23rd - 25th May 2019

Saturday, 25th May: A mix of sunshine and cloud after a grey start, with a moderate westerly breeze picking up during the morning............

Selsey Bill: There were one or two bits moving - including two Manx Shearwaters, four Eider and a few Common Scoters going east, and a pretty confident count of the Bottle-nosed Dolphins, moving slowly east offshore again, suggested 10 adults and two youngsters. Full log below.

(0515-1115hrs):  (BI/SH/IP/AH/OM)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Manx Shearwater - 2E

Fulmar - 2E, 3W

Gannet - 48E, 18W

Shelduck - 1p

Common Scoter - 14E

Eider - 4E

Turnstone - 1E
Little Tern - 3os

Sandwich Tern - 38E, 26os

Common Tern - 1W, 3os
Kittiwake - 1W

Swift - 2 p

Swallow - 2N, 4p

House Martin - 15p

Razorbill - 1E

auk sp - 1E

Bottle-nosed Dolphin - 12E

Grey seal - 2os

Common Scoters (above), Sandwich Tern, Common Tern & Bottle-nosed Dolphins at the Bill (AH)

(1500-1600hrs) (SH/SR/BJ)
Great Northern Diver - 1W
Fulmar - 1W
Gannet  - 2E, 7W
Common Scoter -5E
Arctic Skua - 2os (l/p)
Kittiwake - 3W
Sandwich Tern - 12os
Common Tern - 4os

North Selsey: A Reed Warbler - presumably newly arrived - was singing from the hedges in Manor Lane. (SH)

Ferry Pool: The only birds present this morning were four Redshanks, six Black-tailed Godwits and four Lapwings (though none of the youngsters) present, along with a Gadwall and 25 adult and five young Shelducks. 

A further dozen Gadwall and a handful of Shelducks and Black-tailed Godwits were in the channel opposite, with Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap singing nearby. (AH)

Shelduck-lings (above) & Gadwall around the Ferry(AH)

Church Norton: There were c80 Ringed Plovers and c40 Dunlin out on the mud near the old harbour mouth, with a Sanderling and a Turnstone among them, and a handful of Bar-tailed Godwits were more widely spread. 

Up to 25 Little Terns, double that of Sandwich Terns and a handful of Common Terns were around the islands, but there wasn't much else in the harbour, whilst a Cuckoo was calling from the edge of Priory Wood and a Blackcap was singing around the Mound. (AH/IP)

Cuckoo (above), Sandwich Tern & Ringed Plovers and Dunlin at Church Norton (AH)

This evening there were eight Turnstones among the Ringed Plovers and Dunlin, whilst there was a steady stream of Little and Sandwich Terns going in and out of the harbour to feed. (AH)

Little Tern (above), Common Tern, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Turnstone & Dunlin, Ringed Plovers and Turnstones at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Ham to the Stilt Pools - The Stilt Pools remained quiet today with just five Little Ringed Plovers and six Avocets present; Avocet numbers are notably down this year. The banks held the usual suspects of Yellowhammers and Skylarks, there were three Kestrels at the Poplars, a Cuckoo here as well and another Cuckoo at Ham. Whitethroats were the most numerous warbler and most of the pools and ditches also held Reed Warblers (and Marsh Frogs!) whilst there were Sedge Warblers at Easton Lane and at the seaward reed bed. Four Hares were spotted and, whilst butterflies were scarce, but there were just a few Common Blues on the wing near Marsh Barn. (BI)

Hare, Common Blue and Marsh Frog chorus at Medmerry (BI)

Friday, 24th May: A bright, dry and sunny start with a light to moderate south-westerly breeze and cloud increasing by early afternoon.......

Selsey Bill: The clear highlight was a party of five Balearic Shearwaters that flew in from the east and headed west, before apparently landing on the sea just beyond the 'mile basket' line and being lost to view. An Arctic Skua and 50+ Common Scoter also passed east, but it was otherwise pretty slow going, though the pod of c10 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were around again
0630-1030hrs:  (C&ME/IP/AH/PB/BI)
Fulmar - 1E, 14W
Balearic Shearwater - 5W then os (see above)
Gannet - 63E, 8W
Common Scoter - 55E
Dunlin - 7E
Razorbill - 1E, 2W
auk sp - 10E
Little Tern - 2os
Common Tern - 4os
Commic Tern - 22os
Sandwich Tern - 52E
Arctic Skua - 1E (d/p)
House Martin - c20p
Swallow - 4p

House Martins at the Bill (AH)

