26th - 28th December 2020

Monday, 28th December: A fairly pleasant morning after a cold, wet and windy start, with the breeze initially brisk and from the south before veering round to north-west as it eased.......

Selsey Bill: It ended up being a very interesting morning, after a slow start, with a new Bill  (and, presumably county) record of 20 Great Northern Divers recorded - 13 going west and seven offshore, along with a high for the autumn of eight Slavonian Grebes (six on the sea together and two west), as well as a Red-necked Grebe drifting west close inshore. Full log later. (SH/JA/AH/BI)

(0745-1045hrs) (SSW, F3-4)

Great Northern Diver - 13W, 7os

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 9W

diver sp - 1W

Slavonian Grebe - 2W, 6os

Red-necked Grebe - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 5W

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 12E, 72W

Common Scoter - 27W

Velvet Scoter - 1W

Red-breasted Merganser - 34E, 25W

Mediterranean Gull - 2W, 1os

Common Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 21E, 4W

Razorbill - 9W

Guillemot - 3W

auk sp - 10W

Red-necked Grebe (above), Great Northern Diver, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Red-breasted Merganser & Gannets at the Bill (AH)

King Canute of the Bill (aka JA) holding back the tide! (AH)

Ferry Pool: This morning there were eight Snipe in the reeds, c200 Lapwing and c100 Black-tailed Godwits in the fields, along with two Stock Doves and 50 Wigeon, with 70 more of the latter, c90 Teal and c80 Shoveler on the pool. (AH/RP)

Snipe (above) & Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: The Richard's Pipit was present once again today. (R Grimshaw)

Chichester Marina: A Black Brant was among the large Brent Goose flock this morning between the Marina and Dell Quay, as well as the Barnacle Goose, though there was no sign of the Pale-bellied Brent Goose or any White-fronted Geese.

Also, the Black Redstart was in the paddocks by the nearby farm buildings again. (AW/AB et al)

Black Brant at Chichester Marina (AW)

Park Farm, Selsey: A flock of c500 Brent Geese was feeding on the fields, and there were also a Stonechat and a Green Woodpecker about. (IP/S&SaH)

Church Norton: A Goosander and a Great Northern Diver went west offshore this morning, along with nine Red-breasted Mergansers, whilst the male Marsh Harrier was hunting over the Severals, where there were also two Stonechats.

Another six Red-breasted Mergansers were in the harbour, along with the pair of Peregrines and two Bar-tailed Godwits, whilst a Snipe was in the creek by the horse field and c150 Black-tailed Godwits flew up from the far end of the harbour. (IP/S&SaH)

North Wall: On a high tide there was very little on White's Creek, just a few Brent Geese and Wigeon, whilst behind the Breech Pool were 200 Lapwing and three Curlew. Honer 1 field is completely flooded and impassable and only contained two Teal and a Shelduck, whilst Honer 2 held 80 Black-tailed Godwits and nine Redshank. 

The flooded fields north of Welbourne stables contained 1400 Lapwing, 66 Shelduck, nine Dunlin and 200+ assorted gulls.

Also, the western end of the North Wall has become very narrow, muddy and slippery. (JDW) (For info, this has been reported to the Rights of Way Dep't at WSCC for attention - per GHi)

A very flooded Honer 1 field from the North Wall (JDW)

Medmerry: Windmill to the Breach - A Black Redstart was again around the building works by the Oasis Centre, with a pair of Stonechats on the go-kart track and another at Toe End.

The tidal area was very quiet, with the first winter drake Eider the only duck present, with just singles of Curlew, Oystercatcher and Grey Plover the only waders, though c300 Brent Geese were in the fields towards Ham. (AH)

Black Redstart (above), Eider & Stonechats at Medmerry (AH)

Sunday, 27th December: After a very wet and stormy night - alias Storm Bella -  the morning slowly improved towards a bright and breezy conclusion in a fresh and cool north-westerly.......

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of a selection this morning, including a Bonxie, a Velvet Scoter and four Slavonian Grebes, all going west. Full log below. (SH/AH)

(0745-0930hrs) (WSW, F4-5)

Great Northern Diver - 2W

Red-throated Diver - 3W

Slavonian Grebe - 4W

Great Crested Grebe - 3W

Gannet - 1E, 40W

Shelduck - 8W

Common Scoter - 2E, 12W, 1os

Velvet Scoter - 1W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 9W, 4os

Bonxie - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 2os

Kittiwake 22W

Sandwich Tern - 2W

auk sp - 3W

Great Northern Diver (above), Common Scoter, Gannet & Shelducks at the Bill (AH)

(1400-1545hrs) (WNW, F4)   (SH)

