8th - 10th October 2013

Thursday, 10th October: A much cooler morning than of late although still dry and sunny, but with a brisk wind NNW 5-6, which is set to increase later; not ideal conditions then for finding small birds in exposed bushes! First news of the day, as so often, comes from Andy House...

One of those days that looks very nice when you are inside, but not when you are out! At a very windy North Wall - 3 Snipe, the Ruff and 80+ Black-tailed Godwits on the Breech Pool, and 4 Curlew Sandpipers amongst about 100 Dunlin on White's Creek, but little else to report. On the Lagoon, 1 Pochard, 40 Little Grebes and 60 Tufted Duck.

Yesterday evening from the Tramway, I watched over 250 Canada Geese which flew into roost into the harbour (AH).  

Common Snipe on the Breech Pool and Curlew Sandpiper (with Dunlin?) White's Creek (photos: AH).

 

Three Fieldfares at Bramber Farm today were I believe the first reported this autumn (JW).

 

Wednesday, 9th October: Another pleasant sunny morning but with the prospect of the weather now becoming cooler and going downhill.

Pagham Hbr: Another slow day at Church Norton; still the 3 Stonechats, a few Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, a single Whitethroat, two Great Spotted and one Green Woodpecker and 3 Skylarks over. I had 45 minutes looking for the Rosy Starling again this morning, but to no avail, just a Wheatear, a Meadow Pipit, a House Martin and a dozen Swallows seen (and lots of Starlings!) (AH).

 

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker, and Blackcap, at Church Norton (photos: Andy House)

 

Two Curlew Sandpipers on White's Creek. Wigeon were flying in from the NE this morning, approx 600 during my 2 hours. A pair of Stonechats and a Green Woodpecker in the horse field. On the Breech Pool, 74 Black-tailed Godwits, 136 Teal, 11 Common Snipe and 1 Jack Snipe. Along the North Wall 1 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaffs and 12 Swallows heading west (JW).
 

Spent the day at home today with periodic visits to check for the Rose-coloured Starling, the roost was very noisy but the Starlings rarely ventured out and it was the same situation with the East Way roost, so no Rosy sighting today.  Wheatears and Clouded yellow butterflies were very much in evidence though, I found 5 of the former along the beach and one visiting birder had counted 9 Clouded yellows.  Also along East beach 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Pied Wag, 17 Turnstones (one almost underfoot), 9 Goldfinches (SR). 

Walking along to the Bill Wheatears again dominated, 6 along the beach, 1 on Oval field and 1 in the gardens.  1 Sanderling feeding amongst 55 Turnstones, 1 Sandwich Tern ob, 3 Meadow Pipits  in N, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Pied Wagtail and a huddle of 7 Collared Doves (SR).

 

Turnstone, Selsey East beach (photo: Sarah Russell)

News from yesterday:- "Raven yesterday at 10.00 flying W over North Fields; pic  taken from North Wall." (Alan Kitson) 

Raven over Pagham North Fields (Alan Kitson)

Tuesday, 8th October: The juv Rose-coloured Starling was still present at East beach Selsey until 1300hrs at least. Today's news...

We spent some time looking for the Rosy Starling this morning and at around 0940 hrs we picked it up in flight over the fishing huts. It did a couple of circuits as the starling flock was disturbed by a Sparrowhawk, disappearing once again behind the terraced houses fronting the beach green. Watching from the sea wall east of the fishing huts we relocated it feeding with Starlings in the thick hedge by the green. (Bernie Forbes, Dave Smith & Dorian Mason).

 

 

 

 

 The juv Rose-coloured Starling, Selsey East beach, and Sparrowhawk -v- Crow (photos: Dorian Mason)

Selsey: Very little today, just two Wheatears along Golf Links Lane, one at the Country Club and one at the Bowling Club.  Northcommon Farm: Green Woodpecker, two flocks of Long-tailed Tits, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaffs and only 3 Swallows seen (SR).

 Pagham Hbr: Church Norton was again quiet today. The 3 Stonechats were still present, and small numbers of Meadow Pipits were moving through. A small flock of Swallows and some House Martins were noted, plus 2 Wheatears, 10 Chiffchaffs and 5 Blackcaps (AH et al).

North wall: Waders on Breech Pool included singles of  Dunlin Ruff and Knot, 8 Snipe and 162 Black-tailed Godwits (at 10.25), while 40 Golden Plover flew over and three Curlew Sandpipers were below the Salt House in White's Creek as the tide came up. There were some Canada Geese on Breech Pool and what seemed to be a family of single Canada Goose and Barnacle goose parents and four hybrid offspring. Also, a Raven flew west over the fields at 10.00, a Kingfisher was here and a Marsh Harrier in the harbour at 1300 (per A. Kitson / SOS website).