(1630-1730hrs) (SH)

Manx Shearwater - 10E

Gannet - 12E

Kittiwake - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 22os

Common Tern - 2os

auk sp - 1E

The pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins were offshore again this evening. (AW)

North Wall: It was very slow and predictable along the Wall this morning. A Cuckoo was calling close to Welbourne stables and 2 Green Woodpeckers were sharing a fence post in the horse field; otherwise all the usual characters were present along the Wall, including Sedge Warblers which were feeding young and Reed Buntings which were nest building. (JDW)

Ferry Pool: It was very quiet again this morning, with just a Little ringed Plover, the Lapwing (presumably brooding her youngsters), four Redshanks, a couple of Black-tailed Godwits and 28 Shelducks on the pool. (AH/PB)

Little Ringed Plover on the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: There was nothing unusual this morning, though there were three singing Lesser Whitethroats along the bushes, with at least five Sedge Warblers and possibly double that of Reed Warblers present, along with a couple of Whitethroats and Reed Buntings and up to ten Linnets.

Ferry Channel just held a pair of Tufted Ducks, the pair of Wigeon, four Gadwall and a couple of Redshank. (AH)

Lesser Whitethroat (above), Sedge Warbler & Tufted Ducks around the Long Pool (AH)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - A pair of Grey Partridges flew out of one of the arable fields this evening, and there were also a dozen Yellowhammers and half a dozen Linnets and Whitethroats present.

At least 100 House Martins were over the settling tanks, but just a handful of Swallows were with them, and there were also a few Mediterranean Gulls about. (AH)

Yellowhammer (above) & Mediterranean Gull at Medmerry (AH)

Thursday, 23rd May: Another lovely sunny morning, with just a modest south-easterly breeze........

Selsey Bill: We've reached the point where it begins to feel like migration is all over and the summer is upon us.....but not yet! There's still time for a bit of late movement or perhaps a nice overshoot or two, so it's still worth the effort for the next few weeks. However, this morning was not one of the highlights and the only notable species on the move were Common Scoters - 180, and Sandwich Terns - 60+, along with a few Sanderlings and a couple of Fulmars. Full log below.....
(0630-1130hrs)  (C&ME/AH/IP/OM) 
Fulmar - 2W
Gannet - 39E
Mute Swan - 3 os drifted E (having arrived from the west and circled around awhile)
Common Scoter - 180E
Sanderling - 12E
Guillemot - 1E
auk sp - 3E
Common Tern - 5E
Commic Tern - 18 os
Sandwich Tern - 64E
Swift  - 6  area
Swallow - 4N, 5p
Whitethroat - 2 gardens 

(1640-1800hrs)
Fulmar - 1W
Gannet - 15E, 10W
Kittiwake - 3W
Sandwich Tern - 23os
Common Tern - 4os
Swallow - 1N

Fulmar (above), Sandwich Tern & Common Tern at the Bill (AH)

 Mute Swans - actually quite scarce at the Bill - circling around before landing on the sea (OM)

Ferry Pool: There was nothing new on here, though there were two Little Ringed Plovers, the Lapwing parents getting upset with the local Kestrel, an Avocet, four Redshank, 25 Black-tailed Godwits and a Shelduck family.

The usual mix of Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat were around the Discovery Area. (AH)

Little Ringed Plover (above), Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits, Chiffchaff & Kestrel at the Ferry (AH)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: The pair of Barn Owls were seen hunting and carrying food this evening. (SA)

Church Norton: There were up to 20 Knot, half a dozen Bar-tailed Godwits and a few Dunlin and Ringed Plovers in the harbour, along with pairs of Gadwall and Canada Geese, whilst there was a lot of activity again around the islands.
Passerines were limited to one or two Whitethroats, Reed Buntings, Linnets and Skylarks. (AH/IP)

Little Tern (above), Whitethroat, Reed Bunting & gulls and terns over Tern Island at Church Norton (AH)

This evening there were two Sanderlings in the harbour among c60 Ringed Plovers and 40 Dunlin, whilst there were also eight Bar-tailed Godwits present and a few Little and Common Terns among the Sandwich Terns. (AH), 

Sanderling (above), Bar-tailed Godwit & Little Tern at Church Norton (AH)

20th - 22nd May 2019

Wednesday, 22nd May: A splendid morning, with barely a breath of wind and lots of warm sun...

