22nd - 24th June 2020

Wednesday, 24th June: Very warm and sunny with a cloudless blue sky, the moderate easterly breeze taking the edge off the temperature along the coast...

Selsey Bill: Very slow again - it must be mid-summer! Full log below. (SR/AH/MO-W)
(0700-0830hrs) (E, F4)
Gannet - 2E
Sandwich Tern - c30os
Swift - 2
House Martin - 4

Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank was on the pool with 15 Redshanks early this morning, before flying off into the harbour. 
Also, there were an Avocet, a Black-tailed Godwit, three Teal and 16 Shelducks on the pool, whilst the three Cattle Egrets were among the cows on Ferry Field.(AH)

Spotted Redshank (above), Cattle Egrets & Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: It was quiet along the pool, with just the odd Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting and Linnet showing, plus a family of Whitethroats and a couple of Swallows over. (AH)

Whitethroat (above) & Linnet along the Long Pool (AH)

North Wall: The Little Owl was again present near the stables, roosting in a tree at 0641hrs, but it had moved out of sight by 0653 (IH).
The Breech Pool held the usual 25+ Mallard, but there were also three drake Teal and three Tufted Ducks amongst them early on. The reeds were busy with Reed and Sedge Warblers toing and froing, plus a couple of Cetti's Warblers, with just the odd bit of singing, whilst Common Tern and 10 Lapwings were about the best of the rest. (OM)
This evening c30 Sand Martins were feeding over the Breech Pool. (SP)

East side: Two drake Wigeon were in the harbour channel this morning, but there was little else of note: a dozen Curlew, 15 Oystercatchers and six Redshank being about it, apart from a small numbers of Shelduck. 
A Chiffchaff gave a few low-key bursts of song, but the main point of interest for me was a Reed Warbler - perhaps newly arrived - that was singing stridently and continuously from a tamarisk bush near the old jetty - and throwing in a few Blue Tit and Skylark-like calls! My heart rate began to increase somewhat as I began to consider rarer options, but after half an hour I was satisfied it was just the commoner species and I never did get a glimpse of it! (OM)

Wigeon and Shelduck in the harbour channel from the East side (OM)

Church Norton: It was very busy with people from early on this morning, but there was still lots of Little, Common and Sandwich Terns about, whilst up to 20 Turnstones and half a dozen Ringed Plovers were on the beach and four Curlews and six Mediterranean Gulls were in the harbour.

Passerines were limited to a few Linnets, a couple of Whitethroats and Swallows and brief snatches of Blackcap and Chiffchaff.song, and there was also a Marbled White along the path to the beach. (AH)

Turnstones (above) & Whitethroat at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - There was still one raven around the fields this evening, but, unusually, there were no hirundines at all, though the usual mix of Yellowhammers, Skylarks, Whitethroats and Stock Doves were all present. (AH)

Raven (above), Yellowhammer & Stock Dove at Medmerry (AH)

Tuesday, 23rd June: A warm and sunny morning, with a moderate south-easterly breeze just keeping the temperature in check.........

Selsey Bill: Another morning with just local activity. Full log below. (IP/AH/MO-W)
(0640-0810hrs) (SE, F2-3)
Gannet - 5E, 2W
Sandwich Tern - c50os
Common Tern - 6os
auk sp - 4E
Swift - 10
Swallow - 1
House Martin - 8

A watch between 0800 and 0900hrs produced a Red-throated Diver and a dark-phase Arctic Skua, both going west. (KJ et al)

Sandwich Tern (above) & House Martin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Green Sandpiper was still on the concealed pool early this morning, along with an elusive Water Rail, possibly with young, whilst a Little Ringed Plover, five Black-tailed Godwits, four Redshank and 12 Shelducks on the main pool and three Cattle Egrets were among the cows in Ferry Field. (AH/AW/MO-W/KJ et al)

Green Sandpiper (above), Little Ringed Plover, Cattle Egret (AW), Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwits & Cattle Egret (AH) at the Ferry

Donnington: A Red Kite went over, early this morning. (SH)

North Wall: A brief walk this morning encountered two Cuckoos flying together near the stables where the Little Owl was again reported yesterday.
Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings were all active, as were a flock of Goldfinches at the sluice gates, while Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets and Grey Herons were all on show in Owl Copse. (IH)
Later on, at least two, and possibly as many as four, almost fledged Cattle Egret chicks were showing in Owl Copse.
Also, a Cuckoo was calling towards Honer Farm, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were also heard and half a dozen Redshank and Curlews were in the harbour, whilst a, a Marbled White and a Comma were among the many Meadow Browns on the wing. (AH/TG)
This evening a Barn Owl was out hunting the fields behind the wall. (KJ)

adult and juvenile Cattle Egrets at the North Wall (TG)

juvenile cattle Egret (above), Little Egret, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff & Marbled White at the North Wall (AH)

Monday, 22nd June: After a cool start, another warm day of sunshine and cloud, pushed through on a freshening south-westerly....