 

7th October 2013

Monday, 7th October: The juv Rose-coloured Starling at Selsey finally gave itself up this morning! I'd heard a rumour and an unconfirmed report of the bird having been seen over the last couple of days, though none of the locals knew the details or had connected, so I decided to walk from the Bill-tip to East beach pool to fully check the area. As it turned out it paid dividends and midway between the Lifeboat Station and the Fishermen's Huts I located it on the roof of a house with a few Common Starlings (in Kingsway). After I put the news out, Andy House was first on the scene and within a few minutes had safely ticked it, whilst CRJ,C&ME et al got it later, after a lengthy wait. If you do go, it seems to favour this area of East beach around the Fishermen's huts, and the open grassy area there. Note there is a small starling roost in the bushes and you may have to wait a while (OM). If accepted this will actually be the 6th record for the Peninsula and the 4th for Selsey; the first being an historic record of one taken (i.e. shot) on Selsey marshes in 1838. The next record was not until Sept 1994 - an adult briefly at Sidlesham Ferry - followed by an immature at Pagham Hbr on 31st Dec 1997! A fine adult on the beach at the Bill-tip in June 2002 was next (found by the late Barry Carter), with the fifth, another adult, occurring in early May just last year - on a housing estate in Selsey, just a short way from the Bill-tip.
 

 

 

Record shots of the juv Rose-coloured Starling, Selsey (photo's Andy House - these two cropped shots just have the edge on my rubbish efforts - where is the man with the big lens when you need him!?)

 

At Selsey Bill seabird passage was virtually non-existent. I concentrated on the beach and gardens and logged the following (Bill - Lifeboat St'n) :- Pied Wagtail - 16W, Grey Wagtail - 1W, Linnet - 18W, Meadow Pipit - 5 p, Swallow - 4 SE, Goldfinch - 20 E, Skylark - 5W, Common Whitethroat - 1 gardens and Chiffchaff - 6. Selsey East beach and pond: juv Rose-coloured Starling, Swallow - 2, Meadow Pipit- several,  Chiffchaff - 3 (OM). Also up to 6 Clouded Yellows (per CRJ).

 

I thought I knew the Bill pretty well, but I came across this plaque by the new houses on Pontins whilst on my walk towards East beach. This was complete news to me and I wonder if any of us were aware of it, but it just goes to show you learn something new every day (OM).

Further update: Rose-coloured Starling still present at 1730hrs on fisherman's huts - per Sam Hill (so you got yourself a Selsey tick at last Sam!!) See  pic below...

 

 

Pagham Hbr: Church Norton: 3 Stonechats and a Whitethroat on the beach, 100+ Swallows and about 10 House Martins over but the bushes were very quiet (AH).
Walked along to the Severals this morning where I spotted a rather late Reed Warbler, a party of 3 Stonechats then 2 more (met CRJ who was looking at them too), 2 Cetti's were calling, 3 Chiffchaffs, a constant flow of Swallows and House Martins overhead and feeding over the water, 2 Long-tailed Tits and a Sparrowhawk, 8 Great Crested Grebes offshore but that was it, all very quiet (SR). Also at Norton, a Raven, 1 Redwing and 12 Blackcaps (C&ME).

 

 

Stonechat and Whitethroat, Church Norton (photos: A. House).

 

North Wall and fields. On the back fence of the horse field a pair of Stonechats and a Whinchat. 2 Wheatears along the Wall and 2 Cetti's Warblers calling. Goldfinches are flocking up 25 feeding on thistles behind the Pool. On and around the Breech Pool were 116 Canada Geese, 135 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Common Snipe and 1 Ruff. Small movement of Swallows (30). A Merlin was dashing around the sunflower field just east of the Honer reservoir but was seen off by crows. On the reservoir around 550 Herring Gulls, 400 of whom were juveniles. 9 Tufted Duck there. A good morning for raptors, 2 Buzzards, 2 Kestrel and 1 Peregrine  (JW).  

