21st - 31st July 2024

Wednesday, 31st July: Again very warm, but quite cloudy, with sunshine breaking through at times and feeling very muggy, despite a fresh NE-SE breeze force 4. Also the potential risk of thunderstorms as the temperature climbs!

Bilsham farm: A late evening visit yesterday produced a nice highlight in the form of a Little Owl just before dusk. The reservoir area was quiet however, with just a single Common Sandpiper, 30 Coots and two Little Grebes.

Elmer Rocks: It was generally very quiet this morning, with nothing really moving offshore, except for a Whimbrel going E and three noisy Sandwich Terns going W close in, with a fourth bird roosting on the rocks amongst gulls. A total of 22 Mediterranean Gulls were amongst these roosting birds, about one-third of which were juveniles, whilst a single Common Gull and seven Oystercatchers were also present. A single Willow Warbler was at Poole Place, calling frequently. Starlings are again present in good numbers, with about 300+ feeding on the green behind the Kiosk.

Sandwich Tern roosting on Elmer Rocks with Black-headed Gulls and part of the large Starling flock on the green near the Kiosk

M-o-S/Ancton area: A Red Kite drifted over the A259 Comet Corner area and then headed towards Worms Wood late morning.

Shripney area: The flock of Egyptian Geese had increased to six birds this morning. A farm reservoir in the area held two Common Sandpipers, three Tufted Ducks, a Shelduck and three Little Grebes, whilst another held a pair of Little Grebes still feeding two young. Nearby, a large post-breeding flock of c.400 Rooks  took to the air several times.

Egyptian Geese at Shripney - the flock has now increased to six

Tuesday, 30th July: A very warm, dry and sunny day - probably our hottest day of the year so far - with prolonged sunshine, blue skies and a light and variable breeze.

Barnham Brooks - Lidsey area: A real taste of summer today with a very warm and sunny day, so I was out and about early to avoid the heat of the day. A Red Kite, a Buzzard and a few Mediterranean Gulls were over the Brooks, before I went to check the rapidly shrinking patch of remaining water, which at the current rate will have completely evaporated within a few more days. Most of the wildfowl and gulls have now deserted this area, but a good selection of waders - especially Green Sandpipers -  was still present, as follows:-

Wood Sandpiper - 1

Green Sandpiper - 9

Little Ringed Plover - 2

Ringed Plover - 1

Redshank - 1 (juv)

Snipe - 1

Lapwing - 20
There was little else to report, beyond three Blackcaps and a couple each of Whitethroat and Reed Warbler.

The distance and heat haze made any sort of decent image almost impossible, but (above) a record shot of the Wood Sandpiper, whilst (below) are Redshank (left) and Green Sandpiper.

Monday, 29th July: Another warm and sunny day, with a cloudless blue sky and sunshine throughout, but with a fresh E/SE breeze force 3-4/5, again taking the edge off the temperature along the coast.

Elmer Rocks: There were a few bits and pieces today, with three Sandwich Terns going E offshore and a Whimbrel, much closer in, heading the same way, whilst also of note were half a dozen Swallows moving through over the sea. Roosting on the rock islands were eight Oystercatchers, a Ringed Plover, a Turnstone and my first returning Common Gull. Around the area behind the beach were four Linnets and the first three autumnal Willow Warblers, plus a Chiffchaff.

Common Gull (above) on Elmer Rocks and Turnstone (below)

Bilsham farm: There was just one Common Sandpiper present on the reservoir this morning, although Coot numbers had risen to 38, together with two Little Grebes. There were also six Swallows, two Sand Martins and two House Martins feeding above, before a low-flying Buzzard suddenly appeared, causing a mass panic in the area.

This low-flying Buzzard at Bilsham farm caused a mass panic to other birds in the area!

Barnham Brooks - Lidsey: Reports this morning of a Red Kite, a Wood Sandpiper, two Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank and three Snipe in the area, (per D. Boon).

Sunday, 28th July: A warm, dry day of unbroken sunshine and almost cloudless skies, calm at first with just a light SE breeze force 2-3 developing as the day progressed.

