17th - 19th May 2014

Monday,19th May: Another bright spring morning, mainly sunny with some cloud, and a fairly fresh east-south-easterly, soon becoming warm (if sheltering from the wind!). So with high pressure still prevailing and a hazy horizon things were all set for a perfect Pom day - there surely just had to be some moving in the Channel. And there were.... trouble was that conditions dictated it was one of those frustrating sessions when most bypass our bit of the coastline and cross-over further east, thus we managed only one all morning! Three early but distant Spoonbills moving east were some compensation, but passage had died by late morning and although I was last to leave the Bill (1300hrs), it was with some relief when a call from IL gave me the excuse, with news of a somewhat reluctant Wood Sandpiper at the back of Ferry Pool (OM).

Selsey Bill 0620-1300hrs: Sunny, bright with some light cloud. Wind E/SE3-4. (Obs: OM/GH/CRJ/AH). A Pomarine Skua past at 8.10, and another possible soon after that landed out near the 'Mile Basket' had OM and CRJ prepared to sit it out awhile to see if they could supplant JA from the top of the Pom-King leader-board. A clash of the Titans! (Though it looked a little bit like two gentlemen of a certain age sat in their folding chairs enjoying the sun). Otherwise what was presumably the three Spoonbills from Medmerry flew east early on, and there was a modest passage of Sandwich and Common Terns, quite a few Common Scoters toing and froing, and a dozen House Martins were busy gathering mud at the back of the Oval Field. And for a little distraction, there was a fishing boat marooned on the spit on the falling tide, with two rather baffled looking sea-farers checking their navigational equipment. (AH) Full log below...
Great Northern Diver - 2 os
Great Crested Grebe - 2E
Fulmar - 1E, 2W
Gannet - 18E
Spoonbill - 3E, distant, 0640hrs (OM/GH)
Common Scoter - 238E, also 70 os
Whimbrel - 1E, 1W
Bar-tailed Godwit - 4E
Grey Plover - 2E
Knot - 1E
Sanderling - 3E
Turnstone - 2E
Arctic Skua - 4E
Pomarine Skua - 1E (0811)
Skua sp - 1E distant settled os
Little Tern - 4E
C/A Tern  - 33E
Sandwich Tern - 95E
Swift - 6 p, screaming flock
Swallow - 4N, 3p
House Martin - c.12 p
Additional watch 1715 to 1915hrs: (Obs: SH).
Fulmar - 1E
Gannet -  14E, 5W
Common Scoter - 40 os
Sanderling - 6W
Arctic Skua - 1E
Great Skua - 1E
Auk sp - 1E

Sandwich Tern  - 4E, 2W

House Martins (above), Sandwich Tern and grounded fishermen at the Bill (AH)

 

 

Medmerry: The two Black-winged Stilts still present this morning. (PH)

Porthole Farm - a Grey Wagtail was a surprise this morning. Otherwise 4 Yellowhammers. 8 Linnets and 3-4 Whitethroats. (AH)

 

North Wall: A Marsh Harrier over this morning. Also a Wheatear, a Cuckoo and a Common Sandpiper seen. (PC)

 

Ferry Pool: A Wood Sandpiper was hiding at the back of the pool this morning. (TR et al)

 

Church Norton: Quiet in the brisk wind - a mother Song Thrush was watching over two or three freshly fledged youngsters in hte car-park, and in the harbour 4 Sanderling with 70-80 Dunlin and a group of around 40 Ringed Plovers that are presumably passing through. (AH)

Song Thrush on parental duty at Church Norton (AH)

 

Sunday, 18th May: Another bright sunny day, with high pressure and a turn to the south-east for the wind; proof that it is not all over for the spring came in the form of a close Pomarine Skua past the Bill  - not entirely unexpected given the conditions - and more interest from Medmerry. As Confucius (and OM) say "never turn your back on a south-easterly." Oh yes... a south-east is forecast for tomorrow too!