Selsey Bill: There was just a selection of the regular species this morning. (AH/IP/SR/MO-W)

(0630-0800hrs) (F2-3, SW)

Gannet - 2E, 6W

Common Scoter - 4W

Mediterranean Gull - 2E

Sandwich Tern - c75os

Common Tern - 3os

Swift - 5

House Martin- 7

Linnet - 2

Sandwich Tern (above) & House Martin at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were at least two Cattle Egrets among the cows at the back, though hard to see in the long grass, whilst there were two Avocets, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, four Redshank, two Teal and ten Shelducks on the pool. 

The odd Blackcap, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff were singing sparingly around the Tramway, whilst a Comma was by the hide. (AH)

Teal (above), Black-tailed Godwit & Comma at the Ferry (AH)

This evening a Green Sandpiper was in the concealed pool. (AW)

Green Sandpiper at the Ferry (AW)

Sidlesham: A Red Kite went over Jury's Lane, at the north of the village, just after 8am this morning. (MO-W)

North Wall: It was quiet this morning, though a lone Cattle Egret was in the fields, a Cuckoo was calling, a Lesser Whitethroat was near Halsey's farm and a Buzzard went over. (IH)

Park Farm and North Selsey: A Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk went over and three Pied Wagtails were in the fields. (IP)
A pair of Great Black-backed Gulls have two chicks on a roof in north Selsey. (SR)

Great Black-backed Gull with young, north Selsey (SR)

Church Norton: There were still lots of terns in the harbour, whilst waders comprised a Knot, a Grey Plover, two Curlews, c50 Turnstones and the usual half a dozen Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers, along with a Grey Heron and six Little Egrets.

Also, a Jay was at Greenlease Farm, two juvenile Stonechats were in the horse field and a Teal and the family of Tufted Ducks with six ducklings were on the second Several. (IP)

Hunston (Wilf's) Copse: A Treecreeper, a Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, juvenile Song Thrush, family of Chiffchaffs and Jackdaws and at least three Blackcap families were in the copse, and in the field close by a dozen Swallows and House Martins were about, watched over by a Buzzard. (SR)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - It was fairly quiet this morning, though a Cuckoo called briefly from the poplars before flying off west and the pair of Stonechats nearby appear to be feeding a second brood. Otherwise there were a few Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings and plenty of Linnets, Skylarks and Whitethroats, plus a handful of Swallows, up to ten Stock Doves and two Mediterranean Gulls.

The Stilt Pool held one Avocet, 15 Black-tailed Godwits, six Lapwings, a Redshank, c20 Gadwall and the Canada Goose family, whilst a Common Tern dropped in to feed briefly, and there were another four Avocets and two Ringed Plovers in the creek opposite. 

There were also a handful of Marbled Whites, lots of Meadow Browns and an Emperor dragonfly present. (AH)

 

Cuckoo (above), Stonechat, Common Tern, Lapwing, Swallow, Stock Dove, Marbled White & Emperor at Medmerry (AH)

Fishbourne Creek: A morning walk from Fishbourne to Dell Quay was fairly quiet. Two Reed Buntings and a Yellowhammer, several Whitethroats and singles of Cetti's Warbler and Reed Warbler were present. In the harbour there were at least 5 Curlew, whilst 3 Redshank were opposite Dell Quay where 2 Great Crested Grebe drifted up channel with the tide. A Common Tern was present above Dell Quay, there were 17 Little Egrets roosting on the western shore with several more feeding in the channel and 107 birds were counted in the Mute Swan herd. Despite the breeze there were at least 10 Marbled Whites and 2 Large Skippers on the wing. (RW)

 Little Egret and (presumed) Large Skipper at Fishbourne Creek (RW)

19th - 21st June 2020

Sunday, 21st June: A morning that started with drizzly rain and leaden skies and ended up with lots of warm sunshine, though the fresh south-westerly was a constant..........

