22nd - 24th June 2022

Friday, 24th June: A blustery morning, with some sun, but a lot of heavy cloud being pushed through on a brisk south-westerly breeze....

Selsey Bill Spring Summary 2022: Was it a good, indifferent or poor spring at the Bill this year? The annual summary has now been prepared by our official log-keeper JA, so to check it out, please click the link on the title bar. (Eds) 

Selsey Bill: A Guillemot and two Bottle-nosed Dolphins east were the only things of note this morning. Full log below.

(0355-0440hrs) (JA)

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 16W

(0640-0810hrs) (SW, F4) (SR/AH/IP)

Gannet - 3W

Mediterranean Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 20os

Common Tern - 2os

Little Tern - 3os

Guillemot - 1E

House Martin - 5

Bottle-nosed Dolphin - 2E

(1615-1715hrs) (SH)

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 2E, 1W

Kittiwake - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 36os

Swift - 1

House Martin - 4

Little Tern (above), Common Tern & House Martins at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just an Avocet, four Redshanks and the Shelduck family on the pool this morning. (AH)

Shelduck-lings on the Ferry (AH)

Medmerry: Breach to Ham Farm - A female Marsh Harrier dropped into a reed bed near the Ham viewpoint, staying five or six minutes minutes before departing west.

There were also four pairs of Stonechats, with several juveniles with them, spaced along the sea bank between Ham and the breach, whilst two singing male Corn Buntings were on the fences near Ham and several Sandwich Terns were fishing out on the reserve. (JP)

Medmerry: Stilt Pool - There were four juvenile and six adult Avocets on the Stilt Pool this evening. (TH) 

Church Norton: There were still lots of Sandwich Terns, plus the odd Little and Common Tern, bringing in fish, and a couple of fledgling Sandwich Terns and growing numbers of young Black-headed Gulls were sitting out.

Otherwise, though, it was quiet, with ten Turnstones, a single Dunlin and a couple of Curlews being about it in the harbour, and nothing but a handful of Linnets, a single Swallow and a brief snatch of Blackcap song on the land-side. (AH)

juvenile Sandwich Tern, Sandwich Terns, Linnet, Turnstones & Common Centaury at Church Norton (AH)

This evening there was a selection of waders on the mud, including a big increase to 32 Curlews, along with two Bar-tailed Godwits, two Knot, five Grey Plovers, four Ringed Plovers and a dozen or so Dunlin, whilst several Little Terns were feeding in the harbour and there were lots of Black-headed Gull fledglings. (AH)

Knot and Grey Plovers (above), Curlew and Grey Plover & Juvenile Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: Highlight this morning was brief views of a juvenile Marsh Harrier in flight behind the Breech Pool.

Otherwise, around 40 Lapwings were back and spending time around the sluice gates, whilst the west end of the Breech Pool is now completely dry and the east end wass occupied by a pair of Shelduck with six ducklings (seven yesterday).

The heronry continues to be busy, with many young egrets now accomplished flyers, whilst the Mute Swans on Pagham Rife have seven cygnets and the Green Woodpeckers are feeding young towards Summer Lane.

Water levels at Honer Reservoir have dropped considerably, with just a few Coot, Tufted Ducks and a Little Grebe being seen. (JDW)

juvenile Little Egrets at the North Wall (JDW)

Chichester Canal: The first Little Grebe chicks were out on the water today, with two broods of four dashing around, and there were also a noisy family of newly fledged Whitethroats in the hedge, as well as six families of Coots and three of Moorhens, plus a pair of Mute Swans with two cygnets.

A Red Kite flew overhead, as did a Common Tern, and there were two Green Woodpeckers, a Blackcap, three Chiffchaffs, singing Skylarks and numerous Reed and Sedge Warblers about, and a Snout moth was also seen. (SR)

Little Grebe family (above) & Reed Warbler at Chichester Canal (SR)

Thursday, 23rd June: A change to somewhat cooler and cloudier conditions, with a light north-easterly breeze, some light rain and the risk of thunderstorms later.....

Selsey Bill Spring Summary 2022: Was it a good, indifferent or poor spring at the Bill this year? The annual summary has now been prepared by our official log-keeper JA, so to check it out, please click the link on the title bar. (Eds) 

Potential Avian flu at Pagham Harbour RSPB: We are pleased to include the following update from Wez Smith, the local Site Manager and wish he and his team all the best with this difficult situation.......... 

