22nd - 24th December 2014

Wednesday, 24th December: Early morning gloom and drizzle soon gave way to broken cloud and sunny periods, but with a brisk NW wind making conditions feel a little cooler than of late.

West Wittering / East Head: Three Spoonbills on Snowhill marsh, and a small flock of Yellowhammers and a Rock Pipit around the dunes, with numerous Stonechats. Plenty of the commoner waders and ducks, but very few Brent Geese about (BI).

Church Norton: The three Spoonbills were still here, as well, roosting the high tide away on Tern Island, so it looks like we have a completely unprecedented six Spoonbills over-wintering on the peninsula.

Not much else to report on a brief look, though there were four Red-breasted Mergansers in the harbour. (AH)

 

Spoonbills on Tern Island (AH)

 

Medmerry: Chainbridge to Ham Farm: I made it most of the way to Ham this morning, and there were a few bits along the way. The lonely juvenile White-fronted Goose was still in the brassica field along with a dozen Ringed Plovers, a Grey Wagtail moved along the rife, there were a pair of Stonechats by the gate, half a dozen Reed Buntings in the hedges and a few Meadow Pipits flitting about, then, just as I got back to the car a Short-eared Owl came briefly up off the bank, putting up several hundred Lapwings and 50+ Golden Plover from the tidal area. (AH)

 

Juvenile White-fronted Goose (above), Ringed Plovers & Stonechat at Medmerry (AH)

 

 

Ferry Pool: Less birds than yesterday, but there must be at least 1000 Lapwing on the field, with 50 or so Golden Plover amongst them. Otherwise there were c30 each of Shoveler, Teal and Shelduck, and plenty of Wigeon in the fields with 50 or so Canada Geese. (AH/BI)

 

Who wants to count them? Lapwings over the Ferry (AH)

Selsey: Northcommon Farm - A Barn Owl was quartering the fields just west of the Country Club along Golf Links Lane a 3.45pm today. (IP)

 

Barn Owl at dusk at Northcommon Farm (IP)

 

Tuesday, 23rd December: Not a bad morning - very mild, plenty of cloud, a bit of sunshine and a blustery breeze - but then some drizzle to spoil things by early afternoon. There being nothing new on the scene the birding had a general feel of 'same old thing' and perhaps this was true to some extent, but the day list produced amongst others a White-fronted Goose, 3 Spoonbills, a Whimbrel, a Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, a couple of Great Northern Divers, a Peregrine, a Merlin and even an escaped Southern Pochard... not a bad mix for an outing at this time of year given the uninspiring weather conditions (OM).

Selsey Bill (0830-0945hrs): Mainly cloudy, wind W/SW5-6  (Obs: BFF/DM)

Great Northern Diver - 2 os

Red-throated Diver - 1 os, flew off E

Great Crested Grebe - 2W

Gannet - 5W

R/b Merganser - 9E

Common Scoter - 2W

Peregrine - 1W

Merlin - 1NE, chasing Starlings

Kittiwake - 10W

 

Selsey - Drift Lane area: At least 16 Snipe, a Jack Snipe and a Woodcock present this morning (OM/BFF/DM).

Church Norton: The three Spoonbills were back doing what they do best - snoozing on Tern Island - and there were also 12 Bar-tailed Godwits roosting nearby. Just one Slavonian Grebe and one Great Crested Grebe were offshore, whilst in the harbour there were four Red-breasted Mergansers, the Peregrine buzzed over and there were plenty of the commoner waders and wildfowl, including a decent flock of Knot and the wintering Whimbrel (AH/BFF/DM/OM).

