23rd - 26th March 2023

Sunday 26th March: A complete change this morning, with just a light northerly breeze, though unfortunately bringing a change to leaden skies and cold and persistent drizzly rain with it.............

Selsey Bill: A summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebe was on the sea early on, before heading off east, whilst the three Long-tailed Ducks and three Great Northern Divers were offshore and a Wheatear flew in off the sea. Full log below. (SH/PB/MGB/BI/SR/AH/IP/ABi/CRJ/RJS)

(0700-093hrs) (NNE, F2-3)

Great Northern Diver - 3os

Red-throated Diver - 1W, 2os

Black-necked Grebe - 1os, then E

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 2E, 6W

Brent Goose - 3E

Long-tailed Duck - 3os

Common Scoter - 38E, 39W, 15os

Red-breasted Merganser - 4E, 1W, 5os

Oystercatcher - 3W

Turnstone - 5

Mediterranean Gull - 6os

Sandwich Tern - 21E, 4os

Wheatear - 1N

(1530-1700hrs) (SH)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 1E

Gannet - 9E, 18W

Common Scoter - 4E

Red-breasted Merganser - 4E, 9os

Kittiwake - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 3E, 11os

Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were just c20 Teal and c30 Shovelers on the pool, this morning, with another 30 of the latter and a dozen Black-tailed Godwits on the fields, but there was just a Great Crested Grebe in the channel opposite. (AH)

Later on, there were six Avocets and a Snipe on the pool and the Spotted Redshank showed well along the channel opposite, along with three Redshanks. (ABi)

Great Crested Grebe (above) & Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: In the bushes along the path there were four Linnets and a pair of Stonechats, with three singing Reed Buntings in the brambles. Also, a pair of Little Grebes, a pair of Great Crested Grebes and a pair of nesting Mute Swans were on the pool. (ABi)

Church Norton: There were still up to ten Chiffchaffs in the hedges by the Mound this morning, but not much else, whilst in the harbour there were c50 Black-tailed Godwits and similar of Dunlin and Grey Plovers, plus a few Teal and Shelduck, along with c50 Sandwich Terns, with most of the vast numbers of Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls around the island. (AH/CRJ/RJS)

Chiffchaff (above), Black-tailed Godwits & Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

Chichester GPs: Ivy Lake - A Great White Egret flew out from the reeds at the back this morning, there were three Lesser Black-backed Gulls and two Mediterranean Gulls on the water and 12 Sand Martins were high over the eastern basin.  This afternoon two Egyptian Geese were in the horse paddock and the two Mediterranean Gulls were still present along with a Black Swan and four calling Cetti’s Warblers.

At Westhampnett Pit there were two Egyptian Geese and a few Pochard and Tufted Ducks on the lake. (BI/ABi)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pools - Highlights were a Swallow near the Stilt Pools early this afternoon and a brief appearance along he banks by the elusive Short-eared Owl.

Otherwise, the Stilt pools held 14 Avocets and six Black-tailed Godwits, the banks held four Chiffchaffs, two Cetti's Warblers, two Reed Buntings and eight Yellowhammers, and a Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk and 12 Buzzards were seen overhead. (S&SaH)

Medmerry: Windmill area - Two male Wheatears were along the beach and sea-defence rocks this morning, but the only other bird about was a solitary Meadow Pipit. (AH)

Wheatears (above) & Meadow Pipit at Medmerry (AH)

Saturday 25th March: Yet another very blustery morning, with the fresh breeze coming from the west, though quite mild and with some good sunny spells........

Selsey Bill: A total of 54 Brent Geese was again about the only evidence of eastward passage, though there was a fair selection of species seen, including a Long-tailed Duck and two Great Northern Divers offshore and two drake Eiders west. Full log below. (SH/PB/PM/Bi/SR/IP/AH/P&LH)

(0600-0900hrs) (WSW, F6)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Red-throated Diver - 2E

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 37W

Brent Goose - 54E, 3W

Eider - 2W

Long-tailed Duck - 1os

Common Scoter - 7E, 1W

Red-breasted Merganser - 7E, 10W, 5os

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 1W

Turnstone - 11

Mediterranean Gull - 7os

Common Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 27os

auk sp - 2E

Meadow Pipit - 14N

Pied Wagtail - 1N

(1330-1430hrs) (SH)

Gannet - 2W

Common Scoter - 1E, 4W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 23os

Eider (above) & Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were 20 Avocets and similar of Black-tailed Godwits on the pool this morning, along with half a dozen Shelducks, c30 Teal and c75 Shovelers.

