23rd - 25th October 2018

Thursday, 25th October: A fairly cool, grey morning, with just a modest north-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: There wasn't too much about this morning, though a couple of Sandwich Terns went east and a few Brent Geese and Gannets went west. Full log below. (C&ME/AH)
(0730-1000hrs)
Gannet - 8E, 119W
Brent Goose - 15W
Shelduck - 3W
Common Scoter - 10E
Sanderling - 3E
Turnstone 28p
Mediterranean Gull - 5E
Common Gull - 4W
Sandwich Tern - 2E
auk sp - 2W
Collared Dove - 10p
Meadow Pipit - 18W
Pied Wagtail - 19W
Grey Wagtail - 1W
Linnet - 28W
Grey Seal - 1os

Sandwich Tern (above) & Gannets at the Bill (AH)

Medmerry: West side - A Dartford Warbler was in the gorse in front of the first viewpoint (opposite the poplars) from Easton Lane at lunchtime today. (HB)

This afternoon a Short-eared Owl went high over at 4.30pm, with another out hunting the banks until 5.30pm. 

Also a Merlin was about, a large juvenile and an adult male Peregrine were seen soaring together and along the banks there were five Grey Partriddges, eight Corn Buntings and 20 Yellowhammers. (BO'D)

Ferry Pool: There were three Green Sandpipers on the concealed pool this morning, with six Shovelers, 30 Wigeon, ten Shelduck and c75 Lapwing on the main pool, plus just a handful of Teal, with the rest - c200 birds - in the channel opposite. (AH)

Green Sandpipers (above), Shovelers & Teal around the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: First thing this morning there were four Reed Buntings along the path to the beach and a Little Grebe was in the water by the old horse field. (AW)

The bushes were very quiet later on, with a Chiffchaff and a handful of Goldcrests, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits being the sum, though there was a Stonechat between the Severals and a Mistle Thrush in the car-park,
The harbour, too, held little of note, though there were plenty of the commoner waders species around, with a Bar-tailed Godwit the most noteworthy, and a dozen Brent Geese flew over, heading south-west. (AH)

Reed Buntings (above), Little Grebe (AW), Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Mistle Thrush, Bar-tailed Godwit & Brent Geese (AH) at Church Norton

Wednesday, 24th October: A fairly pleasant, sunny morning after a cool and grey start, with a moderate north-westerly breeze.....

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of variety among a modest amount of visible migration, including, two Lesser Redpolls and two Siskins, whilst an Eider was on the sea and a Great Northern Diver, a Bonxie, and a couple of Brent Geese and Red-breasted Mergansers went west. Full log below. (C&ME/GH/AH/PC)
(0730-1045hrs)
Great Northern Diver - 1W
Gannet - 4W, 9E
Brent Geese - 2W
Teal - 1W
Eider - 1os, then E
Common Scoter - 15E, 4W
Red-breasted Merganser - 2W
Curlew - 1W
Bonxie - 1W
Common Gull - 2W
Mediterranean Gull - 9W
Wood Pigeon - 240W
Stock Dove - 21W
Skylark - 3W
Meadow Pipit - 11W
Grey Wagtail - 2E
Pied Wagtail - 2W
Lesser Redpoll - 2W
Siskin - 2W
Linnet - 16W
Goldfinch - 44E
Chaffinch - 3W

Great Northern Diver (above), Eider, Brent Geese & Meadow Pipit at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Two Green Sandpipers were in the concealed pool, and on the main pool there were four Shovelers, 150 Teal, 40 Wigeon and 20 Shelducks, plus around 50 roosting Lapwings. (AH)

Green Sandpipers (above) & Lapwing and Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: It was another quiet morning in the harbour, though a Greenshank and a Bar-tailed Godwit were among the commoner waders present, and there were 25 Brent Geese and a few Pintail along the main channel.
The bushes were very quiet again, with a couple of Reed Buntings and a handful of Meadow Pipits being about the sum. (AH/MJ)
This afternoon the two Spoonbils were roosting on the Peregrines' island and 20 Avocets were off the end of the Long Pool on the west side. (AB)

Greenshank (above), Bar-tailed Godwit, Reed Bunting & Grey Heron at Church Norton (AH)

Tuesday, 23rd October: A cool morning, with light cloud persisting and a fairly light, but freshening, north-westerly breeze...