4th - 6th October 2013

Sunday, 6th October: Well it's that time of year again...and it's very frustrating on the Peninsula right now where passerines are concerned! Yellow-broweds are appearing with regularity just to the east and west; Ring Ouzels too, not to mention things even rarer, yet our little patch steadfastly refuses to deliver where these are concerned at present. It must happen soon, surely, so don't despair and keep looking through those Chiffchaffs and Blackbirds, but meanwhile I share the anguish felt by all you regulars and visitors alike. Today's news follows:

Pagham Hbr: Church Norton: Still seemed pretty quiet - doubtless I will have missed a major rarity somewhere! - most notable thing was the number of Blackcaps, 30+ in 2 big flocks, along with about a dozen Chiffchaffs, but I couldn't find much else bar a flyover Grey Wagtail and a few Meadow Pipits (AH). Apart from numerous Chiffchaffs, few migrants around today. 2 Wheatears on beach. Lots of hirundines still and Short-eared Owl briefly over the Severals (Chris Northwood).North Wall: White's Creek was alive with birds on the rising tide - including 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Spotted Redshanks, all feeding together at one point, a Greenshank, a Grey Wagtail and 200 Wigeon - until a fisherman appeared and marched out to the point, scattering everything far and wide. Disappointingly, there is not much that can be done except try to educate them, if they'll listen. The Breech Pool held the Ruff, over 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Snipe and one each of Reed and Sedge Warbler, along with a dozen or more Reed Buntings (AH). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Views from White's Creek: Curlew Sandpipers, Spotted Redshanks, Wigeon, Fisherman disturbing the peace, and Ruff (photos; Andy House).

Selsey Bill 0800-0900hrs:  Calm and sunny. Very mild. (Obs: SH et al)
Gannet - 1E, 13W
Brent Goose - 5E, 8W
Turnstone - 17W
Sparrowhawk - 1 over beach
Little Gull - 1 os
Med Gull - 6W
(1 "Iceland type" gull sat on sea , flew off west and landed on a fishing boat. No black in wing tips at all but wings and mantle looked too dark for an Iceland, probably some sort of hybrid).
Sandwich Tern - 3 os
Wheatear - 9 ob
Yellow Wagtail - 2 ob
Pied wagtail - 7 ob
Swallow - 50 S
House Martin - 20 S

Selsey to Church Norton: 09.30hrs (S&SaH)

Merlin female showing nicely at rear of Severals

Yellow Wagtail - 2

Grey Wagtail - 1

Stonechat - 1 male

Wheatear - 2

150+ each of Swallow and House Martin

 

 

 

Swallows and House Martins above, and Yellow Wagtail; Selsey-Church Norton (photo: S. Hill)

Sarah Russell reports " Such a lovely day I took a walk from the coastguard station along Medmerry beach, bumping into Beryl (James) along the way.  As the workmen were having a day off we walked up one of the escarpments by the caravan park and had our first good views of the new reserve.  Very impressive!  At the moment you get good open views of a series of pools, farmland beyond and the downs in the distance.  Not that many birds as yet, but they'll come:  46 Wigeon, 2 Little Egrets, c100 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, a couple of Grey Herons, 55 Lapwings, a Kestrel, Cormorants and assorted gulls.  A Kingfisher was seen at the sluice yesterday.  Along the escarpment were 7 Wheatears and a flock of c25 Meadow Pipits, 7 Pied Wagtails, c30 Linnets (over), 22 Goldfinches, c60 Swallows, c40 House Martins and 13 Brent heading west, and a further Wheatear amongst the caravans. I walked along the shingle spit (not supposed to but everyone was); the gap where the sea enters seems small but I understand eventually the shingle bank (see photo, people area walking along)  will be washed away and the boulders in the foreground mark the true edge.  I imagine Sunday would be the only chance of getting along there as nobody was working" (SR). 

 

 

Medmerry views 6.10.13 (photos: Sarah Russell)

 

Saturday, 5th October: Still mild for the time of year, with much lighter winds than yesterday. Nothing exceptional recorded today, so far at least...

Selsey Bill 0700-0800hrs: Dry, mild, wind SW2 (Obs: SH et al)
Gannet - 1E, 8W
Brent Goose - 11E, 11W
Common Scoter - 3W
Whimbrel - 1W
Med Gull - 26W
Sandwich Tern - 8 os
Chiffchaff 5 in gardens
Meadow Pipit - 8W
Pied Wagtail - 5 ob, 10W

Swallow - 7

I checked the copse at the end of Pagham Lagoon this morning, 10 Chiffchaffs but nothing rarer (CRJ).

Pagham Hbr: Ferry Pool: Dead! Church Norton: 2 Spotted Flycatchers (per C&ME), 20+ Chiffchaffs and a dozen Blackcaps, but otherwise quiet.
North Wall: 4 Curlew Sandpipers and 2 Spotted Redshanks in White's Creek, a Greenshank, a few Golden Plovers and at least 8 Yellow-legged Gulls in the harbour, and up to 6 Snipe and 80 Black-tailed Godwits in the Breech Pool, along with a couple of unseen, squealing Water Rails. Around the horse paddocks, at least one Stonechat and one Whinchat, along with 4 Yellow Wagtails, half a dozen Reed Buntings and up to a dozen Chiffchaffs. Also 12 Skylarks over, along with a few Meadow Pipits and Swallows (AH).
 

