26th - 28th October 2022

Friday, 28th October: Another very warm morning for the time of year, with plenty of sunshine, after a very grey start, in the fresh south-westerly breeze.............

Selsey Bill: It was much the same as recent days this morning, with a few Brent Geese and Mediterranean Gulls heading west, with Linnets, Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails going west overhead, though a Hummingbird Hawk-moth (also heading west!) was unexpected. Full log below. (BI/AH/SR/IP)

(0730-0900hrs) (SW, F5)

Red-throated Diver - 1E

Gannet - 43W, 20os

Shag - 12E

Brent Goose - 3E, 92W

Shelduck - 6W

Kestrel - 1

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 4W

Mediterranean Gull - 51W

Common Gull - 1W

auk sp - 19W

Stock Dove - 6W

Meadow Pipit - 80W

Grey Wagtail - 1W

Pied Wagtail - 26W

Linnet - 154W

Goldfinch - 127W

Hummingbird Hawk-moth - 1W

Brent Geese (above) & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just a Lapwing, a female Mallard and a Black-headed Gull on the pool this morning! And there wasn't much beyond a handful of Redshank, Teal and Wigeon in the channel opposite, either. (AH/AB)

North Wall: Half a dozen Stonechats, a dozen Reed Buntings and a couple of calling Cetti's Warblers were about it along the wall this morning, though there was still a big flock of Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits in the field by Church Lane.

A Kingfisher was by the sluice, but otherwise White's Creek just held lots of Wigeon, Teal and Redshanks. (LP/AH) 

Two Firecrests were also at Halsey’s Farm (KT)

Stonechat (above), Reed Bunting & Wigeon at the North Wall (AH)

East side: A Bar-tailed Godwit and a few Grey Plovers were along the side of the harbour, with 100+ Lapwings and 200+ Dunlin out on the mud, along with c50 Brent Geese, whilst the channel held c60 Pintail among 300+ Wigeon and 100+ Teal.

Also, a Common Seal was hauled out in the middle of the harbour. (AH/LP)

Bar-tailed Godwit (above), Pintails & Brent Goose and Common Seal along the East side (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A female Merlin was on the reserve this afternoon, and there was also a Greenshank on the Stilt Pool. (J Turner/P Harmes)

Runcton: A Crimson Speckled moth was in the trap this morning. (CRJ)

Crimson Speckled in a Runcton garden (CRJ)

Thursday, 27th October: After more overnight rain, a very warm and sunny morning in a fresh southerly breeze.........

Selsey Bill: There were a lot of Linnets and a few Meadow Pipits going east, as did a Great Northern Diver and 30 Shags, but the sea was generally quiet again. Full log below. (AH/SR/IP)

(0740-0910hrs) (S, F4-5)

Great Northern Diver - 1E

Gannet - 7E, 1W, 20os

Shag - 30E

Brent Goose - 10W

Sparrowhawk - 1

Kestrel - 1

Oystercatcher - 1

Turnstone - 16

Mediterranean Gull - 6os

auk sp - 5E

Swallow - 2S

Meadow Pipit - 39E

Pied Wagtail - 11E

Linnet - 617E

Shags (above) & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just three Avocets, 28 Black-tailed Godwits, c40 Lapwings and 20 or so Shovelers and Teal on the pool this morning, plus two Skylarks in the fields behind. (AH)

Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

This evening, a Spotted Redshank was in the channel opposite, along with half a dozen Redshanks and c50 Wigeon and c20 Teal. (AH)

Spotted Redshank at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: A Merlin flew over Owl Copse this morning and there were three Rock Pipits along the wall, whilst at Halsey’s Farm there were a few Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Stonechats along the fences and a Water Rail was calling from the reeds.