Lidsey area: There was nothing of note around the sewage works (WTW) but nearby on the reservoir were two Common Sandpipers, six Little Grebes and the previously-reported female Tufted Duck, together with her brood of nine ducklings, all still thriving and now well-grown.

At another area, the remaining flood water is now drying quickly and may be gone in a fairly short time, but at present it is attracting a few waders and this morning held a Wood Sandpiper, six Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, two Little Ringed Plovers and 20 Lapwings. Three Teal look to be summering there, whilst a post-breeding gathering of Black-headed Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls included at least 150 of the latter.

(above) Common Sandpiper and (below) female Tufted Duck - second from back - with brood of nine on the reservoir, whilst (bottom) roost of mainly Mediterranean Gulls with Black-headed Gulls on the remaining flood.

Shripney area: My first returning Whinchat in almost full summer plumage was a nice surprise as I walked along a track beside a weed-covered field, but unfortunately it chose not to linger and flew across the field to a distant hedge and was lost to view, On the nearby farm reservoirs were a Common Sandpiper, three Little Grebes, a Gadwall and a Tufted Duck. Four Egyptian Geese were the first seen for a while, and other species seen included Green Woodpecker (family), Whitethroat and Yellowhammer.

Egyptian Geese at Shripney

Saturday, 27th July: Rather cloudy at first with some hazy brightness, soon becoming sunny with some scattered cloud and a fairly light breeze W2-3.

Barnham Brooks - Lidsey area: Having been away a few days I was keen to get out birding, so a fairly early start was called for. I checked out the bit of remaining flood that still holds a fair bit of water, although views are obstructed by waterside vegetation, I was pleased to find a nice little selection of waders present, as below:-

Lapwing - 25
Dunlin - 1
Wood Sandpiper - 1
Green Sandpiper - 3
Common Sandpiper - 2
Greenshank - 1
There were also 3 Teal, a few Swifts and Sand Martins, at least 3 Blackcaps and the same of Reed Warblers.

Bilsham farm: The reservoir held 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Mallard and 30 Coots, whilst nearby was a family of 4 Swallows, 2 Swifts and a Yellowhammer.

Common Sandpiper being dominated by Magpies at Bilsham reservoir

Tuesday, 23rd July: Still not particularly warm, being mainly dull with high cloud, with some occasional hazy glimpses of sunshine and a moderate W/NW wind force 4, whilst just about staying dry.

Elmer Rocks: Gulls were the main feature this morning, though otherwise it was all fairly quiet. A large mixed flock of gulls was offshore, out towards the horizon and too far to identify, although at least 3 Gannets were offshore with them, occasionally plunge-diving for fish. The main action however was around the rocks and beach at Poole Place, where at least 500 Black-headed Gulls and up to 250 Mediterranean Gulls were assembled. I counted 5 white-ringed Med Gulls and one yellow-ringed juvenile in one small group and took a range of photos, but the truth is most won't be clear enough to submit details, despite zooming up. Other sightings this morning included a Whimbrel and a Dunlin flying W offshore, a Sandwich Tern heading E, 4 Oystercatchers on the rocks, 10 Linnets and a Kestrel in the set-aside and 8 Swifts high up.

Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls, Elmer Rocks and (below) white-ringed Med Gull, probably 3VYR

Monday, 22nd July: A fairly miserable damp and grey day, with cloud persisting most of the time and frequent periods of light drizzle, in a fresh W/SW wind force 5.

Elmer Rocks: A brief watch this morning was almost a waste of time, with very little happening in the blustery conditions. A Sandwich Tern went east, two Green Woodpeckers were on the back of the beach and two Swallows were around, before I called it a day.

Sunday, 21st July: Mainly cloudy though remaining dry, with a few spells of hazy brightness and a moderate breeze, W/NW 3-4.

Barnham Brooks - Lidsey area: A short visit, to where there was still a small area of remaining flood. Three Shoveler were my first of the autumn and there were also 3 Teal, plus 6 Little Egrets, but the best was a Wood Sandpiper, together with 3 Green Sandpipers and a Common Sandpiper. They could often be difficult to see however, when obscured in thick vegetation, and a photo proved beyond me due to the distance and conditions.

11th - 20th July 2024

Saturday, 20th July: A rather muggy and cloudy day, remaining dry with a milky grey sky and a fairly light southerly breeze.