 

Selsey Bill 0515-1230hrs: Sunny, warm, NE1 - ESE 2. (Obs: SH/IL/OM/CRJ/AH/PC/JD et al). Although there was little moving, a very close Pomarine Skua flew east at 8.30, maintaining the species' enigmatic reputation, and was by far the highlight. An Arctic Skua also went east, along with 40+ Sandwich Terns, plus around 100 Common Scoter, with another 50 or so lingering offshore, along with up to 5 Great Northern Divers still offshore, resplendent in summer plumage. Full log below...
Great Northern Diver - 5 os
Great Crested Grebe - 2 os, later flew E
Gannet - 7E, 2W
Fulmar - 1E, 2W
Eider - 4 os
Common Scoter - some delaying before moving; final tally 149E, 55 os
Shoveler - 2E
Curlew - 1W
Whimbrel - 5E
Ringed Plover - 1 os, flew off E
Sanderling - 5E
Pomarine Skua - 1E (l/p, 0832hrs)
Arctic Skua - 1E
Little Tern - 1E
Common Tern - 20E, 3W
Sandwich Tern - 44E, 2W
Swallow - 4 p os and beach
House Martin - 1 p
Also: Bat Sp - 1 N (SH) (slightly bigger than pipistrelle - the bat that is!)
 

Medmerry: Most of the interest elsewhere was at Medmerry, where the Pomarine Skua was first picked up heading east, and the two Black-winged Stilts were still present on the west side (PS et al), and three Spoonbills dropping in near the breach. One was present early on, along with a flyover Yellow Wagtail and two Corn Buntings (KT), but at around 9.30 one (re-)appeared from the west, made to land, regained height and was joined by two more, before all three settled on the pools. Also a pair of Little Terns there, plus 7 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover and 2 Curlew and a calling Cuckoo. (AH)

 

 

above - Avocet and Spoonbill at Medmerry (K.Tubb)

 

 

Spoonbills (above) and Little Tern at Medmerry (AH)

 

 

A return visit to Medmerry this evening, this time to the Ham Farm area was rewarded with a very obliging Cuckoo, and at least 5 singing Corn Buntings in quite a small area. There were also numerous singing Skylarks, several pairs of Linnets, and Lapwings, too, shooing away the gulls and crows. One of the most pleasing aspects of the development of Medmerry has been the amount of habitat created for birds like the Corn Bunting, and I think there are more there now than I can ever recall. Lets hope they continue to prosper. (AH)

 

Cuckoo (above) & Corn Buntings at Medmerry (AH)



 

Church Norton: Very quiet in the bushes, but a surprisingly large number of Curlew (40+) flew out of the creeks when a low-flying aircraft disturbed everything in the harbour. Also 50+ Dunlin, 10 Grey Plover, 50+ Oystercatcher and 30 Shelduck.(AH)

 

Ferry Pool: Just the usual 50+ roosting Black-tailed Godwits and 5 Gadwall, plus a Whitethroat singing from an unusual location - see picture below! (AH)

 

  

 

Saturday, 17th May: Dry and rather cloudy at first, with a very light breeze. Highlights of the day were from CRJ (on his pushbike!) of a fly-over Woodlark and 2 Black-winged Stilts at Medmerry.

Selsey Bill 0500-0900hrs: Cloudy, wind very light N1. (Obs: IP/JA/CN). A decidedly slow watch for the few stalwarts present!
Great Northern Diver - 8 os
Gannet - 4E
Eider - 1 os
Common Scoter - 32E, 14 os
Whimbrel - 4E
Sanderling - 3E
Little Tern - 1E, 2 os
Common Tern - 17E, 25 os
Sandwich Tern - 30E, 6 os
Swift - 1N
Swallow - 10N, 4 p
House Martin - 4 p

Ferry Pool: A summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank present this morning, and 3 Lesser Whitethroats between the Visitor centre and Rookery Lane. (CN/CRJ)

Medmerry: In addition to finding a Woodlark, CRJ uncovered two Black-winged Stilts at Medmerry today. Also seen this afternoon were a Whinchat, a Corn Bunting, 2-3 Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers, several Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Lapwing, 7 Grey Plover, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Tern, and at least a dozen Avocets, including several young. (AH/IP/SH/PB). Also 3 Cuckoos in the area (PS).

