Sunday 17 March 2024

17th - 18th March 2024

Monday, 18th March: A fairly pleasant morning of cloud and hazy sun, in a moderate south-westerly breeze.......

Selsey Bill: Over 150 Brent Geese went east and the first Wheatear for the Bill for the spring were the only indications of migration this morning. Full log below. (SH/PB/IP/SR/AH/P&LH)
(0600-0900hrs) (SW, F3)
Great Northern Diver - 1E, 4os
Red-throated Diver - 2E, 3W
diver sp - 1E
Slavonian Grebe - 1os
Fulmar - 1W
Brent Goose - 153E
Red-breasted Merganser - 3E
Oystercatcher - 3E, 2W, 2 present
Turnstone - 5
Mediterranean Gull - 6os
Common Gull - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 7os
Meadow Pipit - 13N
Pied Wagtail - 3N
Wheatear - 1N
Greenfinch - 1N

Wheatear (above), Brent Geese, Red-throated Diver, Fulmar & Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)




Ferry Pool: There were 137 Black-tailed Godwits and 34 Avocets on the pool this morning, along with a Curlew, three Lapwings, five Redshanks, c50 Teal, c30 Wigeon and c80 Shovelers.
Also, two hirundine sp were reported going over the Visitor Centre. (AH/P&LH et al)

Black-tailed Godwits at the Ferry (AH)

Pagham Spit: A Short-eared Owl flew off the end of the spit and landed briefly on the new island before heading over to the Church Norton spit, whilst the two regular Eiders were by the harbour entrance, a female Red Breasted Merganser was in the inner channel and there were still 100 Brent Geese about, along with 160 Wigeon and a lone Pintail.
A Dartford Warbler was along the footpath, where it was bathing in the puddles, along with 30 Linnets, 20 Meadow Pipits, two Rock Pipits, a Stonechat and a Dunnock, and a Kestrel was by the car park. (LP)

Later on, a Wheatear and a Rock Pipit were near the harbour mouth. (CS)

Short-eared Owl (above), Dartford Warbler, Dartford Warbler and Linnets, Rock Pipits & Kestrel along Pagham spit (LP)




Church Norton: At least four Wheatears were along the beach this morning, and a visiting birder reported a Sand Martin going over the Severals, but the only other evidence of migration was half a dozen scattered Chiffchaffs, of which several were singing.
Three Long-tailed Ducks were reported as present early on, and around 120 Brent Geese left the harbour and went west along the beach, whilst c50 Wigeon were in the harbour, along with four Ba-tailed Godwits and just a few of the regular waders. (AH/AW/P&LH et al)


Wheatears (above), Linnet, Brent Geese & Wigeon at Church Norton (AH)



The Short-eared Owl showed well along the spit this afternoon, before heading off towards Pagham, and there were also at least four Wheatears along the spit and lots of Chiffchaffs around the Severals. (AW/GM)

Later on, the Short-eared Owl re-appeared, and flew across the harbour, heading for the North Wall, and a female Marsh Harrier was also about, along with c40 Black-ailed Godwits, and there were also five Long-tailed Ducks offshore again and plenty of Chiffchaffs were still about. (SM/AH)




Short-eared Owl (AW) (above) & Wheatear (GM) at Church Norton

North Wall: A Grey Wagtail was by the sluice and two Pied Wagtails were in the paddock this morning, along with a Jay, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Chiffchaff, and a few Goldfinches, whilst two Great Crested Grebes were displaying on the Breech Pool, a Buzzard was further back, and a Marsh Harrier came out of the reeds and flew over the harbour.
The water level on the flooded fields had dropped slightly, and there was just five Shovelers and a few Coots and Moorhens on the water, with 32 Curlews on the grass, but it was busy in Owl Copse, with 23 Cattle Egrets and seven Grey Herons about, but it was quiet in the bushes with just a couple of Reed Buntings and Cetti’s Warblers. At Halsey’s Farm, a Chaffinch and a Song Thrush were in the hedgerow, 11 Cattle Egrets were in the fields, and a few Skylarks were overhead, while in the muddy field down Church Lane, two Egyptian Geese were asleep, and 50 House Sparrows were in the hedges. (LP/CT/JDW)


Cattle Egrets (above), Marsh Harrier, Egyptian Geese & Great Crested Grebes at the North Wall (LP)