'Just wanted to give you a quick update on this.  Since the first suspected case on the 12^th we’ve had a dozen corpses of various species appear around the harbour, plus a currently unquantified number in the colony.  From observations so far, we know we’ve a few dead adults scattered around tern island but not a massive amount.  This is cautiously good news as the feared acceleration of potential cases and bodies hasn’t materialised yet. With only another few weeks left in the main part of the breeding season, there’s a chance we could squeak through without major losses. Fingers crossed.  All else is looking good so far. We’ve not actually had avian flu confirmed yet but are still awaiting DEFRA to collect corpses and test.'               Wez Smith, Site Manager – Eastern Solent Reserves

This too from the Sussex Wildlife trust: Avian Influenza (bird flu) is having a devastating impact on wild bird populations across the UK and sadly, we are increasingly seeing sick and dead birds in Sussex. Please do remain vigilant and follow the guidance from Defra. It's really important that you DO NOT touch any sick or dead birds. If you find any sick or dead waterfowl (ducks, swans, geese), gulls, seabirds or birds of prey, please report them to Defra on 03459 335577.

Selsey Bill: Another very quiet morning, the main feature being feeding terns offshore. Full log below...(SR/IP/AH)
(0650-0805hrs)  (NE, F1-2)

Gannet - 2E, 1W

Oystercatcher - 1E
Mediterranean Gull - 1W
Little Tern - 9 os
Common Tern - 1 os
Sandwich Tern - 25 os
Swift - 9
House Martin - 3

Little Terns at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: A not unexpectedly quiet morning here too, with just three Avocets, a single Black-tailed Godwit, six Redshank and the Shelduck family present, plus a House Martin over. (AH)

Avocet (above) & Shelduck family on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: The quiet theme continued here, with just  12 Dunlin, 16 Curlew and the lone Brent Goose of note, whilst there were plenty of juvenile Black-headed Gulls and a few juvenile Sandwich Terns amongst the throng on Tern island. 

There were very few passerines about, with just a singing Sedge Warbler, a Reed Bunting and a few Linnets along the front. (BFF/DIS/DM/AH)

At 1409hrs there was a report of an adult Curlew Sandpiper viewable from the benches (per Birdguides).

This evening there were three fledged juvenile Sandwich Terns - two on the island and one on the old harbour mouth metalwork, where there were also 43 Turnstones, and the summering Brent Goose was still present. (S&saH)

Sandwich Tern (above), Linnet & Reed Bunting at Church Norton (AH)

Wednesday, 22nd June: A fine, sunny and dry morning with blue skies and a light easterly breeze, becoming hot through the day......

Selsey Bill: There was a large gathering of feeding Sandwich Terns offshore, but it was otherwise predictably quiet with little of note. Full log below. (SR/IP)
(0640-0855hrs)  (NE, F3)
Gannet - 8E, 3os
Oystercatcher - 2E
Sandwich Tern - 82os
Little Tern - 2 os
Swift - 2
House Martin - 5
Painted Lady - 1

Ferry Pool: A Sandwich Tern was sitting on a post toward the back with two Little Ringed Plovers nearby, and there were now two pairs of warring Shelducks with the eight ducklings. A male Stonechat was in the hedge, Sedge Warblers could be heard, a Lapwing was on the mud and a Moorhen was the only other bird on the water. In the channel opposite was a Little Egret and a Great Crested Grebe.
The walk around the Tramway produced half a dozen calling Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats, a Blackcap and two Kestrels. Insect life included a Great Diving Beetle and an Emperor Dragonfly in the Discovery Area pool, and Green-veined White, Comma, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Holly Blue and Meadow Brown butterflies. (SR/AH)

Lapwing (above), Kestrel (SR), Little Ringed Plover & Sandwich Tern (AH) around the Ferry

Long Pool: At least three Sedge Warblers and half a dozen Reed Warblers were singing early this morning, along with at least four Reed Buntings, but that was about it beyond a couple of pairs of Linnets and Whitethroats, whilst Ferry Channel held two Curlews and c30 Redshank and a Grey Heron flew in. (AH)

Sedge Warbler (above), Whitethroat, Reed Bunting & Grey Heron at the Long Pool (AH)

Church Norton: The first fledged Sandwich Tern was seen this evening. (SR)

North Wall: A couple of Cattle Egrets and a dozen Little Egrets were around Owl Copse early this evening, whilst the Shelduck family and four Lapwings were on the Breech Pool, along with a few Reed and Sedge Warblers.

It was generally quiet, though, beyond the odd Chiffchaff and Blackcap, whilst a Marbled White was at Halsey's Farm. (AH)

Later on, the female Marsh Harrier was out and two Cuckoos, including a female, were seen, with three Sand Martins and c20 Swallows over. (S&SaH)

Little Egret (above), Shelduck family & Marbled White at the North Wall (AH)

19th - 21st June 2022

Tuesday, 21st June: A very pleasant morning for Midsummer's Day, with plenty of warm sunshine in a moderate easterly breeze......