A Cetti’s Warbler, a Song Thrush and a couple of Pied Wagtails were by the sluice and a Snipe was in the paddock, but along Whites Creek there was just a few Wigeon and Redshank and a Grey Plover. (LP/CT)

At dusk this evening, three Marsh Harriers - a male and two female-types - came into roost, and there were also a Water Rail and three Tawny Owls calling and 21 Cattle Egrets coming into Owl Copse. (S&SaH)

Church Norton: Not much to report this morning - a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the end of the churchyard, a Raven and 60 Dunlin in the harbour, three Stonechats in the horse field and three Swallows over the first Several being about the sum, with the highlight being a Crimson Speckled - a rare and striking migrant moth of which there is a notable influx this year - by the ironwork near the concrete blocks. (CRJ)

Great Spotted Woodpecker (above) & Crimson Speckled moth at Church Norton (CRJ)

Medmerry: Porthole Farm to Ham Farm - There was nothing out of the ordinary this morning, but there were plenty of the regular species present.

Along the hedges at Porthole Farm and along the Medmerry Trail, there were at least 15 Stonechats, a dozen or so Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings, c50 Meadow Pipits, c20 Skylarks and at least 500 Linnets, plus a few Goldfinches and Greenfinches, whilst a single Fieldfare flew over.

Meanwhile, at Ham, there were a Corn Bunting, half a dozen Reed Buntings, at least ten more Stonechats, c50 Meadow Pipits and similar of Skylarks and Linnets, whilst c60 Golden Plovers and c80 Lapwing flew out from the reserve, where there were also c40 Brent Geese. (AH)

Corn Bunting (above), Golden Plovers, Reed Bunting and Yellowhammers, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit & Skylark at Medmerry (AH)

Wednesday, 26th October: The very unseasonably mild spell continues, with another bright and very blustery morning in a freshening south-westerly, approaching gale force at times......

Selsey Bill: There were seven Swallows and plenty of Meadow Pipits and Linnets moving west, plus 52 Brent Geese, but not too much else this morning. Full log below. (P&LH/MO-W/AH/SR/IP)

(0730-0900hrs) (SSW, F6-7)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Gannet - 20os

Shag - 5E, 1W

Brent Goose - 52W

Shelduck - 2W

Common Scoter - 3W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Turnstone - 20

Mediterranean Gull -

Kittiwake - 2W

Razorbill - 156W

auk sp - 7W

Swallow - 7W

Meadow Pipit - 79W

Pied Wagtail - 4W

Linnet - 173W

(1300-1405hrs) (P&LH)

Gannet - 34W

Dunlin - 2E

Turnstone - 14

Mediterranean Gull - 11W

Kittiwake - 1W

Razorbill - 2W

auk sp - 1W

Brent Geese (above), Common Scoter, Shag, Mediterranean Gull (AH) & a dramatic sunrise (P&LH top & MO-W lower) at the Bill

Ferry Pool: Two Spotted Redshanks were roosting among 42 Black-tailed Godwits this morning, with three Avocets feeding vigorously nearby, whilst wildfowl comprised 16 Shelduck and 60+ Shovelers and Teal.

Also, earlier on, there were a Raven and a White Wagtail in the vicinity, too.(TG-P/AH).

Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits and Shovelers (above), Avocets & Shelduck at the Ferry (AH)

East Beach Pond: A Water Rail, one Swallow heading west, a Chiffchaff, a Stonechat and a Pied Wagtail was all I could turn up today. (SR)

Church Norton: A very late Osprey was over the harbour this morning, before heading off over the North Wall. (RS)

Later, in the harbour, the Whimbrel was seen again, along with two Common Gulls, 15 Mediterranean Gulls, c25 Brent Geese and a few Grey Plovers and Dunlin.

A Merlin and a Kestrel were seen over the Severals area, with four Ringed Plovers and 17 Turnstones on the beach, whilst two Brent Geese and six Gannets went west offshore.

The bushes were quiet in the strong wind, though a Grey Wagtail, a Jay, a Green Woodpecker and two small flocks of Long-tailed Tits were around Greenlease Farm. (AH/P&LH)

Also, early this afternoon, the first Wheatear in a while appeared on the concrete blocks. (NR)

Brent Geese (above), Grey Plover & Long-tailed Tit at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: The Osprey seen over the harbour was also seen over the field at the end of Church Lane this morning, before drifting off northwards.

