Tuesday, 9th September: A very unpredictable morning, with some pleasant spells of sunshine and a light breeze interspersed with some unforecast very heavy, squally showers........
Selsey Bill: An Osprey was watched going straight out, low over the sea, and a Peregrine came in with prey, whilst an Arctic Skua went west and a juvenile Kittiwake and over 100 Common Terns were among the roost on the shingle bar. Full log later. (PB/PM/AH/MO-W/KT/IP/KJ/KF et al)
(0615-0900hrs) (SW, F3)
Great Crested Grebe - 1osGannet - 8E, 7W
Shag - 7E
Grey Heron - 1W
Common Scoter - 5E
Osprey - 1S
Peregrine - 1
Oystercatcher - 2E, 5W
Sanderling - 10W
Turnstone - 25
Arctic Skua - 1W
Mediterranean Gull - 88E, 30os
Kittiwake - 1os
Sandwich Tern - 320E, 100os
Common Tern - 120os
Black Tern - 1os
Swallow - 62E
House Martin - 10E
Yellow Wagtail - 15W
Grey Wagtail - 9W
Meadow Pipit - 6E
Peregine (PM) (above), Kittiwake, Common Terns & Common and Sandwich Terns (AH) at the Bill
Ferry Pool: Early on, a Green Sandpiper was at the back, a Spotted Flycatcher was along the Tramway and 59 Mediterranean Gulls went over (CS), whilst later, a Common Sandpiper and eight Teal were on the pool, and eight Black-tailed Godwits were in the channel opposite (AH).
Common Sandpiper (above) & Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)
Mill Pond Marsh: A Water Rail was the highlight around the flooded field this morning, though the bushes were busy, with eight Chiffchaffs and a couple of Blackcaps and Whitethroats present. (CS/CRJ)
Church Norton: A frustratingly brief Wryneck was seen by a lucky few in the bushes at the front of the horse field, but it could not be relocated, though a Whinchat, a Redstart, two Wheatears and half a dozen Whitethroats were in the vicinity.
Also, there were at least three Spotted Flycatchers in the hide/churchyard area, along with half a dozen or so Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs, plus two Wheatears along Rectory Lane, and c50 Swallows and c20 Sand Martins and House Martins moved through.
A Spoonbill was off the benches, along with a Greenshank and a Bar-tailed Godwit, whilst a couple of Curlew Sandpipers were among the Dunlin and Ringed Plovers further out in the harbour, and further down, a Marsh Harrier was out hunting. (R Daines/KF/SM/KJ/PM/PB/AH/CRJ/AH/IP/BI et al)
This evening there were a dozen Knot and c50 Dunlin and Ringed Plovers out in the harbour, with a Greenshank, a Whimbrel, three Black-tailed Godwits and a few Pintail, Wigeon an Teal about, too.
Also, a Peregrine that was sat out on the side of the spit before flying up the harbour, three Spoonbills were seen and the whinchat was still around the horse field. (AWi./AH/S&SaH)
Redstart (above), Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap (AH), Reed Warbler (PM), Marsh Harrier, Spoonbill & Greenshank (AH) at Church Norton
North Wall: The four Spoonbills were out in the harbour early on before three relocated into White’s Creek, where there was also a Kingfisher, Curlew Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, a Knot, a Greenshank, and all the regular species.
Two Wheatears were along the wall and in the bushes there were two Redstarts, a Lesser Whitethroat, three Whitethroats, two Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, two Reed Warblers, three Sedge Warblers, a Linnet and a Kingfisher. (LP/TRH/CT/P Gomersall)
Spotted Redshank (above), Kingfisher, Spoonbill, Blackcap & Spoonbills, Little Egret and Great Crested Grebe at the North Wall (LP)
Monday, 8th September: The breeze returned to the west this morning, though it remained fairly fresh, but it was nevertheless a pleasant morning of sunshine and white cloud.....
Selsey Bill: Very little was on the move this morning, but a vast feeding flock was loosely spread across the horizon, with at least 200 Sandwich Terns and 100 Mediterranean Gull, plus a dozen Common Terns, among them. Full log below. (AH/IP/P&LH/M&LL)
(0700-0830hrs) (WSW, F4)
Gannet - 3W, 2os
Shag - 2E
Common Scoter - 3E
Sparrowhawk - 1
Oystercatcher - 1E, 2W
Sanderling - 2W
Turnstone - 14
Mediterranean Gull - c100os
Sandwich Tern - c200os
Common Tern - 12os
Swallow - 1E, 2W
Yellow Wagtail - 2E
Whitethroat - 1
Hummingbird Hawk-moth - 1
Ferry Pool: A Grey Wagtail was briefly present this morning, and there were ten Lapwings, eight Black-tailed Godwits and six Teal on the pool. (AH)
Later, a Green Sandpiper was on the roadside pool. ( Gomersall)
Mill Pond Marsh: A flock of 21 Black-tailed Godwits, with a Bar-tailed Godwit among them, plus a Greenshank, were on the flooded field this morning, along with a Kingfisher, c40 Teal and a few Mallard, but the bushes were deserted.