Selsey Bill: Another very quiet morning! Full log below.(SR/IP)

(0645-0745hrs) (E, F2-3)

Gannet - 2E, 2os
Oystercatcher - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 30os
Little Tern - 1os
Swift - 7
House Martin - 2
Swallow - 1
Pied Wagtail - 1

Ferry Pool: A Little Ringed Plover was at the back of the pool, along with the Shelducks and their eight ducklings, and there were also two Avocets, two Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Redshank and a drake Teal present. 

Also, a Cattle Egret flew over west and the channel opposite held a Great Crested Grebe, two Little Egrets and a pair of Mute Swans with their single cygnet. (SR/AH)

Shelducks on the Ferry (SR)

Long Pool: It was fairly quiet early on, with just a couple of Sedge and Reed Warblers singing, and there were otherwise just a couple of Reed Buntings and Whitethroats and a handful of Linnets about, whilst c40 Mediterranean Gulls were in the adjacent fields. (AH)

Sedge Warbler (above) & Reed Bunting along the Long Pool (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pools - The two Quails were still calling, either side of the gate, and a Dartford Warbler made a brief appearance along the banks, but otherwise it was generally quiet.

Two Little Ringed Plovers were seen toward the back of the pool, though no chicks could be seen, but hopefully they were tucked away from the sun, and there was also a Ringed Plover present.

Six Avocets and the three young were present, too, as was the Egyptian Goose family, a juvenile Pied Wagtail, six Swallows, a drake Teal, eight Lapwings, six Tufted Ducks and a Grey Heron.

Two pairs of Stonechats were along the banks and there were plenty of Yellowhammers, Whitethroats and Skylarks, whilst insect interest was provided by an Oak Egger caterpillar along the path, as was a Devil's Coachman Beetle and an Emperor Dragonfly. (SR)

Dartford Warbler (above), Yellowhammer & Oak Egger caterpillar at Medmerry (SR)

The two Quail were still just north of Marsh Farm this evening, and two Barn Owls were out, hunting successfully, whilst a Cuckoo was calling, a Marsh Harrier was about and there were three or four Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings and Stonechats along the banks.

There appeared to be, sadly, just one Little Ringed Plover chick left, along with four adults on the Stilt Pool, where there were also three juvenile and six adult Avocets, two juvenile and two adult Oystercatchers, the juvenile and two adult Egyptian Geese and two Pied Wagtails, along with c30 Sand Martins and similar of Swallows.

Also two Roe Deer bucks were seen rutting. (S&SaH)

Sand Martin (above) & Roe Deer at Medmerry (SH)

Church Norton: There were lots of sandwich Terns bringing in fish this evening, along with the odd Little Tern, and two Gannets were among the offshore gull and tern feeding flock.

In the harbour the first dozen or so fledgling Black-headed Gulls were on the banks of Tern Island, whilst waders on the high tide comprised a Bar-tailed Godwit, six Curlews, eight Redshanks and 25 Turnstones. (AH)

Sandwich Tern (above), Little Tern, Gannet, juvenile Black-headed Gulls & Turnstones at Church Norton (AH)

Monday, 20th June: A warm and sunny day with prolonged sunshine, but blustery at times, in a fresh north-easterly breeze......

Selsey Bill: Another quiet morning, with just the regular species recorded. Full log below. (AH/IP/P&LH)

(0705-0820hrs) (NE, F4)

Gannet - 2E

Sandwich Tern - 75os

Common Tern- 2os

Little Tern - 3os

Swift - 1

House Martin - 4

Common Tern (above) & Sandwich Terns at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just two Avocets, four Lapwings, eight Redshanks and the pair of Shelducks, plus their eight young and another four adults, on the pool this morning. (AH)

Shelduck family on the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A Cuckoo was near Owl Copse this afternoon and this evening two Barn Owls were hunting in Honer 3 field. (SP et al)

Also this evening, both Marsh Harriers were out tonight, with the female seen taking a Slow-worm or small snake into the nest and she also flew out over the harbour twice, where a common Seal was hauled up, whilst the pair of Little Ringed Plovers and their three chicks were still in the cultivated fields.

A Cuckoo was behind the wall, whilst a busy Owl Copse had at least 20 Little Egrets, ten Cattle Egrets and ten Grey Herons in it. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to Stilt Pool - There were still probably two different Quail calling from the reserve just north of Marsh Farm this morning, and at least one Dartford Warbler was busy in the gorse near Marsh Barn.