Bilsham farm area: On the reservoir there were 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Grebes and 34 Coots, but around the edges amongst a mixed flock of gulls was a sub-adult (probably 3rd-summer) Yellow-legged Gull.

Around the area were ten House Martins and four Swallows, plus two Pied Wagtails, three Whitethroats, a Yellowhammer and the first returning Stonechat.

Common Sandpiper on the reservoir and Stonechat at Bilsham farm

Yellow-legged Gull (centre rear): These two very poor record shots were the best I could manage in the circumstances before it departed; note the much darker grey mantle compared to nearby silvery grey Herring Gull, whilst the dull pinky-yellow legs don't really show up here, nor do the facial features. 

Friday, 19th July:  A splendid summer's day of warm sunshine, blue skies and a little high cloud, with a light to moderate SE breeze 2-3 just holding the temperature down a few degrees along the coast.

Elmer Rocks: An early visit this morning before the beachgoers arrived in force. It was as expected fairly quiet, but 14 Sandwich Terns were logged (all but two going E) and 4 Common Terns also headed eastwards, whilst a Gannet and a Little Egret flew W. On the rock islands, 11 Oystercatchers were roosting on the high tide, and the first returning Turnstone of the autumn* was also present. (*Note to non-birders: you may think that summer hasn't even really started, but already to some wading birds and wildfowl it is autumn migration time. The first birds start their return passage from their breeding grounds in the high Arctic about now - the earliest often being unsuccessful or failed breeders).

Behind the beach were 8 Linnets, a small flock of Goldfinches, a couple of Greenfinches and 5 Swifts high over the fields. Starlings are much more numerous now with several flocks of 100+ in the area, often dominated by noisy juveniles.

Common Terns passing east off Elmer Rocks

The first returning Turnstone (in summer plumage) was rather unobliging. and (below) Starling flocks are building now, often dominated by noisy juvenile birds.

Thursday, 18th July: Another cloudy start, with even a few drops of rain, before becoming fine, warm and sunny, with a little cloud but a moderate E/SE breeze force 3-4, just taking the edge off the temperature.

Elmer Rocks: There were two large flocks of gulls way offshore, with birds clearly feeding in a bit of a frenzy, amongst them being perhaps a dozen Mediterranean Gulls and four Sandwich Terns, whilst another eight of the latter - including two juveniles - were patrolling back and forth near the rock islands, occasionally diving for fish. Two Grey Herons flew east over the sea, quite a way out, and on the rock islands six Oystercatchers were roosting at high tide. Flocks of post-breeding Black-headed Gulls are now to be found regularly, with increasing numbers of juveniles amongst them. A flock of 5 Sand Martins flew E over the sea, two Swallows were over the fields and a Chiffchaff and a Whitethroat briefly sang from the hotspot corner area.

(above) Juvenile (left) and adult (with fish in bill) Sandwich Terns off Elmer Rocks and (below) Juvenile Sandwich Tern

(above) Grey Heron flying east offshore at Elmer Rocks and (below) juvenile Black-headed Gull on the beach

Lidsey area: A brief visit to the area around the remaining floods produced four Little Ringed Plovers, although they were often obscured by waterside vegetation and impossible to photograph! The usual Mallards, Lapwings and Little Egrets were present, but there little else of note.

Wednesday, 17th July: A bit grey and humid at first, but steadily improving to become a much better day; dry, with prolonged sunshine, some high wispy cloud and a light SSW breeze 2-3.

Shripney: A look around the area produced three Great Spotted Woodpeckers - apparently a family party - dropping onto the grassy footpath presumably to feed on ants, before returning to the hedgerow for a short while and then dropping down again. Nearby, a male Yellowhammer was singing and a Whitethroat gave a short burst of song. The highlight though was at the small reservoirs, where a total of five Little Ringed Plovers were located. Eight Swallows were feeding over the area, where a single Gadwall was the only bird on the water.

Singing Yellowhammer and juvenile Little Ringed Plover at Shripney

Lidsey WTW & area: In the damp fields behind the works there were six Little Egrets and 30+ Mallards but little else of note. On the private reservoir, the female Tufted Duck was still present with all of her brood of nine still accounted for, whilst two other Tufteds, eight Little Grebes and ten Mallard were also there. No waders were located here today, but several Swallows were feeding above.

