10th - 12th November 2022

Saturday, 12th November: The breeze finally abated this morning, as it swung from south-west to south-east overnight, leaving a pleasant and warm morning of sunshine and white cloud..............

Selsey Bill: The first Slavonian Grebe of the autumn flew in from the east and landed on the sea, whilst 4700 Wood Pigeons went over east, nearly half in one massive flock, but otherwise there wasn't a lot going on. Full log later. (SH/SR/IP/AH/JA/BI)

(0650-1005hrs) (SSE, F4)

Red-throated Diver - 2E

Slavonian Grebe - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 1E, 1W

Gannet - 1W, 1os

Shag - 2E

Little Egret - 4W

Brent Goose - 3W

Wigeon - 8W

Common Scoter - 10E, 3W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 1W

Kestrel - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 7os

Common Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 1os

auk sp - 1W

Wood Pigeon - 4720E

Skylark - 1E

Swallow - 1

Meadow Pipit - 11E

Pied Wagtail - 6W

Magpie - 35E

Linnet - 34E

Goldfinch - 182E

Chaffinch - 3E

Wood Pigeons (above) & Goldfinches at the Bill (AH)

East Beach Pond: A Yellow-browed Warbler was reported as present late this morning (per Birdguides), but there was no further sign (IP/JA/SR).

Ferry Pool: There were just ten Shelducks, c40 Wigeon, c75 Shoveler and c100 Teal on the pool this morning. (AH)

Shoveler on the Ferry (AH)

Pagham Spit and East Side: The Snow Bunting was again at the western end of the spit this morning, though there were no further reports, and there were also two Dartford Warblers and two Stonechats present, along with four Rock Pipits and a Kingfisher.

Also, another Dartford Warbler, two more Stonechats, a Reed Bunting and two Goldcrests were around the Slipe Field, with a Chiffchaff in the hedges by the harbour, whilst 120 Brent Geese, 22 Shelducks, eight Pintail, 17 Grey Plovers, c30 Ringed Plovers, 20 Turnstones and 220 Lapwings were in the harbour. (CRJ/SR)

Snow Bunting (above), Stonechat & Brent Geese at Pagham Spit (CRJ)

North Wall: A male and female Marsh Harrier, a Kestrel and two Reed Buntings (one singing) was about it along the wall. (CRJ)

Also, there was a mixture of birds on the sodden fields behind the reservoir. including 112 Brent Geese, 96 Black-headed Gulls, 19 Curlews, seven Black-tailed Godwits, three Redshanks, two Egyptian Geese, two female Marsh Harriers and a Mute Swan. Highlight was when the two harriers had a spat immediately overhead and everything took to the air. (JDW)

Egyptian Geese at the North Wall (JDW)

Park Farm, Selsey: Two Goldcrests and six Pied Wagtails were the highlights this morning. (IP)

Church Norton: The highlight was a Dartford Warbler briefly sat on the gorse opposite the First Several, with also two female-type Reed Buntings, a singing Chiffchaff, a few Long-tailed Tits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker in the vicinity, whilst the Spit was full of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, plus a number of Linnets and 25 Greenfinches.

The harbour held a lot of birds, but nothing out of the ordinary - conservative estimates of wildfowl would be 250 Brent Geese, a similar number of Wigeon, 200 Teal and a dozen Pintail, whilst waders were just the usual Dunlin, Turnstones, Oystercatchers and Curlews, plus a few Ringed Plover and Knot. (IP)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Long-tailed Duck was on the Stilt Pool this morning, where there were also five Snipe, c60 Lapwings, a Common Gull, six Gadwall, up to ten Shovelers and Tufted Ducks and c50 Wigeon and c200 Teal.

Also, unexpectedly, a first-winter Arctic Tern flew over the pool and later two together were feeding over the reserve.

The banks were fairly quiet, with a Dartford Warbler in the 'Yellowhammer Bushes' the only one seen, whilst a dozen Yellowhammers were by the poplars, at least that many Stonechats and Meadow Pipits were spread along the path and c300 Linnets and c100 Skylarks were around the reserve. 