 

Red-breasted Merganser and Teal (above) & mixed Dunlin, Knot and Grey Plover at Church Norton (AH)

 

Ferry Pool: There was a huge amount of activity on/around the pool on the high tide. The two Ruddy Shelduck were present, along with 65 Shelduck, 44 Shoveler, 25 Teal, c200 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall and c50 Canada Geese. There were also c150 Golden Plover dropping in amongst c1000 Lapwing, and there were c50 Black-tailed Godwits and c30 Curlews in the back fields, and a couple of Buzzards and a Kestrel were also about. (AH)

 

Ruddy Shelduck with Shelduck and Lapwing (above), Golden Plovers, Shoveler and Kestrel on the Ferry (AH)

 

 

 

Medmerry: Breach and Viewpoint - waders were moving back and forth, though nothing unusual was on offer when we visited just after high tide. A flock of 42 Ringed Plovers was on the mud, whilst 60+ Grey Plovers and 50 Dunlin settled briefly before moving off and 30 Golden Plover flew over. A single Buzzard and a couple of Kestrels were about it (OM/BFF/DM).

Chainbridge to Ham viewpoint: We were probably a bit early for any owls, but there was certainly more activity here, a large flock of 500 Lapwings and 120 Golden Plover suddenly taking to the air although the cause of their panic was not established. A large flock of 120 Stock Doves was noteworthy, then the lone juv/1st w White-fronted Goose was noted, being Billy-no-mates and warily keeping its distance on the edge of a kale strip in a large grassy field. A large flock of 800+ Brent Geese was some distance away in fields near the Ham viewpoint, but nothing scarcer was found amongst them. Two Stonechats were along the fences and c.30 Skylarks in the adjacent field, the Southern Pochard was still on Ham ponds, whilst out on the marsh a handful of Pintail were amongst a small flock of Teal and Wigeon (OM/BFF/DM).

 

Juvenile/1st w White-fronted Goose (above) & Southern Pochard at Medmerry (DM)

 

 

Monday, 22nd December: Another overcast, gloomy but rather mild day, with a fresh to strong WSW wind....

 

Church Norton: Not a lot to report this afternoon on a big tide and a blustery wind. The 3 Spoonbills were present on the island, but something spooked everything and they flew off and didn't return. The Whimbrel was seen briefly, there were 5 Bar-tailed Godwiits and 100+ Knot on the mud when the tide dropped, and there were a couple of Mediterranean Gulls and 30 Common Gulls amongst the Black-headed Gulls. Otherwise it was just plenty of the regular stuff. (AH) Later, a report of 2 Firecrests along the main path from the car park (per RBA).

 

First-winter Mediterranean Gull (above) & Curlew at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Over the middle of Medmerry today at 1230hrs, a flock (!) of ca.105 Snipe, high up and looking for somewhere to roost I presume. Southern Pochard still on Ham ponds, 2 Kestrels and 1 Stonechat at Ham viewpoint, and a flock of ca.45 Stock Doves on nearby stubble. Six Yellowhammers near Easton farm. Female Eider still in channel near breach (PH).

19th - 21st December 2014

Sunday, 21st December: The winter solstice - our shortest daylight hours of the year producing a fairly dank, grey and cloudy day with a fresh westerly wind....

Selsey Bill (0730 - 0930hrs): Cloudy, W4-5  (Obs: JA/SH/PB)
Red-throated Diver - 2E,7W, 1os
Great Northern Diver  - 6 os

Diver sp - 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 2W, 2 os

Slavonian Grebe - 2W, 2 os

Gannet - 30W
Common Scoter - 1E, 2W, 1 os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 3W, 3 os
Eider - 1 os

Wigeon - 2W
Grey Plover - 4W

Dunlin - 2W
Razorbill - 8W

Guillemot - 1W

Auk sp - 19W
Kittiwake - 3W
Mediterranean Gull - 2 os

 

Additional from 1140-1220hrs: (AH)

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Common Scoter - 1E

Red-breasted Merganser - 2W, 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 2W (adult & 1st winter)

Common Gull - 4W

 

Common Gull past Selsey Bill (AH)

 

Medmerry: Chainbridge to Ham viewpoint - The juvenile White-fronted Goose was still on its own in the same area as yesterday, just to the north of Chainbridge Field. Seen from along the bank were 18 Skylark, 5 Corn Bunting, 12 Yellowhammer and 6 Stonechat, and out on the reserve there were 200+ Brent Geese, 1000+ Lapwing and 100+ Golden Plover, and the female Southern Pochard was still on the long pool south of the farm. (S&SaH/PB)

Female Yellowhammer at Ham Farm (SH)

North Wall: A damp and murky morning. There were 14 Long-tailed Tits along Church Lane. The Wall has been heaving with birds the last few days but not today - the flooded field north of the stables has previously held good numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover but today was host to a solitary Pheasant.