Red-throated Diver - 6W

Gannet - 2E, 20W

Slavonian Grebe - 2E, 1os

Brent Goose - 1W

Velvet Scoter - 1 os

Red-breasted Merganser - 3E, 3W, 4os

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Common Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 6W

Sandwich Tern - 4 os

Razorbill - 1E, 5W

Guillemot - 1W

auk sp - 7W

Ferry Pool: At least 500 Lapwings and 100 Black-tailed Godwits were on the fields, along with 100 Wigeon, but the pool itself just held half a dozen Snipe, c30 Teal and c50 Shovelers. (AH) 

Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: There was no sign of the Richard's Pipit today, though the Glossy Ibis was again present, if distant, and there were still plenty of Cattle Egrets about. (AW)

Cattle Egret at Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (AW)

Park Farm, Selsey: A Chiffchaff was in the hedges, whilst the fields held a Grey Wagtail, a Green Woodpecker, a pair of Mallard and 500+ Brent Geese. (IP)

Church Norton: The highlight of a quiet morning was a Dartford Warbler in the brambles by the path between the Severals, with otherwise, two Cetti's Warblers in the second Several, the Whimbrel and a Peregrine in their usual haunts.

Also, a Sanderling was among the waders on the old harbour mouth, a Snipe was in the creek by the horse field and four Red-breasted Mergansers were towards the harbour mouth, with another pair seen going east offshore. (IP/S&SaH) Early in the day, the harbour was full of Brent Geese, c.1500 birds, there were two Firecrests along the front, a minimum of ten Snipe by the horsefield, 12 Red-breasted Mergansers flew out to sea and a Common Scoter flew west offshore. (BI) 

Later, a Firecrest was near the churchyard. (AW)

Firecrest at Church Norton (AW)

North Wall and East side: The wall itself was quiet, save a couple of Reed Buntings, with four Gadwall and four Shovelers on the Breech Pool and the Honer fields all flooded but devoid of life, though 1300 Lapwings and 80 Shelduck were in the fields behind the reservoir.

Presumably the same four White-fronted Geese as yesterday appeared to fly in from the north-east and settled in the middle of the harbour, as did several hundred Brent Geese, whilst at least four Red-breasted Mergansers, 20 Pintail and 100+ Wigeon were spread about the harbour.

There were also a lot of roosting waders at the end of White's Creek, including at least 400 Golden Plovers, 1000 Lapwing, 100 Grey Plovers, three Bar-tailed Godwits, and 200 Black-tailed Godwits, plus many Knot and Dunlin. (AH/JDW/PC)

This afternoon a Short-eared Owl and a Marsh Harrier were out hunting. (TG-P)

White-fronted Geese (above), Golden Plovers, Red-breasted Merganser, Shoveler, Gadwall & Reed Bunting at the North Wall (AH)

Sidlesham: Tawny Owls were heard from the garden this evening for the first time in a while. (AH)

Hunston Church - N Mundham - Fisher: A good walk along this route this afternoon produced 18 Redwings, three Great Spotted Woodpeckers, two Jays, a Mistle Thrush, four Goldcrests, two Yellowhammers, six Pied Wagtails and two flocks of Long-tailed Tits. (SR)

Fishbourne Creek: Six Goldeneyes were again present and displaying this afternoon, whilst in the channel there were three Spotted redshank, two Greenshank and a Bar-tailed Godwit.

Duck and goose numbers were much reduced, presumably as wildfowlers were out in the main channel setting up decoys. (HB)

Boxing Day, Saturday, 26th December: A fairly grey and blustery morning, though milder, with the threat of a big storm heading our way later.......

Selsey Bill: There were plenty of Gannets and auks, mainly Razorbills, going west and a few Red-throated Divers going both ways. Full log later. (SH/BI/IP/AH)

(0740-0930hrs) (WSW, F4)

Red-throated Diver - 7E, 6W

Slavonian Grebe - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 4W

Gannet - 50W

Brent Goose - 2W

Wigeon - 7W

Eider - 4W, 1os

Common Scoter - 4E, 14W, 1os

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 7W

Mediterranean Gull - 5W

Common Gull - 3W

Kittiwake - 1E, 3W

Guillemot - 5W

Razorbill - 2E, 213W

auk sp - 5E, 622W

Red-throated Divers (above), Kittiwake, Common Scoters, Razorbills & Gannets at the Bill (AH)

(1345-1500hrs)  (WSW, F6)  (SH)

Red-throated Diver - 2E, 1W

Gannet - 36W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W, 2os

Common Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 3 os

Razorbill - 3E, 1W

auk sp - 2E

Ferry Pool: A dozen Snipe were in the reeds and c50 Black-tailed Godwits and c100 Lapwings were on the fields, whilst at least 200 Wigeon, 150 Teal and 75 Shoveler, plus four Shelducks, were on the field. (AH)

Wigeon on the Ferry (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: Around 500 Brent Geese were on the fields, with a Grey Wagtail and a Pied Wagtail by the reservoir. (IP)

North Wall: There were 200+ Wigeon and 16 Pintail on White's Creek, plus good numbers of Brent Geese which were perpetually coming and going. 