Selsey Bill: A couple of Great Northern Divers and a Red-necked Grebe were the highlights over the sea, with just a hint of visible migration overhead...... Full log below:
0730-1100hrs  (C&ME/DS/DF)
Great Northern Diver - 2W
Red-necked Grebe - 1 os
Great Crested Grebe - 1W, 3os
Gannet - 3E, 121W
Shelduck - 4W
Common Scoter - 30E, 3W
Red-breasted Merganser - 3E, 1W
Wigeon - 2E
Curlew - 1W
Dunlin - 7W
Razorbill - 3E, 22W
auk sp - 11E, 1W
Common Gull - 2W
Mediterranean Gull - 32W 
Pied Wagtail - 35W/N
Meadow Pipit - 8N
Skylark - 9W/N
Swallow - 4E
Linnet - 25W                   

Ferry Pool: A lone Golden Plover was among 220 Lapwings on the main pool and the two Green Sandpipers were tucked away on the concealed pool this morning, whilst there were also three Shovelers, c50 Wigeon, c150 Teal and 25 Shelducks present, and two Water Rails were in Red Barn Ditch. (AHBFF/DM))

Golden Plover and Lapwings (above), Shovelers (AH)  & Green Sandpiper (DM) on the Ferry

Medmerry: The Hooded Crow re-appeared this afternoon, after a prolonged absence. (RN)

Hunston: A Short-eared Owl flew over the B2145 early this evening. (IL)

Church Norton: It was very quiet this morning, with no evidence of migration, though a couple of Mistle Thrushes and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were in the car-park and a couple of Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits were around the horse field.

The harbour was also quiet, with just the regular waders present, though the two Spoonbills and two Peregrines were around later on, and there were 20 Skylarks and 50 Linnets along the spit. (AH/BFF/DM)

Mistle Thrushes (above) & Great Spotted Woodpecker at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: There were plenty of birds about this morning, including a Fieldfare over Halsey's Farm and a Wheatear early on, a Grey Wagtail, three or four Yellowhammers, at least 25 Reed Buntings and 40 Goldfinches, plus a couple of Cetti's Warblers along the wall. Also, at least 500 Jackdaws, with 200+ Rooks which came out over the harbour from the fields before settling back down.

White's Creek held nine Spotted Redshank and at least 300 Lapwing, along with a few Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank, plus three Knot and a few Grey Plover, with 100+ Teal, 50+ Wigeon and a dozen Pintail also present, whilst the Breech Pool held a dozen fairly flighty Snipe and 60+ Black-tailed Godwits. (AH/OM/TG/IH et al)

Spotted Redshanks and Lapwing (above), Snipe and Teal, Grey Plover, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting & Jacdaws and Rooks from the North Wall (AH)

20th - 22nd October 2018

Monday, 22nd October: A decidedly chill day, despite the unbroken sunshine, as the northerly breeze freshened during the morning.....

Selsey Bill: There was little around this morning, with almost no overhead migration, just a  few Brent Geese moving west offshore and a handful of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests around the gardens. Full log below....
0715-0915hrs:  (OM/AH)
Gannet - 4W
Brent Goose - 11W
Mallard - 4W
Common Scoter - 1E
Woodpigeon - 30S
Pied Wagtail - 4N/W
Meadow Pipit - 2N
Goldcrest - 4 gardens
Chiffchaff - 3 gardens

Selsey, East beach: Around the pond were just two Chiffchaffs and two Goldcrests, whilst nearby were just a couple of Meadow Pipits by the skateboard circuit.

North Wall: Two Short-eared Owls flew high along the east side of the harbour this morning, being mobbed by crows. (TG)

Medmerry: the Windmill field and beach held just 5 Meadow Pipits, with two Stonechats near the go-cart track. Nothing offshore except a couple of Gannets and a Great Crested Grebe. (OM)

Stonechat near the go-kart track at Medmerry (OM)

Ferry Pool: Two Green Sandpipers were tucked away at the far end of the concealed pool, with - aside from a few Lapwings - wildfowl predominating on the main pool, including a Shoveler, 75 Wigeon, 140 Teal and 24 Shelduck. (AH)

Wigeon and Teal on the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: There was little along the pool and adjacent field, except a handful of Reed Buntings, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, but there were 20 Avocets among the roosting Grey Plovers, Redshank and Curlew at the far end. (AH)