The Breach Pool had a handful of Teal, Mallard and Wigeon, but no waders. The fields along the Wall were almost empty - just a few Moorhens and Curlew. A Rock Pipit was along the Wall.

All the action was in the field immediately east of Marsh Farm. Here there were 1700 Brent Geese (no strangers), 470 Wigeon, 170 Black-tailed Godwits, 77 Curlew, 90 Black-headed Gulls and 14 Common Gulls. (JW)

 

Ferry Pool: There were c120 Black-tailed Godwits today, along with 30 Curlew and at least 1000 Lapwing, which were quite a sight when they all took to the wing. Otherwise there were c40 Shelduck and similar of Teal, a drake Gadwall, 8 Shoveler and a couple of hundred Wigeon, which were mostly in the fields. The two Ruddy Shelduck were seen in flight over the harbour and dropped in beyond the Long Pool. (AH)

 

Some of the Lapwing over the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: Late this afternoon from the west side - 1000+ Brent Geese flew west over Norton from the North Wall, there were 5 Goldeneye, 3 Avocet, and a Spoonbill in the harbour and 2 Buzzards over the fields. (S&SaH)

 

 

Saturday, 20th December: Dry and fairly bright with sunny periods, but cooler with a brisk W/NW wind. First news today is from the Bill, where the highlights were a few Great Northern and Red-throated Divers, eight Slavonian Grebes and a small movement of 100+ Kittiwakes and almost 100 auks....

Selsey Bill (0740 - 0930hrs): Cloud/sun, wind W5. (Obs: JA et al)

Red-throated Diver - 5W, 5 os

Great Northern Diver - 5 os

Diver sp - 1E, 1W

Slavonian Grebe - 2W, 6 os

Great Crested Grebe -1E, 4W, 2 os

Gannet - 88W

Brent Goose - 2W

Eider - 1 os

R/b Merganser - 2W, 7 os

Kittiwake - 114W

Common Gull - 43W

Med Gull - 2 os

Razorbill - 2W

Auk sp - 96W

 

Selsey: Chainbridge Field - Late this afternoon both the Barn Owl and a Short-eared Owl were showing around the field and adjacent rife, whilst in the fields to the north the juvenile White-fronted Goose was sat out, all on its own. (S&SaH)

 

Distant shot of the juvenile White-fronted Goose north of Chainbridge Field (SH)

 

Ferry Pool: The two Ruddy Shelduck were on the edge of the pool along with exactly 100 Shelduck, c40 Teal, 14 Shoveler and c60 Wigeon. In the fields there were c40 Golden Plover with around 6-800 Lapwing and at the back there were 12 Black-tailed Godwits and c30 Curlew. (AH)

 

 

Ruddy Shelducks (above) & Golden Plovers and Lapwing on the Ferry (AH)

 

Church Norton: The three Spoonbills were back where I left them - snoozing on Tern Island! Not much out of the ordinary, otherwise - the Whimbrel and a Stonechat seen by others earlier on, a couple of Peregrines, a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits and plenty of the commoner waders was about it. At Park Farm Selsey, the now regular Green Sandpiper and Grey Wagtail were on the reservoir. (S&SaH/AH)

 

Spoonbills and Grey Heron (above) & Bar-tailed Godwit at Church Norton (AH)

 

Chichester GP's - Drayton Pit:  A quick look at Drayton pit from the level crossing side; half a dozen each of Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Shoveler and Pochard. A couple of Little Grebes, five Cormorants and plenty of Coots was about it - a slow day! (BI).

 

 

Friday, 19th December: After a wet and windy night the rain soon cleared through by early morning, to leave a bright and breezy day. Although it remained fairly mild throughout, the fresh W/NW wind took the edge off the temperature and ensured that extra layer of clothing was needed...

