14th - 16th August 2013

Friday, 16th August: Cloudy with a fresh SW wind; rain due later. No news yet... updates awaited. (Apologies for late update - assisting with medical emergency at neighbours.) Inclement weather and unforeseen circumstances conspired to prevent me doing any birding today. Reports were all but absent throughout, except for Andy House who reported the following;-

Pagham Hbr: Sidlesham Ferry Pool: 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Redshank & 20 Teal. Church Norton: 2 Whimbrel and a Greenshank in the harbour but few passerines (AH).A later report that the Curlew Sandpiper was also still present there (per SOS).

 

Black-tailed Godwit on the Ferry Pool (photo: AH)

Later, a Greenshank with the Godwits and a Little Ringed Plover on the Breech Pool, plus a smart Grey Plover from the sluice on North Wall, (per SOS).


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Thursday, 15th August: I think we're all getting a bit restless now waiting for some decent migrants to pass through the Peninsula, as the local birding has been very stagnant for the last couple of weeks. There are signs though that things are just beginning to change, and various observers today have logged Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Hobby, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Redstart, so it's not too bad I guess. Time will tell.... 

Selsey Bill: (0910-1130hrs):  Dry, cloud then sunshine. Wind brisk W 4-5.  (Obs: OM/PC)
Gannet - 5E, 12W
Common Scoter - 13E
Med Gull - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 10W
Common Tern - 5E, 41W
Little Tern - 2W

(Selsey) Medmerry: I was only able to check out the creek from the beach this morning as there was much earth-moving going on and heavy lorries up and down continuously. it's likely I missed a fair bit on the ponds being excavated, but even so there were some waders on offer (OM):

Wood Sandpiper - 1
Common Sandpiper - 3
Redshank - 1
Ringed Plover - 3
Little Ringed Plover - 4
Dunlin - 65 (in a variety of sizes and plumages).
Wheatear - 4
Sand Martin - 10

Pagham Hbr: On Sidlesham Ferry Pool this morning - 1 Green and 5 Common Sandpipers and 25 Teal (AH). At the North Wall/Breech Pool JW/CRJ report 29 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Greenshank and 2 Wheatears. JW then checked out the North Fields which produced a male Redstart, 7 Whitethroats, 12 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Wheatears and also a Clouded Yellow.

I started this morning at Church Norton where Andy House also had the same idea. We didn't see a great deal but it was good for the soul to have a moan about the slowness of the local birding scene at present. Our tally was: just 2 Whimbrel, a few Curlews, perhaps up to 50 of Ringed Plover and Dunlin,  2 Swifts, 1 House Martin, 15 Sand Martins and 10+ Swallows. We perhaps left too early, for soon after a phone call from C&ME  advised of a Marsh Harrier over the harbour, followed by a juv Curlew Sandpiper at Norton. Two lazy Peregrines were also present around Tern Island (C&ME/RAI).

 

At Chi GP's - Drayton Pits a fishing Osprey was located, followed by a Hobby (per RAI/SOS website). 
This evening, Sam and Sandra Hill did their regular walk from Selsey to Church Norton but not a great deal to report; 100+ Sand Martins, 50+ Swallows, several House Martins, 2 Swifts and a Shoveler on The Severals. 
 

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Wednesday, 14th August: No other way to describe it than a very slow and dull day for birding on the Peninsula (and I suspect elsewhere), well so far at least...

Fishbourne Creek: Very pleasant, but very quiet this morning - highlights being 1 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 20 Curlew, 100+ Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 10 Common Gulls, 80 Mediterranean Gulls and 6 Sand Martins, but virtually zero passerine activity (AH).

Greenshank at Fishbourne Creek (photo: Andy House)

 

A late walk around Medmerry in the drizzle was fairly productive - a confiding Golden Plover was a surprise, otherwise most of the usual suspects were present - a Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 20+ Ringed Plovers, 30+ Dunlin, 20 Teal and up to 5 Wheatears.

 

 

      Golden Plover, Medmerry (photo: A. House)

 

 

11th - 13th August 2013

Tuesday, 13th August: A frustrating non-birding day at home for me whilst I waited in for a delivery man; still it seems I didn't really miss too much on the Peninsula ...

 

Pagham Hbr: North wall area:- JW reports it was very quiet; White's Creek produced only 9 Swifts SE, 13 Oystercatchers, 16 Black-tailed Godwits and 23 Redshanks, whilst on the Breech Pool were 1 Greenshank, 1 Snipe, 3 Lapwings and 24 Teal. The Turtle Dove was still present in the Honer Farm area and 127 House Sparrows were counted along Church Lane.

On Sidlesham Ferry (0810hrs) 1 Green and 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 LRP's (CRJ).

Additional records for the harbour from the Worthing boys (BFF/DIS/DM) included a large increase in Ringed Plover and Dunlin with 90 for both species and the Spotted Redshank still in White's Creek with a single Brent Goose. On the Breech Pool: single Little Ringed Plover with two Common Sandpipers. Twelve Willow Warblers in the hedgerows with a single Wheatear and six Sedge Warblers. Over the harbour: three Peregrines and two flocks of Common Buzzards totalling nine birds. Church Norton: again few birds noted with around ten Willow Warblers, three Common Whitethroats and three Blackcaps.
 