Selsey Bill: A Great Northern Diver and an Eider, plus a few Common Scoters were offshore, but generally it was very quiet. Full log below..... 
0630-0930hrs: (C/&ME/AH/IP) 
Great Northern Diver - 1os
Gannet - 2E
Eider - 2os
Common Scoter - 32E, 2os
Grey Plover - 5E
Dunlin - 2E
Common Tern - 8os
Commic Tern - 32os
Sandwich Tern - 36E
House Martin - 12p (local nesters)
Swallow - 3N, 3p
Whitethroat - 1 gardens

1300-1400hrs:  (OM)
Gannet - 1W
Common Scoter - 41E
auk sp - 2W
Sandwich Tern - 3E, 6os

Sandwich Tern (above), Common Tern, House Martin & a view of the Isle of Wight at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A Nightjar was briefly on a fence behind the Visitor Centre this morning, but was seen by only two lucky observers before it flew off. (IL/TG-P)

Nightjar behind the Visitor centre (IL)

The pool itself was quiet, with just the usual mix of a couple of Avocets and Redshanks, c20 Black-tailed Godwits and a few Shelduck, but there was also a pair of Lapwings with four small chicks by the concealed pool. (AH)

Lapwing family (above) & Black-tailed Godwit at the Ferry (AH)

West Wittering: A Golden Oriole  - potentially the bird of the day - was singing early this morning from trees at the north of the village. (GM)

The recording (GM) can be heard here .

North Wall: A Cuckoo was in the paddocks this morning, as was a drake Wigeon, but generally it was quiet, with c20 Black-tailed Godwits in White's Creek and nothing bar a Grey Heron and a few Mallards  in a now very full Breech Pool.
There was plenty of Reed and Sedge Warbler activity in the reeds, with a Cetti's Warbler and a Whitethroat also about, and a family of Stoats were near the Salthouse. (AH/OM/IP)

Cuckoo (above), Sedge Warbler, Wigeon & Stoats at the North Wall (AH)

Fishbourne Creek: Four Yellowhammers were feeding in and around the paddock dung-heap late morning, whilst in the channel the summering herd of Mute Swans was counted at 156 birds. There was little else of note bar a couple of Blackcaps and a couple of Mediterranean Gulls that went over calling continuously. (OM)

Medmerry: Easton Lane - A Turtle Dove flew north over Easton Lane early this afternoon. (AB)

Medmerry: Windmill beach - From West Sands there were two Common Scoters offshore with another 21 passing east, along with an Eider. (AW)

Common Scoters off Medmerry beach (AW)

Church Norton: There were plenty of waders in the harbour on the dropping tide this evening, including a dozen Knot, ten Turnstones, a Sanderling, eight Bar-tailed Godwits, c30 Ringed Plovers and c60 Dunlin.
Plenty of Little and Sandwich Terns were in the harbour, along with a handful of Common Terns and Mediterranean Gulls, whilst three Brent Geese were flying around the harbour mouth before heading towards the North Wall.
Also, a Cuckoo could be heard, and earlier in the day a Grey Partridge was along Rectory Lane. (AW/AH)

Knot (above),Dunlin and Ringed Plovers (AH) & with Sanderling (AW) at Church Norton

Tuesday, 21st May: A lovely warm and sunny morning, with just a light north-westerly breeze...

Selsey Bill: Unsurprisingly quiet, though three Brent Geese that settled on the spit before drifting east on the sea were a surprise, and there were plenty of Sandwich Terns, plus a few Little and Common Terns feeding close inshore. Full log later. 
0600-1030hrs: (OM/C&ME/IP/DF/DS/AH)
Fulmar - 1W
Gannet - 7E, 16W
Brent Geese - 3 os drifted off E
Common Scoter - 26E
Sanderling - 7E
Guillemot - 2E
Little Tern - 7os
Common Tern - 9os
Commic Tern - 12os
Sandwich Tern - 36os
Mediterranean Gull - 5os
Swift - 7 area
House Martin - 12 p (local breeders)
Swallow - 4N
Whitethroat - 1 Bill House garden

Common Tern courtship (above), Sandwich Terns, Little Terns, Brent Geese & House Martin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were few birds on the pool again - just two Avocets, two Little Ringed Plovers,  four Redshank, ten Black-tailed Godwits, two Gadwall and just one family of Shelducks, with a pair of Reed Warblers by the road and a Lesser Whitethroat and a Blackcap in the hedge opposite. (AH)

Reed Warbler (above) & juvenile Blue Tit around the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: There was still lots of Reed and Sedge Warbler song, whilst there were also two calling Lesser Whitethroats, several Whitethroats, two Reed Buntings and a dozen Linnets about.
At least three pairs of Lapwings were on the un-cropped fields, but the channel just held half a dozen each of Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Gadwall. (AH)