Also, a Green Sandpiper flew up and dropped back down, out on the reserve, with two Marsh Harriers, a Sparrowhawk and four Kestrels seen over the reserve, too, and four Sandwich Terns were offshore. (AH/SH)

Long-tailed Duck (above), Arctic Tern, Dartford Warbler, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit & Common Gull and Lapwing at Medmerry (AH)

Sidlesham: This afternoon a female Marsh Harrier flew low over our garden on the west of the village, heading eastwards. (AH)

Marsh Harrier over Sidlesham (AH)

Friday, 11th November: It remains unusually warm for the time of the year, with another breezy mix of sunshine and fast moving white cloud in a moderate south-westerly.... .....

Selsey Bill: It was quiet early on, but picked up a bit later, when three Little Gulls went west, along with a very distant flock of geese, that may well have been Barnacle Geese. Full log below. (SR/IP/AH/KT/BI)

(0715-0930hrs) (SW, F4)

Shag - 2os

Brent Goose - 6W

goose sp (possibly Barnacle Geese) - 25W

Common Scoter - 2E

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 3E

Turnstone - 9

Little Gull - 3W

Mediterranean Gull - 3os

Kittiwake - 16W

Linnet - 16W

Chaffinch - 3W

Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There was very little going on this morning, on the very full pool, with just c60 Shovelers and c150 Teal spread around the banks. (AH)

Pagham Spit: The Snow Bunting was still present early this morning at the end of the spit (BI/TG/T Taylor), but was then absent for a long period (IP/SR/AH), before reappearing in the same area later on! (TG/T Taylor)

Also, two redhead Goosanders flew in from the east, heading for the harbour mouth, and a Dartford Warbler was along the path, with a pair of Stonechats, half a dozen Skylarks and up to a dozen Meadow Pipits and Linnets in the vicinity.

At least 250 Brent Geese (including the odd white-headed one that has been present for several winters, now) and similar of Wigeon, plus a few Pintail,  were in the harbour, whilst a huge flock of Black-tailed Godwits - perhaps 400 birds - came up from the far end, as did 200 Lapwings. (AH)

Goosander (above), Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Skylark, Pintail & aberrant Brent Goose at Pagham Spit (AH)

This afternoon, the Snow Bunting re-appeared at the end of the spit before vanishing again. (AB)

Also, the female Black Redstart was nearby, along Pagham Beach again, and three Goosanders were in the harbour mouth. (T Taylor)

Snow Bunting on Pagham Spit (AB)

Thursday, 10th November: Another very mild and blustery morning in a fresh westerly, sunny early on, but clouding up later.....

Selsey Bill: There was a little more activity than yesterday, including a Great Northern Diver and a Red-throated Diver offshore,a Merlin along the beach, a Swallow over the houses and several big flocks, totalling 505 Wood Pigeons heading over high to the west. Full log below. (SR/IP/AH)

(0720-0900hrs) (WSW, F4-5)

Great Northern Diver - 1E

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Brent Goose - 1W

Red-breasted Merganser - 3W

Merlin - 1W

Kestrel - 1

Turnstone - 4

Mediterranean Gull - 15os

Wood Pigeon - 505W

Swallow - 1

Meadow Pipit - 4W

Pied Wagtail - 1

Linnet - 13W

Swallow (above), Mediterranean Gull & Wood Pigeons at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Five Avocets on the pool and 20 Lapwings over were the only waders seen this morning, with otherwise just a Common Gull among 50 Black-headed Gulls and eight Shelducks, c20 Wigeon and Shovelers and c200 Teal tucked in around the edges. (AH)

Common and Black-headed Gulls (above) & Avocets and Teal on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The Greenshank was present again this morning, with c50 Grey Plovers and c200 Dunlin on the mud before the tide got too high, whilst a few Brent Geese were in the harbour, and another 75, including a dozen juveniles were behind the churchyard again.