The field itself continued to host lots of birds, with 100 Meadow Pipits, a White Wagtail, 50 Pied Wagtails, 500 Starlings, 12 Curlew and a couple of Stonechats present, whilst a Goldcrest was behind the stables along with two Jays and a Green Woodpecker and a lone Shelduck flew over.

A Kingfisher and a Cetti’s Warbler were around the sluice and in Whites Creek there were 18 Golden Plover with the usual mix of Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Redshank, Grey Plovers and Oystercatchers. (LP)

Meadow Pipit (above) & White Wagtail at the North Wall (LP)

This evening, four Marsh Harriers came in to roost - all female/immature cream-cap types, whilst at least a dozen Cattle and Little Egrets dropped into Owl Copse, along with c80 Jackdaws, but otherwise four Stonechats and two Reed Buntings around the Breech Pool and lots of duck dropping into the harbour were about it. (AH)

Marsh Harrier (above) & Cattle Egrets and Jackdaws at the North Wall (AH)

East Head: There was a Pale-bellied Bent Goose among c800 Brent Geese in the harbour this afternoon. (SR)

Pale-bellied Brent Goose at East Head (SR)

23rd - 25th October 2022

Tuesday, 25th October: It remains very mild, but unsettled, with a fresh south-westerly breeze pushing through banks of cloud and some heavy, squally showers........

Selsey Bill: A quiet morning, with just a few of the regular species about. Full log below. (IP/AH/SR)

(0730-0900hrs) (WSW, F4)

Gannet - 3E, 1W

Brent Goose - 9W

Shelduck - 2W

Kestrel - 1

Curlew - 1E

Turnstone - 9os

Mediterranean Gull - 9os

Common Gull - 1W

auk sp - 13E, 3W

Wood Pigeon - 42S

Skylark - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 8W

Pied Wagtail - 5W

Linnet - 48E

Goldfinch - 5E

Greenfinch - 3W

Mediterranean Gull (above), Brent Geese & Kestrel at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Three Avocets were on the pool this morning, along with c50 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Lapwings, 12 Shelducks and 60+ Teal and Shovelers, whilst a Kingfisher was in the channel opposite. (AH)

A lunchtime circuit of the Tramway at high tide produced a mixture of ducks in the harbour, including Mallard, Teal, Wigeon and Shelducks, plus two Great Crested Grebes, whilst a single Brent Goose flew over from the direction of the North Wall towards Ferry Channel.

On the only visible vegetation to the right of the channel at the end of Red Barn Ditch there were four Snipe, whilst in the ditch were a pair of Moorhens, whilst a Redshank and half a dozen Swallows flew over from behind Enborne industrial site. (RP)

Kingfisher (above) & Avocets and Lapwings at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: There were at least 50 Pied Wagtails on and around the ploughed field at the end of Church Lane this morning, with a similar number of Meadow Pipits, 30 Magpies, eight Curlews and a pair of Stonechats.

The usual selection of Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Redshank and Lapwings were along White's Creek, and a Grey Wagtail was by the sluice, whilst two Marsh Harriers were behind the Breech Pool, a Fieldfare, a Song Thrush, a Jay and a Green Woodpecker were in the trees and a lone Brent Goose flew over towards the harbour. (LP)

This evening five Marsh Harriers came in to roost and there were also three Swallows about. (S&SaH)

Marsh Harrier (above), Meadow Pipit & Pied Wagtail at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Ham Farm - Around 100 Golden Plovers and 175 Lapwings were over the reserve this morning, along with a Buzzard, with a Little Egret seen in a stubble field, whilst there were also a Green Woodpecker, three Great Spotted Woodpeckers, six Reed Buntings and 17 Long-tailed Tits seen. (CRJ)

 

Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: There was a huge, loose and very mobile flock of c250 Fieldfares around the trees on the track between Chalder and Bramber Farms this morning, along with a handful of Redwings and a Mistle Thrush, with up to 50 Cattle Egrets in the adjacent fields, particularly favouring the one with sheep in.