At (Selsey) Medmerry:  (Obs: CRJ)

Wood Sandpiper - 1

Green Sandpiper - 2

Common Sandpiper -  3

Dunlin - 45

Ringed Plover - 1

Little Ringed Plover - 2

Greenshank - 1

Redshank - 1

 

Sarah Russell also had a quiet day: "Very little about but then I recall on TV Chris Packham saying August was about the only month when birdwatching isn't up to much.  One of the cottages in Chalder Lane had at least two House Martin nests and there was lots of activity there with 15 - 20 birds flying around, 100 or so mixed House Martins and Swallows were hawking just above the fields and 2 Yellowhammers were singing as were many Whitethroats.  

Walking the short footpath between Rookery Lane and the Mill a mixed flock of 14 Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Willow Warblers were very active, also 9 Whitethroats, and a Treecreeper was finding food on an oak tree, the latter bird common enough elsewhere but the first I've seen on the peninsula.  The tide was rising and all I could find at the Mill was a Curlew, a couple of Little Egrets and an Oystercatcher."

 

 

Willow Warbler at Rookery Lane, Sidlesham (photo: Sarah Russell)

 

 

Sarah also had a sighting of an unidentified owl on the roof of a cottage named Little Owlswyck in Church Lane/Chalder Lane; I must admit it confused me for a second or two - possible 'Little Owl' - see pic!



 

 

Name the species...owl on the roof of a cottage in Chalder Lane (photo: Sarah Russell)

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Monday, 12th August: Not too much to report today; thanks to those regulars who provided what little information there was...

Quick look at Sidlesham Ferry Pool at 6am:  1 Green Sandpiper,  1 Greenshank, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Redshank, 8 Lapwings, the Shelduck family, 29 Teal, 3 Black-headed Gulls,  19 Canada Geese flying toward Medmerry, a Buzzard in bushes (intent on watching the Sandpiper), and several Whitethroats (SR). AH later added a Common Sandpiper and a single Black-tailed Godwit here ...big deal I hear you cry, but it has been very slow on the Ferry for quite a while now so all sightings gratefully received!

Church Norton: Very quiet in a brief walk round - 1 Whimbrel, 1 Whitethroat and 2 Willow/Chiffs was it. (Also, I meant to mention that I went back to Medmerry yesterday evening - not much different to earlier - though there were at least 6 Wheatears about) (AH).

Desperate for a pic today, so herewith a shot of a (tail-less?) Wheatear at Medmerry yesterday (photo: A. House) 

Late news of an Osprey over Pagham Hbr (per SOS website)

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Sunday, 11th August: Cloudy and cooler this morning with some unexpected showers, gradually becoming warmer and sunny again. Most of the action seemed to be at Medmerry - alias "Selsey West Fields" - but given the massive changes at the site now and the impending breach to the sea wall next month, I think it appropriate that we now drop the West Fields name and hereafter adopt the Medmerry title. In stark contrast however, Sidlesham Ferry Pool seems to be attracting very few waders at the moment despite looking good; just what is the reason I wonder?   Birding news follows ...

(Selsey) Medmerry: Met Andy House and we worked the site together, with the following results:

Wood Sandpiper - 2,

Green Sandpiper - 3,

Common Sandpiper - 5,

Greenshank - 1,

Little Ringed Plover - 5,

Ringed Plover - 1,

Dunlin - 35,

Redshank - 2,

Sparrowhawk - 1,

Wheatear - 2,

Linnet - 25,

Meadow Pipit - 4,

Whitethroat - 7,

Reed Bunting - 5 

Corn Bunting - 4 (one an apparent juv bird) (OM/AH).

Little Ringed Plover and Corn Bunting at Medmerry (photos: Andy House)

Pagham Hbr: North Wall area: The Spotted Redshank was still in White's Creek but no sign of the Curlew Sandpiper; also 1 Greenshank, 36 Redshank, 9 Black-tailed Godwits and the Black Swan there. On Breech Pool 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 LRP's and 22 Teal. The 'regular' Turtle Dove was still in the Honer farm area plus 3 Stock Doves whilst the back fields produced only a few Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Whitethroats (JW).

Sidlesham Ferry Pool held only 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Teal and the Shelduck family at 0830hrs (OM).

A brief walk from Rookery Lane through the fields of Church Farm, Sidlesham, toward Pagham Harbour this morning produced: 2 Yellowhammers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Buzzard, 1 calling Cetti's Warbler, 19 Canada Geese, many Skylarks and 1 purring Turtle Dove (SR).


Selsey - Church Norton: The "Walk" (all your readers must be getting used to the reference), produced 51 Species for me this morning; it included 4 Wheatears (1 outside the house near Park Farm and 3 on the spit in the harbour), a Garden Warbler in the oak bushes as the path between the two Severals reaches the beach, and a Green Sandpiper that flew calling over the harbour and landed at the back of the first Several (IP). 