Bilsham farm: I was pleased to note that a pair of Swallows is nesting in a barn along Bilsham Lane. At the reservoir there were two Common Sandpipers, a Tufted Duck, a Little Grebe, a Great Crested Grebe and the two Mallards with broods, whilst a couple of Sand Martins and Swallows were feeding over the water. The number of post-breeding Coots is gradually increasing, with 32 counted today.

Great Crested Grebe with Coots and Common Sandpiper at Bilsham reservoir

Tuesday, 16th July: A night of heavy, often torrential, showers and early morning rain, giving way to yet more cool and unseasonal conditions, with heavy grey cloud, a few glimpses of the sun and occasional drizzly showers into the afternoon, driven on by a fresh W/SW wind force 4-5.

Barnham Brooks - Lidsey area: We're into the second half of July now and so should very soon be seeing some returning waders starting to appear. This morning there was perhaps a sign of this noticeable trickle, with 2 Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank and a Little Ringed Plover in and around the replenished floods. Six Sand Martins - also early autumn migrants - were feeding around the area, plus about 4 House Martins and at least a dozen Swifts high up.

Several hundred Black-headed Gulls were present, with the occasional Mediterranean Gull amongst them, whilst c.50 Mallards were loafing around the reedy margins with 20 or so Lapwings. Two rival Blackcaps in one area were fairly close to each other and still singing repeatedly, with a juvenile Song Thrush in a bush between them and several Reed Warblers gave brief bits of song.

This juvenile and probably recently-fledged Song Thrush looks somewhat startled with a Blackcap singing each side of it!

Bilsham farm: There were 4 Common Sandpipers around the reservoir this morning, whilst Coot numbers had risen to 26, and the Little Grebe, female Tufted Duck and 2 Mallards with their respective broods, all seen on my last visit, were still present. Several Sand Martins and House Martins were also here and a male Yellowhammer was singing from the hedgerow nearby.

Monday, 15th July: Quite a pleasant start, with hazy sunshine, high cloud and just a light E/SE breeze; however, soon changing to heavy grey cloud and becoming cooler as the wind picked up to a brisk SE force 4-5, with the threat of rain, which was soon to arrive.

Elmer Rocks: With heavy rain forecast from mid-morning, an early visit to the beach and a bit of sea-watching seemed the best option. There was however very little to be found and just a few of the regular species were recorded, the meagre best being 8 Sandwich Terns going west. A small number of Mediterranean Gulls were back and forth along the beach, most eventually heading inland to feed in the fields. A Little Egret was along the shoreline before being disturbed and heading W, whilst a female Kestrel was along the back of the beach and hunting in the set-aside, and 3 Swifts and 2 Swallows were feeding high above. Other species seen included Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Linnet, Greenfinch and Buzzard (2).

Sandwich Tern and Kestrel on a quiet day at Elmer Rocks

Sunday, 14th July: A lovely start to the day, sunny, quite warm and almost still with just a faint NE breeze, before the cloud thickened and the wind freshened to a moderate SW force 4.

Elmer Rocks: I started with a brief early morning visit - before most of the beach-goers and walkers were around - on a beautiful morning with a high tide and a flat, glassy sea. There were 4 Little Egrets feeding together around the rock islands, but little movement over the sea, apart from a single Sandwich Tern and about a dozen Mediterranean Gulls heading W. A Green Woodpecker was flushed from the vegetated shingle at the back of the beach, a Swallow passed through and a snatch of Whitethroat song was heard, before my half-hour had passed and it was time to move on.

Lidsey area: The sewage works (WTW) produced nothing other than lots of Starlings (many juveniles) feeding on the filter pans, but a nearby private reservoir was more interesting, the highlight being a female Tufted Duck with a brood of 9 ducklings, (with 4 other adult Tufteds also present). The pair of Coots that have nested here now have 2 young, whist there were also 6 Little Grebes, a pair of which have 2 well-grown young. The remaining floods in another part of the area held 3 Teal, 20 Lapwings and at least 250 Black-headed Gulls, including up to 20 juveniles.