There was a big finch flock at Marsh Farm, including c50 Linnets and Chaffinches among c100 Goldfinches, plus half a dozen Pied Wagtails, whilst at least six Stonechats, a pair of Yellowhammers and c20 Skylarks were along Church Farm Lane, but the churchyard was completely devoid of birds. (AH)

Fieldfares (above), Stonechat, Linnet and Chaffinch & Little Egret around Marsh Farm, Sidlesham (AH)

Monday, 24th October: Another mild morning, with plenty of sun, though the breeze was fresh and from the west........

Selsey Bill: An apparent first-winter Yellow-legged Gull dropped in with the Herring Gulls close offshore this morning, and an Arctic Skua and two Great Northern Divers were about, too, but the only thing on the move was 35 Mediterranean Gulls west. Full log below. (AH/SR/IP/MO-W)

(0730-0900hrs) (W, F4)

Great Northern Diver - 1E, 1os

Gannet - 1E

Shag - 3E

Brent Goose - 1W

Oystercatcher - 2W

Turnstone - 7W

Arctic Skua - 1os

Yellow-legged Gull - 1os

Mediterranean Gull - 1E, 35W

Common Gull - 2W

Swallow - 1W

Meadow Pipit - 7W

Pied Wagtail - 3W

Chiffchaff - 1

Linnet - 8W

Yellow-legged Gull (above), Shags, Mediterranean Gull & Common Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just two Teal tucked away at the back as the RSPB were in the field! (AH)

North Wall: A Lapland Bunting went over this morning. (per Birdguides)

Also, a Short-eared Owl was over the Slipe Field this morning before heading towards the North Wall, and a Firecrest, a Song Thrush and a Chaffinch were in the bushes at the end of Church Lane, with a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker around the paddocks along with a pair of Stonechats.

In White's Creek there were three Little Grebes, a Great Crested Grebe, a Kingfisher, 200 Wigeon, 30 Pintail, 50 Teal, 16 Shelduck, 100 Grey Plover, 80 Dunlin, 100 Redshank and 50 Lapwing, with 30 Brent Geese further down the channel. (LP/CT)

This afternoon there were c50 Fieldfares and c20 Cattle Egrets in the fields north of the wall (TG-P), and this evening there were three Marsh Harriers behind the Breech Pool (LP).

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were two female-type Marsh Harriers, two Sparrowhawks and four Kestrel out hunting this evening, whilst a Water Rail, two Brent Geese and c200 Golden Plovers were on the reserve, three Stonechats were along he banks and a Greenshank was on the Stilt Polo. (S&SaH)

Church Norton: A Dartford Warbler and a Stonechat were along the first Several, with another one of each, plus a Cetti's Warbler along the west side. 

There were another six Stonechats in the horse field and two on the spit, too, with c25 Skylarks, c40 Meadow Pipits and c200 Linnets also along the spit, and up to seven Swallows were over the harbour, but the hedges were quiet beyond a couple of Chiffchaffs and a Jay.

There were lots of Dunlin and Grey Plovers in the harbour near high tide, along with a couple of Snipe,  c30 Brent Geese, c30 Pintail and numerous Wigeon and Teal, whilst a Kingfisher flew through and a Peregrine went over the northern end. (AH/CRJ)

Swallow (above), Chiffchaff, Linnet, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Brent Goose and Pintails & Grey Plovers at Church Norton (AH)

Sunday, 23rd October: A morning of two halves, with persistent heavy rain in a moderate southerly early on, before it gave way to very warm sunshine and blue skies.....