Selsey Bill 0650-0810hrs: Cloud/showers SW3-4  (Obs: SH/IP)
Gannet - 41 os

Fulmar - 3W

Eider - 1E

Turnstone - 4 ob

Whimbrel - 2W

Common Tern - 8 os, 21W
Sandwich Tern - 14 os

1700-1800hrs (SH)
Gannet - 26E, 12W
Common Tern - 12 os

Sandwich Tern - 21 os

 

 

7th - 10th August 2013

Saturday, 10th August: More observer activity today, but nothing really noteworthy on the Peninsula as yet. I visited the Chi. G Pits at Drayton but it was devoid of waders (except for a handful of Lapwings), although there were plenty of ducks including the first 2 Shoveler of the autumn.  Today's news:-     
 

Selsey Bill: 0600-0715hrs:  Sunny with cloud, warm. Wind SW4.   (Obs: SH)Gannet - 31  os

Little Egret - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 22 os
Common Tern - 29 os
House Martin - 64W
Swallow - 2W
1400-1500hrs:  SW 3-4  (Obs; SH)
Gannet - 6E, 5W
Turnstone - 3W
Great Skua - 1W
Common Tern - 1E, 59W
Sandwich Tern - 1W
Kestrel - 1W
Swift -  2 p

Selsey - Church Norton (SH/SaH)  54 species in total logged, including:-

1 Hobby (at the Severals)
1 Cuckoo along beach
50+ House Martins
4 Swift
20+ Whitethroat

3 Lesser Whitethroat (at Severals)
20+ Willow Warbler
1 Chiffchaff
1 female Wheatear

 

Teal on Ferry Pool and Clouded Yellow at Church Norton (photos: A. House)

Pagham Hbr: Ferry Pool: 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 24 Lapwing and 16 Teal this morning.

Church Norton: The first Wheatear of the autumn, on the concrete spit. Other birds included a Hobby, 3 Peregrines, 2 Buzzards, several Willow Warblers and a Blackcap. Also 1, possibly 2, Clouded Yellows on the beach.
North Wall/White's Creek: A late report per the SOS website that the Curlew Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank were both present again today.

 

Pochards with young, Chi GP's - Drayton pits

 

 Tufted Duck with young, Chi GPs - Drayton pits

Chi GPs - Drayton pits: Shoveler - 2, Tufted Duck - 75, plus 2 females with broods of 12 and 4.

Pochard - 3 females with broods of 7,6 and 3 respectively, Great Crested Grebe - 3 pairs, one with a juvenile, Little Grebe - at least 4 pairs with young, Green Woodpecker - 2, Kestrel - 1 at possible nest-site, Common Buzzard - 1.

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Friday, 9th August: Sunny again with cloud but still warm. The only news so far is that the Curlew Sandpiper was again present in White's creek this morning...also a couple of LRP's on the Breech Pool.  Update:- 2130hrs: definitely a slow news day...can only add that 3 Peregrines were in the harbour today, and that Alan Kitson reckons the Curlew Sand is a female, as follows: "Using BWP it seems to me that the adult summer-plumaged Curlew Sandpiper at Pagham Harbour is female since it is quite big, is long-legged and long-billed and its red coloration is less than mahogany and is dappled with white."  Well I'm not quite sure I fully agree but it is clearly now well into moult, so it will be interesting to see how things progress.

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Thursday, 8th August: A fine sunny day with some periods of cloud. The Curlew Sandpiper was joined by a moulting Spotted Redshank in White's Creek, resulting in a bit of a mini-twitch early on. Apologies to JW for omitting his reports of a Turtle Dove near Honer Farm in recent days; there was no sign of it though by late morning in a brief search.

Mini-twitch on the North wall this morning, and moulting Spotted Redshank in White's Creek (photo: D. Mason).

Pagham Hbr: North Wall/Breech Pool: Curlew Sandpiper still present, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Snipe, 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Common Sandpiper, 25 Teal, Moorhen with 2 very small young, 2 Peregrines, 1 Kingfisher, 35 Sand Martins and 25 Swallows moving through S, 11 Yellow-legged Gulls, 3+ Reed Warblers and 2 Lesser Whitethroats (OM/MJ). A Clouded Yellow butterfly was also located (and another reported from Norton). Church Norton was very quiet - 4 Whimbrel being about the best!

Chi. Hbr: West Wittering/Ella Nore area: 47 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Greenshank, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Grey Plover, c200 Dunlin, 1 juvenile Oystercatcher and c.50 Sandwich Terns (GH).

Fishbourne Creek: 25 Little Egrets, two Whimbrel, single Common Sandpiper, eight Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 180 Med Gulls (only two juv's noted). (BFF/DIS/DM)

At Medmerry this afternoon 2 Wood Sandpipers, 1 Greenshank, 1 LRP, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Wheatears and another Clouded Yellow (BFF/DIS/DM).

 

Wood Sandpiper, Medmerry (photo: D. Mason)

 

 

Selsey Bill: Sunny, some cloud, wind light SW. Predictably few reports today in the calm conditions, but there was some coverage from about 0900-1000hrs, the highlights being: Gannets - 55 os,  Common Scoter - 59E, Little Tern - 2 os amongst a flock of Sandwich and Common Terns, and small numbers of Sand Martins and Swallows. (G Trew/AAS).

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Wednesday, 7th August: Decidedly cooler and cloudy with a few spots of rain early this morning when I arrived at Pagham Hbr, though it eventually became brighter and sunnier. The moulting (but still colourful) ad Curlew Sandpiper was again in White's Creek (viewable from the North wall sluice) but eventually made its way further south into the creek, remaining out of view for some time. On my arrival only Peter 'Palace' Callis was present; it was nice to see the bird but of course I took a good deal of stick following The Seagulls' dismal performance against lowly Newport in the League cup last night! After checking the Breech pool I fortunately had to leave in order to meet up with three Selsey stalwarts - Chris Janman, Eric Soden and Mervyn Jones (the latter on a short visit from Wales) - as we were leaving the Peninsula and heading inland for a butterfly trip.