Black-winged Stilts at Medmerry (AH)

Avocet (above), Whinchat & Yellowhammer at Medmerry (AH)

 

Church Norton: Still three or 4 Whimbrel in the harbour, plus 8 Curlew, a single Bar-tailed Godwit, 50+ Dunlin, 4 Little Terns and a calling Cuckoo early this evening. (AH)

 

14th - 16th May 2014

Friday, 16th May: Sunny and bright, becoming warm with high pressure and a light ESE 2 in mid-May. Not the sort of day then to be indisposed due to a tummy bug... but that's the situation I find myself in! With a forecast of generally south/east based winds over the next few days, conventional wisdom would say that if there is to be another movement of Pom Skuas (the so-called 'second wave theory' championed by Chris Janman), then this should be the period. Let's hope so, but time will tell; don't forget that Poms will often appear when nothing else is moving.....meanwhile I'm fretting whilst confined to barracks (OM)

 

Selsey Bill: 0535-1100: (CS,CRJ,DF,JD,DS/Brian Smith) Bright and sunny, light breeze
Great Northern Diver - 7os

Great-crested Grebe - 1E
Gannet - 5E, 1W
Fulmar - 1W

Common Scoter - 202E, 3W, 44 os

Eider - 4os

Whimbrel - 16E
Greenshank - 1N
Grey Plover - 2obs
Sanderling - 8E,12W
Herring Gull - 900 os (per JA)
Black-headed Gull - 9E, 5W
Common Tern - 63os, 7E
Little Tern - 10os, 2E

Church Norton: Quiet this morning - just a few Whitethroats and Blackcaps singing, and 2 or 3 Whimbrel and 30+ Dunlin in the harbour.
Late this afternoon there were 2 Common Sandpipers on Tern Island, at least 6 Sanderling amongst 200+ Dunlin and 2 Sandwich Terns, 10 Little Terns and 8 Common Terns in the harbour.(AH)

North Wall: Went to check out the report of a Marsh Warbler singing on the Breach Pool, but sadly only a showy, if somewhat washed out & grey-toned, Reed Warbler was singing where it had been reported. Unfortunately the bird heard over the last couple of days has not been seen, so Sedge Warbler remains a possibility, and this individual did no mimicry whatsoever. Otherwise quiet - a few other Reed & Sedge Warblers about, plus a single Wheatear seen, and the spit was even quieter, though 3-4 Whimbrel and up to 5 Little Terns were noted. Also quite a few Peacock & Comma butterflies about. (AH)

Reed Warbler (above) & Comma showing its 'comma' at the North Wall (AH)

Chi GP's: Ivy Lake: Four Black Swans (2 pairs) still present - one pair copulating. Also 18 Great Crested Grebes counted (DSh)

Black Swans on Ivy Lake (B. Ives)

  

Thursday, 15th May: Finally a turn to the east for the wind, and seemingly a big clear-out of yesterday's birds. However there was a major consolaton in the form of a Hooded Crow at the Bill this morning...... it only stayed about an hour on the shingle bar (with other crows), but was eventually forced off by the rising tide covering the bar - when it then flew off high to the NE. Whether this is a one-off, or it will return with the other crows at low tide, remains to be seen but there must be a reasonable chance it will re-appear on the Peninsula. The news was put out but please understand there was plenty of phone difficulty; our apologies to anyone we overlooked (CRJ/OM/AH).