 

North Wall: Quite big numbers of birds on the falling tide, though nothing unusual. A massive flock of c.2000+ Lapwings was swirling about early on, but although something was obviously disturbing them I certainly could not see it. A flock of several hundred Wigeon also joined in the melee before calm was restored. Later on, a big flock of Brent Geese settled on the water and mudflats; frantic scoping was commenced but no grey geese were apparent, then the flock became skittish and within two minutes the whole lot had taken flight, heading off in the direction of the North Fields (OM). 

 

A small section of the Lapwing flock at the North Wall (OM)

 

Pagham Lagoon: Four Goldeneye were present (a drake and 3 fem-types) but they were surprisingly difficult to see at times due to their constant diving. Also logged were a Pochard, 30+ Tufted Ducks and a similar number of Little Grebes, a Great Crested Grebe, a pair of Kingfishers chasing each other about, just a couple of Med Gulls and a Chiffchaff (OM).

 

View of Pagham Lagoon in the winter sunshine, drake Goldeneye (centre) and drake Tufted Duck (lower) (OM).

 

Church Norton: Two Spoonbills were still roosting on the Tern island and a Chiffchaff was behind the hide (BI).

 

Medmerry: West sands to breach - a single Stonechat, two Meadow Pipits, 20 each of Golden & Grey Plover and 50 Dunlin (BI).

Ham Farm - The Southern Pochard was still present on the same pool (BI).

 

Selsey: Chainbridge Field -  I made it out this afternoon for a quick look for owls and was pleasantly surprised to find two Short-eared Owls almost immediately, though they both soon drifted off over the hedges to more sheltered fields, and then whilst trying to relocate them I stumbled upon a Barn Owl hunting along the reedy rife between the ploughed fields just to the north. Well worth a bit of pain! (AH)

 

16th - 18th December 2014

Thursday, 18th December: A very grey, very windy morning, but still mild for the time of year.....

Long Pool: No sign of any grey geese this morning, though there was a Kingfisher by the sluice and a Buzzard in the fields. (CRJ/TR)

Ferry Pool: There were 2 Ruddy Shelduck, 700 Lapwing and a Kestrel present, and 15 Avocet flew in to the pool overhead from the harbour. A small flock of Canada Geese lifted off the Ferry Pool and flew towards the North Wall and there appeared to be a grey goose at the back but views were poor and we couldn’t be sure. (CRJ/TR)

Selsey: Chainbridge Field: 30 Golden Plovers were all we could find in poor conditions. (CRJ/TR)

Wednesday, 17th December: A grey, damp and gloomy day, but very mild for the time of year....

First of all a bit of news from SR regarding the Spoonbill, ringed Green V094 - I've had a speedy reply from the Copenhagen Bird Ringing Group. From what I can tell it was ringed in Nibe, Denmark on the 15th May 2014 and is approximately 1 year old. On the 4th October it was spotted in Germany on a large stretch of wetland known as Holter Hammrich, part of the Ostrhauder Fehn, where it was again reported on the 16th of that month.

Long Pool: As I walked back from a birdless look along the pool late this afternoon a solitary grey goose dropped in on the boundary between the ploughed and cropped fields south of the path. It was very late (3.45pm) and I only had binoculars, but I am pretty certain it was a Bean Goose. The picture below is no help at all, but it did appear to have orange legs, it was generally a 'dark' bird (and in flight), but the bill was difficult to determine, though it didn't appear pink and the belly was dark (cf juv White-front). Hopefully it will still be there in the morning and a better view can be had. (AH)

Very distant probable Bean Goose along the West Side (AH)

 

Church Norton: A Woodlark was unexpectedly flushed from Tern Island today. (IL)

 

Ferry Pool: Not much to report this afternoon with the water level very high - just 35 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 24 Teal and c 60 Lapwing. (AH)

Shelducks on the Ferry (AH)

 

East Head / West Wittering: Three Spoonbills, all apparently unringed, were seen on an RSPB outing today (per SOS website)... if I understand correctly the birds were probably on Snowhill marsh (OM).

 

Tuesday, 16th December: A dismally grey and foggy start gave way to a pleasant day.....