Last of the summer wine? No, (l-to-r) yours truly with Messrs Janman and Jones on a trip away from the  Peninsula to look for butterflies (photo: Eric Soden).

 Today's bird news...

 

Pagham Hbr: North Wall/Breech Pool: Curlew Sandpiper still present, also 30 Dunlin, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 32 Teal and the Black Swan still around. At least 6 Yellow-legged Gulls on the mudflats and 10 Sand Martins flew over S. (PC,OM,JW et al). Also a juv Little Ringed Plover. From the tip of Pagham Spit at high tide 3 Peregrines literally tearing into their lunch on the east side of Tern Island, mum and two young 'uns. On Pagham Lagoon a flock of 8 Little Grebes, just one juv and seven summer-plumaged adults.  (A.Kitson/SOS)

Ferry Pool: 2 Common Sandpipers, 38 Lapwing, 34 Teal & the family of Shelducks (AH). Church Norton: Plenty of raptors, not much else. A Marsh Harrier over the west side, 2 juvenile Peregrines and 2 juvenile Buzzards around Norton and a female Sparrowhawk scaring the Swallows. A couple of Whimbrel in the harbour but almost no passerines, not helped by the presence of a chain-saw, a lawn-mower and a strimmer all going in the churchyard! (AH)

 

Shelduck family at Sidlesham Ferry (photo; Andy House)

 

Selsey Bill: A short stop - nothing moving but about 35 Common Terns and 20 Sandwich Terns in with 100+ Black-Headed Gulls in a big feeding flock (AH). Later, 2 Manx Shearwaters E at 1105hrs (GH et al).     

 

 

 

 

 

 

4th - 6th August 2013

Tuesday, 6th August: Sunny and pleasantly warm this morning with a light breeze SSW3. An early(ish) start saw me at Sidlesham Ferry Pool by 0745, where the selection of waders on offer was much better than the last few days. Next stop for me was the Bill, which was quiet except for Gannets, and then a call from C&ME advised of a Curlew Sandpiper in White's Creek (from North wall sluice). I took a chance and left it, although others managed to see it before the high tide (OM).

 

Pagham Hbr: North wall/White's Creek: A single Curlew Sandpiper and a Kingfisher (C&ME)

Also 16 Black-tailed Godwits on Breech pool, 2 Whimbrel and 20 Dunlin on East side (AH).

Sidlesham Ferry Pool: 2 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpipers, 4 juv LRP's,

1 Black-tailed Godwit, 26 Lapwing, 12 Teal, pair of Shelduck with 5 young. At Church Norton the tide was high when I visited and roosting waders were partly obscured, so all I logged were 10 Grey Plover, 3 Dunlin, 5 Whimbrel, 6 Med Gulls, 5 Sandwich Terns, 15 Swallows and several Willow Warblers (OM).

Juv LRP on Ferry Pool, and Grey Plovers in Pagham Hbr (photos: Andy House)

Selsey Bill (0815-0945hrs): Sunny, wind SSW3  (Obs: OM)
Gannet - 225E, 24W
Whimbrel - 2W
Common Tern - 15W, 20os fishing
Sandwich Tern - 7W
Willow Warbler - 2 gardens (1 singing)

Evening walk Selsey to Church Norton: (SH&SaH):
2 Peregrines, 1 Buzzard, a flock of 30+ Canada Geese (unusual sight on the walk),
150 Sand Martins including a flock of 100 flying out to sea at Norton beach, 50 Swifts,
and our first few Willow Warblers moving through.

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Monday, 5th August: A quieter day all round, with fewer birds or observers around. First news of the day was from SR, followed by JW:

"A gloomy morning but at least its not raining ...... yet.  Very little on Ferry Pool; the very attentive Shelducks and their brood of five, 2 Pied Wags, 9 Lapwing, 9 Black-headed Gulls, 22 Teal and 2 Moorhens.  At Church Norton a rather splendid Golden Plover was the main attraction followed by the two Peregrines, 6 Curlew, 3 Turnstones, 1 Sandwich Tern, 15 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 5 Swallows, 6 Redshank, and a Great Crested Grebe.  Behind the hide a female Blackcap, a Linnet, 3 Whitethroats and a Green Woodpecker." (SR).

"Dead! Not a wader on Breech Pool.. Sedge Warbler feeding young, 24 Little Egrets in harbour! (JW).

Also, a belated report from GH.. "Two Common Sandpipers and an influx of 33 Med Gulls of varying ages (but no juveniles) were the highlights this week at Fishbourne Creek."