Selsey Bill: 0550-1300hrs: Sunny with cloud at times, becoming quite warm later. Wind light NE2, becoming ESE by mid-morning. (Obs: CS/OM/CRJ/AH/SR/JD/IL et al).
A quiet morning at the Bill was considerably enlivened when Chris Janman spotted a Hooded Crow on the spit off Hillfield Road at 7.30am. Inevitably the rising tide pushed it off after an hour, but around ten people were able to see it before it went. Otherwise just a couple of Arctic Skuas and a few Common Scoter east (plus an offshore flock) and the usual gathering of terns and the regular Eider(s) offshore. Full log below ...
Great Northern Diver - 4 os
Fulmar - 1E
Gannet - 4E, 2W
Eider - 4 os
Shelduck - 2E
Common Scoter - 79E, plus flock 54 os
Whimbrel - 6E
Sanderling - 19E (inc flock 12 ob that moved off... Medmerry birds?)
Arctic Skua - 2E
Little Tern - 1E, plus flock 10 os which later drifted off E
Common Tern - 5E, plus a count of 200+ os - these later moving off E or high NE
Sandwich Tern - 20E, plus 6 os which drifted off E
Hooded Crow - 1 present os 0725-0830hrs (see above)
Yellow Wagtail - 1N
Swallow - 32N
House Martin - 2N
Swift - 6 again present over Seal Road gardens - potential breeders?
Whitethroat - 3 gardens

Hooded Crow & Eider (bottom) at the Bill (AH)

 

 

No sign of the Hooded Crow this evening off Hillfield Road, but a huge flock of up to 200 Common Terns feeding just offshore, plus at least a dozen Little Terns amongst them. (AH/SH)

 

Common Terns off Selsey Bill (AH)

 

Selsey: Northcommon Farm: 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroats (SR).

Ferry Pool area: Three Spotted Flycatchers this morning around the visitor centre area. Around 45 Black-tailed Godwits on the pool early morning. (CRJ)

Medmerry: Around the Breach area and pools - a Yellow Wagtail over, a Wheatear, 2-3 Little Terns offshore, 12 Sanderling on the beach, 5 Black-tailed Godwits and 9 Whimbrel. (PH) Just a stunning drake Mandarin on the pools at 8:30 this morning to add to PH's report ! (PS).

Church Norton: Very quiet this morning - seemingly all of yesterday's migrants hve moved on and even the resident Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers were quiet. In the harbour there were 9 Knot, 5 Whimbrel, 25 Grey Plover and 50+ Dunlin. (AH)

 

Ringed Plover on Church Norton beach (AH)

 

Pagham Lagoon: today a pair of Great Crested Grebes with one chick (ARK).

Great Crested Grebe with chick, Pagham Lagoon (ARK)

Ivy Lake: Four (!) Black Swans today on the water, plus a dozen or so Common Terns (PC/BC)

Two (of four) Black Swans on Ivy Lake (AH)

Wednesday, 14th May: Another  bright morning but with a subtle shift in the wind from west to light north-westerly - and not for the first time this unpromising wind direction managed to produce a few migrants, including quite a few Spotted Flycatchers and Whinchats. There was only a single record of the latter species for the whole of last spring on the peninsula; this year there have certainly been in excess of forty records already!

Selsey Bill 0600-1030hrs: Sunny/cloud, wind light NW 2-3. Obs:(OM/CS/AH/JH et al).

I arrived early but thanks are due to the two Hants birders there a short while before me who started the log (apologies, names unknown)... however virtually nothing was moving at sea, but a big feeding flock of terns was offshore, and a number of inward migrants including several Wheatears, Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler in the gardens, managed to maintain our interest (OM). Log below..