Selsey Bill: A Redwing in off the sea and 73 Brent Geese west were the best a wet morning could offer! Full log below. (SH/BI/AH/P&LH/SR/IP)

(0710-0900hrs) (SSE, F4)

Gannet - 167W

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 73W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1W

Kestrel - 1

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 3

Mediterranean Gull - 14os

Kittiwake - 2W

Razorbill - 10W

auk sp -3E, 2W

Redwing - 1N

(0945-1050hrs) A bit later, there was an enormous feeding flock offshore including at least 300 Gannets and 1000 gulls, along with an Arctic Skua. (P&LH)

Gannet - 300os

Shag - 3E

Common Scoter - 2E

Sparrowhawk - 

Turnstone - 15

Arctic Skua - 1os

Mediterranean Gull - 2os

gull sp - 1000os

Razorbill - 28E

auk sp - 50os

Brent Geese (above) & Gannets at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: Two Spotted Redshanks, a Greenshank and a dozen Redshanks were roosting among c30 Black-tailed Godwits on the pool, whilst wildfowl comprised c30 Shovelers, c50 Teal, c50 Wigeon and eight Shelducks. (AH)

Greenshank, Spotted Redshanks, Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: A dozen Pintail, c50 Wigeon and Teal, eight Great Crested Grebes, 11 Little Egrets and a few roosting Grey Plovers, Curlews and Dunlin was all the harbour could offer in the rain, but as soon a it stopped, a Firecrest, a couple of Goldcrests and half a dozen Chiffchaffs appeared in the hedges. (AH)

Later on, a Firecrest, two Dartford Warblers, 12 Stonechats, a Blackcap, two Chiffchaffs, a Song Thrush and a Kingfisher were around the horse field/beach/Severals area, whilst eight Skylarks, 14 Turnstones and 18 Brent Geese were in the harbour. (P&LH)

Chiffchaff (above), Pintails and Great Crested Grebe at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: There was a lot of activity around the sluice this morning with 20 Long-tailed Tits, two Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, a Cetti’s Warbler, two Stonechats, a Redwing and ten Blackbirds, as well as a few Blue Tits and Great Tits, a Robin, a Wren and 12 Goldfinches.

At high tide there was just a few Wigeon and Shelduck in the harbour, along with two Great Crested Grebes and a Little Grebe, whilst a Rock Pipit was on the wall and there were a few Reed Buntings, Dunnocks and Stonechats along the bushes.

A Female Marsh Harrier was behind the Breech Pool, which held just a few Teal and Mallards, whilst at Halsey’s Farm, ten Skylarks were in the fields and a Little Grebe and five Cormorants were in the rife, and a Water Rail was calling from the reeds. (LP)

What was presumably the Great White Egret seen earlier at Medmerry (see below) was in the harbour towards Church Norton this afternoon, and there was a Common Sandpiper in White's Creek. (KJ)

Later, the female Marsh Harrier was patrolling the reed beds, but otherwise it was quiet. (S&SaH)

Blackcap (above), Rock Pipit, Blackbird & Little Egret at the North Wall (LP)

Medmerry: Coastguards to the Breach - A Great White Egret was on the flooded parts of the reserve at high tide, viewable from the breach, with c100 Golden Plovers and Lapwings also on that side, whilst four Sanderlings, c50 Grey Plovers, c100 Dunlin and c30 Ringed Plovers were roosting round the breach at high tide.

A Raven on the Ham side and a handful of Linnets were the only passerines at the breach end, whilst around the windmill area there were six Stonechats and c20 Meadow Pipits and Linnets. (AH)

Great White Egret (above), Raven, Sanderlings, Ringed Plovers, Stonechat & Meadow Pipit at Medmerry (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The Great White Egret, the Raven and the Golden Plovers could be seen from the west side of the reserve, too, whilst there were also a Merlin, three Kestrels, six Darftord Warblers, seven Stonechats and thee Yellowhammers seen along the banks, plus a Greenshank on the Stilt Pool. (S&SaH)

Great White Egret (above) & Dartford Warbler at Medmerry (SH)

Birdham: A very late Lesser Whitethroat - and looking a good candidate for an Eastern race - was in the garden this afternoon. (AB)

probable 'Eastern' Lesser Whitethroat in a Birdham garden (AB)