A pair of Stonechats were in the Welbourne stable field, whilst in the flooded fields north of the stables were 700 Lapwing, 52 Shelduck, nine Dunlin, three Redshank and a Black Tailed Godwit, with another pair of Stonechats near Shipverling Barn. (JDW)

Church Norton: The first (female) Goldeneye of the winter in the harbour was in front of Tern Island, whilst four White-fronted Geese dropped in on Peregrine Island, where a Peregrine was already residing, and a male Marsh Harrier went over west.

Offshore there were 11 Mediterranean Gulls, with three Razorbills, a Guillemot and two Gannets going west, whilst at least 500 Brent Geese, plus three Little Grebes, five Great Crested Grebes and a few Wigeon, Teal and Pintail were in the harbour and seven Snipe were in the creek by the horse field. (AH/IP)

This afternoon there was a Stonechat on the concrete spit and a Red-breasted Merganser offshore. (SH) 

White-fronted Geese (above), Goldeneye, Snipe, Teal & Brent Geese at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Dartford Warbler flew across the path into the gorse near Marsh Barn but it was otherwise quiet in the rain and wind this afternoon, though 150 Brent Geese were in the fields. along with three Mediterranean Gulls, beside the path to Earnley car park. 

The Stilt Pool was full of water but lacked birds, though there was approximately 100 Wigeon, 75 Teal, six Gadwall, a Tufted Duck, 75 Lapwings, a Little Egret and a Meadow Pipit present. (SR)

23rd - 25th December 2020

Christmas Day, Friday, 25th December: A beautifully crisp and bright morning, with a fresh-north-westerly breeze keeping it chilly despite the sunshine....

Happy Christmas to all our contributors and readers - we hope you all have a good and safe one, and thank you for all your support during the year. (Eds)

Selsey Bill: The Christmas sea-watchers were rewarded with a very interesting selection this morning, including two Puffins, eight White-fronted Geese, five Eider, four Velvet Scoters, 54 Red-throated divers and a Black Swan. Full log below. (SH/SR/IP/RAI)

(0740-1000hrs) (NNW, F3-4)

Great Northern Diver - 1E

Red-throated Diver - 1E, 53W

diver sp - 1E

Slavonian Grebe - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 1E, 25W

Black Swan - 1os

Brent Goose - 28W

White-fronted Goose - 1E, 7W

Shelduck - 1W

Eider - 4E, 1W

Common Scoter - 3E, 45W

Velvet Scoter - 4W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 10-W, 5os

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Common Gull - 1W

Razorbill - 9E, 137W

Puffin - 2W (0835hrs)

auk sp - 76E, 970W

Black Swan (above) & happy sea-watchers (IP, SH & RAI and assistant!) at the Bill (SR)

Ferry Pool: At least a dozen Snipe were tucked into the roadside reeds, whilst the field held at least 200 Lapwings, with good numbers of wildfowl also present, including four Gadwall, seven Shelducks, c80 Shovelers, c150 Wigeon and c100 Teal.

Also, the Kingfisher was showing well in the channel opposite. (AH)

Kingfisher (above), Snipe, Wigeon & Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: The Richard's Pipit was again in its favourite field, with two Chiffchaffs in the hedges and 11 Cattle Egrets on the fields. (A&YF)

Fishbourne Creek: There were six displaying Goldeneyes this morning, along with a Spotted Redshank and two Greenshank, along with a fishing Sandwich Tern. (RAI)

Park Farm, Selsey: A Grey Wagtail, two Pied Wagtails, a Skylark, ten Meadow Pipits and at least 400 Brent Geese were around the fields today. (S&SaH/IP)

Church Norton: The Whimbrel was present again this morning, as were large numbers of Knot, Dunlin and Grey Plovers, plus at least 500 Brent Geese and a few Wigeon, Teal and Pintail, but nothing out of the ordinary.

A pair of Stonechats on the beach were the only passerines of note and there was nothing offshore at all. (AH)

Later, the White-fronted Goose was back on Peregrine Island, with a Pergerine, whilst a pair of Shoveler and two drake Pintails were near the harbour mouth.