Avocets (above), Grey Plover and Redshank & Reed Bunting from Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: The two Spoonbills were roosting in the harbour again this morning, and there were also a Peregrine, half a dozen Pintail and a few Dunlin and Grey Plovers on the rising tide.
A few Goldfinches, Linnets, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were on/over the spit and a couple of Reed Buntings and Stonechats were along the Severals, plus two Sparrowhawks over. (BI/AH)

Spoonbills (above), Stonechat & Sparrowhawk at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to Marsh Farm - This afternoon there were nine Stonechats and at least 20 Yellowhammers along the banks, a couple of Golden Plovers on the reserve and a Peregrine, a Buzzard and a couple of Sparrowhawks over. (S&SaH)

Sunday, 21st October: An identical day to yesterday, with unbroken sun and a light breeze after a chilly start ....

Selsey Bill: The first two Velvet Scoters of the autumn and a Red-throated Diver went west this morning, but there was little visible migration on offer. Full log later. (SH/PB)
(0715-0900hrs)
Red-throated Diver - 1W
Gannet - 1E
Brent Goose - 4W
Wigeon - 5W
Common Scoter - 9E
Velvet Scoter - 2E
Sparrowhawk - 1p
Sanderling - 2E
Mediterranean Gull - 1W, 1os
Sandwich Tern - 1E
Wood Pigeon - 280S
Stock Dove - 15S
Meadow Pipit - 3N
Pied Wagtail - 8p
Chiffchaff - 2p
Jackdaw - 60p
Siskin - 5W
Goldfinch - 20p
Grey Seal - 1os

Ferry Pool: There was not much to report, with a usual good selection of wildfowl, including a Shoveler, c30 Shelducks, c50 Wigeon and c100 Teal on the pool, but no waders beyond a few Lapwings, with more Teal in the channel opposite. Also, there were a Chiffchaff and three or four Goldcrests in the adjacent hedges. (AH/IP)

Park Farm, Selsey: There were 28 Curlews in the field on Manor Lane, even all briefly on the balancing pond, but not too much else was about beyond a Grey Wagtail, a Chiffchaff and a few Linnets and Goldfinches. (AH/IP/S&SaH/PB)

Curlews over Park Farm, Selsey (AH)

Church Norton: The two Spoonbills were roosting in the harbour again, and there were also c20 Brent Geese, c20 Little Egrets, a Peregrine and plenty of the commoner wildfowl and waders about, plus up to ten Great Crested Grebes offshore.
There was little evidence of visible migration, though a Wheatear was along the spit, about ten Stonechats were spread along the front and three Swallows and a few dozen Linnets, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails were flying about, but not really with any great purpose.
Also, two Siskins were in the trees on the Mound, up to half a dozen Goldcrests were in Bluebell Wood, a Blackcap was along the Severals, two Mediterranean and two Common Gulls went over, two Shovelers were on the second Several and a Painted Lady, two Clouded Yellows and a Common Blue were among the butterflies seen. (AH/IP/BI/A&YF/RJS/S&SaH/PB)

Wheatear (above), Swallow, Goldcrest, Skylark, Shoveler, Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull & Painted Lady at Church Norton (AH)

This afternoon there was a flock of around 100 Canada Geese on the Pagham side, visible from the spit, on which two Clouded Yellows were also seen.
Along the front there were three Stonechats, while the Whimbrel was showing well among the regular waders in the harbour. (AW)

Stonechat (above), Whimbrel & Canada Geese at Church Norton (AW)

North Wall: The glorious autumnal weather seemed to have brought every man and his wife and dog out (can't speak for any other arrangements), and all I managed in a short visit before I abandoned was a Spotted Redshank (or possibly two), eight Snipe, four Goldcrests and three Chiffchaffs, plus a Rock Pipit along the rocks. (OM)
This afternoon there were two Stonechats ad 20+ Reed Buntings along the wall, and a Kingfisher, eight snipe and nine Black-tailed Godwits around the Breech Pool. (S&SaH)

Chi GPs - Drayton Pits: It was peaceful here - rather too peaceful - with 30+ Pochard and a few Gadwall, plus 15+ Snipe, a Bullfinch, several Goldcrests and three Chiffchaffs being about the best on offer. Butterflies on the wing included several Red Admirals and Peacocks, two Painted Ladies and a Clouded Yellow. (OM)

Saturday, 20th October: A chilly start to a splendidly fine and sunny autumn day, with sunshine, blue skies, scattered cloud and just a gentle variable breeze....

