20th - 22nd February 2015

Sunday, 22nd February: A lovely bright, sunny and frosty morning with a light SSW breeze; however according to the forecast it is set to be all change this afternoon with heavy rain sweeping in and a strengthening wind...we shall see.... and sure enough they were right!

Selsey Bill: (0655-0930hrs) (SH/JA/IP/PC)

Great Northern Diver - 7os

Red-throated Diver -9W, 8E

diver sp - 7E

Slavonian Grebe - 1W, 5os

Great Crested Grebe - 2os

Fulmar -2W

Gannet - 3W,1E

Brent Goose  7E
Common Scoter - 4E

Eider 3E, 1os

Red-breasted Merganser - 8E, 13os

Sparrowhawk - 1W

Dunlin - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 1W, 7os

Sandwich Tern - 1os

auk sp - 14W, 1E

Additional (1400 - 1530hrs):  SSW5, rain (Obs: SH)
Red-throated Diver - 2W
Great Northern Diver - 1 os
Great Crested Grebe - 1W
Fulmar - 3W
Red-breasted Merganser - 11W
Razorbill - 7w,1os
Auk sp - 2w
Mediterranean Gull - 1w

Pagham Lagoon: It was fairly quiet, but there were 25 Mediterranean Gulls, three Goldeneye and a Kingfisher. (BI)

Goldeneye (above) & Mediterranean Gulls on Pagham Lagoon (BI)

North Wall: Also quiet here, but there was a Spotted Redshank and a Grey Plover in White's Creek, and a calling Cetti's Warbler and single Black-tailed Godwit on the Breach Pool, along with a few Teal and Wigeon. Also many Brent Geese in and over the harbour, giving the general impression that they were unsettled and could be on their way any time soon. (BI)

Grey Plover on White's Creek (BI)

Apuldram Marsh: There were more Brent Geese here, probably a 1000 or more, plus six Snipe and 100 each of Black-tailed Godwit & Curlew, as well as another calling Cetti's Warbler. (BI)

Church Norton: The first evidence of a movement of migrating Brent Geese this morning, with up to 800 birds heading east, with firstly, a huge distant flock of 500, followed by a closer flock of 80 and then another distant flock of 200 birds. 

There were also up to 5 Sandwich Terns offshore, before gradually moving off west, four Goldeneye in the harbour, along with a few Red-breasted Mergansers, and 2 Sparrowhawks and 3 Buzzards, plus a Stonechat in the area. 

Also, 'Owls About Town' have moved into Park Lane with Snowy Owls, Eagle Owls and many other exotic species on show in cages beyond Park Farm. (S&SaH/IP)

Buzzard at Park Farm (SH)

Ferry Pool: There were between 250-300 Golden Plovers around the Ferry this morning, preferring the recently ploughed fields and seeming to almost outnumber the Lapwing when they took to the air. Also there was a flock of 4-500 Brent Geese on the fields, along with 40 Black-tailed Godwits and 500+ Wigeon. (AH)

Golden Plover over the Ferry (AH)

Medmerry: Ham-Chainbridge area - The army were out near the breach, detonating yet another piece of unexploded ordnance from the days when the area was a shelling range, and a huge bang put everything up, except the Spoonbills - though they did wake up for a feed! And when they did, there proved to be four of them, over on the very far side of the reserve. 

Among other birds disturbed was a flock of 60+ Stock Doves, 40 Golden Plover, 200 Lapwing, 1500 Brent Geese and 20 Shelduck. There were also 20+ Skylarks, 80+ Meadow Pipits and half a dozen Reed Buntings and Pied Wagtails along the track, plus at least six different Kestrels. (AH)

The army blowing things up (above), very distant Spoonbills, Stock Doves & Reed Bunting at Medmerry (AH)

Saturday, 21st February: Cloudy with some brighter periods and the odd light wintry shower, but with the increasing risk of heavier rain later. Cold due to the brisk NW wind 4-5. Both blog editors are absent from the Peninsula for most of the weekend, so many thanks to all the regulars who have provided information today (and hopefully tomorrow..!) The birding highlights today have been few, though up to seven wintering Sandwich Terns were present, Great Northern Divers again reached double-figures and a couple of Slavonian Grebes and the regular Green Sandpiper were also logged.

Selsey Bill (0700 - 0900hrs): NW4-5 Cloud. (Obs: SH/JA)
Red-throated Diver - 3E, 1os
Great Northern Diver - 2E, 9os on a rising tide
Slavonian Grebe - 2E
Great Crested Grebe - 1E
Gannet - 4E, 3W
Brent Goose - 5E
Eider - 1 os
Common Scoter - 1os
R/b Merganser - 3E, 6 os
Auk sp - 2wTurnstone - 6w
Sandwich Tern - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 6 os

Common Scoter and Mediterranean Gull at Selsey Bill (SH)

Church Norton: There were 6 R/b Mergansers in the harbour, whilst 2 Ravens flew from Norton towards Selsey East beach. Also the Green Sandpiper was feeding in a puddle nearby and a Cetti's Warbler was calling from the second of the Severals reedbeds (S&SaH). En route to Norton there was a Grey Wagtail and a couple of Chiffchaffs in the Park Farm area (IP/SH).