Among the many waders seen were 500 Golden Plovers at the far end of the harbour, whilst eight Mediterranean Gulls were offshore, ten Snipe were neat the horse field and a Sparrowhawk was seen taking a Wren near the Severals, where there were also a pair of Goldcrests. (S&SaH/IP)

Stonechat (above), Pintail, Brent Geese & Brent Geese, Grey Plovers and Dunlin at Church Norton (AH)

Chichester Marina: The Barnacle Goose was with the large Brent Goose flock, seen from the Salterns foot/cycle way this afternoon and there was a flock of 16 Yellowhammers there, but no White-fronted Geese were about. 

A Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail flew across Chichester Marina and out in the channel there was good selection of the usual wildfowl and waders. (SR)

Barnacle Goose at Chichester Marina (SR)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm to Ham Farm - There were a few bits about this afternoon, including a Woodcock that dropped into a ditch and flew out again, c100 Fieldfares, c150 Brent Geese, two pair of Stonechats and a selection of buntings along the Medmerry Trail, including two or three Corn Buntings, at least five Reed Buntings and a dozen Yellowhammers, all sitting out together in the hedges. (AH)

Corn Bunting (above), Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting, Fieldfare, Stonechat & Brent Geese at Medmerry (AH)

Medmerry: Windmill to the Breach - There were two Black Redstarts present today, whilst an immature male Eider was offshore. (AW)

Black Redstarts (above) & Eider at Medmerry (AW)

Christmas Eve, Thursday, 24th December: A complete change in the weather overnight, with the breeze brisk and from the north, leaving a cold and very bright morning....

Selsey Bill: Three Slavonian Grebes were about this morning, with a bit of activity offshore, including a few Red-throated Divers, Kittiwakes and Razorbills. Full log below. (SH/BI/IP/AH)

(0740-1000hrs) (NNW, F6)

Red-throated Diver - 12E, 11W, 1os

Slavonian Grebe  - 2E, 1os

Fulmar - 1E

Gannet - 7E, 11W, 20os

Brent Goose - 3E, 10W

Teal - 3E

Common Scoter - 6E, 2W

Red-breasted Merganser - 12E, 1W, 4os

Common Gull - 3E, 1W

Kittiwake - 67E, 37W

Guillemot - 1E, 1os

Razorbill - 9E, 30W, 16os

auk - 76E, 103W

Red-throated Diver (above) & Razorbill at the Bill (AH)

The highlight this afternoon was a White-fronted Goose going west, with more Kittiwakes about, too. (SH)

(1425-1525hrs) (SH)

Red-throated Diver - 5W

Slavonian Grebe - 2E

Gannet - 18E, 6W

White-fronted Goose - 1W

Red-breasted Merganser - 3W, 4os

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Common Gull - 5W

Kittiwake - 70W

Sandwich Tern - 2W, 3os

Razorbill - 2W

auk sp - 2E, 20W

Ferry Pool: Just a handful of Snipe were at the front and a few Black-tailed Godwits were on the field, but the pool was packed with wildfowl, including four Gadwall, six Shelducks, c80 Shoveler, c100 Teal and c150 Wigeon. (AH)

Black-tailed Godwits (above), Gadwall & Shovelers, Wigeon and Teal at the Ferry (AH)

Park Farm, Selsey: A Grey Wagtail and a Pied Wagtail were about the fields, along with 30 Brent Geese. (SH)

Church Norton: The White-fronted Goose was on Peregrine Island again this morning, with it, or another, later seen going west along the beach, but a Red-breasted Merganser in the harbour was the only other bird of note on a quiet morning. (SH)

Chichester Marina: The White-fronted Geese were in the same fields as yesterday, accompanied by 60+ Curlews and 20 Oystercatchers, but the Brent Goose appeared to have moved elsewhere this morning.

Salterns Copse held two or three Goldcrests, a small flock of Long-tailed Tits and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, whilst nearby, the ploughed fields at Westlands held eight Redwing, a Song Thrush, a Mistle Thrush and four Pied Wagtails. (GT)

Later, some of the Brent Geese appeared together with the lone Barnacle Geese - although the Pale-bellied Brent was not located - but were subject to frequent disturbance by people and dogs, the flock becoming flighty and maintaining distance. (MJ)

East Wittering: A flock of 24 White-fronted Geese flew east along the coast, (seen from Sandy Point on Hayling Island) and appeared to come inland and land just beyond East Wittering. (BL)

Pagham SF: The Siberian Chiffchaff was present again this morning, whilst a Marsh Harrier was over the nearby reed-beds. (BI)

North Wall: A Glossy Ibis, briefly seen at the sluice gates before flying west, was the highlight this morning although the massed birds in Whites Creek were a fine sight in the sunshine. Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Redshank, Wigeon and Teal were all present in good numbers with also about 40 Shelduck, a dozen Pintail and perhaps 200 Golden Plover flying above the Lapwing. 