 

Juv Curlew Sandpipers in White's Creek, and Whinchat and Stonechat in the horse paddocks (photos: A. House)

Selsey to Church Norton: 08.30 and 1515hrs:  (S&SaH):
(am) Sandwich Tern 5, Redwing 4, Siskin 20, Redpoll 5, Chiffchaff 30+, Willow Warbler 1,
Wheatear 2, Whitethroat 1, Swallow 50+ and House Martin 50+
(pm) Hobby 1 over Severals, Wheatear 2, Swallow 200+

South Mundham,   2 Hobby, 1 Buzzard, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Chiffchaff

Honer Reservoir    5 Tufted Duck

Weedy Field          3 Reed Bunting, 2 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear,  2 Kestrel.  (late afternoon: CRJ)

 

Friday, 4th October: Dry but mainly overcast and blustery; wind strong SW 5-6. Sunny later. Midday update: The first strong south-westerly in a while looked promising for a sea-watch, but I and the few other regulars there quickly realised it wouldn't deliver on its promise and most including me had left by 0930. A quick look in the churchyard at Church Norton failed to produce a single bird of interest despite some berry-laden trees, whilst the Pagham North wall bore the brunt of the windy conditions. No sign of the Great White Egret or the Jack Snipe so far; otherwise much the same birds as yesterday. Afternoon update - the Jack Snipe has now been relocated.

Pagham Hbr: North Wall / Breech Pool / White's Creek: Still 4 Curlew Sandpipers present, plus 3 Spotted Redshanks and a single Ruff. Also a flock of c.120 Black-tailed Godwits commuting between the harbour and the pool and at least 2 Common Snipe. Numbers of Wigeon and Pintail are steadily building up, but no count made - the windy conditions being my excuse. The flock of c.40 Yellow Wagtails was still present, spread around the North fields near the pool with a similar number of Meadow Pipits, whilst a small trickle of Swallows and a few House Martins continues. No sign of the G W Egret so far (CRJ/AH/OM et al).

 

Ruff (centre) with 2 Black-tailed Godwits, Breech Pool (photo: Andy House)

 

A walk down the East side was a waste of time in the conditions, and Pagham Lagoon held nothing exciting - just 30 Little Grebes (inc 1 still being fed by parent), 4 Great Crested Grebes, a handful of Tufted Ducks and 8 Med Gulls (OM).

Late updates: Jack Snipe relocated at the Breech Pool. Also Wheatear 3, Stonechat 1, Snipe 6
Swallow 20+ and the Yellow Wagtail flock (AB/S&SaH). Bike ride to Honer Reservoir, 2 Little Grebe, Honer Lane still 1 Hobby in the fields, ; Fisher Lane, 1 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Buzzard (CRJ).

 

 

 

 Jack Snipe (front) with Common Snipe (photo: Ads Bowley)

 

 Jack Snipe on Breech Pool (photos: top - Ads Bowley, lower - Sam Hill)

 

Selsey Bill (0815-0930hrs) Dry, cloudy, windy; SW5-6.  (Obs: GH/JD/OM/SR/AH)

Gannet - 3E, 12W

Shag - 1 os, flew off E

Razorbill - 1 os

Med Gull - c.20 os, slowly drifted W

Common Tern - 2W

C/A Tern - 3E, 2os drifted W

Sandwich Tern - 1E, 4W

Swallow - 15 out S/SE 

1st - 3rd October 2013

Thursday, 3rd October: Cloud with heavy showers mid morning, brighter later, and far less rain than predicted, but windy, ESE 5-6. Another meeting of the old firm (CRJ and OM) saw us spending much of the day checking out the Pagham North wall area, where we were joined by Dave Smith and Dorian 'camera' Mason early afternoon. There were a number of migrants about, the Great White Egret put in an appearance (from 1310hrs onwards), but the highlight of the day for us was a Jack Snipe feeding, bobbing and sleeping along the edge of the reeds at the Breech Pool - fascinating to watch - and Dorian even managed to capture some good images despite the poor light!

Pagham Hbr: North Wall / Breech Pool / White's Creek:  The Great White Egret was still present from early afternoon. Waders of interest included a Jack Snipe and 3 Common Snipe on the Breech Pool, a Ruff, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 100+ Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and 3 Greenshank. A largish flock of c.40 Yellow Wagtails dropped into the fields around the stables where 2 Whinchats and a Stonechat where also present (CRJ/OM/DIS/DM).

At Church Norton, 1 Whimbrel, 60 Brent Geese & 80 Pintail in the harbour and a few Meadow Pipits and Swallows over (AH).

 

 

 

Jack Snipe, Yellow Wagtail and a flight record shot of the Great White Egret (photos: D. Mason).