Female Tufted with her brood of 9 ducklings at Lidsey farm (yes, nine...count the 'double heads'). Although common enough at certain times of year, this is actually a scarce breeder in the County.

Bilsham farm: Most interest was around the reservoir today, where there were 3 Common Sandpipers, a Little Grebe, a single Tufted Duck, 2 Mallards with their broods and 22 Coots, a resident pair of which were feeding their 2 young. Nearby in the fields, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was amongst a mixed flock of gulls. 

Coot with young and Common Sandpiper at Bilsham farm reservoir

Thursday, 11th July: A dry and mainly sunny day, with some high cloud and a light to moderate NW breeze force 2, veering SW 3-4 later.

Shripney: A farm reservoir held a Little Ringed Plover, a couple of Coots and a Pied Wagtail this morning, whilst nearby were a pair of Mute Swans with a brood of cygnets and a Yellowhammer singing from a hedgerow,

Bilsham farm: There were 2 Common Sandpipers around the reservoir edges, as were 2 Pied Wagtails, whilst on the water were a Little Grebe, 2 Mallards with their broods and 16 Coots - the pair nesting on the floats now showing off their newly-hatched young. A mixed gathering of gulls included 2 freshly arrived juvenile Black-headed Gulls, but little else of note was seen, just a pair of Buzzards, a Yellowhammer and 2 Swallows.

Common Sandpiper at Bilsham farm

1st - 10th July 2024

Wednesday, 10th July: Much better today; grey and cloudy at first and just about remaining dry, giving way to brighter conditions with sunny periods and some warmth, still with a fresh SW breeze force 4-5 and fast-moving clouds.

Elmer Rocks: I made a brief early visit of under an hour, when it was found to be quiet again with just a few bits and pieces of interest. Two Gannets, 12 Oystercatchers and a single Curlew went W, whilst 2 Sandwich Terns were offshore and several Mediterranean Gulls were on he beach.

 

Barnham Brooks: I checked the Brooks including some of the outer areas, which produced the highlights of the day in the form of 3 Green Sandpipers and 2 colourful Black-tailed Godwits (of the islandica race) on a bit of remaining flood. Also logged were a flock of 20 Lapwings, c15 Swifts, 4 Sand Martins and a Kestrel. Most of the breeding birds have now gone silent, but brief bits of song were heard from Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Skylark, Reed Warbler and Blackcap.

There seemed to be plenty of butterflies on the wing today, including my first Painted Lady and Comma of the year, several Gatekeepers and Marbled Whites.

The outer areas and footpaths of Barnham Brooks (above) produced plenty of butterflies, including Comma (below) and Painted Lady (bottom)

Tuesday, 9th July: Dry but cloudy early on, soon becoming a miserable and overcast morning of persistent light rain with a light Southerly breeze 2-3, increasing to a moderate force 4-5 later, with heavier rain.

Elmer Rocks: The weather was worse than anticipated, with the light rain persisting far longer than indicated by the forecast that I saw, proving just enough to be irritating! It was again fairly quiet, but 30+ Mediterranean Gulls were present and there was a small flurry of c.200 Black-headed Gulls moving W in small flocks - presumably post-breeding movements as birds disperse.

Two Gannets went E offshore, whilst 6 Sandwich Terns went W, as did a small flock of 3 Whimbrel, calling as they went. Along the shoreline, 4 Little Egrets were feeding around the rockpools on the low tide with several Oystercatchers. There was little else of note; the resident Kestrel was around the back of the beach, 8 Swifts were high up over the fields, a Whitethroat was briefly singing from Poole Place, with 4 Linnets were on the wires nearby.

Whimbrels flying W off Elmer Rocks, calling as they went.

Monday, 8th July: Cloudy with rain overnight and into the first half of the morning, before eventually becoming drier, with a light SE breeze 2-3.

Elmer Rocks: Not too much to report on a quiet morning, but a few things of interest. Six Sandwich Terns were back and forth offshore, whilst 30 post-breeding Mediterranean Gulls were present - including a juvenile bird. A Little Egret flew E, a flock of 12 Oystercatchers dropped in to roost on the rocks and a Kestrel which was hunting along the back of the beach was unceremoniously driven off by the local Carrion Crows.  A Chiffchaff gave a weak bit of song from 'hotspot corner' and a Greenfinch and 4 Linnets were on the telegraph wires for a while.