The Spotted Redshank was showing well again in the channel opposite, along with a Redshank, a Great Crested Grebe and a Little Egret, whilst a couple of Chiffchaffs were along the Tramway. (AH)

Spotted Redshank (above) & Chiffchaff at the Ferry (AH)

Park Farm and North Selsey: Five Chiffchaffs were around hedges to the north of the village this morning, with another one at Park Farm, along with two Jays, 12 Meadow Pipits, a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard. (S&SaH/IP)

Also, a Firecrest was still in the garden today. (AW)

Chichester GPs: A White Wagtail and a pair of Egyptian Geese were in the paddocks just south of Ivy Lake this morning. (MB) Earlier, two Sand Martins were over Ivy Lake and this afternoon a female Blackcap was along the path. (BI)

Church Norton: A female Wheatear was on the concrete blocks this morning, along with a dozen Linnets, whilst at least ten Chiffchaffs were still in the hedges around the Mound, but at least six calling Cetti's Warblers around the Severals, three Pied Wagtails, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Sparrowhawk at Greenlease Farm, with another over Priory Wood was about it on land.

At least 60 Sandwich Terns, 100 Mediterranean Gulls and 300 Black-headed Gulls were in the harbour, along with c120 Black-tailed Godwits, c50 Grey Plovers and Dunlin and a dozen Ringed Plovers, with three Brent Geese and c20 Wigeon, Teal and Shelducks being the only wildfowl in the harbour, though a pair of Shovelers were in the second Several and pairs of Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore and seen flying into the harbour mouth. (AH/IP/P&LH et al)

Wheatear (above), Chiffchaff, Black-tailed Godwits, Mediterranean Gulls & Sandwich Terns at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pools - This morning there was a Greenshank opposite the Stilt Pools, as well as a highlight being five Brown Hares lolloping around and boxing. The pools were high and had little space for waders but contained a few Avocets, Oystercatchers and Ringed Plovers, and there was a good mix of gulls with Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed, Black-headed, Mediterranean, and Herring present.
Many Skylarks were singing despite the wind as well as Linnets and a Greenfinch, whilst a Buzzard and three Kestrels were along the banks and two Ravens flew through. Also, a Common Lizard was basking by the Easton Viewpoint, and early afternoon two Egyptian Geese were on the field by the Easton Lane car park. (HB)

Common Lizard at Medmerry (HB)

Friday 24th March: Once again, a very blustery morning in a fresh west-south-westerly breeze, with a few heavy showers early on before it settled into a mix of sun and fast-moving banks of white cloud......

Further to yesterday's Binocular advert, arrangements have been made and the offer is now closed. (OM) 

Selsey Bill: Another quiet morning, with 115 Brent Geese, seven Wigeon and a couple of Red-throated Divers being the only things heading east, though at least 50 Sandwich Terns were lingering around he Mile Basket rocks. Full log below. (SR/IP/AH)

(0655-0825hrs) (WSW, F6-7)

Red-throated Diver - 2E

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 3W

Brent Goose - 115E, 3W

Wigeon - 7E

Oystercatcher - 3W

Curlew - 2E

Turnstone - 14W

Sandwich Tern - 6E, c50os

Meadow Pipit - 1N

(1600-1700hrs) (SH/AH)

Great Crested Grebe - 2os

Gannet - 8W

Brent Goose - 3E

Kittiwake - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 7os

Razorbill - 2os

Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Spoonbill was present at 0700hrs, though not mid-morning, but re-appeared later on as the tide rose, feeding busily at the back.

Also, there were 16 Avocets, three Gadwall, 12 Shelducks, c30 Teal and c75 Shovelers on the pool and c40 Black-tailed Godwits and c60 Wigeon on the field, whilst the Spotted Redshank and three Redshanks were in the channel opposite. (SH/KJ/AH/IP/BI et al)

Spoonbill (above), Spotted Redshank and Redshank, Avocets & Gadwall and Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)

Chichester GPs: An Alpine Swift was reported as being seen over Quarry Lane from a car along the A27 at lunchtime today. (per Birdguides) Strictly speaking, this falls just outside the Peninsula recording area, but it may yet resurface on the right side of the line!