 

Selsey Bill (1715-1900hrs):  Cloud, SW6  (Obs: SH/AH)
Gannet - 100+ os, some feeding close in

Fulmar - 2W

Turnstone - 20 ob

Common Scoter - 9E

Little Gull - 1W

Common Tern - 48W

Sandwich Tern -39W, 32 feeding os

Swift - 5p  (also 100+ over Sidlesham)

 

Gannets off Selsey Bill (photo: Andy House)

 

 

 

Sunday, 4th August: A fine sunny Sunday resulting in a good deal more observer activity today and more birds too. Best report so far (early afternoon) is from Colin & Mich Eames, Chris & Juliet Moore et al who were on the west side of Pagham harbour (Long pool) when a PURPLE HERON flew over from the harbour and headed to the west of Sidlesham sewage works (not relocated by 3pm). Apparently all four observers and probably a few more got to see it. A very nice find and well done. A record shot from Colin herewith:

Other news:-

Selsey Bill (0600-0930hrs):  Dry, sunny, wind S/SW3  (Obs: SH/AH et al)
Gannet - 29E, 128W
Fulmar - 1W
Manx Shearwater - 2W
Common Scoter - 34E, 26W
Teal - 1E
Sanderling - 10W
Dunlin - 2E, 1W
Turnstone - 15W
Ringed Plover - 1E
Whimbrel - 4W
Kestrel - 1 p
Great Skua - 1E
Kittiwake - 11W
Common Tern - 2E, 78W
Little Tern - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 6WSwift - 2W
Sand Martin - 25W
House Martin - 9W
Swallow - 2W

Other Selsey news: SH reports a Hobby over his garden this morning. IP reports" Of minor interest, I have just had a flock of c.200 Swifts fly high over my house (Park Lane, just north of Selsey) screaming. They were all heading south-east and clearly on migration. Sam and Sandra Hill also had a Lesser Whitethroat near Park Farm mid-morning. The only birds of note on my walk this morning were a close Fulmar offshore and what appears to be a resident (been here now for about a week) flock of Martins (mainly Sand Martin) over the fields north of my house. Other than that it is distinctly quiet." 

 

Kestrel, Selsey Bill (photo: Andy House)

 

 Marsh Harrier and corvids, Medmerry (photo: AH)
Peninsula: Selsey West Fields/Medmerry: Best bird was a female Marsh Harrier, first east with an entourage of corvids at 0930hrs, then back west on its own about 15 minutes later. Also 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin, an adult and a young Redshank, a family of Shelducks, 10+ Skylarks, 100+ Linnets, 150 Sand Martins over southwards in small flocks and 20+ Gannets far offshore. (AH)

The usual suspects on Honer Reservoir early afternoon, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Grebe and the female Tufted and her brood of 7. The main interest though was in the Butterflies, my first Clouded Yellow of the year in the lane, and a further 11 species on the weedy field just to the east of the reservoir, the same field that attracts all the finches in winter, as follows, 20+ Peacock ,6 Painted Lady, 3 Small Tortoiseshell ,5  Common Blue, 3 Gatekeeper , 3 Meadow Brown, lots of Green-veined, Small and a few Large White, 3 Small Skipper and 1 Red Admiral (CRJ).

A return visit to the creek at Westfields/Medmerry this evening produced a Wood Sandpiper, 5 juvenile Little Ringed Plover and 3 Common Sandpiper (presumably yesterday's birds on the Ferry), 25 Dunlin and at least 4 very young Redshanks. Also 80+ Sand Martin over (AH).

 

  Wood Sandpiper, West Fields/Medmerry (photo: AH)

 

 

 

 

 

1st - 3rd August 2013

Saturday, 3rd August: A bit more activity at last, showing that autumn passage has begun in earnest. Unusually a couple of Green Sandpipers passed the Bill early this morning - quite a scarce bird there and a Bill tick for the observer concerned (Sam).

Selsey Bill 0545-0930hrs: Cloud and squally showers, dry and sunny later; wind SW6.(Obs: SH)
Gannet - 121E, 206W
Fulmar - 1E, 1W

Turnstone - 25 ob

Green Sandpiper - 2W close in (0655hrs)

Oystercatcher - 3W

Great Skua - 1 os

Little Gull - 1W

Common Tern - 44W

Little Tern - 4W

Sandwich Tern - 103W
Sand Martin - 3W

SH then walked from Selsey - Church Norton (1000hrs) which produced 200+ Swifts and Sand Martins, 50+ House Martin and Swallows. Also several Peacock and Red Admiral butterflies and 1 Silver-washed Fritillary.
1600-1730hrs: SW4 (Obs: SH)
Gannet  - 39E, 89W
Sandwich Tern - 21W
Med Gull - 2W
Pagham Hbr: Ferry Pool: 5 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers at the back this morning, along with 3 Common Sandpipers; also 15 Teal, 6 Lapwing and the family party of Shelduck.
Church Norton: Not much to report bird-wise - a few Sandwich Terns in the harbour and one Chiffchaff, but at least half a dozen Painted Lady butterflies around. I saw 3 or 4 yesterday evening, which were the first of 2013 for me, and after an almost blank year last year maybe we are going to get an invasion this summer (AH).



Painted lady at Church Norton (photo: Andy House)

Chi GPs: Ivy Lake: 16 Common Terns, plus one House Martin and a Buzzard (AH).

 

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Friday, 2nd August: No birding news yet...updates awaited, although with  Pectoral and Wood Sands on offer at RSPB Pulborough Brooks some observers may be lured away from the Peninsula.

Common Sandpiper Pagham East side, and Sedge Warbler with food, Breech Pool (photos: Andy House)

 

Ferry Pool: 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Lapwing, 6 Teal, 16 Black-headed Gulls, 16 Teal, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, Pair Shelduck with 5 young (AH/SR).