Otherwise, there were plenty of Whitethroats, Linnets and Skylarks along the banks, along with the odd Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting, plus a family of Stonechats, with singing Reed Warblers in most of the pools, whilst in the Stilt Pool area there were a Swift, a couple of Sand Martins and a dozen Swallows, before a later pulse of c.30 Sand Martins went west along the beach. 

On the Stilt Pool itself there were still a pair of Little Ringed Plovers with at least one chick (with the others hopefully in the reeds), three now near-juvenile Avocets, along with 14 adults, a pair of Ringed Plovers and a mother Gadwall with seven young, plus the Egyptian Geese and their nearly fully-grown offspring and three juvenile Pied Wagtails. (AH/OM/P&LH/KT/CRJ/EB et al)

Little Ringed Plovers (above), Avocets, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Linnet & Skylark at Medmerry (AH)

A sight to make any Quail quail! OM on manoeuvres at Medmerry (AH)

More images from Medmerry - Dartford Warbler (above), Whitethroat, Skylark & Grey Heron (EB), Marbled White, Small Tortoiseshell & Marsh Frog (CRJ)

Sunday, 19th June: A complete contrast to yesterday, with a fresh north-easterly breeze making for a distinctly chilly morning, mostly under heavy cloud, but with the odd sunny interlude.....

Selsey Bill: A few Gannets were among the feeding gull and tern flock, but there was, again, nothing on the move. Also, a pair of Little Terns were passing fish and displaying - presumably they are not going to breed now  this year, so either failed breeders or young birds. Full log below. (SR/AH)

(0645-0745hrs) (NE, F4)

Gannet - 1E, 8os

Oystercatcher - 1W

Mediterranean Gull - 1os

Sandwich Tern - 50os

Common Tern - 2os

Little Tern - 4os

Swift - 4

House Martin - 2

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

Ferry Pool: There were just two Avocets, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Redshank and the Shelduck family on the pool this morning, whilst a look round windy Tramway circuit produced a fly-over Cuckoo, c40 Lapwings over the harbour and three singing Blackcaps, but not much else. (AH)

Avocet (above) & Shelduck-lings at the Ferry (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to Stilt Pool - Best bird of the morning was a Quail, heard only, on the upper path just before the long barn. Apart from that the bushes held good numbers of Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Linnet and Skylark, with eight Swifts, four Swallows and a Kestrel.

The Stilt Pool held the Oystercatcher family, Avocets with two juveniles, the two Egyptian Geese with their youngster and the family of Little Ringed Plovers, plus a Ringed Plover, a drake Teal, a pair of Stonechats carrying food, five Lapwings, half a dozen Tufted Ducks, singing Sedge Warblers and four more adult Avocets. Also along the path was a large Drinker Moth caterpillar. A Bright Wave moth was also along the banks. (SR)

This afternoon two, and probably three,  Quail were present on either side of the path, whilst there were also a Dartford Warbler, a Marsh Harrier, a Common Tern, a Cattle Egret, a drake Teal and eight Swifts seen 

Also, there were a minimum of eight Sand Martins present, with six feeding over the Stilt Pool, whilst a male Reed Bunting was along the hedges, Reed Warblers were calling from a number of locations and a Marbled White was along the path. (IP/HB/D Hill et al)

Later in the evening both Barn Owls were out hunting, too. (AW)

Little Ringed Plover chick (above), Stonechat (SR) & Barn Owls (AW) at Medmerry 

North Wall: Both Marsh Harriers were around this morning, with the female airborne for much of the time, carrying prey - hopefully in an attempt to encourage its youngsters out of the nest.

Possibly less positive, though, was the sight of two adult Little Ringed Plovers on the Breech Pool, with no sign of any on the vegetable fields where they were they were seen with chicks yesterday.

Otherwise the Little Owl was again north of the stables, a Cuckoo was calling from the distant trees and the Swallows were busy around the stables, with the odd Reed Bunting, Cetti's, Reed and Sedge Warblers present but keeping low.

At least three young Cattle Egrets, including one fully-fledged and flying, a dozen young Little Egrets and two young Grey Herons were in Owl Copse. (AH/S&SaH)

Marsh Harrier (above), Little Ringed Plover, juvenile Cattle Egret & Little Egrets at the North Wall (AH)

This afternoon, there was an adult Little Ringed Plover with three chicks still on the vegetable field, with another still on the Breech Pool and the Marsh Harriers were seen passing food, with the female then bringing it in. 

Also, at least five Cuckoos were in close proximity in the bushes behind the Breech Pool  and the five young Kestrels were still doing well at Pagham church. (SP/S&SaH)

Cuckoo (above), four Cuckoos together (SH), Little Ringed Plover chicks (SP) at the North Wall