A look around/from Ivy Lake failed to relocate it, though it did produce the first Swallow of the year. (AW/IP), whilst at Drayton House pits there were five Sand Martins. (OM) Alpine Swift details below. (P.Wells/SOS)

Church Norton: There wasn't much change from recent days, though a couple of Willow Warblers were among a dozen or so Chiffchaffs around the sheltered hedges, but the only other small birds seen were a few Linnets along the beach.

The harbour held c120 Black-tailed Godwits, c100 Knot and c200 Dunlin, along with a few Teal, plus at least 40 Sandwich Terns among the throng of Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls, whilst offshore there were a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers and half a dozen Sandwich Terns, plus a distant Gannet heading west. (AH/KJ/SaH et al)

Also, later on, there were two Wheatears on the concrete blocks. (SaH)

Chiffchaff (above), Linnet, Black-ailed Godwits, Knot and Dunlin & Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

Thursday 23rd March: Yet another morning of strong south-westerly winds, though fairly mild and with just the odd squally shower......

We don't usually do adverts on the blog, but I'm making a small exception here.....re. Binoculars. Genuine Swarovski Companion 8 X 30 CL binoculars to be exact, brand new and still packaged and never used, the RRP being in the £990-£1000 bracket. This is a one-off and they can be bought for £720 ono. If interested, please contact OM when all will be explained. (OM) 

Selsey Bill: A total of 385 Brent Geese went east, but beyond a flock of seven Eider going east and a Siskin that went over west there was nothing on the move. Full log below. (SR/AH/IP)

(0700-0900hrs) (SW, F5-6)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Gannet - 1E, 2W

Shag - 1os

Brent Goose - 385E

Eider - 7E

Sparrowhawk - 1

Oystercatcher - 3W

Turnstone - 17

Mediterranean Gull - 3os

Kittiwake - 2E

Sandwich Tern - 8os

Meadow Pipit - 1N

Siskin - 1W

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

Ferry Pool: There were eight Avocets on the pool this morning, along with seven Shelducks, four Gadwall, c30 Teal and at least 80 Shovelers, whilst the Spotted Redshank and 38 Black-tailed Godwits were in the channel opposite. (AH)

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

This evening an adult Spoonbill was feeding very actively along the south bank of the pool. (AH/S&SaH/SR)

Spoonbill on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There wasn't much to report again, with half a dozen Chiffchaffs by he Mound and two Mistle Thrushes and a Jay in the churchyard the only birds of note in the hedges, whilst the harbour still held huge numbers of Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls, plus about 40 Sandwich Terns.

The only wildfowl about were a dozen Teal and Shelducks, whilst c60 Black-tailed Godwits were on the mud, along with c50 Knot and c100 Dunlin. (AH)

Black-tailed Godwits (above), Chiffchaff, Mediterranean Gulls & Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: A Cetti’s Warbler and four Long-tailed Tits were by the sluice, a Pied Wagtail was in the paddock and both Marsh Harriers were up over the reeds, whilst a Great Crested Grebe was on the Breech Pool.

In White’s Creek there were 18 Redshank and four Black-tailed Godwits, and 80 Wigeon and seven Brent Geese flew in, whilst 30 Curlew were spread around the fields, five Grey Herons were in and around Owl Copse. and at Halsey’s Farm, two Shelduck and eight Wigeon were along the rife and a few Skylarks were in the fields. (LP/CT/PB)

Skylarks (above), Grey Herons & Shelducks and Wigeon at the North Wall (LP)

20th - 22nd March 2023

Wednesday, 22nd March: Another wet and windy morning, with a fresh and blustery south-westerly pushing through almost continuous belts of drizzly rain............