Selsey Bill: There was predictably next to nothing moving over the sea, but a good bit of visible migration overhead, including the first Brambling of the autumn. Full log below.....
(0715-0930hrs)  (SH/GH)

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Gannet - 2W

Brent Goose - 1E, 5W

Wigeon - 2W

Curlew - 4W

Sandwich Tern - 3E

Mediterranean Gull - 3os

Woodpigeon - 660S

Stock Dove - 75S

Jackdaw - 150 p in area

Magpie - 36 p in area

Skylark - 4E

Meadow Pipit - 8E

Pied Wagtail - 13N

House Martin - 4E

Swallow - 9E

Stonechat - 1 p

Starling - 13S

Goldfinch - 108E

Linnet - 61E

Chaffinch - 17E

Brambling - 1E

Siskin - 5W

Greenfinch - 8E

Reed Bunting - 1N

Chiffchaff - 3 gardens

Ferry Pool: A Crossbill flew over the Visitor Centre, calling, early this morning. (IL)
There were three Green Sandpipers on the pool again, along with a Snipe, three Black-tailed Godwits, c150 Lapwing, c50 Teal, c30 Shelducks and a Shoveler, with a Kingfisher dropping in briefly, two Grey Wagtails over, four Goldcrests in the hedges opposite and two pairs of Stonechats and a few Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits scattered along the edges. 

The three Green Sandpipers were briefly on the new pond in the Discovery Area, early on, whilst there were also a Grey Wagtail, a couple of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps in the vicinity. (AH/IP/IL/BO'D)

Green Sandpipers (above), Shoveler and Teal, Stonechat, Blackcap & Chiffchaff around the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: Two Spotted Redshanks were at the far end of Ferry Channel this morning, along with 100+ Teal, and a Snipe and a squealing Water Rail were on the pool itself.
Four Mistle Thrishes together, four Gadwall and 30+ Stock Doves flew over, whilst along the hedges there were a couple of Cetti's Warblers, a couple of pairs of Stonechats, a fly-by Kingfisher and at least half a dozen Reed Buntings. (AH/IP)

Snipe (abobve), Spotted Redshank and Teal, Reed Bunting & Gadwall around the Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: There was a Bullfinch along the front, and a Woodlark flew over at 0848 heading NNE. There were also nine Siskins in the trees on the edge of Bluebell wood and several large flocks of Goldfinches passed through. Four Sparrowhawks were also in and out of Priory Wood. (BI/P&JW)
Also, the Whimbrel was in its usual haunt, two Spoonbills were roosting out in the middle of the harbour and a Marsh Harrier briefly appeared from the saltmarsh, with it, or another, later thermalling high over the harbour.

Among other birds seen were a lone Swallow, and a few Linnets over, several Buzzards, three Stonechats,  four Sparrowhawks over the churchyard, a Mistle Thrush in the car-park, a  couple of Bar-tailed Godwits among the Dunlin and Grey Plover and 20 Brent Geese, in two flocks, flying south-west over the harbour and out to sea, with another 26 west offshore, and plenty of Skylarks and Meadow Ppiits along the spit. Also, a Clouded Yellow was along the beach. (AH/AW/S&SaH)

Skylark (above), Sparrowhawk (AW), Stonechat (SH), Spoonbills, Whimbrel, Mistle Thrush & Brent Geese (AH) at Church Norton

Park Farm, Selsey: This afternoon there were a Grey Wagtail, four Pied Wagtails, a Stonechat and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers around the farm, as well as two Clouded Yellows. (S&SaH)

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Park Farm, Selsey (SH)

Medmerry: East side - This afternoon there were 250 Linnets in the fields, along with at least ten Skylarks and eight Stonechats, with a Greenshank in the tidal area and two Swallows and a Buzzard over. Also, there were two Roe Deer showing well. (S&SaH)

Roe Deer at Medmerry (SH)

North Wall: It was busy along the hedgerows early this morning with two Lesser Redpolls in with a large flock of Goldfinches near the Breech Pool and at least 20 Reed Buntings in the scrub. (IH/IB) A very quick look this afternoon turned up six Stonechats at Halsey's Farm and a distant Spoonbill in the harbour but little else. (BI)