 

 Thirty minutes at Selsey Bill produced one juvenile Arctic Tern, 4 Sandwich Terns and 6 Med Gulls offshore, but zero movement, bar 2 Curlew and a few Meadow Pipits east(AH).

At Snowhill Marsh, W. Wittering the Spoonbill was still present (DIS/DM).
 

Wednesday, 2nd October: Early morning at Selsey saw CRJ and OM searching the Marine Drive and East beach areas for the Rosy Starling, but alas there was no sign of it amongst the local Sparrows and Common Starlings. We then opted to do a sea-watch at the Bill, being joined soon after by AH, when out of the blue a Balearic Shearwater fluttered by westwards, a surprise given the conditions. Bird of the day though was found by Jim Weston at the North Wall - a splendid Great White Egret, which showed well on and off. The Spoonbill was also still at Snowhill Marsh.  Finally, a couple of late items of interest:  1) shedloads of Ring Ouzels around Seaford/Beachy today; East Sussex can't get them all so eyes down tomorrow,  2) just off our patch, a juv Little Gull crash-landed on a pub window today and died in Bognor Regis town centre (per TGP) 

Just heading for home after a quiet morning along the North Wall when a Great White Egret flew in from the north east. It circled the Breech Pool a couple of times before settling at the back, western end. Initially preened and then moved right (east) behind reeds and out of my vision. Otherwise 127 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Snipe, 1 Spotted Redshank and 1 Ruff on the Pool. (JW). (Mid-afternoon update: GWE still present, in creek at Halsey's Farm then into harbour, was being harassed by a Grey Heron. And I get the Snipe count up to 7 !! {OM} ).

 

 

 Great White Egret, Pagham Hbr

 

Not much to report at Church Norton bar a few Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, and a single Green Sandpiper on the Ferry Pool. The Great White Egret was in the harbour from the North Wall when I got there. Also a Wheatear and several Whitethroats along the North Wall, and at least 3 calling Cetti's Warblers (AH). All I have to add at Church Norton were 3 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Peregrine beating up the ducks and 3 Avocets distantly on the east side (CRJ).

Further pics of the Great White Egret (photos: A. House)
 

Selsey Bill (0755-0930hrs): Dry, mild, cloud with some hazy brightness. Wind  light SE 2-3.

(Obs: CRJ/OM/AH)
Gannet - 5E, 3W
Balearic Shearwater - 1W (0840) about 3/4 mile out but fair/good views 
Brent Goose - 26W
Common Scoter- 5 os
R/b Merganser - 1W (1st of autumn?)
Sparrowhawk - 1 out S (probably hunting)
Med Gull - 6E, 10W
Sandwich Tern - 7E, 2 os drifted W
Swallow - 25E
Pied Wagtail - 1W
Chiffchaff - 1 gardens
(0930-1150hrs)  (Obs: C&ME)
Gannet - 6E
Brent Goose - 16W
R/b Merganser - 1E
Common Scoter - 6E
Peregrine - 1 p
Med Gull - 2E, 7 os
Selsey East beach pool/Common: 4  Chiffchaffs, 30+ Swallows, 2 Clouded Yellows (CRJ/OM)
At Northcommon Farm (Selsey) I patiently worked the tree lines/bushes hoping for an eastern surprise, but could only dig out 9 Chiffchaffs. Also logged were 2 Buzzards, 2 Great Spotted Wood's and 12 Long-tailed Tits (OM).

Snowhill Marsh, W. Wittering: Spoonbill still present, sleeping and preening, in no hurry to go!



Tuesday, 1st October: Well here we are, the anticipated month of October is upon us, so it's about time we had something unusual. OK how's this for starters...........I got a call from Sarah Russell this afternoon, saying she had found what she thought was a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling at Selsey in a private garden. She sent a couple of pic's; spot-on Sarah and well done. The bird is on the estate behind the Lifeboat station, so if you are thinking of going, please be considerate to the locals with parking and privacy.

 

 

juv Rose-coloured Starling, Selsey (photos: Sarah Russell)

 

At Snowhill Marsh/West Wittering the Spoonbill was still present and showing well (SR).

 

Pagham Hbr: A grey and blustery morning at Church Norton: highlights were 1 Spotted Flycatcher and a couple of Chiffchaffs in the churchyard, half a dozen Mediterranean Gulls along the shoreline, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Skylarks that dropped in briefly on the beach, and a steady trickle of Meadow Pipits and Swallows moving east (AH). Additional report from CRJ: A circuit of Church Norton this morning produced a constant stream of Swallows still moving east, plus small numbers of Meadow Pipits, 12 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps and the Spotted Flycatcher seen earlier in the churchyard, and later behind the hide. As the tide receded in front of the hide, among 60 Dunlin were a single Juv Curlew Sandpiper and 3 Knot.