Marsh Farm, Sidlesham: A look along Church Farm Lane up to the dairy buildings today produced nine Chiffchaffs, a Cetti's Warbler, five Pied Wagtails, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and two Buzzards. (SH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - A Spoonbill was out on the reserve this afternoon, along with two Red-breasted Mergansers and three Ringed Plovers, whilst eight Avocets and a Dunlin were on the Stilt pool.
Also, two Dartford Warblers, five Stonechats, a Cetti's Warbler and a Reed Bunting were along the banks. (SH)








Sunday, 17th March: Another morning of prolonged drizzly rain in a light southerly breeze, before easing off later as the wind freshened from the south-west.......

Selsey Bill: It was very slow this morning in the poor visibility and conditions, with just a few of the regular species seen. Full log below. (JA/SH/BI/IP/AH)
(0600-0830hrs) (S F3)
Great Northern Diver - 1os
Red-throated Diver - 3W
Great Crested Grebe - 1os
Gannet - 1W
Brent Goose - 7W
Pintail - 2E
Common Scoter - 2W, 8os
Red-breasted Merganser - 2E, 3W
Oystercatcher - 1E
Turnstone - 6
Mediterranean Gull - 7
Common Gull - 2E
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 3os
Meadow Pipit - 1N

Mediterranean Gulls at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were 38 Avocets and c80 Black-tailed Godwits on the pool this morning, along with two Redshanks, two Lapwings, c60 Shovelers and c25 Wigeon and Teal. (AH)

Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits and Shovelers on the Ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There was very little in the harbour this morning, beyond a flock of c75 Black-tailed Godwits, a handful of Grey Plovers, c20 Redshanks and Curlews, c50 Brent Geese and c40 Wigeon.
The bushes were quiet, too, in the poor conditions, though a Jay and a Mistle Thrush were along Rectory Lane. (AH)

Wigeon (above) & Black-tailed Godwits at Church Norton (AH)

North Wall: Six Cattle Egrets were in and around Owl Copse, along with five Grey Herons and three Little Egrets, and in the flooded fields there were 18 Shovelers, two Gadwall, 30 Wigeon, 26 Teal, two Great Crested Grebes, two Tufted Ducks, 12 Curlews and a Lapwing.
Along White’s Creek there were just a few Wigeon and Teal, with 28 Redshanks, four Grey Plovers and 14 Snipe on the mud, but in the damp and murky conditions there wasn’t much else about, with just a male Marsh Harrier briefly over the reeds and a Green Woodpecker at Little Welbourne. (LP)


Cattle Egrets (above), Snipe, Green Woodpecker & Shovelers and Teal at the North Wall (LP)



Chichester GPs: There were eight Chiffchaffs and four Cetti's Warblers around the hedges, but a single Egyptian Goose was the only thing else of note. (S&SaH)
There was no sign of any Red-crested Pochards around the area this morning, though the long-staying flock of 'Cackling'-type geese and hybrid Barnacle Geese were in fields near Drayton Pits. (BI)

Chichester Canal: The big flock of Siskins was around the alders near the Birdham Road again this morning - with possibly as many as 50 present in a big mixed flock with similar of Goldfinches.
Also, a male Bullfinch popped up briefly along the trees behind the tow-path, and there were also at least eight singing Chiffchaffs and three or four Cetti's Warblers along the edges. (BI/AH)


Bullfinch (above), Siskins & Chiffchaff along Chichester Canal (AH)



Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pools - This afternoon there were two Dartford Warblers, a Cetti's Warbler, five Reed Buntings, five Yellowhammers, three Stonechats, a Chiffchaff, a Green woodpecker and four Skylarks along the banks, with a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard and two Kestrels over.
Also, three Egyptian Geese were about, c30 Black-tailed Godwits were by the poplars, a Greenshank, two Red-breasted Mergansers and a colour-flagged Curlew were on the pools opposite the Stilt Pools, whilst they held 21 Snipe, two Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin and two Avocets. (AH/AW/HB/LT/AH)

Egyptian Geese (above) & Skylark at Medmerry (AH)







Thursday 14 March 2024

14th - 16th March 2024

Saturday, 16th March: After a cool start, a pleasant morning of light north-westerly breezes and plenty of sun, though clouding over later as the wind freshened a little and veered to the south......