Selsey Bill: A very slow morning in poor conditions! Full log below. (SR/IP/MO-W/AH)

(0705-0835hrs) (SW, F6-7)

Great Northern Diver - 1os

Red-throated Diver - 1W

Gannet - 18W

Brent Goose - 8E

Turnstone - 9

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 6os

(1630-1730hrs) (SH)

Oystercatcher - 5E, 

Turnstone - 2

Mediterranean Gull - 2os

Sandwich Tern - 9os

Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Green Sandpiper was in the concealed roadside pool again this morning, whilst a dozen Avocets were on the main pool, along with a drake Gadwall, eight Shelducks, c30 Teal, c50 Shovelers and a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls. (AH/TG-P/NR)

Green Sandpiper (above) & Greenfinches, Goldfinch and Blue Tit at the Ferry (AH)

The Spotted Redshank was once again in Ferry Channel this evening. (AH)

Spotted Redshank in Ferry Channel (AH)

Chichester GPs: Ivy Lake - There was very little to report from here this morning in dismal conditions - with the pair of Egyptian Geese and now just seven goslings the highlight, with otherwise just a handful of Great Crested Grebes and Pochards and c30 Tufted Ducks on the water and a couple of Chiffchaffs along the paths. (AH)

Later on, 12 Sand Martins were over Copse Lake (AB), and a House Martin and three more Sand Martins were over Ivy Lake (SR).

Egyptian Geese (above) & Pochard at Chichester GPs (AH)

Church Norton: A quick look this evening produced c125 Black-tailed Godwits in the harbour, along with c30 Teal, c50 Dunlin, c30 Sandwich Terns and lots of Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls, whilst half a dozen Chiffchaffs were in the hedges near the hide. (AH)

Chiffchaff (above), Black-tailed Godwits & Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

Tuesday, 21st March: Another very breezy morning, with rain early on, and then a mix of sunshine and cloud in a fresh south-westerly............

Selsey Bill: A pair of Wheatears were present this morning, but again, despite a bit of variety, very little was moving offshore. Full log below. (SR/AH/IP/P&LH)

(0715-0900hrs) (SW, F6)

Great Northern Diver - 2os

Red-throated Diver - 2E

Great Crested Grebe - 1os

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 3E, 33W

Shag - 1E

Brent Goose - 25E

Common Scoter - 21E, 6W

Red-breasted Merganser - 8E, 2W

Oystercatcher - 2W

Turnstone - 1W

Common Gull - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 18os

Meadow Pipit - 2N

Wheatear - 2

(1215-13125hrs) (P&LH)

Gannet - 2W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E

Mediterranean Gull - 1os

Common Gull - 1W

Kittiwake - 1E

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

Ferry Pool: There were 12 Avocets, five Black-tailed Godwits and two Lapwings on the pool this morning, along with six Gadwall, 11 Shelducks, c25 Teal and c50 Shovelers. (AH)

Avocet and Shoveler at the Ferry (AH)

Late this afternoon the Spotted Redshank was once again in Ferry Channel. (AH)

Spotted Redshank in Ferry Channel (AH)

Chichester GPs: Ivy Lake - The first Sand Martin of the year was feeding high over the lake this morning, and there was also a Blackcap singing along the path. (BI)

Later on, there were six Sand Martins over the lake, with a Common Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull on the water, along with a Black Swan, a Shoveler, c20 Pochards, with four Great Crested Grebes, c30 Tufted Ducks, two Greylag Geese and the pair of Egyptian Geese and eight goslings. 

There were also six Chiffchaffs, a Cetti's Warbler and three Long-tailed Tits along the paths. (P&LH)

Medmerry: Medmerry Trail - A Blackcap was in the hedge alongside Ferry Field and there were also 14 Chiffchaffs, two Long-tailed Tits, two Kestrels, and a Green Woodpecker along the trail, but it was very windy by the settling tanks, where there were just 20 Pied Wagtails and a couple more Chiffchaffs. (SR)

Fishbourne Creek: On the high tide there were only a few waders to be seen with Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher and Black-tailed Godwit being noted, whilst on the water there were c30 Brent Geese, 14 Great Crested Grebes, 18 Pintail and reduced numbers of Wigeon and Teal.