Church Norton: Took a walk around this afternoon and came across two of the Spoonbills, Green V094 and companion. This is the first time I've seen them awake and feeding! They seemed to be finding assorted flat fish and crustaceans and appeared very relaxed. Also of note were 3 Goldeneye and 12 Red-breasted Mergansers. (SR)

 

Spoonbills at Church Norton (SR)

 

Medmerry: West Sands to the breach - Fairly quiet here this afternoon, though a Greenshank dropping in was a surprise. On the pools there were 5 Curlew, c20 Grey Plover, c40 Dunlin, c20 Golden Plover, c100 Lapwing, c30 Teal and c25 Shelduck, whilst offshore there were as many as 40 Common Scoter and 4 Great Crested Grebes, and a couple of Buzzards and 20+ Skylarks were out in the fields. (AH)

Grey Plover & Buzzard at Medmerry (AH)

Selsey: Chainbridge Field - The Short-eared Owl re-appeared and disappeared over the bank several times late afternoon. (AH)

Short-eared Owl at Chainbridge Field (AH)

13th - 15th December 2014

Monday, 15th December: Dry with cloud and some brighter periods and a moderate wind. The large Brent Goose flock (together with the grey goose duo) seemed to be absent from the Peninsula today - or at least I and others could not locate it - and by late afternoon it was reported from Climping. Not too many highlights either today, but 5 Slavonian Grebes were at the Bill and the Southern Pochard and a couple of Short-eared Owls were at Medmerry..... (OM).

Selsey Bill (0810-0925hrs): Cloud with some brightness, wind WSW4  (Obs: OM)

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Great Northern Diver - 1 os

Slavonian Grebe - 5 os

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Eider - 1 os

R/b Merganser - 2W

Med Gull - 10 os

Selsey area:  Warners Lane: A vocal Cetti's Warbler and a Stonechat were around the paddocks, whilst the Drift Lane area held 20 Snipe and a Green Woodpecker (OM).

Stonechat at Warner Lane paddocks (OM)

 



Medmerry: Chainbridge to Ham: No sign of the goose flock in the area, but of interest was the presumed escape Southern Pochard still on the long pool near the Ham watchpoint. At least 2 Short-eared Owls were active at Chainbridge field to the annoyance of a Buzzard, a Kestrel and the local corvids. (OM/SR). There were four or possibly five large grey geese (probably Greylags and very distant) among 30 or so Brents out in the middle of the reserve.    Very little else seen, c50 Wigeon, 3 Yellowhammers, 6 Stonechats, 3 Kestrels, 2 Buzzards (SR).

 Southern Pochard on the long pool at Ham, and Short-eared Owl at Chainbridge field (OM).

Church Norton: Another short afternoon visit to look at the harbour didn't produce much out of the ordinary - even the Spoonbills were not in their usual spot though they were reported as present earlier. There were 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers and plenty of the commoner wildfowl and waders present, and I bumped into Lee Evans who reported 8 Slavonian Grebes offshore. (AH)

 

A (fairly) rare visitor to the peninsula - Lee Evans (AH)

Grey Plover (above) & Shelducks at Church Norton (AH)

 

 

Sunday, 14th December: A grey and blustery day, with a fresh WSW wind, though comparatively mild....at the Bill a sea-watch produced a selection of species including all three commoner divers, a Slavonian Grebe and a couple of wintering Sandwich Terns.

Also one other development this afternoon...... AB/PB located a Tundra Bean Goose, together with an imm White-fronted Goose and a Pale-bellied Brent, in amongst a large flock of dark-bellied Brent at Climping beach. It's not yet known whether this is the Bean Goose recently seen at Shoreham, but I'm fairly confident the Brent flock (and the White-front) is commuting between the Peninsula and Climping, so it is most certainly worth checking out any flocks on our patch.... there's a good chance a Bean Goose might be with them! (OM).