Selsey Bill: There was a bit of unexpected activity this morning, as a Woodlark went over early on and a Ring-necked Parakeet went back and forth several times and even settled in the trees on the o#val Field.
Also, a total of eight Long-tailed Ducks were offshore, with another going west, but there was very little evidence of eastward passage. Full log below. (SH/BI/PB/IP/KT/AH/SR)
(0600-0900hrs) (NW, F2)
Great Northern Diver - 3os
Red-throated Diver - 2E, 1os
diver sp - 2E
Slavonian Grebe - 1E
Gannet - 2W
Shag - 5E
Brent Goose - 6E
Eider - 1E, 1os
Long-tailed Duck - 1W, 8os
Common Scoter - 7E, 9os
Red-breasted Merganser - 6E, 3W, 2os
Sparrowhawk - 1
Kestrel - 1
Oystercatcher - 3E, 5W
Mediterranean Gull - 2os
Sandwich Tern - 8os
Ring-necked Parakeet - 1
Woodlark - 1N
Skylark - 1N
Meadow Pipit - 1N
Pied Wagtail - 2W

(1530-1630hrs) (SH)
Great Northern Diver - 3os
Red-throated Diver - 2E
Tufted Duck - 1E
Common Scoter - 2E, 10os
Red-breasted Merganser -  10E,1os
Mediterranean Gull - 2os
Sandwich Tern - 4os

Ring-necked Parakeet at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: The Green Sandpiper was at the back again this morning, with a Spotted Redshank reported as briefly present, too, and there were also five Snipe, six Redshanks, 110 Black-tailed Godwits and 36 Avocets present,.
There were also c40 Wigeon and Teal and c80 Shovelers around the pool, with a Chiffchaff in the adjacent hedges. (RP/AH/KT/AB et al)

Green Sandpiper (above), Snipe, Avocets, Wigeon & Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)




Park Farm, Selsey: The approach from Drift Road to Park Farm had a Chiffchaff making its' way up there catching flies as it went, whilst a pair of Buzzards were cruising over the Poplars, with a Sparrowhawk also with them,and a Pied Wagtail flew into the building site. (IP)

Church Norton: Three Long-tailed Ducks and a Slavonian Grebe were offshore this morning, along with a pair of Common Scoters, and three Red-breasted mergansers, whilst a male Wheatear was along the beach, and two singing male Reed Buntings and several Cetti's Warblers were around the Severals.
There was a bit of activity in the harbour; with a flock of c130 Dunlin flying out east whilst a separate flock of c20 flew in and started feeding,and there were also two flocks of Black-tailed Godwits totalling 75 birds, three Grey Plover,s a flock of 15 Turnstones that flew through and the usual Redshanks, Curlews and Oystercatchers.
At least 750 Brent Geese remain in the harbour, plus at least 300 Wigeon, but only a single pair of Teal and no Pintail whatsoever, whilst five summer-plumaged Mediterranean Gulls and two Common Gulls were amongst the numerous Black-headed Gulls, and along the spit there were half a dozen Meadow Pipits who were "parachute" displaying. (IP)

Wheatear at Church Norton (IP)

Chichester Canal: A flock of c50 Siskins - the first of the year - were feeding in trees adjacent to the Birdham Road this morning. (T Redford) 
There was no sign of the Siskins later in the morning but at least six Chiffchaffs were along the canal, three Cetti's Warblers were present, three Buzzards were thermalling and the regular mix of wildfowl was on the water. (BI/SR)

Siskins at Chichester Canal (T Redford)

Chichester GPs: A Red Kite went over this morning, and a Blackcap was calling along Peckham's Copse Lane. (PB)

Later on, all three Red-crested Pochards were again on Vinnetrow Lake. (AB)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - There was a good selection on the Stilt Pool this morning, including two Snipe, four Dunlin, two Ringed Plovers, 12 Avocets, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Sandwich Tern, two Mediterranean Gulls and a Pied Wagtail, with 26 Brent Geese going over west..
Also, along the banks there were a pair of Dartford Warblers, 12 Yellowhammers, seven Stonechats, two Chiffchaffs, a Cetti's Warbler, a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker and three Pied Wagtails, whilst a Marsh Harrier and two Buzzards went over. (SH/AHu)