There were also a Common Sandpiper and a Whimbrel in the adjacent harbour and a Marsh Harrier went over. (AH/P&LH)
Bar-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwits at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)
North Wall: A Grasshopper Warbler was flushed from long grass by the path in Owl Point field.
Also, around White's Creek there were the four Spoonbills, a dozen Knot, a Spotted Redshank, two Greenshanks, several Whimbrel, two Yellow-legged Gulls, ten Pintail, c60 Wigeon and c80 Mediterranean Gulls, plus a Kingfisher and two Grey Wagtails, with a Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine over the harbour, c20 Golden Plovers flying out early on and five Common Seals hauled out in the middle of the harbour.
There was also a Redstart and a good selection of the regular warblers along the Wall, including three Wheatears, several Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, a few Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcapss, plus at least four Reed Buntings.
At Halsey's there was a Snipe on the marsh, a Green Sandpiper flew out, and the male Redstart, a Kingfisher and a Sparrowhawk were nearby. Also, a Kestrel eating prey on the ground, was dive-bombed repeatedly by two Sparrowhawks, which eventually won the day when the Kestrel flew off leaving them to it. ((BFF/SL/OM/LP/GHi/TG/P Gomersall et al)
Early this afternoon, a Glossy Ibis turned up near Owl Point, before flying off towards the Ferry. (BFF/SL/P Gomersall)
This evening, several large flocks of Yellow Wagtails came in to roost, with possibly as many as 400 birds involved, whilst three Green Sandpipers flew out of the Breech Pool, 38 Cattle Egrets came in to roost in Owl Copse and there were also a juvenile Marsh Harrier and three Cetti's Warblers about. (S&SaH)
Yellow-legged Gull (above), Snipe (OM), Redstart, Spoonbill, Blackcap, Wheatear, Reed Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler & Sedge Warbler (LP) at the North Wall
Chichester Canal: A Glossy Ibis flew west along the canal, west of Donnington early this afternoon, and there were also at least six Spotted Flycatchers at the Birdham Road end. (P&LH)
distant Glossy Ibis (above) & Spotted Flycatcher at Chichester Canal (LH)
Church Norton: Two Spotted Flycatchers were behind the hide this morning, along with a Tree Pipit, a Reed Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and a handful of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, whilst along the Severals there were a Whinchat and five Whitethroats and c50 Linnets were on Tern Island.
Also, a Swift went over and there were c30 Sand Martins and House Martins and c50 Swallows about, whilst a Merlin shot through the far side of the harbour and 11 Buzzards were kettling over the first Several.
The harbour was fairly quiet, though c60 Sandwich Terns, plus a Common Tern and a few Mediterranean Gulls, dropped in for a while, a dozen Wigeon flew around and a mixed flock of Ringed Plovers and Dunlin flew out to the harbour mouth, but it was otherwise just the regular species. (AH/P&LHG/P&JW/GR et al)
Spotted Flycatchers (above), Tree Pipit, Reed Warbler, Blackcaps, Whinchat, Whinchat and Whitethroat & Sandwich Terns, Common Tern and Mediterranean Gulls at Church Norton (AH)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There were a Green Sandpiper and two Common Sandpipers on the reserve around midday, whilst two Kingfishers flew over the benches by the poplars. Also, four Buzzards and three Kestrels were overhead, as well as four Yellow Wagtails, and along the bank near the Stilt Pools were a Whinchat and two Wheatears. (HB)
Sunday, 7th September: Another blustery day, with the fresh south-easterly breeze persisting, though it was quite warm in the hazy sunshine before it clouded up later.....