Breech Pool: 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 30 Canada Goose, still Reed and Sedge Warblers feeding young, and 20 Sand Martins over. East side of Harbour: 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Grey Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 5 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, 40 Curlew, 25 Dunlin, 20 Yellow-legged Gulls (AH).

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Thursday, 1st August: A new month and one which should soon see a good number of waders on the move. I made a fairly early start at the North Wall & Breech Pool this morning and didn't see too many birds, but I did have to smile at a yellow-clad cyclist (aka Mr Janman), whilst grimacing at a Crystal Palace fan (aka Peter Callis). Bird news follows:

An athletic Mr Janman in race leader's yellow jersey on the North wall.

 

 

At Pagham North Wall/Breech pool this morning the Ruff was still present though very sleepy throughout. Also 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 45 Redshank, 1 Whimbrel, 12 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 45 Canada Geese, just 1 Yellow-legged Gull and a juvenile Cuckoo (OM/CRJ/PC).

 

 

 The best I could do to show the notably sleepy Ruff together with an equally lethargic Lapwing on the Breech pool



 

 A walk down the East side produced 3 Grey Plovers with 2 Knot, all resplendent in nearly full summer plumage, 2 Whimbrel, a summering Brent Goose and 3 Willow Warblers (OM).

Selsey to Church Norton: An evening walk by SH produced 1 Whimbrel, 300+ Black-headed Gulls feeding on flying insects at Norton beach, 200+ Sand Martins, 50+ Swallows, 20+ House Martins and 30+ Swifts. A family party of Red-legged Partridges were noted at Park Farm.


Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton feeding on flying ants, and a family of Red-legged Partridges at Park Farm (photos: Sam Hill)

29th - 31st July 2013

Wednesday, 31st July: Cloudy again today with a promise of further rain, though mainly dry at dawn. An early visit to the Ferry by SR found few birds, although it seems Sarah got a little more than she bargained for..! Despite various observers putting in some effort through the day, it remained very slow with only fairly mundane reports received.

Another empty day on Ferry Pool 6.45am:  Kestrel, 2 Shelduck with 5 ducklings, 4 Lapwings, 8 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Teal, 1 Buzzard, and c50 hirundines in the distance.  The juv Cuckoo was seen fleetingly then later heard near the car park.  Also in the car park the usual foreign registered camper van and a small car with a surprised man standing beside it in garish shorts, he was in the process of getting changed! (SR).

A belated report from yesterday from my old mate Bernie and the Worthing boys... sounds like they had a great time:- What a dreadful day with plenty of rain and a strong south/west wind. Seeking shelter at the Bill in the lee of the east side, sea watching was pretty dire; with 20 Gannets mainly moving W and two Sandwich Terns, we soon aborted to Church Norton. With steady rain all morning, we spent all the time in the hide sheltering from the elements. Finding birds in the gloom was not easy - we counted 100 Dunlin, 5 Whimbrel, a single Grey Plover and around 25 Ringed Plover. Three Sandwich and two Common Terns loafing and only three Med Gulls. A few hirundines moving south with at least 12 Sand Martins and 10 Swallows. (Bernie Forbes, Dave Smith & Dorian Mason).

At the Breech Pool/North Wall all very quiet this morning; JW reports just 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 27 Redshank and 32 Canada Geese. AH adds"Can't really lift the sense of birdless despair out there today...30 minutes at the Bill for 2 Black-headed Gulls west! Church Norton only marginally better - 3 Whimbrel, 30 Curlew & 60 Dunlin in the harbour, 15 Swifts south over the car-park, and about 50 Sand Martins feeding over the field by Compton's Farm Shop." Earlier, C&ME also had 3 Peregrines, plus 3 Common Terns, the Dunlin flock and 25 Ringed Plovers at Norton. Then CRJ arrived to find the family party of 5 Peregrines, and a Whimbrel. He also visited Honer Lane late afternoon where there were 2 male Kestrels, 3 male Yellowhammers singing, plus on the reservoir 3 Common Sandpiper and the usual fem Tufted with 7 growing young.

Selsey Bill (1100-1205hrs) Overcast, wind SW4-5 (Obs: CRJ)

Gannet - 34W
Common Scoter - 15E
Turnstone - 2W
C/A Tern - 15W
Sandwich Tern - 2W

Evening sea-watch (1730-1900hrs)  Wind SW3  (Obs: SH/GH/AH)
Gannet - 1E, 9W
Turnstone - 16 ob
Black-headed Gull - 60 ob

Common Tern - 1W

Swift - 2 p

 

 