Great Northern Diver - 4 os
Great Crested Grebe - 1E, 8W
Gannet - 2E, 1W
Fulmar - 1W
Eider - 2W
Common Scoter - 10E, 20+ os
Little Tern - 20 fishing os, later moved off E
Common Tern - c.120 os; most eventually drifted off high NE or E
Sandwich Tern - 5 os, moved off E
Wheatear - 5N, 3 ob/gardens
Swift - 6N, 5 p (gardens)
Swallow - 8N
Sedge Warbler - 1 gardens
Whitethroat - up to 10 gardens
Spotted Flycatcher - 1 gardens (briefly)

Line-up of resting Common Terns at the Bill (OM)

Sandwich & Common Tern (above) & Wheatear at the Bill (AH)

Selsey: After  twice checking the gardens around the Bill, I decided to pay attention to other potential migrant spots in and around the village, even re-visiting some old haunts I've not looked at in a good while. Nothing special, but a number of migrants located....(OM).

Northcommon Farm: At least 4 Spotted Flycatchers located, plus a Cuckoo, several Whitethroats and 2 Buzzards.

Warner Lane paddocks: Just 2 Red-legged Partridges, a Sparrowhawk and a couple of Whitethroats today were the best I could do.

Crablands Meadow (Drift Lane): A Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warblers, several Whitethroats, a Willow Warbler and Garden Warbler were all present in or around the clump of sallows; the latter warbler was showing well over several minutes but managed to evade my best photographic efforts by hiding behind vegetation at the wrong times! (OM)

 

Later, a Wheatear in the Warner Lane paddocks, 2 Spotted Flycatchers in the large marshy area along Drift Lane.  Across Mill Lane in the field I call Coastguard Field were 2 Whinchats, 1 Wheatear and a Swallow perched on the fence near the stables. At Northcommon Farm it was hard to keep track of the Spotted Flycatchers as they hunted from both sides of the hedge and frequently disappeared amongst the blossom; I counted 3 for certain but there were probably 4 (SR).

Northcommon Farm in bloom: the hawthorns and hedgerows in their full spectacular glory (OM) 

 

Ferry Pool: A Common Sandpiper, 3 pairs of Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall and 80 Black-tailed Godwits this morning. (AH)

Church Norton: A few migrants this morning including a fine pair of Garganey on the second Several, up to 4 Whinchats along the first Several, a Spotted Flycatcher by the concrete wall, a female Redstart in the churchyard, several Sedge Warblers singing from unlikely bushes, and up to 10 Wheatears on the beach. There was also a juvenile Peregrine, which settled by the concrete slabs late morning. Given that our local Peregrines have barely hatched their eggs yet, it is likely this is a young bird dispersing from some way south of us. (AH)

The pair of Garganey still present this evening, plus a minimum of eight Whinchats along the front of the horse's field. (S&SaH)

Pair of Garganey (above) & Whitethroat at Church Norton (AH)

 

North Wall: At least 6 Spotted Flycatchers at Welbourne. My favourite flooded field contained just 1 Shelduck. Apart from 2 Little Egrets the Breech Pool had the same cast as yesterday. Over the fields a Peregrine was giving a Common Buzzard a hard time. White's Creek has become Swan Lake with some 20 Mute Swans loafing around the sluice area. Cuckoo calling north of Honer  (JW).

Spotted Flycatcher at Welbourne (North Wall) (JW)

 

Medmerry - Easton Lane to Earnley Pools: A total of 14 Avocets, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Herring Gull, 2 Mute Swans, Pied Wagtail and a singing Corn Bunting at the furthest pool.  Elsewhere 1 Cuckoo, 8 Whitethroats, 4 Yellowhammers, 2 Linnets, 1 Kestrel and large numbers of Skylarks, Reed and Sedge Warblers (SR).

 

10th - 13th May 2014

Tuesday, 13th May: A real mixed morning, bright and warm then cool and windy, but the westerly wind continues to keep migration to a minimum.... (AH)

 

Selsey Bill (0640-0940hrs): Sunshine and showers, wind W/NW 3, gusting 4 later. (Obs: OM/DF/JD/AH et al).  As quiet as might be expected - nothing much moving, but still at least 4 Great Northern Divers and plenty of Common and Little Terns offshore. A few migrants around the gardens included a Spotted Flycatcher.
Great Northern Diver - 4 os (immaculate s/plum)
Great Crested Grebe - 3W
Gannet - 1E, 7W
Dunlin - 4W
Oystercatcher - 4W
Auk sp - 3W
Little Tern - 7 os, later moved off E
Common Tern - 40+ os later moved off E/NE
Sandwich Tern - 5os moved off E
Swift - 4 p
Whitethroat - 2 gardens
Willow Warbler - 3 gardens
Spotted Flycatcher - 1 gardens

Selsey: Northcommon Farm: A Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Buzzards and 2 Red-legged Partridges (OM). Later this afternoon two Spot Fly's there (SR).