29th - 30th September 2013

Monday, 30th September: Similar weather today as for the last few days, and it also appears there will be a high over Scandanavia mid-week with a blocking low over Britain; surely a few eastern surprises should be coming our way soon? Meanwhile, today's news....

Pagham Hbr: North wall: Highlight a female Marsh Harrier (picked up by Pallis Callis) behind the Breech Pool, having a hard time from the local crows (the harrier that is!). On the pool, a Kingfisher, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 14 Lapwing, 1 Ruff and 3 Snipe, whilst 8-10 Yellow Wagtails were amongst the cattle at Honer. Small groups of Meadow Pipits moving SW. In the harbour 12 Brent Geese, 140 Black- tailed Godwits, 3 Pintail and 2 Grey Wagtails. Note: There are workmen and a flapping tarpaulin on the roof of the old vicarage which are keeping bird numbers on White's Creek very low (JW).

Ferry Pool midday from the hide (raining, poor vis. and very little about): 1 Ruff, 9 Lapwings, 1 imm. Shelduck, 14 Teal, 1 Wheatear, 30 Stock Doves and loads of Red-legged Partridges dashing about the field at the back.  Returning home a couple of hours later the pool was empty except for a few Teal and the water level very low (SR).

Chi GP's: A necessary visit to the rubbish dump gave me the chance to check the Westhampnett North (Windsurf) pit but there was little to see except 16 Great Crested Grebes (of which 1 juv). I moved on to Ivy Lake where an hour's search again failed to locate the R-c Pochard. A small increase in common ducks was apparent, with a few more Mallard, 20 Tufted and 7 Common Pochard now present. Three Common Terns (1 ad, 2 juv) also put in an appearance and a 100 or so hirundines (Swallows and House Martins) were swirling around. A single Cetti's Warbler was calling and 8+ Chiffchaffs were also logged (OM).

Went to East Head this morning for a change: highlights were the 1st winter Spoonbill, still in Snowhill Creek, along with about 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Golden Plovers in with the Lapwings on the fields, a loose flock of 11 Grey Herons flying over, about 200 Brent Geese in the harbour, a few Chiffchaffs in the bushes and a steady stream of Meadow Pipits and Swallows heading east (AH).

 

 

 

 Spoonbill and loose flock of Grey Herons (here looking a bit like Poms?) at Snowhill Marsh (photos: Andy House)

 

After seeing a Spotted Flycatcher from my kitchen window this morning whilst cooking the porridge(still in the garden 3.15 pm) a text from AH confirmed the juv Spoonbill still present at Snowhill Marsh. The bird was still present late morning at the eastern end of the marsh. Whilst ‘scoping a flock of Brent flying west I picked up an Osprey over Chichester Harbour and watched it attempting to find a fish for 15 minutes (CRJ).

 

 

Sunday, 29th September: Overcast with a fresh easterly wind again this morning. No birding news yet today, updates awaited...but I begin with a few late items for yesterday. Apologies to my regular correspondents but these must have been received very late last night - is anyone else having problems with slow delivery of emails since BT adopted their super new log-in system of dropping Yahoo?

 

              Late items from yesterday:  Ruff at Breech Pool (AH)

 

Church Norton early on produced a Merlin chasing Pipits along the beach and a Marsh Harrier over the Severals, with a steady stream of Meadow Pipits and Swallows/House Martins along the beach.

In addition to your report on the North Wall, there were 2 Ruff present (at different times, but a male and a female) and at least 4 Snipe on the Breech Pool, a Yellow Wagtail over and two young Grey Wagtails by the sluice, and a continuous easterly passage of Meadow Pipits and hirundines (AH).

(The Merlin was also reported by SH on his regular walk from Selsey - Church Norton).

An evening ride down to Honer Reservoir produced 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Tufted Duck, c200 Black-headed Gulls following the plough but only 2 Med Gulls. Best was the ride back in the lowering sun accompanied by an adult Hobby along Honer Lane (CRJ).

On with today's news...

Selsey Bill 0650-1000hrs: ENE 3  (Obs: SH/PB/IP/CRJ et al)
Gannet - 55E, 21W

Brent Goose - 42W
Wigeon - 22E, 20W

Common Scoter - 5os

Curlew - 1E

Oystercatcher - 5W

Sanderling - 5E
Med Gull - 84E, 1W
Sandwich Tern - 7E, 1W

Auk sp - 1E, 2W

Meadow Pipit - 113NE
Pied Wagtail - 11E
Swallow - 231E
Chiffchaff - 7 gardens

 

Pagham Hbr: Church Norton: 1 Peregrine, 1 leucistic Curlew, 50 Dunlin, 5 Chiffchaff (CRJ)

Still a steady stream of Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails and Swallows going east, and a few Chiffchaffs about, but otherwise quiet again. Most unusual sight was of 5 Grey Herons coming in off the sea and upsetting the local crows over the Priory(AH).