Selsey Bill: An Osprey and a Hobby were both seen heading out to sea this morning, whilst the vast offshore feeding flock included 311 Sandwich Terns, 40 Common Terns, two Black Terns, a Little Tern and at least one Arctic Tern. There were also close to 2000 Swallows going east, along with plenty of Sand and House Martins and 31 Yellow Wagtails. Full log below. (SH/JA/BI/PB/MRB/IP/AH/CRJ)
(0600-0930hrs) (ESE, F4)
Gannet - 5E, 3W
Shag - 7E
Common Scoter - 10E
Osprey - 1
Sparrowhawk - 1
Hobby - 1
Oystercatcher - 4E
Sanderling - 14E
Turnstone - 15
Mediterranean Gull - 29os
Common Gull - 1W
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1W
Sandwich Tern - 311os
Arctic Tern - 1os
Common Tern - 40os
Little Tern - 1os
Black Tern - 2os
Swallow - 1952E
Sand Martin - 238E
House Martin - 128E
Yellow Wagtail - 31E
Grey Wagtail - 1W
Meadow Pipit - 4E
Sandwich and Common Tern (above), Shag & Swallow at the Bill (AH)
Ferry Pool: A Green Sandpiper flew in and back out again early on, with the only other birds present being two Black-tailed Godwits and eight Teal. (AH/CRJ)
Later, at high tide, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were on the pool and a Wheatear was in the field. (GD)
Teal at the Ferry (AH)
Mill Pond Marsh: There were six Common Sandpipers, five continually feeding close together, on the flooded field this morning, along with a Greenshank, a Shoveler and c30 Teal, but the only bird seen in the bushes was a smart male Redstart. (AH)
Redstart (above), Common Sandpipers, Greenshank and Teal & Shoveler at Mill Pond Marsh (AH)
Park Farm, Selsey: A Chiffchaff was around the stables, a Pied Wagtail was on the fields and a flock of 12 Yellow Wagtails flew in, whilst two House Martins were still around the housing estate where they appear to still have nests.
Also a male Sparrowhawk was interacting with two Carrion Crows and another Sparrowhawk flew off the beach near Park Copse. (IP)
Church Norton: A Curlew Sandpiper was among c40 Dunlin and c100 Ringed Plovers out in the middle until the tide pushed them off to the harbour mouth, whilst two Avocets - the first on the Peninsula for a while - flew into the harbour, but a Greenshank, three Knot and a couple of Black-tailed Godwits were the only other waders beyond the regulars.
Also, all four Spoonbills were roosting together in the harbour, and c40 Sandwich Terns, three Pintail and eight Wigeon were noted, whilst least 300 Swallows, with a few Sand Martins and House Martins were feeding low over the water.
Up to five Wheatears were around the concrete blocks and a Spotted Flycatcher was on the Mound, but two calling Cetti's Warblers and a few hirundines at the Severals and c40 House Martins over the churchyard was it for passerines, whilst the only raptors noted were a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and two Buzzards. (PB/MRB/CRJ/AH/IP et al)
This afternoon, as the tide dropped, the Grey Phalarope re-appeared on the mud, before flying off up the harbour. (RJF)
Curlew Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Oystercatcher (above), Spoonbill, Avocets, Sandwich Terns, Ringed Plovers, Swallow & Sandwich Tern at Church Norton (AH)
North Wall: A Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail were by the sluice and a Wheatear was along the rocks, with another on the fence at Halsey’s Farm, but the bushes were quiet with just a Redstart, a Whinchat, and a couple of Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs about. (LP/MJa/RJF et al)
This evening at least 200 Yellow Wagtails came in to roost in the Breech Pool, whilst the four Spoonbills were in White's Creek and a Marsh Harrier, a spotted Redshank and a Greenshank were about, too. (SP/CS)
Wheatear (above), Blackcap & Grey Wagtail at the North Wall (LP)
East Side: There was a good selection along the east side on the rising tide this morning, including seven juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, two Avocets, a Spotted Redshank, two Greenshanks, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 18 Black-tailed Godwits, 24 Lapwings, 26 Grey Plovers, c150 Ringed Plovers, c80 Dunlin, a Sanderling, three Spoonbills, a Pintail, six Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, c50 Teal, two Great Crested Grebes, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 22 Sandwich Terns, and the usual selection of Redshanks, Curlews and Oystercatchers.
Also, a Merlin flew across the harbour and there was a constant stream of Swallows heading eastwards. (LP/MJa/RJF et al)
Curlew Sandpiper and Ringed Plover (above), Spoonbill, Avocet, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sandwich Terns, Pintail & Wigeon along the East side (LP)
Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - An Osprey was sat out on the reserve this morning, eating a fish, with a Marsh Harrier, two Kestrels and a Whimbrel also about, whilst c100 Sandwich Terns were over on the far side and three Common Terns were around the rafts.
There was a reasonable bit along the banks and adjacent fields, despite the breeze, including a Dartford Warbler, three Wheatears, ten Yellowhammers, a Cetti's Warbler and c40 Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits, with c100 Swallows, c40 Sand Martins and a couple of House Martins over. (S&SaH)
Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: There were 11 Cattle Egrets with the cows here today and a Wheatear was on the earthworks but apart from plenty of corvids it was generally quiet. (BI)