Warner Lane: Very quiet this morning; a couple of Whitethroats, several Swallows and a single Sand Martin were all that could be found (OM). 

 

North Wall: 3 Spotted Flycatchers at Welbourne early on. On the flood field north of the stables just 26 Black Tailed Godwits this morning. A few Swifts were moving NE first thing. No change on the Breech Pool a handful of Tufted Ducks and a single Great Crested Grebe who were joined for a while by a pair of Common Terns. A Cuckoo calling towards Halsey's Farm. Hawthorn trees have exploded into blossom - Owl Copse looked as if there had been a snowfall. (JW) Later up to 7 Spotted Flycatchers and 3 Whinchats were reported in the area (ARK per SOS).

 

Great Crested Grebe (above), Common Tern and Hawthorn blossom at the North Wall (JW)

 

Church Norton: Seemed pretty quiet (apart from the noisy antics of the Oystercatchers!), with the breeding Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Sedge Warblers all in place, and only a dozen or so Whimbrel, 50+ Dunlin and a few Little and Common Terns to be seen in the harbour. (AH) Later, a nice group of 3 Whinchats on the fences by the horse field, then up to 3 Spotted Flycatchers by the concrete wall and behind the Hide, plus a single Wheatear nearby. Surprise of the day was the 'regular' Iceland Gull roosting out in the harbour with other gulls near to Tern Island; now looking considerably whiter than it's first appearance in winter, it was first picked out by JD, much to the delight of New Zealand birder Phil Hammond (who was accompanying OM today) as it was a lifer for him (OM/JD/DF/A&YF).

Strange Oystercatcher rituals (above) & Thrift just coming into flower at Church Norton (AH) 

 

Ferry Pool: Very quiet - a roosting flock of 85 Black-tailed Godwits and a couple of Gadwall was about it. Sadly it would seem that the early broods of Lapwing, and possibly Redshank too, have been badly hit by the recent spell of cold, wet weather.(AH/IL)

 

Roosting Black-tailed Godwits on the Ferry (AH)

 

Chichester Gravel Pits: Approximately 35 Common Terns on Westhampnett Pit this morning, and a further 15-20 on Ivy Lake (AH). Later, a 1st-sum Little Gull in amongst the terns at the latter location, plus 25 Swifts, 5 House Martins, a Cuckoo over and 2 vociferous Cetti's Warblers (OM/PH).

 Medmerry: An early evening look around the area to the north of Ham Farm produced 4 Whinchats, a Spotted Flycatcher, a singing Corn Bunting, a pair of Stock Doves, a Cetti's Warbler and several singing Blackcaps & Whitethroats.(AH)

 

Spotted Flycatcher & Whinchat at Ham Farm (AH)

 

At the Earnley Flood Pools, the first 4 Avocets chicks have hatched, and there were 8 adults present, too, along with a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, a Wheatear on the beach, a Little Owl at a traditional spot, plus a Brown Hare. (S&SaH)

A lot of legs! A mother Avocet protecting her chicks at Medmerry(SH)

Monday, 12th May: A fairly bright morning but with a fresh wind still firmly stuck in the west........ however later in the week there is a promise of something warmer, perhaps even with a hint of easterly, although experience has taught us not to bank on such a forecast this far ahead!