Selsey Bill: Four Manx Shearwaters went through west, after the weather improved, whilst  19 Common Scoters went east and as many as 183 Swifts were coasting west overhead and over the sea. Full log later. (SH/BI/AH/SR/IP)

(0545-0930hrs) (SSW, F6)
Manx Shearwater - 4W
Fulmar - 4E, 1W
Gannet - 5E, 64W
Mallard - 1W
Common Scoter - 19E
Sandwich Tern - 75os
Common Tern - 9os
Little Tern - 6os
Razorbill - 3W
Swift - 183W
House Martin - 3

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

(1645-1900hrs) (SW. F5-6) (SH/SR)
Manx Shearwater - 4E (2 at 1755 & 2 at 1815hrs)
Gannet - 16E, 3W, 7os
Sandwich Tern - 22e, 68W, 40os
Common Tern - 4E, 1W, 3os
auk sp - 1W

Ferry Pool: Back to normal this morning, with just four Black-tailed Godwits and 22 Shelducks on the pool, plus a Buzzard.. (AH) Later, two Cattle Egrets were in Ferry field (RAI)

Shelduck on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There were still plenty of Little, Common and, especially, Sandwich Terns bringing in fish and feeding both in the harbour and offshore this morning.
Otherwise there were half a dozen Mediterranean Gulls present, but the only waders were a lone Knot and half a dozen or so Curlews, Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers, whilst passerines of note included a juvenile Stonechat along the path to the beach, a couple of Whitethroats and Swallows along the front and a few Linnets and Skylarks on the spit. (AH)
Later there was a bit of a feeding frenzy around the metal work and in front of Tern island, with 50+ Sandwich Terns and maybe 100 Black-headed Gulls and 4 Mediterranean Gulls plus a few Little and Common Tern, plus a few Turnstone and Dunlin roosting on the spit and 5 maybe 6 Tufted ducklings keeping a low profile in the reeds. (S&SaH)
Two Ringed Plover chicks (tiny fluff balls) were following one of the adults on Tern island. (RAI)

Little Tern (above), Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Mediterranean Gull, Ringed Plover, Stonechat & Whitethroat at Church Norton (AH)

Black-headed Gulls and Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (SH)

North Wall: Most of the visible birds in the brisk breeze were skyward, such as an occasional Little Egret, Swift, Swallow, Skylark and Kestrel.  Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, a Greenfinch and Green Woodpecker could be heard in Owl Copse while there was an abundance of Meadow Brown butterflies in the surrounding fields.  (IH)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm - What were presumably the same four Ravens seen over the Ferry yesterday were on the fields this evening, though fairly restless.
Also, c100 Swifts and House Martins, plus a few Swallows were overhead and three Mediterranean Gulls were among the Black-headed Gulls on the fields. (AH)

Ravens (above), Swift & Mediterranean Gull at Medmerry (AH)

Saturday, 20th June: The Summer Solstice started cloudy and grey with a few spots of rain early on in the moderate south-westerly breeze, clearing to give a sunny, bright and breezy day......

Selsey Bill: A Bonxie went west early on, but it was generally quiet, though there was a continuous flow of Sandwich Terns heading back to the harbour with fish. Full log later.
(SH/SR/BI/IP/MO-W/AH)
(0530-0830hrs) (SSW, F3-4)

Fulmar - 1E, 1W

Gannet - 16E, 7W

Common Scoter - 5E, 3W

Curlew - 1W

Bonxie - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 70+os

Common Tern - 6os

Little Tern - 2os

Razorbill - 1W

Swift - 5

House Martin - 9

House Martins at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A white-ruffed male Ruff was on the pool early on, along with a Little Ringed Plover, five Black-tailed Godwits and a dozen Redshank, plus c20 Shelducks, whilst seven Cattle Egrets were in the adjacent fields before they were spooked by a Buzzard.. (AH/RP/SR et al)

Ruff (above) (AH top two, lower RP) & Cattle Egrets (first two SR, then AH) at the Ferry

This afternoon four Ravens circled over the Ferry together before drifting off north. (AW)

Raven over the Ferry (AW)

Long Pool: A pair of Little Grebes with a youngster were on the pool this morning, whilst in Ferry Channel there were a drake Shoveler and a few Redshanks, with a few more of the latter and one or two Curlews and Lapwings out in the harbour.
There were a few Linnets along the hedges, a Lesser Whitethroat popped out briefly and there were still a couple of Reed Warblers singing, but that was about it. (AH)

Shoveler (above), Little Grebe chick & Linnet along Long Pool (AH)