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Tuesday, 30th July: A wet and windy morning, giving me a good excuse to stay in and finish off yet more birding admin and proof-reading. I trust not all of the locals will have an excuse though, and that some birding news will filter in today.... ! Meanwhile, a couple of items of more general interest:- Firstly, the Pom trophy (or to give it it's full title The Barry Carter Memorial Pom King Trophy) has now been duly received and amended to show the new Pom King for 2013 - George Heath. George becomes the 11th different title holder and arrangements will be made for the presentation in the near future. Secondly, I received a letter out of the blue yesterday from none other than Tony Marr. All older regulars will be very familiar with Tony's name, but for anyone unaware he was a founder member of the Selsey Bill observatory from 1959 onwards and also a driving force in the SOS,  influencing many birders of my generation and ultimately becoming a key member of the BOURC. Anyway the letter he sent me was actually a copy of a letter I'd sent him, way back on 2/2/1987, following an excellent talk he'd recently given at the SOS conference. I'd long since forgotten all about the letter, in which I commended him on his presentation, adding "when you retire you should consider a second career as a lecturer as you seem very professional now, " and I also added a postscript saying "I trust you won't produce this letter 25 years later!" Tony's short reply (on the copy of my letter) was as follows: "Owen, sorry I'm one and a half years late!  It was a much-appreciated letter at the time and quite a prediction. I did take up a second career lecturing, on expedition cruise ships! Your psychic powers worked well - are they as accurate in predicting Poms?!" Of course they are Tony -  I've got this theory, just ask any of the regulars!

Bonus points to SR for being out and about - she reports that the young Cuckoo was again in the cycle track area behind the Visitor centre early this morning, but as she prepared her camera the bird flew off and heavy rain set in and that was that!

Selsey Bill  (1730-1900hrs): Cloudy after rain. Wind SW5  (Obs: SH/AH) (Well done boys!)
Gannet - 1E, 43W
Dunlin - 1 ob
Sanderling - 2 ob, 1W
Turnstone - 20 ob
Black-headed Gull - 106 os
Med Gull - 3 os
Common Tern - 5W
Sandwich Tern - 13W

 Also, a Common Sandpiper, Park Farm, Selsey by pea fields (SH/SaH)

 

 

Sanderling in partial summer plumage on Selsey beach, and a Gannet heading west off the Bill (photos :AH)

 

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Monday, 29th July: A cloudy and cooler morning with a brisk SW wind lured me to the Bill in hopes of shearwaters and the like, but regrettably in two hours there was rather little on offer save for a couple of dozen Gannets passing through. I didn't do much better at Pagham Hbr either, though Sarah Russell reports on finding a juv Cuckoo being fed by its Dunnock hosts near the Visitor Centre...

 

Selsey Bill (0935-1135hrs): Dry with heavy cloud, wind brisk SW5-6. (Obs: OM)

Gannet - 4E, 20W

Turnstone - 4 ob

Med Gull - 2W

Common Tern - 3W plus 4 os moving to and fro

Sandwich Tern - 5 os, to and fro
Evening sea-watch 1710-1830hrs. Wind SW5 (Obs: SH)
Gannet - 18E, 32W
Sanderling - 1 ob, 2W
Turnstone - 6 ob
Sand Martin - 25SW
Common Tern - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 8W
 

Pagham Hbr: At Church Norton all I could find were a Whimbrel, 30 Dunlin and 20 Ringed Plovers, with very little sign of activity around Tern Island. A couple of calling phylloscs were probably Willow Warblers but refused to show themselves, whilst Sidlesham Ferry pool was just about birdless when I looked, except for the pair of Shelduck with young (see SR's report). I did try out the new steps at Norton for the first time - well done again to those involved.

 

An interesting round-up report from Sarah Russell.. "In the area behind the Visitor Centre I finally discovered what had been making the strange loud noise I'd been hearing from a hedge for the last couple of weeks, it mystified me as I could only see a Dunnock flying in and out.  It was of course a Cuckoo and the youngster was flying about early this morning (6.30am), the Dunnock having to work hard to keep up, the youngster still very vocal.  I managed a hasty photo but it isn't very good.  Also about were 5 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Swallows and a Chiffchaff but it soon rained and went quiet.... Ferry Pool 7am:  Two Shelducks and their 5 ducklings, 13 Black-headed gulls, 1 Oystercatcher and a Buzzard was all I could find.  Once the buzzard arrived the ducklings hid under mother. Church Norton: With the wind force 5-6 there was very little activity;  1 Common Tern, 5 Little Egrets, 17 Curlews including the leucistic, 11 Dunlin, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Swallows." 

 

 

Juvenile Cuckoo awaiting food near Visitor Centre (photo: Sarah Russell)

 

 

 In case you haven't seem them yet, these are the new steps at Church Norton - and they certainly look sturdier than the old ones they replaced!

26th - 28th July 2013

Sunday, 28th July: Cloudy and windier this morning after yesterday's heavy rain. Today finds me forcing myself to stay in and deal with a large backload of birding admin that I need to clear, whilst hoping I'm not missing anything yet being prepared to dash out! And surely there has to be a Balearic or two lurking around somewhere, although an early sea-watch by Sam Hill failed to find one. Keep looking...

Selsey Bill (0600-0800hrs): Dry, broken cloud with brighter spells, wind SW4  (Obs: SH)

Mallard - 1W

Gannet - 2E, 12W

Fulmar - 1W

Turnstone - 4E

Sanderling - 1E

Oystercatcher - 2W

Common Gull - 1 os
Sandwich Tern - 5E, 6W
Common Tern - 7W
Afternoon watch 1645-1800hrs. Wind SE4 ( Obs: SH)
Gannet - 2E, 1W
Sandwich Tern - 3E
Arctic Skua - 1E (imm)
Swift - 11 os
Sand Martin - 6 os
 

Selsey Westfields: A very probable, but distant, Wood Sandpiper on the creek was the highlight. Otherwise very quiet - a flock of 60 Dunlin flew east along the beach, a single Sandwich Tern was offshore, a single Common Sandpiper in the new diggings, a single Redshank on the RSPB reserve and a few singing Skylarks were  the highlights.
Ferry Pool: Dead! 4 Lapwing, 2 Teal & 8 Black-Headed Gulls. (Later a Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper reported through the day - IP/SR).
Church Norton: Alan Ford & Dick Senior report a family group of 3 Lesser Whitethroats, one or two Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats, plus 4 Peregrines and 2 Whimbrel in the harbour (AH).  