The gull flocks contained over 100 Black-headed Gulls and Common Gulls, plus good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls, with their calls being heard frequently overhead, a few Herring Gulls and three Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

At the Lavant outfall a Cetti's Warbler sang briefly and on the shore nearby were a Grey Wagtail and a Rock Pipit, whilst two Yellowhammers were present towards Fishbourne and at the back of Fishbourne Mill Pond there were nine Gadwall and four roosting Little Egrets. (RW)

North Selsey: The Firecrest was still in our garden today, and there may well have been two. (AW)

Firecrest in a Selsey garden (AW)

North Wall: On a rising tide there were just a few Wigeon out on the water but further back on the mud there was a group of about 80 Grey Plovers and 30 Dunlin, along with 14 Shelduck and a pair of Pintails.

It was quiet along the wall, with just the regular Curlew by the rocks and five Goldfinches, two Chiffchaffs and two Reed Buntings in the bushes, whilst out in the fields there were 38 Curlews and nine Brent Geese, while at Halsey’s Farm 74 Wigeon and six Teal were along the rife, and 86 Black-tailed Godwits were in the harbour.

Also, the pair of Great Crested Grebes were on the Breech Pool and a Marsh Harrier and two Buzzards were over the reeds further back. (LP)

Marsh Harrier (above), Curlew, Black-tailed Godwits & Grey Plovers a the North Wall (LP)

Church Norton: A female Black Redstart in the churchyard was about the only migrant about, though half a dozen Chiffchaffs were still in the hedges by the Mound, with a couple of Mistle Thrushes and Green Woodpeckers also around and a dozen Skylarks and Linnets and four Meadow Pipits seen along the beach, with a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard noted, too.

A total of 43 Sandwich Terns were in the harbour among the many Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls, but a dozen Teal and a couple of Wigeon and Shelducks were the only wildfowl about, and waders were few, too, though included a dozen Ringed Plovers and 21 Curlews. (P&LH/AH)

This evening two Marsh Harriers came in  to roost in the first Several at 1700hrs, and there were also a Stonechat and three Cetti's Warblers nearby, whilst c40 Black-tailed Godwits were in the harbour and seven Chiffchaffs were in the hedges by the Moiund. (S&SaH)

Black Redstart (above), Chiffchaffs, Sandwich Terns & Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls at Church Norton (AH)

Monday, 20th March: A fairly cold and miserable morning of intermittent drizzle under leaden skies in a fresh and blustery south-westerly.....

Selsey Bill: A Wheatear came in, five Siskins went over and 67 Brent Geese went east this morning, but otherwise most birds were heading west, including some very close Gannets. Full log below. (IP/AH/MO-W/SR)

(0705-0905hrs) (WSW, F5)

Red-throated Diver - 2W

Great Crested Grebe - 1W

Gannet - 2E, 69W, 3os

Brent Goose - 67E

Common Scoter - 1W

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 1W

Oystercatcher - 2W

Kittiwake - 1W

Sandwich Tern - 7os

Razorbill - 2W, 1os

Wheatear - 1

Siskin - 5N

Wheatear (above), Common Scoter & Gannets at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were at least 110 Shovelers on the pool this morning, along with a pair of Gadwall, 12 Shelducks, c30 Teal and half a dozen Mallards, but only eight Avocets and four Black-tailed Godwits, plus a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls. (AH)

Gadwall and Shovelers (above) & Great Black-backed Gulls at the Ferry (AH)

Late this afternoon the Spotted Redshank was again in Ferry Channel and there were 14 Avocets on the pool. (AH)

Spotted Redshank in Ferry Channel (AH)

West Wittering: A Firecrest was briefly outside my home office this morning, with a Mistle Thrush in song nearby, and there were still 500+ Brent Geese in the fields and on the foreshore at Rookwood. (GM)

North Selsey: The Firecrest was seen in our garden again today. (AW)

Firecrest in a Selsey garden (AW)

Church Norton: There were almost no roosting waders about on the high tide, beyond a handful of Black-tailed Godwits, though there were c25 Teal and a couple of Great Crested Grebes present, with the most conspicuous birds being c25 Sandwich Terns and large numbers of Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls, mostly around the island.

The bushes were quiet, too, though half a dozen Chiffchaffs were still near the Mound, with a couple more along the path to the beach, a handful of Linnets were along the beach and four Mistle Thrushes were along Rectory Lane. (AH)

Sandwich Terns (above), Black-tailed Godwit, Teal and Chiffchaff at Church Norton (AH)