West Wittering: A flock of Crossbills were heard going over the garden this afternoon, the later a flock of eight (presumably the same birds) were seen at the top of a tree in a neighbouring garden before they flew off again.. (GM)

Park Farm, Selsey: There were several young Swallows and Pied Wagtails around this morning. (S&SaH)

Church Norton: The harbour held plenty of Little, Common and Sandwich Terns, with waders comprising 33 Turnstones, a Grey Plover, two Dunlin, half a dozen Ringed Plovers, two Curlews and a few Oystercatchers.
Also, the Sparrowhawk was still sat on its nest, six Buzzards were overhead, three young Stonechats, along with a Sedge warbler, three Reed Buntings and a few Reed Warblers were along the front and a mother Tufted Duck had six ducklings with her on the Second Several, the first time they have bred here in three years. (S&SaH/IP)

North Mundham:  A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was found this morning (MJ)

Pagham East side: An unseasonal drake Wigeon was in the channel, where it spent a good deal of time preening, but otherwise it was standard fare. Waders there consisted of 18 Oystercatchers, eight Redshank, six Curlew and two Lapwings, whilst two Common Terns were fishing in White's Creek and further along two Great Crested Grebes were present. (OM)
Later on, there were a few Purple Hairstreaks in the oaks along the path from Church Lane. (BI)

 Phone-scoped images of the Wigeon (with Black-headed Gulls) in the channel on the East side (OM) 

Purple Hairstreak & Large Skipper (BI)

Friday, 19th June: A fairly cool, very grey and blustery day, with a the odd squall of drizzle blown through on the fresh south-westerly......

Selsey Bill: What was presumably the same first-summer Red-throated Diver that was recently off West Wittering went west early on, and two Fulmars, a Little Tern and four Common Terns also went west. Full log below. (BI/AH/SR/IP)

(0600-0830hrs) (SW, F4-5)

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Fulmar - 2W

Gannet - 13E, 11W

Common Scoter - 11E, 1W

Oystercatcher - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 30os

Common Tern - 4W

Little Tern - 1W

auk sp - 1E

Swift - 6

Common seal - 1os

Fulmar (above), Gannet & Common Seal at the Bill (AH)

(1630-1730hrs) (SW, F6) (SH)
Manx Shearwater - 2E
Fulmar - 2W
Gannet - 2E, 2WMediterranean Gull - 1W, 1os
Sandwich Tern - 100+, inc 76 feeding
Little Tern - 2os
Razorbill - 1W

Ferry Pool: At high tide five Avocets (including a family of four) and three Black-tailed Godwits were on the pool, a long with a drake Teal and 18 Shelducks. (AH)

Avocet (above), Black-tailed Godwit & Teal on the Ferry (AH)

This afternoon a Marsh Harrier was over the field south of the pool (SH), whilst later a Common Sandpiper was in the channel opposite and four Cattle Egrets were among the cows in Ferry Field.(AW).

Common Sandpiper (above) & Cattle Egrets around the Ferry (AW)

Runcton, North Mundham, Hunston Golf Course and Fisher:  Birds seen on a look around the area this afternoon included two Common Buzzards, two sparring Cuckoos, two Song Thrushes, three Blackcaps, three Whitethroata and a Lesser Whitethroat. 

There were also lots of Meadow Browns and Red Admirals and a Comma. (CRJ)

North Wall: A Cormorant grappled with and finally overcame a large eel in Whites Creek and there were Cuckoos near the stables and towards Marsh Farm. 

The steady breeze ensured that little was on show along the Wall apart from a Greenfinch, a Reed Bunting and a few Reed Warblers while in Owl Copse Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets and Grey Herons were all visible. (IH)

Cormorant and Eel at the North Wall (IH)

Church Norton: There was lots of Little, Common and Sandwich Terns feeding both offshore and in the harbour this morning, whilst half a dozen Mediterranean Gulls were also present, two drake Teal flew down the harbour and waders included a dozen Turnstones, a Grey Plover, at least eight Ringed Plovers and two Dunlin, plus two Curlews in the harbour and three that flew west offshore.

A Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were singing near the Mound, the Swallows were around the hide and there were at least half a dozen Linnets and Skylarks along the spit. (AH)

Little Tern (above), Common Tern, Sandwich Terns, Turnstone, Grey Plover & Skylark at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There was no sign of the Green Sandpiper this morning but a  Cuckoo was calling near the poplars and a Little Ringed Plover was on the Stilt Pool and otherwise it was the standard fare of the regular farmland birds. (BI)