I presume this is the Redshank on the RSPB Reserve Andy! A good bet for a breeder. (photo: AH)

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Saturday, 27th July: The forecast of torrential thundery rain overnight and all morning seems to be way off the mark as by mid-morning it is still warm, dry and sultry as I write this...!  Afternoon update: Thundery rain arrived mid-afternoon. Still quiet bird-wise with news at a premium.

The only report so far is from the ever-reliable AH who visited Pagham Hbr this morning:- North Wall: The Spotted Redshank was still in White's Creek with about 50 Redshank and a fleeting Common Sandpiper, and about 25 Yellow-legged Gulls and 6 Mediterranean Gulls in the harbour. Along the Breech Pool, the Ruff was still present, with 19 Black-tailed Godwits, 13 Dunlin & 40 Lapwing. A Pochard was in with 24 Tufted Duck, and 2 Sand Martins and a few Swallows were overhead. The Turtle Dove at Honer Farm called and showed briefly, and another one was calling unseen from the gardens at the east end of the North Wall.
 

 Spotted Redshank in White's Creek, and Pochard with Tufted Ducks on the Breech Pool (photos: Andy House)

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Friday, 26th July: Well I'm back from holiday again (non-birding) and ready to resume blog duties, but first I must thank Andy House yet again for his sterling efforts in keeping things going in my absence. It was great to be able to follow what was happening locally whilst sunning myself abroad, and for once it seems I didn't miss too much locally whilst I was away! The list of national rarities however was a different story with some real mega birds on offer - I thought July was meant to be a quiet time - and it just shows what can turn up at any time of year. That brings me neatly on to sea-watching with a gentle reminder that despite the hot (scorching) weather the sea can still produce the odd surprise at this time of year so it's always worth a quick look if you get the chance. Inevitably though, most of the effort is concentrated around the peninsula and Pagham Harbour at this time of year, so let's hope we get a good wader soon. I would like to congratulate Dorian and Bernie for completing the work on the steps at Church Norton (even without my supervision!) - I'm sure we and many others will have cause to appreciate their efforts in times ahead. On a different note, the Pom Trophy has not yet been presented to this year's winner George Heath, so I need to get on with arranging that. But before I close this mini-editorial, I would just like to say that being away for a while gave me a little time to reflect on a number of things - yes, even including the blog! It's only been up and running for about five months now (although it somehow seems longer), but it seems to be meeting a need and has been generally well received. I've had some good feedback and a number of compliments; great as that is, I view it not so much as my blog but our blog, for I couldn't do it without all you regulars providing information and I guess it's just a natural progression of the Selsey atmosphere that has fortunately always prevailed (OM).

Ok, enough of my waffle; on with the birding news:

PENINSULA: (Pagham Hbr) Ferry Pool: 24 Lapwing, 4 Teal, 2 Stock Doves and the family of 2 adult and 8 young Shelduck was about it. North Wall: Still plenty of birds here this morning - a Ruff, 17 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Dunlin and 20 Lapwings on the Breech Pool and a Green Sandpiper over, and still a bit of song from the Reed and Sedge Warblers. The Turtle Dove was still at Honer Farm and another reported at Halsey's Farm, the summer-plumage Spotted Redshank was still in White's Creek, and 2 Whimbrel and 25 Yellow-legged Gulls in the harbour (AH). Mid-afternoon update from JW: North Wall. Turtle dove still at Grey Barn at end of Church Lane.  1 Yellow Wagtail Breech Pool - also Black Swan, 9 Dunlin, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 23 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpipers and the Ruff. Behind the pool - 17 Canada Geese and 62 Curlew, and 25 Little Egrets at roost. Honer reservoir - Tufted Duck with 7 young, 2 Common Sandpipers.



 Ruff at Breech Pool (photo: Andy House)

 

A visit to the rubbish tip this morning gave me the opportunity of a couple of hours birding at the Chi GPs, starting at Westhampnett North (windsurf) pit. I didn't linger too long here as a speedboat was towing a water-skier around, but it did produce 4 Great Crested Grebes, a Gadwall, 3 Common Terns and a Grey Wagtail. I moved on to concentrate my efforts on the two Drayton Pits where I counted no less than 68 Tufted Ducks in various stages of eclipse, plus an additional female with a brood of 8 smallish ducklings. There were also 2 drake and 4 duck Pochard, 3 of the latter nervously guarding separate broods of 6, 6 and 4 ducklings respectively. Other counts included 8+ Gadwall, 17 Mute Swans (of which one pair had 7 cygnets), just 7 Canada Geese (the breeding groups having now dispersed), 6+ pairs of Little Grebe (of which 3 had juveniles in attendance), 6 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Lapwings and a single Common Sandpiper (OM).

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