Mediterranean Gulls at Elmer Rocks. These all appear to be adult birds, with the exception of one juvenile (brown bird). It is normal for such post breeding (= after breeding) groups to appear soon after leaving their nesting colony.

As above, but the brown juvenile is readily obvious in this view. Note also a Sandwich Tern with the group (2nd bird right from the juvenile).

View of the Selsey Peninsula from Elmer Rocks. The good visibility today showed the area well, with Selsey Bill situated at its very tip. I have spent many years birding here and still visit to this day, but this view clearly shows how the Bill projects several miles into the sea from the main Sussex coastline and why many of the birds that pass there are just too far out to observe from our local patch, which is effectively sheltered in a bay.

Sunday, 7th July: An unseasonably cool, grey and miserable morning, dry early on but soon giving way to heavy showers and fairly persistent rain with a brisk W/SW wind force 5-6, eventually becoming drier and a bit brighter later, with the odd sunny spell.

Bilsham farm: I didn't get out until the afternoon, once the rain had eased and the sun came out for a while, though it remained very blustery......

There were at least 40 Swifts in the area, feeding mainly high up over the reservoir and surrounding area, whilst a dozen or more House Martins were feeding there too, together with a surprising 6 Sand Martins, presumably early returning migrants, but only 2 Swallows. On the water were 16 Coots (including the nesting pair) and the 2 Mallards with broods of young; 2 Pied Wagtails were also feeding around the water's edge. A brief bit of Chiffchaff and Yellowhammer song was heard around the hedgerows, but there was little else to report.

A bit of a struggle to get any sort of image in the blustery conditions, but (above) House Martin and (lower two) Sand Martins

Friday, 5th July: A wet, cool and miserable start to the morning, with a very grey, overcast sky and heavy rain, easing slowly to fine drizzle in a strong and persistent W/SW wind force 5-6/7 and a few intermittent drier spells. 

Elmer Rocks: A morning that felt more like late autumn than mid-summer and I didn't venture out until the rain eased, doing a sea watch for an hour and a half from around 1000hrs. Visibility wasn't great, with periods of drizzle closing down the view at times, and the only highlight was 7 Common Terns (including a flock of 5) moving W just behind the rock islands....were they dispersing and already departing I wondered! Three Gannets also went W offshore, whilst a couple of Oystercatchers were forced off from their roost on the rocks by a rough sea and heavy waves, before I called it a day with the drizzle closing in again. 

Common Tern heading west off Elmer Rocks

Thursday, 4th July: A bright and breezy day, with sunshine, blue sky and white cloud, but still with a brisk and rather cool wind, WNW force 4-5.

Elmer Rocks: There was no sign of the Common Scoter this morning and little activity over the sea, except for a single Curlew that flew W close in, and a large and very distant flock of feeding gulls, right out on the horizon, whilst 7 Oystercatchers were roosing on the rock islands. 

Behind the beach, a gathering of c.25 Swifts were high up and feeding, well behind the Poole Place area, and a pair of local Buzzards were soaring, to which a pair of Kestrels took exception with a bit of mobbing. A Green Woodpecker was feeding in the set-aside, whilst nearby a Stock Dove was calling monotonously from its presumed nesting area, as was a Chiffchaff.

It was pleasing to note that a small pod of Dolphins (say around 5 animals) was again present, quite well offshore, and although they could occasionally be seen fairly well (with binoculars) breaching and splashing, trying to get any sort of photo was another matter! The Grey Seal was also present, bobbing around the rock islands from time to time.

Oystercatchers at Elmer Rocks and (Bottle-nosed) Dolphins well offshore - the best images I could manage!

Wednesday, 3rd July: Dull and cloudy again and still with below average temperatures for the time of year, with a moderate WSW wind 3-4 and a few sunny breaks later.