Also, two Kingfishers flew along the side of the harbour together, a couple of Jays were in the churchyard, a couple of Chiffchaffs, Cetti's Warblers and Reed Buntings were along the west, side and four Stonechats and a couple more Reed Buntings were along the Severals.

Also, at least six Red Admirals were on the wing.  (AH/CRJ)

Greenshank (above), Grey Plover, Stonechat & Brent Geese  (AH) & Red Admiral (CRJ) at Church Norton

Pagham Spit: A Snow Bunting - the first of the autumn -  turned up at the harbour mouth end of the spit at c.3pm this afternoon.

Also, a female Marsh Harrier was out hunting over the harbour. (T Taylor/TG)

Snow Bunting on Pagham Spit (TG)

North Wall: A male Marsh harrier was out hunting over the Breech Pool this afternoon. (AD)

Marsh Harrier at the North Wall (AD)

7th - 9th November 2022

Wednesday, 9th November: After another stormy night, a bright and breezy morning, warm despite the fresh westerly.....

Selsey Bill:There was not much to report at all again this morning. Full log below. (SR/AH/IP)

(0730-0845hrs) (WSW, F5)

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Shag - 2E, 1os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Turnstone - 9

Mediterranean Gull - 4os

Meadow Pipit - 1W

Pied Wagtail - 1W

Ferry Pool: What little there was on a very full pool was tucked in at the back, including eight Avocets, four Redshanks, six Shelducks and 50 or so Teal, Wigeon and Shovelers whilst a pair of Stonechats and a couple of Skylarks were on the field. (AH)

Avocets, Shoveler, Teal and Mallards on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A Greenshank flying around the harbour was the only wader of note, though there were 50+ Grey Plovers and 100+ Dunlin on the mud before the tide rose, with c50 Wigeon and Teal and c100 Brent Geese also present, along with another 40 of the latter in the fields behind the churchyard.

Two Swallows went over the harbour and two pairs of Stonechats were along the Severals, but otherwise there were just a handful of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests, and a few Long-tailed Tits, in various bits of sheltered vegetation. (AH)

Greenshank (above), Swallow, Stonechat, Long-tailed Tit, Wigeon & Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to Marsh Barn - A very windy afternoon at Medmerry found a Long-tailed Duck in the channel near the Easton Viewpoint, taking shelter amongst the large number of Teal present. (P Court per SOS)

Lagness: A Red Kite went over, heading towards the harbour, this morning. (TG-P)

Pagham Beach: A Black Redstart was along the revetment rocks on the beach at lunchtime today. (T Taylor)

North Wall: A male and a female Marsh Harriers were over the Breech Pool this morning, with 12 Shelducks, a Tufted Duck, 12 Coots, a Water Rail, nine Stock Doves and two Cetti’s Warblers also in the vicinity. (CRJ/AB)

Also, two Swallows were over the Church Barton Reservoir. (JDW)

Later on, in White's Creek, on a rising tide, there were 150+ Black-tailed Godwits present, with a few Grey Plovers, Dunlin, Knot interspersed, as well as 200+ Lapwings.

Unusually, in my experience, 30 Tufted Ducks and three Pochard were on the Breech Pool, whilst 20 Curlews were in the flooded fields and a male Kestrel was on the horse paddock fence. (TS)

Late this afternoon a male Marsh Harrier was about, along with two Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel, with a Kingfisher seen, too, whilst c80 Brent geese were in the harbour. (S&SaH)

Marsh Harrier at the North Wall (CRJ)

East Side: A Sparrowhawk, a Stonechat, ten Goldfinches and a Reed Bunting were all along the path along the east side of the harbour this morning. (CRJ).

Sparrowhawk along the East side (CRJ)

Tuesday, 8th November: Yet another morning of near gale force south-westerlies, driving through heavy showers under heavy cloud, though it remains unseasonably mild, still.....