Drake Red-breasted Merganser in the harbour at Church Norton and Chiffchaff at Park Farm (SH).

Itchenor: A look around the area produced no less than six Sandwich Terns in the channel, a Grey Wagtail, three R/b Mergansers, two Great Crested Grebes and plenty of Dunlin, Grey Plovers and Lapwings, as well as a few Ringed Plover. Good numbers of Brent Geese and Teal also present with a scattering of Shelduck (BI).

Fishbourne creek: There were 15 Yellowhammers at the stables and good numbers of ducks in the harbour including Wigeon, a few Goldeneye and two dozen Pintail. Forty Black-tailed Godwits were near the sluice and three Rock Pipits were also present here (BI).

 Black-tailed Godwits, Rock Pipit and Ringed Plovers at Fishbourne Creek (BI)

Medmerry: Chainbridge: About 600 to 800 Brent were grazing the football pitch till put by a dog; also a Kingfisher in the rife, 1 Sparrowhawk, 300 Lapwing, 100 Golden Plover and 30 Pintail (SH).

Brent Geese at Chainbridge field, Medmerry (SH)

Friday, 20th February: Very dull and cloudy with persistent rain and drizzle and just a light northerly breeze.... with the prospect of a few brighter periods by afternoon. The late February doldrums are now well upon us, with a certain degree of sameness as winter flocks dwindle and we begin to yearn for the first early migrants of spring, but there's a way to go yet. The weather will doubtless bring a few surprises before spring truly arrives and let's hope the birds do likewise; there's only one way to find out and that's to be out there searching, so  keep at it!

North Wall: There was a Spotted Redshank along White's Creek this morning, plus another one, calling out in the harbour, and there were seven Red-breasted Mergansers and two Little Grebes on the water. About 60 Golden Plover were in with 2-300 Lapwing and similar of Dunlin on the mud.

Not much to report along the wall - there were two or three Reed Buntings flitting about, two Shelduck and 20 Teal on the Breach Pool, 100+ Wigeon on the fields and a steady stream of Brent Geese (probably as many as 1000 birds) going inland to feed. (AH)

Spotted Redshank (above), Red-breasted Merganser, and with Little Grebe & Golden Plovers along White's Creek (AH)

Later on, from the sluice on the North Wall at high tide - a handful of Wigeon, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers and four Pintail, plus a few Reed Buntings about and a Kestrel on the sign post. (BI)

Wigeon (above) & Reed Buntings from the North Wall (BI)

Pagham Lagoon: There were as many as 12 Goldeneye this morning, along with three Red-breasted Mergansers and the usual Tufted Ducks and Little Grebes, plus three Mediterranean Gulls. (AH)

Adult Goldeneyes (above), first-winter males & Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls on Pagham Lagoon (AH)

Medmerry: Chainbridge Field area - There were three Spoonbills on the reserve from the bank at Chainbridge, along with  a Short-eared Owl, 15 Pintail and 170 Golden Plovers. (PH)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: This afternoon there were 8 Canada Geese, 7 Little Egrets, 50 plus Curlew, one Mediterranean Gull (nearly in full hood) amongst the many Black-headed Gulls, a Chiffchaff, a Grey Wagtail, 5 Shelduck, a Stonechat and good numbers of Teal and Wigeon. A large flock of maybe 500 Brent Geese flew over. (BI)

19th February 2015

Thursday, 19th February: A day that started quite brightly, albeit with a cold and brisk southerly, before clouding up and generally deteriorating...

Selsey Bill: (0810-0900hrs) SSW F5 (AH)
Great Northern Diver - 4os
Gannet - 1W, 6os
Red-breasted Merganser - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 6E
Common Gull - 3E
Stock Dove -1W (well offshore)

Church Norton: Very little new - highlights were 4 Goldeneye, 38 Pintail and 24 Black-tailed Godwits in the harbour, a Stonechat by the horse field and half a dozen Long-tailed Tits in the bushes. Otherwise there were plenty of the regular wildfowl and waders on the rising tide, though only four Brent Geese were seen. (AH)

Curlew (above), Wigeon, Pintail and Teal at Church Norton (AH)

Ferry Pool: Almost exactly the same birds as yesterday, including big flocks of Lapwing and Wigeon, but most birds were at the far end to shelter from the wind. (AH)

16th - 18th February 2015

Wednesday, 18th February: Another splendid bright, sunny and clear morning with frost and a gentle breeze. 

Ferry Pool: Very similar to yesterday, with 500+ Lapwing and Wigeon on the field, plus a few Golden Plovers, and the regular Shoveler and Shelduck on the water. (AH)

A handsome pair of Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: Very pleasant in the sunshine, but new birds were at a premium! Highlights were a Peregrine, which came up off the spit and returned to its island, six Goldeneyes and a Red-breasted Merganser in the harbour, 20 Mediterranean Gulls along the beach, 20 Skylarks on the spit and a Stonechat along Rectory Lane. Otherwise there were plenty of Wigeon and Teal in the harbour, plus the usual waders, though there was not a single bird on the water offshore. (AH)  A Spoonbill dropped into the channel near reedy marsh early afternoon, having come from the harbour, then after a short while flew off, heading over the Ferry Pool and westwards in the direction of Medmerry (TG-P).