Ferry Pool: A Ruff and a Green Sandpiper first thing.

Medmerry: This morning, 1 Grey Wagtail, 100+ Linnet and 50+ Meadow Pipits around, 8 Pintail, 40 Wigeon & 100+ Lapwing enjoying one of the new tidal pools. This afternoon from Easton Lane, 1 Shoveler, 1 Little Grebe and 8 Tufted Duck on the private pond, and a Sedge Warbler in nearby reeds (AH).

Paul Bowley and myself made our first visit to Medmerry this morning, although you are still not allowed access along the Beach at Bunns Leisure. I must say it looks very impressive, do you know what the future access arrangements are and when it will be formally opened? Viewing from the Beach there were 4 Little Egrets on the pools, 3 Grey Herons flew over along with 8 Pintail. There was a Wheatear on the beach and a Kestrel roosting on a post. (IP)

 I undertook the walk from Selsey to Pagham Harbour at the rather late time of 1pm, I probably saw at least 1,000 Swallows, plus 4 House Martins and 2 Sand Martins. There was a lot of variety on view, but nothing of any great relevance, the highlights were probably a female Stonechat on the bushes whilst walking across the farmland plus a Grey wagtail that flew over home and was then relocated at the back of Park Farm (IP).

 

Another Fox shot; this one watching observers from the concrete wall at Church Norton (photo: S.Hill) 

 Honer Reservoir pm - 300 Herring Gull...300 B H Gull, 2 Little Grebes (CRJ). Again on the ride back I was accompanied by a Hobby feasting on all the Migrant Hawkers present; as I got to South Mundham it was joined by a second bird (CRJ).

  

  

 

 

 

26th - 28th September 2013

Saturday, 28th September: Four hours of sea-watching at the Bill produced a variety of species, even if a good few of them were not actually sea-birds! Pagham Hbr and Medmerry also received a fair bit of coverage, though nothing unusual was reported.

Selsey Bill (0640-1040hrs): Cloud, some light showers, wind E/NE 4-5. (Obs:SH/GH/CH/OM et al)

Gannet - 28E, 6W

Grey Heron - 1E

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Shag - 1 juv os

Brent Goose - 1W

Wigeon - 10W

Teal - 2W

Garganey - 2E (0835 with small flock of scoter, took a little while but the penny eventually dropped!)

Common Scoter - 17E, 5 os

Hobby - 1, actually arrived N from Mile basket, presumably hunting the hirundines flocks.

Sanderling - 2E, (inc1os departed E)

Bar-tailed Godwit - 1E

Whimbrel - 1E

Oystercatcher - 2E, 4W

Turnstone - 49 ob

Guillemot - 1 os, off E

Med Gull - 4E

Sandwich Tern - 22E, 3W

Meadow Pipit - 115 E/N

Yellow Wagtail - 3E

Pied Wagtail - 26E

Grey Wagtail - 3E

Swallow - 275 S/E

House Martin - 430 S/E

 

 

These heavily-cropped and distant record shots are actually of the same bird - a juv Shag off the Bill - which in a quick view at times bore an uncanny resemblance to a diver!

 

Pagham Hbr: Sidlesham Ferry Pool:  108 Lapwings, 7 Stock Dove, 1 Kingfisher.

Church Norton: 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 3 Brent Geese (CRJ).
The North Wall this morning produced a Ruff in the Breech Pool amongst Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwing and Teal with a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and four Mediterranean Gulls amongst many Redshanks, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher and Wigeon on the mudflats. Also 80 Pintail on the mudflats (per SOS website).

Medmerry: 4 Pintail, 1 or perhaps 2 Marsh Harriers, 40 Med Gulls, 5 Grey Partridges,

3 Wheatears, 30 Linnet (CRJ/OM). A later report (per ARK/SOS) of 200+ Med Gulls here and over the sea.

At West Wittering the juv Spoonbill was still present on Snowhill Marsh this morning and showing well (C. Melgar, per SOS website).

 

Finally, two more fine pics taken yesterday at Snowhill Marsh by Dorian Mason; Spoonbill with Little Egret, and Black-tailed Godwits.          

Friday, 27th September: The best of today's action was recorded by the Worthing boys who mopped up with several Marsh Harriers and a Spoonbill, amongst other things....