Elmer Rocks: A short visit of about an hour this morning, when it was as expected rather quiet. The Common Scoter was eventually re-found, but it was more distant today, viewed from the Poole Place rocks and some way offshore on the Climping side. Just a single Sandwich Tern flew E during my visit, whilst 3 Mediterranean Gulls were offshore and 4 Oystercatchers were roosting on the rock islands. A Blackcap and a Whitethroat briefly sang from vegetation around the set-aside corner (which I have dubbed 'hotspot corner' - an appropriate name for this little area which becomes a magnet to migrating birds and other wildlife during migration periods. All credit to farmer James Baird for seeing its true value).

The set-aside area at Elmer, close to the small rife, which I have dubbed 'hotspot corner' due to its attractiveness to migrating and breeding birds and other species. Note that this is prvate farmland (I do have permission from the farmer should you see me there) and benefits from a lack of human and animal disturbance, so do please try and respect our own little nature reserve.

Bilsham farm: There was a gathering of larger gulls on the fields and amongst them was a fine couple of Mediterranean Gulls. On the reservoir, 2 female Pochard were unexpected, whilst more regular were Coots (14, including the nesting pair), Mallards (2 females, each with 3 young) and a single Little Grebe.

At Bilsham farm, 2 Mediterranean Gulls on the fields and 2 female Pochards on the reservoir

Tuesday, 2nd July: Another dry, grey, cloudy and cool start with a moderate to brisk N/NW breeze force 4-5; becoming brighter and warmer through the morning - especially in sheltered spots - but with plenty of cloud remaining.

Elmer Rocks: There were a few birds to maintain the interest this morning, the most surprising being a drake Common Scoter loitering just offshore from the rock islands (east end) on the high tide. It may perhaps have been a moulting individual, but it eventually drifted off E towards Climping beach. There was little actually moving offshore except 10 Sandwich Terns (2E, 8W) which included a tight flock of 6 together over the rock islands, whilst 3 Oystercatchers were roosting on the rocks.

At the back of the beach, 3 juvenile Swallows were again on the telegraph wires, awaiting a visit from their parents, and also on the wires were 2 Greenfinch and a family of Linnets. A male Blackcap was seen and heard in the set-aside corner and a single Whitethroat gave a brief burst of song.

Two views of the drake Common Scoter off Elmer Rocks....note the yellowish tone to the bill (upper mandible) - and although the camera has produced a rather orangey tone, it actually appeared more golden yellow in the field. Note also the obvious swelling, or 'knob', at the base of the bill, which suggests an adult bird.

Two of the three Swallows on the telegraph wires this morning, and (bottom) male Linnet (lowest bird) with juveniles, on the same wires. 

Monday, 1st July: A very grey morning and feeling unseasonably cool early on, before gradually warming up in the moderate W/NW breeze 3-4.

A brief review: This local blog started at the beginning of the year and has now reported on the local birdlife for a full 6 month period. I always planned to review things at this time, so herewith a few words on how I see it unfolding in the future. It would be fair to say I'm very pleased with the results so far and have certainly enjoyed the local birding scene. I have tried to make my reports of interest to both regular birders and local people with perhaps just a passing interest in nature - indeed it was the interest from locals that inspired this blog in the first place. The number of people using and visiting the site online has increased steadily and justifies the effort that is involved. I'm grateful for the interest shown and the personal responses from people I meet, which makes it worthwhile for me. 

So you're all aware, I try to ensure that any local observations I make are duly reported on the blog the same day if at all possible....not several days after, as with some sites I have seen! There will of course be some days when no reports appear and this may for various reasons; perhaps birding elsewhere off the patch, or some unavoidable commitment or even holidays, etc....but be assured I'm always keen to put out the local news as soon as possible thereafter.

You will all know by now that I'm no photographer; point and shoot and hope for the best with a bridge camera is my normal method, but I do at least try to get an image or two to highlight the events of the day. I have established a user-friendly style for my Blogger output which I hope has become familiar with regular readers, whilst the two-colour text helps distinguish the areas of observation (light blue for the MoS parish and green for elsewhere). 

I've enjoyed exploring the various areas within the 5 Km patch and some nice species have already been recorded, so it will be interesting to see what the second half of the year holds. Meanwhile, I'm grateful for the continuing interest in this blog, so on we go...do please spread the word!

Yours truly, sea-watching a couple of years ago...ah yes, the famous old two-hat trick to avoid the sun!