Selsey Bill: A brief watch (7.45-8.15) produced no movement bar a Sanderling and a Dunlin west and a Bar-tailed Godwit east. There were a few birds offshore, including 2 Great Northern Divers, a big (but distant) flock of 30-40 Common Scoter and 5-10 Eider and around 10 Little and 20 Common Terns feeding beyond the spit. (AH/SR)

Church Norton: The Spoonbill was briefly present along the west side before flying off westwards. Most of the waders seem to have moved off - just 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Grey Plover and 2 Dunlin could be found.
Along the Long Pool, a Cuckoo over, 4 or 5 pairs of Reed Buntings and several singing Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats. Also a pair of Lapwings and a pair of Buzzards on the cropped fields and a pair of Coots with 4 youngsters on the Small Pool. (AH)

 

Whitethroat (above), Coots, Cuckoo and Sedge Warbler along the Long Pool (AH)

 

There was a bit more about this evening - 3 Wheatears on the concrete slabs, Cuckoo and Willow Warbler heard, a Peregrine on their island, 3 female Eiders on the sea, and in the harbour 4 Sanderling with at least 400 Dunlin, 12 Grey Plovers and 75 Black-tailed Godwits. (S&SaH/AH)

Two Sanderling and a Dunlin (above) & two of the three Eider at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: In the flooded field north of the stables were 102 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Lapwing and 2 Stock Dove. On the Breech Pool were 14 Tufted Ducks and 1 Great Crested Grebe whilst above were 14 Swallows, 2 Swifts and 1 House Martin. A Cuckoo was calling at Honer and Skylarks were displaying in that area. There was a Common Sandpiper at Honer Reservoir. Otherwise very quiet apart from Common Whitethroats and Cetti's Warblers calling at many locations (JW).

Medmerry: There and back to Earnley Pools from Easton were a pair of displaying Ringed Plover, 3 Buzzard, 5 singing Skylark, a pair of Meadow Pipits, 12 Swift and 10 Swallows north, along with 5 Fallow Deer. On the pools were 2 pairs of Tufted Duck, 10 Avocet, a pair of summer-plumaged Turnstone, a Little Ringed Plover, 14 Dunlin and a pair of Little Terns. (CRJ).

Ivy Lake: At least 200 Swifts overhead this afternoon as the dark cloud gathered, plus 50+ House Martins and a few Sand Martins and Swallows.(AH)
 

Sunday, 11th May: The wind had moved round to the west with bright clear conditions prevailing, a combination that is usually the death knell for sea-passage in this part of the world; predictably the Bill was quiet, but even so there were still a few bits to be seen....

 

Selsey Bill (0530 to 0900hrs): Bright and clear with a strong westerly wind 6-7, gusting almost gale 8 on occasions. (Obs: JA/SH/PB/OM/SR/PC/AH et al). Very little moving, but there was still a Bonxie and an Arctic Skua east and a few Gannets, Fulmars and terns to be seen, most of the movement again being westerly.. Full log follows...
Great Northern Diver - up to 9 os (of which 8 in full s/plum)
Great Crested Grebe - 1W
Gannet - 20E, 25W
Fulmar - 8W
Eider - 1 os
Common Scoter - 8E
Auk sp - 1E, 1W
Dunlin - 7W
Arctic Skua - 1E
Great Skua - 1E
Common Tern - 2E, 3W
C/A Tern - 6E, 1W
Sandwich Tern - 11W
Swift - 18N
Swallow - 59N
House Martin - 2N

Additional sea-watch 15.45 to 17.30 (SH)
Great Northern Diver - 4os
Gannet - 7W 8E
Kittiwake - 1W
'Commic' Tern - 1e
Common tern - 3W
Sandwich Tern - 6W 10E

Selsey: Northcommon Farm: One (and very probably two) Spotted Flycatchers still here this morning, plus 2 Whitethroats. (OM)

Warner Lane Horse Paddocks: One Wheatear present this morning. (SR)

 