 

Selsey Bill: (0730-1000hrs): (SH/JA/SR)

Great Northern Diver - 4os

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 14W, 1os

Black-throated Diver - 1W

Great Crested Grebe - 22W

Slavonian Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 2W

Shelduck - 4W
Wigeon - 2W

Eider - 1os
Red-breasted Merganser - 7W, 7os
Grey Plover - 2W

Herring Gull - 1000+ in huge feeding flock, distant offshore

Mediterranean Gull - 1W
Kittiwake - 2E, 15W

Sandwich Tern - 2W
Razorbill - 3W

Guillemot - 2W
auk sp - 2E, 78W

Chainbridge to Ham viewpoint this afternoon
2 Buzzards
6 Kestrel
20+ Yellowhammers
10+ Reed Bunting (SH)

Ferry channel: A Spoonbill flew from the Ferry out into harbour, and there were 18 Avocet in the channel. (SH)

Church Norton: Highlight this morning was a Raven being pursued by two Carrion Crows across the harbour and departed over the trees behind the first Several, cronking its objections!
The other highlights were a Water Rail briefly wandering in the sallows from the path between the two Severals, my first sighting on the Peninsula this year, and a Green Sandpiper that flew from a ditch just beyond Park Farm.

There was also a possible, but by no means definite, Dartford Warbler, skulking in the gorse  on the seaward side of the path beside the first Several. I did not see anywhere near enough of the bird, but I saw a small passerine on three brief occasions which gave the impression on the brief glimpses that it MAY have been a Dartford Warbler, and I am reporting it to encourage others to look.

Other birds of interest included a Kittiwake far offshore, a Peregrine sat on its usual island and seven Bar-tailed Godwits on the shoreline with very large numbers of Knot, Dunlin and Grey Plover. (IP)

 

Raven pursued by a Carrion Crow at Church Norton (IP)

 

Not much to add from a brief look this afternoon, though two of the Spoonbills were back on the island, there was a Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Little Grebes on the water nearby and the leucistic Curlew was out on the mud. (AH)

Knot and Dunlin (above), Spoonbills & Grey Plover at Church Norton (AH)

 

 

Saturday, 13th December: A fine winter's day; dry, sunny and bright with some light cloud soon dispersing and a light to moderate NW wind.

 

I am indebted to John Arnott who responded to my request for information on the bumble bees seen at the Bill on 11th December (see blog for that date). John has commented as follows... 'Your bumblebee photo would be of a queen bee at this time of year. This is fortunate because it makes ID easier as a Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris. Workers of B. terrestris and White-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lucorum are almost indistinguishable. So, the buff tip to the abdomen is pretty obvious in your pic, especially the darker band of buff at the anterior end....the yellow can be quite dark on some individuals, becoming gold to orange.' (OM).

Pagham village: The juv White-fronted Goose was present amongst a flock of Brent Goose in the fields around the sewage works at Summer Lane this morning (per RBA).

Medmerry:  A report received from a colleague today that there were up to 4 Short-eared Owls and a Hen Harrier in the Medmerry area today. (PH)
 

Selsey: Chainbridge Field - Having missed every Short-eared Owl there has been this autumn, SH found not one, not two, but three this afternoon over the Chainbridge Field! (Presumably these are some of the four reported above.) Two flew off northwards, but one continued hunting along the bank till dusk. Also a Green Sandpiper flew out from the Medmerry side of the bank and a Biuzzard went over. (SH/AH)
 

Short-eared Owl at Chainbridge Field (SH)

 

Ferry Pool: Today there were 4 Snipe, c10 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Shovelers + many(!) Lapwings present. (R. Iredale & S. Bignold)

 

Church Norton: Collected sightings for today - There was a total of 1 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 6 Red-breasted Mergansers offshore.

In the harbour the 3 Spoonbills were actually seen feeding, flying and preening before settling on the island, and there was a female Goldeneye and 4 Red-breasted Mergansers on the water, along with 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, a couple of Ringed Plovers and big roosting flocks of Dunlin, Knot, Grey Plover and Redshank.

There was also a Chiffchaff on the path to the beach, and around Park Farm Selsey there was the now regular Green Sandpiper on the small reservoir, a Grey Wagtail and 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. (S&SaH/ R. Iredale & S. Bignold/AH)

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Park Lane, Selsey (SH)

Daily picture of the 3 Spoonbills! (above) , Red-breasted Mergansers, Knot and Grey Plover & Redshank at Church Norton (AH)