Selsey Bill: It was a very quiet morning, with just a few of the regular species noted, and the highlight being a Merlin zipping through. Full log below. (SR/IP/AH/P&LH)

(0715-0845hrs) (SW, F7)

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Gannet - 1E, 2W

Common Scoter - 2W

Merlin - 1W

Oystercatcher - 1

Turnstone - 9

Mediterranean Gull - 5W, 3os

auk sp - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 3W

Linnet - 5W

Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A dozen Avocets were roosting at the back this morning, whilst two Snipe dropped in, but otherwise it was just ducks, comprising 16 Shelducks, a drake Gadwall, c80 Shovelers, c150 Teal, c40 Wigeon and 20 Mallards. (AH)

Also, a Jack Snipe flew out among a flock of 15 Snipe from the side of the Long Pool, viewed from the Tramway, late this morning, and two Swallows could be distantly seen over the sewage works. (AB)

Shoveler (above), Teal & Avocets, Shovelers and Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There was a huge roosting flock of 230 Grey Plovers on the beach this morning, with37 more in the harbour, along with 12 Turnstones, 30 Redshank, five Curlews, a Lapwing, 46 Oystercatchers, seven Great Crested Grebes,  50 Wigeon, 37 Teal and 33 Mallards

Land-birds were at a premium, but included a Chiffchaff by the hide, with three Jays, a Mistle Thrush, a Green Woodpecker, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel in the vicinity and 12 Skylarks and eight Meadow Pipits around the harbour. (P&LH)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: It was very quiet round all the fields and hedges, with just c20 Cattle Egrets with the cows by Marsh Farm and a handful with the sheep by Chalder Farm, and almost no small birds on show beyond a couple of Reed Buntings and Pied Wagtails and 20 or  so Chaffinches and Goldfinches. (AH)

Cattle Egret at Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (AH)

Monday, 7th November: The spell of very unsettled weather continues, with another mild morning of near gale-forces south-westerly winds, mostly leaden skies and intermittent bands of heavy rain.....

Dolphins and other sea mammals off the Sussex Coast - The Sussex Dolphin Project is trying to record all activity of dolphins, porpoises and seals off of the Sussex coast, with a simple to submit form on their website - sussexdolphinproject.org/research/

Information collected is location, time/date, species, no. of animals, whether any calves are present, direction of travel and behaviour (categories of behaviour are set out on the sightings page)

All reports will be gratefully received. (Eds)

Selsey Bill: It was another morning of limited activity in difficult viewing conditions. Full log below. (SR/IP/AH)

(0715-0830hrs) (WSW, F6-7)

Great Northern Diver - 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 1E, 11W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Oystercatcher - 2W

Turnstone - 5

Mediterranean Gull - 7W

Later on, a Little Gull was lingering offshore, and an Arctic Skua went west. Full log below. 

(1145-1315hrs) (MD)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Gannet - 14W

Turnstone - 23

Arctic Skua - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 3os

Little Gull - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 1W

Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A female Marsh Harrier was hunting the fields this morning, despite the rain, whilst on/around the pool there were two Egyptian Geese, 15 Avocets, c20 Redshanks, 14 Shelducks and 50+ Teal and Shovelers, and c200 Lapwings flew in from the harbour. (AH)

This afternoon there were two Marsh Harriers and five Swallows over the small reed-bed along the Medmerry Trail, just to the north of the sewage works. (TG-P)

Marsh Harrier (above), Egyptian Geese, Avocets & Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A dozen Cattle Egrets were in the North Fields this afternoon. (TG-P)

Church Norton: Both a Merlin and a Peregrine were out hunting this morning, whilst a Kingfisher was along the sheltered side of the harbour, and c100 Brent Geese, c50 Wigeon and a few Pintail, Teal and Great Crested Grebes were on the water on the full tide, but again, there were next no waders visible.

At least 80 Linnets flew out from Tern Island, whilst two or three Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were along the sheltered hedges, as were a few Chaffinches and Greenfinches, but the only bird seen in the churchyard was a lone Jay. (AH)

Peregrine (above),Kingfisher, Chiffchaff, Brent Geese & Wigeon at Church Norton (AH)