Dartford Warbler (above), Yellowhammer & Brent Geese at Medmerry (AHu)


Medmerry: Porthole Farm to Ham Farm - It was really quiet all round this morning, with just three or four Chiffchaffs and Pied Wagtails at Porthole Farm, and a single pair of Yellowhammers between there and Ham along the Medmerry Trail.
Two pairs of Stonechats were at Ham, along with half a dozen Skylarks and a dozen Linnets, but a Marsh Harrier distantly over the reserve and two Buzzards and four Mediterranean Gulls over, that really was it. (AH)

Chiffchaff (above), Stonechat, Linnet & Skylark at Medmerrry (AH)











Friday, 15th March: Yet another morning of leaden skies and sporadic drizzle in a brisk westerly breeze......

Selsey Bill: Two Velvet Scoters, two Red-throated Divers and four Brent Geese were the only things heading east this morning. Full log below. (BI/SR/IP/AH)
(0605-0835hrs) (WSW, F5-6)
Great Northern Diver - 3os
Red-throated Diver - 2E
Great Crested Grebe - 1os
Gannet - 1W
Brent Goose - 4E, 1W
Velvet Scoter - 2E
Turnstone -1ob
Mediterranean Gull - 3os
Common Gull - 2E
Sandwich Tern - 7os


Sandwich Terns (above) & Mediterranean Gull at the Bill (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were 39 Avocets on he pool this morning, along with four Redshanks, six Black-tailed Godwits, four Shelducks, c40 Teal and Wigeon and c80 Shovelers, with a couple of Mediterranean Gulls among c150 Black-headed Gulls.
There were also two Little Egrets in Red Barn Ditch and a Chiffchaff singing near the Visitor centre. (AH et al)
Later on, a Spotted Redshank was on the pool. (CS)

Black-tailed Godwits (above), Shovelers and Teal & Little Egret around the Ferry (AH)


Church Norton: The harbour was very empty again, with just a dozen or Brent Geese, c20 Shelducks and a handful of Wigeon and Teal present, along with the regular Whimbrel,  a couple of pairs of Ringed Plovers and a few Redshanks and Curlews.
A couple of Chiffchaffs were along the sheltered hedges - one singing - and a couple of Skylarks were over the spit, but that was about it, beyond a Common Seal feeding in the shallow water around he harbour mouth. (AH/RS)

This afternoon, at high tide, there were four Long-tailed Ducks, including a drake, the flock of six Eider and a Slavonian Grebe offshore from the spit, and the Whimbrel was still in the harbour. (C Holter)

Whimbrel (above) & Shelducks at Church Norton (AH)

Fishbourne Creek: There were three Greenshanks, a Spotted Redshank and at least 100 Black-tailed Godwits along the creek, with about 25 Brent Geese above Dell Quay, whilst several hundred more flew in closer to Salterns Copse.
Also, the gull flock contained three Mediterranean, three Lesser Black-backed and two Great Black-backed Gulls. (RW)

Chichester GPs: Vinnetrow Lake - This afternoon a drake Red-crested Pochard was on Vinnetrow Lake, along with four Pochards and c30 Tufted Ducks. (AH)

Red-crested Pochard at Chichester GPs (AH)







Thursday, 14th March: A slightly milder, mostly overcast morning, though with a little hazy sun later, in a brisk southerly breeze......

Selsey Bill: Despite the potentially promising conditions, it was a slow morning for movement, with just 20 Brent Geese, three Pintail and five Red-throated Divers heading east, whilst a party of six Eider were on the shingle bar. Full log below. (SR/AH/P&LH/AW)
(0720-0920hrs) (SSW, F4-5)
Great Northern Diver - 1E, 3os
Red-throated Diver - 5E
Brent Goose - 20E
Shelduck - 2W
Pintail - 3E, 2os
Eider - 6os
Common Scoter -3E, 20os
Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 2os
Oystercatcher - 1W
Common Gull - 1E
Sandwich Tern - 7os
Meadow Pipit - 2N
Pied Wagtail - 1

(1300-1405hrs) (P&LH)
Great Northern Diver - 1os
Long-tailed Duck - 1os
Red-breasted Merganser - 6W
Dunlin - 2W
Mediterranean Gull - 3os
Sandwich Tern - 1os

