool-  The Red-backed Shrike was still present this morning near Earnley car park. (AB et al)

Later, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found at the Stilt Pools and was present up until 1330hrs when it flew into the reserve. It was well re-found at 1450hrs distantly on the far bank of the pool opposite the Stilt Pool. (K.Harding/SaH/SH/AHe/AB/MB/DB/AT/IP/SR/CRJ/BI et al)

Also present around the reserve today were two Egyptian Geese, a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier and two Kestrels. Along the banks were 11 Stonechats, 6 Yellowhammers, two Corn Buntings, two Dartford Warblers, two Whitethroats and two Cetti's Warblers. "Viz-mig" included c.50 Meadow Pipits, three Pied Wagtails and a Pied Wagtail whilst a Merlin flew through and a flock of Linnets was at the rocks. 

In addition to the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, the Stilt Pools held a Ringed Plover and two KIngfishers. (SaH/SH/P.Evans at al)

Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Medmerry (top MB, lower SH), Red-backed Shrike (CRJ)

Ferry Pool: After the deluge this morning there were 10 Shoveler, seven Shelduck, the Brent Goose, 17 Lapwings and a single Black-tailed Godwit; in the hedge were three Stonechats. (SR)

Pagham Lagoon and Spit: There were three Tufted Ducks, 20 Little Grebes and a Great Crested Grebe on the Lagoon together with the usual Mallards, Swans and Coots. In the bushes by the boardwalk there were c100 House Sparrows, a Greenfinch, a Chiffchaff and a pair of Reed Buntings. 

A Wheatear was along the spit with two Stonechats, 70 Linnets and more House Sparrows and a Common Tern and two Sandwich Terns were fishing the new lagoon, with 20 Grey Plovers, 50 Dunlin and two Pied Wagtails on the shingle banks. In the harbour there were 100 Wigeon, 20 Pintail and 12 Teal with plenty of Oystercatchers and a few Redshank and overhead c100 House Martins and a few Swallows were heading out to sea and three Woodlarks went over. (LP/BI)

Little Grebe (above), Stonechat & Tufted Duck at Pagham Lagoon (LP)

Chichester Gravel Pits: There were a few Chiffchaffs along the paths and a mixed flock of Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits and Dunnocks around Ivy Lake but bar two Cetti's Warblers small birds were at premium. There was little of interest on the water either with just c.50 Greylag Geese on East Trout Lake of note; there were reasonable numbers of Coots, Moorhens and Mallards but oddly the only other duck sp. found were three Tufted Ducks on Copse Lake and a single Shoveler on New Lake. There is also, sadly, another outbreak of blue-green algae on many of the lakes. (BI)

Saturday, 1st October: A warmer day than of late with a strong westerly wind gusting to F6-7...

Editorial note:  Please ensure all contributions to the blog this week are sent to selseybirdblog@gmail.com

Selsey Bill: Over 75 Brent Geese went through east, as did 29 Shags, but it was generally hard going this morning! Full log below. (SH/IP/SR/P&LH/BI/RJS et al)

(0630-0900hrs) (W F5-6) 

Gannet - 14E, 55WShag - 29E, 2W

Brent Goose - 79W

Oystercatcher- 1W

Sparrowhawk - 1p

Mediterranean Gull - 5W

Sandwich Tern - 10os

Common Tern - 2W

auk sp. - 12E, 1W

Swallow - 6W

Meadow Pipit - 40NW

Grey Wagtail - 1W

(1540-1640) (W F4) (SH)

Gannet - 100os (distant)

Shag - 14W

Turnstone - 1ob

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 1W

Razorbill - 1W. - 

Brent Geese (above), Shags, Meadow Pipit and Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (BI/SR)

Ferry Pool: The Brent Goose was still on the pool this morning along with five Shelducks, two Shoveler and 10 Lapwings whilst eight Stock Doves and a Cetti's Warbler were in Ferry field. (SR)

Medmerry: The Red-backed Shrike was still showing nicely opposite the Earnley car-park at 0915. (AB/G.Simonds/LP et al)

Red-backed Shrike at Earnley (SaH, above, LP below)

& more of the Red-backed Shrike, below (E.Parkes), lower two (A.Dennis)

Fishbourne Creek/Birdham Pool/Marina Pool: The highlight at Fishbourne Creek were ten Greenshanks together near the sluice but otherwise there was little of note.

The Marina Pool was oddly barren bar a few Mallards, and Birdham Pool just held c.12 Little Grebes. (BI)

Church Norton: Behind the hide this morning there were four Spotted Flycatchers, two Chiffchaffs and two Swallows. In the Harbour there were barely double figures of Dunlin, a few Ringed Plover and five Grey Plover (two in partial summer plumage) plus the usual Oystercatchers, Curlews and Redshanks and also a Whimbrel flew into the Harbour. A Greenshank was seen from the benches along with two Turnstones and a Kingfisher. For the first time in a month there were about 20 Med Gulls in the Harbour. A Green Woodpecker was on the Spit, but then flew over the Harbour to Priory Wood.

Two Common Buzzards were in the area, along with a male Kestrel hunting over the Severals and a distant Sparrowhawk was amongst the hirundines at Greenlease Farm.

A minimum of six Stonechats were ranging from the horse field to the track between the Severals including a family of four and associating with these was a Dartford Warbler. A Guillemot was feeding close inshore opposite the Second Several, three Sandwich Terns went west here along with a flock of six Brent Geese and a Gannet, whilst a male Shoveler was on the Second Several. (P&LH/IP)

Spotted Flycatchers at Church Norton (LP)

North Wall: A Green Woodpecker and two Stonechats were in the paddock this morning and a few Long-tailed Tits and Chiffchaffs were down the lane. A Grey Wagtail and a Kingfisher were around the sluice and in Whites Creek there were four Curlew Sandpipers, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a few Grey Plovers and plenty of Redshank and Lapwings.

Two Rock Pipits were along the wall but it was quiet at Halsey’s Farm with just a single Meadow Pipit on the fence, a few Rooks in the field and a handful of Swallows overhead. (LP, SP)

Rock Pipit (above), Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpipers & Grey Wagtail at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - Two Marsh Harriers were around the marsh where a Sparrowhawk and six Kestrels were also noted. Along the banks were five Yellowhammers, eight Stonechats, four Cetti's Warblers & a Chiffchaff whilst overhead were three Pied Wagtails, c.50 Meadow Pipits and c.20 Swallows. 

Waders included a Ringed Plover and 23 Golden Plovers, a Kingfisher went through and four Brent Geese were also seen. On the Stilt Pool were seven Egyptian Geese whilst a Merlin was also noted in the area. Four Cattle Egrets and a good number of Greenshank were about later in the day.  (SaH/SH/A.Dennis/C.Barker)

Merlin at Medmerry (A.Dennis)