Lesser Whitethroats (above) & Lapwings around the Long Pool (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Cuckoo was showing well around the Poplars, with a a Stonechat nearby and two Peregrines went over, but the banks were fairly slow in the mid-morning heat, with just the usual mix of Whitethroats, Linnets and Skylarks, plus the odd Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer seen.
There were no more than three brooding Avocets on a very quiet Stilt Pool this morning, with a lone Lapwing and an Oystercatcher the only other waders seen. Half a dozen Shelducks, Gadwall and Tufted Ducks were also present, whilst a family of Canada Geese were here and another was on an adjacent pool. 
Also seen were a Brown Hare, a Brimstone and a Four-spotted Chaser. (AH/IP/SH)
Later on, a Whinchat was also present. (HB/MW)

Cuckoo (top SH) (above), Canada Goslings & Four-spotted Chaser  (AH) at Medmerry

Church Norton: There were five Bar-tailed Godwits, four Grey Plovers, c20 Dunlin and a couple of Ringed Plovers in the harbour this evening, along with lots of terns and half a dozen Mediterranean Gulls, whilst a pair of Skylarks were on the beach end of the spit. (AH)

Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plovers & Skylark at Church Norton (AH)

Monday, 20th May: A mild and muggy morning, with a mix of weak, hazy sun and heavy cloud, with the breeze fairly light and from the north-west...

Selsey Bill: Not too much was on the move, though over 50 Common Scoters and 60 Sandwich Terns went east and a lone Brent Goose went west, with a few Sandwich and one or two Little Terns feeding close offshore. Full log below. 
(0615-1015hrs): (C&ME/AH/IP) 
Great Northern Diver - 1os
Gannet - 47E, 4W
Brent Goose - 1W
Common Scoter - 59E
Whimbrel - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 61E (including one flock of 40)
Little Tern - 2os
Swift - 2N
Swallow - 10N
House Martin - 10p
Whitethroat - 1p

Little Tern (above), Sandwich Terns, Common Scoters  & Brent Goose at the Bill (AH)

(1645-1800hrs) (SH)
Gannet - 12E, 3W
Black-tailed Godwit - 1W
Arctic Skua - 1W
Kittiwake - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 12os
Common Tern - 1os
Swift - 3p
House Martin - 7p

Ferry Pool: Very little was on the pool again - just 20 or so Black-tailed Godwits, three Avocets, six Redshank and the two Shelduck families - though a Cuckoo dropped into the hedge on the south side.

The Channel opposite held a Whimbrel, ten Black-tailed Godwits and eight Gadwall, whilst along the Tramway there were singing Chiffchaff and Lesser Whitethroat, plus the usual Whitethroats and Blackcaps. (AH)

Later, a Little Ringed Plover was present again, too. (IP)

Cuckoo (above), Chiffchaff, Black-tailed Godwit & Gadwall around the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were 26 Knot - many in summer-plumage - in the harbour this morning, along with six Dunlin, four Turnstones, a Ringed Plover, six Black-tailed and ten Bar-tailed Godwits, and there was still plenty of Sandwich and Little Tern activity around the islands, along with a few more Mediterranean Gulls than of late.

Two Gadwall were also in the harbour and a Buzzard went over, but the bushes were very quiet. (AH/IP)

Knot (above) & Mediterranean Gull at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: A surprisingly mild morning along the Wall. There is now plenty of water in the Breech Pool but still very few birds were taking advantage, with most activity coming from the Golden Carp. The usual cast were present along the reed-beds and hedges, including Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers, Linnets, Reed Buntings and Whitethroats, whilst the Long-tailed Tits that had nested in brambles at Owl Water have hatched and the adults were feeding seven young. 

A Cuckoo was calling at Owl Copse, whilst to the left of the T-junction at the west end of the Wall was a very confiding Whinchat. There was considerable Little Egret activity in and out of Owl Copse and young Grey Herons could be seen on nests. 
On the mud in front of Owl Copse were two Black-tailed and two Bar-tailed Godwits and a Whimbrel, whilst a Marsh Harrier had been reported there earlier in the morning. (JDW) There were also a pair of Bullfinches on Owl Copse and another Cuckoo was calling towards the reservoirs early this morning whilst the hedges of the more southerly fields held several Whitethroats and Blackcaps. (BI)

Whinchat (above) & Grey Heron around the North Wall (JDW); Whinchat, Bullfinches & spawning Common Carp (BI)