A Marsh Harrier hunted over the reed beds and a pair of Yellowhammers were present near Owl Copse ,while a Stonechat occupied a fence line at Owl Point. (IH/SP/TH/PC)

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: The Richard's Pipit was once again in its favoured field by the derelict barn this morning, whilst in the hedges and fields along Church Farm Lane there were three pairs of Stonechats, at least half a dozen Yellowhammers and Linnets, a couple of Goldcrests and a scattering of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks.

At least 40 Cattle Egrets were spread around the fields adjacent to the buildings, though there was no sign of the Glossy Ibis, whilst a Raven, a Snipe and three Buzzards went over and at least 200 Common Gulls were present. (AH)

Richard's Pipit (above), Cattle Egrets, Raven, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Stonechat & Goldcrest around Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (AH)

Ivy Lake complex: This afternoon there were c20 Pochards, c40 Tufted Ducks and c100 Gadwall around the lakes, along with a single drake Teal, four Shovelers, a couple of Little and Great Crested Grebes and at least 300 Coots.

Also, a Kingfisher flew through, whilst a motley selection of geese included eight dubious-looking Barnacle types, among a dozen Greylag and 20 Canada Geese. The only birds on new lake were a lone Tufted Duck and seven Shovelers. (AH)

Gadwall (above), Barnacle Geese, Greylag Goose & Barnacle, Canada and Greylag Geese at Ivy Lake (AH)

Wednesday, 23rd December: After a murky, drizzly start, a fairly mild, bright and breezy morning in a moderate southerly....

Selsey Bill: After a slow start, there were a few Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Red-throated Divers moving about and a Shag dropped in offshore. Full log below. (AH/SR/IP)

(0800-0945hrs) (SSE, F3-4)

Great Northern Diver - 1E, 1os

Red-throated Diver - 2E, 8W

Great Crested Grebe - 1W, 1os

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 7E, 3W, 30os

Shag - 1os

Brent Goose - 6W

Red-breasted Merganser - 9E, 4os

Mediterranean Gull - 3E

Common Gull - 2E, 2W

Kittiwake - 14W

Sandwich Tern - 3E, 1os

Razorbill - 17E, 101W 

Guillemot - 4W 

auk sp 10E, 102W

Shag (above) & Razorbill at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: At least 12 Snipe were in the roadside reeds, but otherwise the pool just held a pair of Mute Swans, five Shelducks, two Gadwall and c40 Teal and Shovelers, with c50 Black-tailed Godwits and Wigeon on the field. (AH)

Snipe on the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: There was little along the Wall early this morning apart from four Tufted Ducks in the Breech Pool, two calling Cetti's Warblers in the reeds and six Teal with three Redshank in the flooded fields. (IH)

East Side: A pair of Red-breasted Mergansers were in Whites Creek this morning and there was ceaseless Brent Geese activity with groups generally flying in from the south and out to the north-east, with about 400 occupying the harbour at any one time. 

The usual ducks and waders were also well represented with about 500 Lapwing, several hundred Dunlin, scattered Black-tailed Godwits, Curlew and Redshank, two Grey Plovers as well Wigeon, Teal and Pintail. (IH)

Chichester Marina: The Barnacle Goose and Pale-bellied Brent Goose were both among 2000+ Brent Geese, as were the White-fronted Geese (with counts between 43 and 47, though difficult to be exact!) in the big arable fields between the Marina and Dell Quay, along with 50+ Curlews and Oystercatchers.

A Black Redstart was in the paddocks by the farm buildings nearby, whilst a couple of Redwings, a Mistle Thrush and a Song Thrush were in a maize stubble field by the main road, along with two Buzzards and 50+ Chaffinches and Goldfinches. (AH/BI/AB/OM et al)

Barnacle Goose and Brent Geese (above), Pale-bellied Brent Goose and Brent Geese, White-fronted Geese, Black Redstart, Redwing & Buzzard around Chichester Marina (AH)

More images of the Pale-bellied Brent Goose (AB)

Church Norton: A quick look late this afternoon produced the White-fronted Goose on Peregrine Island, the Common Scoter and four Pintail in the main channel, a dozen Mediterranean Gulls, and a Bar-tailed Godwit and 200+ Knot among the many waders present. (AH)

White-fronted Goose (above), Bar-tailed Godwit & Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton (AH)