Church Norton: Surprisingly, all of yesterday's Spotted Flycatchers seem to have departed, but some consolation was had with a Spoonbill in from the east at 10.15, that flew down the harbour and settled off the North Wall. Otherwise, similar numbers of waders to yesterday, including 11 Knot, 21 Bar-tailed Godwits, and 15+ Whimbrel, and Common, Little and Sandwich Terns about the harbour; the latter of which were again displaying and mating. Very little of note in the bushes, but good to see that four of the baby Moorhens in the moat by The Mound are nearly full-grown. (AH/OM/JD) Also a 1st-sum Little Gull offshore this afternoon, and a Whinchat on the beach (A. Payne).A Fulmar flew west this afternoon. (S&SaH)

 

Spoonbill (above), Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit, & young Moorhens at Church Norton (AH)

 

 

North Wall: Still a persistent westerly wind; 20 Swallows and 8 Swifts over the Breech Pool. Also there 22 Tufted Ducks, 2 Gadwall , 2 Teal and 2 Black-tailed Godwits. The muddy field north of the stables had 4 Lapwing and 3 Dunlin (JW). Also a male Garganey and a Whinchat reported early morning (A. Payne) 

Ferry Pool: 90+ Black-tailed Godwits feeding at the front of the pool midday, alongside c.30 Dunlin looking very smart in their summer plumage. Also 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Tufted Ducks, 4 Gadwall, 2 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck, and 4 Swifts overhead, one screaming (SR).

Saturday, 10th May: Much as yesterday weather-wise; another blustery cool morning, with rain and a strong wind WSW 6 and westerly passage again pre-dominated. Despite the weather, Spotted Flycatchers have appeared at last, with well over ten around the peninsula.

 

Selsey Bill 0530 to 1000hrs): Showers then sunshine and cloud. Wind WSW6 (Obs: SH /JA/CRJ/AH/IL)
Great Northern Diver - 1 os

Great Crested Grebe - 1 os

Gannet  - 1E, 148W

Fulmar - 25W

Common Scoter - 16E, 10W

Sanderling - 12W

Dunlin - 15W

Whimbrel - 2W

Razorbill - 15W

Guillemot - 13W

Auk sp - 83W

Arctic Skua - 3E

Little Tern - 2W

Common Tern - 6E, 24W
Sandwich Tern - 9W
Kittiwake - 9W
Swift - 29N
Swallow - 72N

 

Gannets passing the Bill (AH)
 

Additional seawatch 1600 to1830: (SH/JA/AH)
Great Northern Diver - 2os
Gannet - 6W, 9E
Fulmar - 6W
Bonxie - 2E
Sandwich Tern - 13W
'Commic' Tern - 2E
Common Tern - 1W, 1E
Little Tern - 2W
Swift - 6N

Selsey: Northcommon Farm: Two Spotted Flycatchers here late morning. (IP/SR)

Warner Lane Horse Paddocks: A Spotted Flycatcher here too, plus 1 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Linnets, 4 House Martins, 2 Red-legged Partridges & 1 Kestrel (SR)

 

Church Norton: As many as nine Spotted Flycatchers this morning, along the sheltered hedges by the harbour. Also similar numbers of Willow Warblers (including some song), but not much else that might have appeared this morning, bar a brief House Martin. In the harbour Knot numbers had risen to 11, plus 15-20 each of Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwits. Also there were 18 Sandwich Terns sat out on the mud - the most here for several weeks - and there was quite a bit of courtship activity going on. (AH/IP/S&SaH)

A pale-phase Arctic Skua was offshore this morning. (IL)

Spotted Flycatchers (above) & Willow Warbler at Church Norton (AH)

Yeoman's Field, Pagham Harbour: 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler & 1 Blackcap (SR)

Chichester GPs:
Westhampnett Pit: 35 Common Terns, 100 Swifts, 25 House Martins
Ivy Lake: 20 Common Terns, 200 Swifts, a few House Martins & Swallows, 1 Black Swan
Drayton Pits: 100 House Martins, 50 Swifts, a single Common Tern & 3 drake Pochard (BI)