First news today is from Sarah Russell who reports from Selsey "Visited the horse paddock off Warner Lane and Northcommon Farm but it was one of those mornings when you try to decide whether you're simply a very bad birdwatcher or whether the birds have just passed through overnight and you've missed them. At Warner Lane a couple of Mistle Thrushes and a Whitethroat in the bushes, 30 Meadow Pipits, c150 Swallows and c75 House Martins overhead. The field also held the 5 Roe deer in close proximity and I didn't want to stress them, one of the fields they used last autumn has now been taken over by allotments so they have little enough habitat. Northcommon Farm was likewise quiet apart from half a dozen Chiffchaffs and the passing over of hirundines

Peninsula round-up: Not a bad day and, with temperatures holding up out of the east wind, we knocked up a good variety of birds including the following: Walked down Ellanore Lane (West Wittering) to Chichester Harbour but just a few Chiffchaffs in the hedgerow. Off Ellanore point a female Marsh Harrier being mobbed by gulls before disappearing SW. Juvenile SPOONBILL zipped past flying S. Twelve Yellow Wagtails over N and large gathering of at least 420 Med Gulls loafing on the mud. At Snowhill Marsh we relocated the juvenile Spoonbill feeding with plenty of ducks plus 5 Greenshanks and a single Spotted Redshank. On Pilsey Sands at least 1100 Brent Geese. At Medmerry two female and a male Marsh Harrier hunting over the new saltmarsh and a single Whinchat on the beach near the windmill. Church Norton very little. Sidlesham Ferry: solitary Green Sandpiper! North Wall and east side: 5 Knot, 5 Common Snipe, 3 Ruff, Spotted Redshank, 96 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, a single Sedge Warbler and 2 Clouded Yellows.  (Bernie Forbes & Dorian Mason).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fine shots of Spoonbill, Greenshank, Ruff, Spotted Redshank and Fox (photos: Dorian Mason)

Selsey Bill: 0810-0840hrs - Nothing bar a Common Scoter W and 2 Gannets o/s, but 500+ Swallows, 300+ House Martins and 50+ Meadow Pipits moving eastwards over a wide front and 2 or 3 Chiffchaffs in the Bill House garden (AH).

Pagham Hbr: Church Norton: Many more Meadow Pipits (500+) moving east along the beach, with a couple of hundred Swallows and House Martins, 2 Grey Wagtails and a few Goldfinches and Linnets for company, but no Brent passage. Again the bushes were dead! (AH).
North Wall/East side: 2 Whinchat, 1 Ruff, 2 Snipe, 1 Spotted Redshank, 6 Golden Plover, 1 Avocet, 20 Ringed Plover, 1 Yellow-legged Gull. On Pagham Lagoon 6 Shoveler, and nearby a Clouded Yellow. (C&ME).



 Thursday, 26th September: A rather dull and damp start to the day with an easterly breeze, some light drizzle and mist! With eastern migrants beginning to appear in numbers in the north / east of the country, my instincts tell me we should be getting something good in the south soon. Not the day then to be stuck in at home with builders and domestic stuff! So I await your call ladies and gents ..............!

Church Norton: At least 250 Brent Geese heading east over the harbour and along the shoreline between 8.30 and 10am, along with about 60 Pintail, 200 Wigeon and 80 Teal, whilst at least 400 Meadow Pipits and a few Pied Wagtails and Swallows were heading in the opposite direction. Otherwise very quiet and nothing on the Ferry.

 

 

Brent Geese arriving in the gloom at Pagham Hbr (photo: AH)

 

 

Obviously a slow news day from the regulars, with the focus on Pagham Hbr, so a trawl of the SOS website produced the following, which duplicates some of AH's report above:-



Church Norton 08.00-10.00: Most of the usual waders inc 1 Spotted Redshank and 3 Whimbrel. Large numbers of Swallows and Meadow Pipits were passing in waves going east. I heard 3 or 4 Yellow wagtails, 2 Grey wagtails and a quite a few Pied wagtails also going east in amongst the pipits. Going in the opposite direction were several flocks of Brent geese (25-50 at a time), some accompanied by Wigeon and/or Pintail and some apparently heading SW out to sea. A couple each of Blackcap and Chiffchaff in the scrub/trees around the Severals, and a Kingfisher in the harbour. North Wall (10.00-12.00): Juv Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 1 Greenshank in White's creek with a small flock of Dunlin in a nice mix of summer-to-winter and juvenile plumages. At least 2 yellow-legged gulls on the mudflats beyond. On the pool, ca.40 Black-tailed godwits, 1 Ruff, 8 Snipe. High in the brambles behind the pool, at least 3 Moorhens eating blackberries. Here, the Swallows were passing east constantly with the occasional House or Sand Martin (per Pete Hughes/SOS website)