Peregrine (above), Mediterranean Gull, Dunlin & Wigeon at Church Norton (AH)

Tuesday, 17th February: A gloriously sunny morning, with a hint of a cool northerly breeze to keep it crisp.....

Ferry Pool: At least 500 Lapwing and 500 Wigeon on the fields, all put up by a Sparrowhawk, after they ignored both a Buzzard and a pair of Kestrels. Also 40 Shoveler, 30 Shelduck and a dozen Teal on the water. (AH)

Sparrowhawk (above), Lapwing & Wigeon over the Ferry (AH)

Ferry Channel/Long Pool: Highlights were a Spoonbill which flew along the channel and disappeared west over the Ferry, a Spotted Redshank in the pool beyond the bench and a huge flock of Avocets which briefly flew up from there usual roosting site at the end of the channel - difficult to count, but probably around 50 birds.

Not much along the Long Pool - a couple of Meadow Pipits flying about, a pair of noisy Little Grebes and half a dozen Tufted Ducks was about it. (AH)

Spoonbill (above), Spotted Redshank and Avocets along Ferry Channel (AH)

Chichester Marina: On and around the marsh this morning were 127 Black-tailed Godwits (two colour-ringed), 78 Curlew, 6 Gadwall, 2 Buzzards, 2 Water Rails, 2 Cetti's Warblers and a Reed Bunting. There were however just a handful of Brent Geese throughout and no sign of the Black Brant, whilst on the old canal a Black Swan was getting a bit touchy towards other wildfowl. There was little to see on the channel at high tide, but as the water receded a dozen Red-breasted Mergansers appeared, plus 20 or so Little Grebes and then a selection of the commoner waders and c.100 Brent Geese (OM).

Black Swan on the old canal at Chichester Marina (OM)

Birdham Pool: I decided to check out the pool again but could find no sign of the Mandarin Duck despite a prolonged look. There were 16 Gadwall and 8 Tufted Ducks amongst the Mallard, plus 6 Little Grebes, and a gathering of 10 Cormorants showed all the signs of being a regular roost, judging by the guano over the waterside trees. A showy Kingfisher was dashing about in the sunshine but there was little else of note save for a small flock of Long-tailed Tits (and the footpath is again very wet and muddy!) (OM).

Cormorants at roost at Birdham Pool - the bottom left bird in the lower pic appears to be of the form sinensis judging by the gular angle and notably pale head (OM)

Monday, 16th February: Generally cloudy though mainly dry through the morning with a fresh S/SSW wind, but things are set to go downhill with a forecast of rain by early afternoon....

Selsey Bill: (0810-0900hrs) (AH)
Great Northern Diver - 7os
Red-throated Diver - 7E, 2W
Slavonian Grebe - 3os
Gannet - 12os (around Mile Basket)
Red-breasted Merganser - 11E, 7W
Common Gull - 3E

Also, a belated record (from Sat 14th Feb)... an amazing mid-late afternoon count on a rising tide produced at least 18 Great Northern Divers - including groups of five and six which later combined to a single fairly close-knit feeding group.... this is a new record count for the species here, beating the previous total of 16 recorded last year (Christian Melgar, per SOS website).

Oystercatcher (above), Common Gull & Red-breasted Mergansers past Selsey Bill (AH)

Selsey - Park Farm:  The Green Sandpiper was again present, also a Grey Wagtail, a small flock of feeding Brent Geese ranging around the area, 2 Kestrels, a Buzzard, 40 feeding  Curlew, a Green Woodpecker and 8 Red-legged Partridges (SR).

Church Norton: I was pleasantly  surprised to find the Whimbrel back in its familiar haunt near the bench, because it hasn't been reported for several weeks now. Otherwise there were six Goldeneyes in the harbour, half a dozen Ringed Plovers, including a displaying pair, and ten Skylarks on the spit, and plenty of the regular stuff on the high tide. Also a huge flock - of maybe 2000 - Brent Geese came up from the North Wall area. (AH)

Whimbrel (above), Curlew, Goldeneye & Ringed Plovers at Church Norton (AH)

Ferry Pool: Barely a dozen Lapwings again this morning - have they moved off already?, though there were still 400 Wigeon present, along with 60 Shelduck and 40 Shoveler. (AH)

Shelduck on the Ferry (AH)

Medmerry: Easton's area: Two Spoonbills were present although somewhat distant out in the centre of the reserve, whilst a Whimbrel flying over the saltmarsh was a surprise; otherwise it was fairly standard fare. Although a somewhat belated report, one of the RSPB volunteers saw a definite four Short-eared Owls on Saturday (14th). (PH).

Note: Contrary to previous reports, it seems the Easton's Lane car park may not yet be officially open.... although the lock may have been unofficially damaged/removed. (PH) Hopefully the situation will be clarified in the near future; let's just hope this is not the precursor to an invasion by 'travellers'...to use the politically-correct name!! (OM).