Great Northern Diver (above), Eider, Sandwich Tern, Red-breasted Merganser & Brent Geese at the Bill (AH)




Ferry Pool: There were 36 Avocets, a Snipe, a Redshank and a Black-tailed Godwit on the pool, plus four Lapwings and a Curlew on the fields, whilst wildfowl comprised a Shelduck, 67 Shovelers, 49 Teal, 32 Wigeon and two Mute Swans. (P&LH/AH)

Avocets (above) & Shovelers at the Ferry (AH)

East Beach: Three Long-tailed Ducks were offshore this afternoon. (HL)

Church Norton: Five Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest and a couple of Long-tailed Tits, plus a Buzzard, were around the churchyard this morning, whilst a pair of Stonechats, a Meadow Pipit and two Skylarks were along the beach, but the harbour was quiet, with just the Whimbrel, c40 Back-tailed Godwits, eight Ringed Plovers, 12 Grey Plovers and c40 Dunlin about, along with c40 Brent Geese and Shelducks, c20 Wigeon and c15 Teal.
Also, offshore there were six Red-breasted Mergansers and a Great Crested Grebe, whilst c20 Mediterranean Gulls went over west, and the first Brimstone butterfly was seen. (P&LH/AH)

Stonechat (above), Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwits & Mediterranean Gulls a Church Norton (AH)



North Wall: In White’s Creek there were three Bar-tailed Godwits and, distantly, on the central plateau, some 60 Knot. Back on the wall, the top fields held 100 or more Black-tailed Godwits that earlier were roosting in White’s Creek, and, difficult to locate and to see over reeds, five Ruff. (ARK per SOS)

Pagham Spit: The group of seven Eider were still around this morning, just offshore by the harbour entrance, and 6 Red Breasted Mergansers flew into the harbour where there were still c800 Brent Geese, and a few Wigeon and Pintail.
Out on the mud there were 48 Great Black-backed Gulls, 12 Common Gulls, four Lesser Black-backed Gulls, six Mediterranean Gulls, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, three Bar-tailed Godwits, 70 Grey Plovers, 12 Ringed Plovers and plenty of Turnstones and Oystercatchers.
Also, a Rock Pipit was along the spit,together with six Skylarks, eight Meadow Pipits, 12 Linnets and a Stonechat, and a Kestrel was by the car park. (LP/SP/IH)

Red-breasted Merganser, Rock Pipit, Skylark, Stonechat, Common Gulls & Brent Geese at Pagham Spit (LP)





Chichester GPsA drake Red-crested Pochard was on Ivy Lake today, (ARK per SOS), whilst the pair of Red-crested Pochards were on Vinnetrow Lake (SHo).

Runcton: South of the village this morning there were single pairs of Mute Swan, Canada Goose and Greylag Goose, along with ten Shelducks, ten Mallards, 19 Shoveler, 23 Gadwall, six Teal, ten Tufted Ducks, eight Coots, five Moorhens, 20 Black-headed Gull, ten Mediterranean Gulls, three Green Woodpeckers, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Song Thrush, and five Chiffchaffs
Also, later a Red Kite flew south over the house. (CRJ)

Chichester Canal: A walk along the canal west from Donnington found a flock of ten Redwings, five singing Chiffchaffs, four calling Cetti's Warblers, and two Goldcrests.
Also, two or three Long-tailed Tits were rebuilding a nest that has been used successfully in the past while a flock of noisy Med Gulls were disturbed from a nearby field by a Buzzard, and two Brimstone butterflies were seen along the bank. (AW)

Redwing (above), Cettti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Mediterranean Gull & Brimstone at Chichester Canal (AW)




Later on, the hedges were full of singing Chiffchaffs, at least a dozen were about, and four pairs of Long-tailed Tits were collecting lichen for their nests and then a noisy flock of 18 Fieldfare and five Redwings flew into the treetops momentarily before moving on.
Skylarks were singing in the neighbouring fields, a Cetti's Warbler was about and two Buzzards, a Green Woodpecker and a Pied Wagtail flew over, whilst on the canal itself was a Coot sitting on eggs and eight Little Grebes and six Tufted Ducks. (SR)

Little Grebe at Chichester Canal (SR)