11th - 13th March 2025

Thursday, 13th March:  A rather mixed day; notably cool again with a moderate and chilly N/NE wind force 4, with heavy grey cloud and lighter cloud, interspersed with some periods of sunshine breaking through at times, whilst remaining dry except for just a few brief spots of rain.

A message to all - possible hacking: I am able to track the number of 'page hits' of people viewing this blog, which shows as anticipated most interest is from the UK, with a number of alleged viewers from various places across the world. However, very recently, I have noticed an unusually large number of viewings, apparently originating from Germany, which seems rather odd.

I wish to make it clear that this blog is entirely free and will always remain so. There is no sales pitch or adverts. It may be that I will need to close/re-boot the blog for a short while, we'll see, but in the meantime if anyone notices anything unusual, allegedly from me, please proceed with caution and advise.

Elmer Rocks: It felt like back to winter again on a cold morning along the beach, but at least the sea was fairly calm and there were spells of sunshine. As might be expected in a northerly wind, migration was almost non-existent, although on my arrival two Chiffchaffs singing from the tamarisk hedges around the Kiosk were clearly new in. There was nothing really moving offshore except for a couple of distant Gannets, but there were more birds then usual on the water, presumably  pre-dispersal gatherings before heading off to the breeding grounds in the near future. A number of waders also gathered on and around the rock islands as the high tide approached, as below:

Gannet - 2W

Great Crested Grebe - 20 o/s

Brent Goose - 2W

Red-breasted Merganser - 14 o/s

Sanderling - 18

Grey Plover - 9

Turnstone - 50+

Oystercatcher - 43

Chiffchaff - 2

Greenfinch - 2 behind beach in set-aside

Song Thrush - 1

Great Crested Grebes off Elmer Rocks; at least 20 present this morning

(above) Grey Plovers on the rocks and (lower two) Sanderlings on the beach

Two Brent Geese heading west were the only ones seen this morning

Wednesday, 12th March: Cool and cloudy again, with a few hazy and brighter periods late morning, before becoming rather grey with some heavy cloud by afternoon and even the odd few spots of rain, in a moderate NW breeze force 4.

Lidsey WTW and area: A look around the area produced a Yellowhammer, two singing Greenfinches, a couple of Pied Wagtails and two Chiffchaffs, whilst three different Cetti's Warblers were singing in competition in a comparatively small area. On a small reservoir were two Little Grebes, 42 Gadwall, nine Teal, seven Tufted Ducks and eight Mallard, then a herd of 21 Mute Swans flew past heading west, presumably local birds re-locating as spring approaches.

(above) Gadwall and (below) four drake Tufted Ducks with a pair of Gadwall at Lidsey

I then checked out another part of the Lidsey area, and first bird up was a Red Kite soaring above, albeit quite high, before it drifted away. There were also at least two Common Buzzards displaying and two Sparrowhawks were probably paired. On a partly flooded area a fair number of ducks were gathered, especially Teal, where I logged at least 180, but also present were ten Wigeon, two Shoveler, two Pintail and a few Mallard, plus 25 Lapwings. Two more Chiffchaffs were also present.

drake Pintail with drake Shoveler at Lidsey this morning

Bilsham farm: The reservoir proved to be very quiet again, with just eight Mallard and five Tufted Ducks, whilst Coot numbers were down to 24 with most birds having left to establish breeding territories elsewhere.

My highlight today though was finding a Little Owl in the general area, but as it is likely to be breeding at this time, I regret no further details can be given.

Little Owl at an undisclosed site this morning

Tuesday, 11th March: A notably chilly morning as the wind changed to a fresh NE 4-5, with plenty of cloud and some periods of hazy brightness, though remaining dry.

Elmer Rocks: It was back to cool weather again as the wind swung round to the north, so it was never going to be good for migrants. However, I decided to give it a couple of hours looking at the sea and checking the beach, just in case, but there was predictably little to report....

Gannet - 1E, 3W

Diver sp - 1E

Great Crested Grebe - 1E, 2o/s

Red-breasted Merganser - 1E, 6o/s

Common Scoter - 1W

Pintail - 2E

Teal - 1W

Turnstone - present; no count but considerably fewer than yesterday

Sanderling - present; no count, just a few

Oystercatcher - 12 

Chiffchaff - 1 singing

R/b Mergansers, a bit distant off Elmer Rocks this morning; just half a dozen or so remain now 

7th - 10th March 2025

Monday, 10th March: A fairly warm morning, though generally cloudy, but a bit of hazy sun breaking through at times with just a light NE breeze, backing SE later. 

Elmer Rocks: There was almost no passage offshore again, and the only birds of interest on the sea were a few Red-breasted Mergansers (3E & 5o/s), Great Crested Grebes (1E & 4o/s) and a single Shelduck which dropped in o/s. However, it was Turnstones that dominated this morning, with an abundance of birds in small groups along the shoreline at high tide, from Elmer to Atherington. It wasn't practical to try an exact count, but a fair estimate would be at least 120, with c.50 Sanderlings and a dozen Oystercatchers for company. A newly-arrived Chiffchaff was also singing from bushes at Poole Place.

All birders look forward to the first arrivals of migrants, and this morning several early Wheatears were reported from other coastal sites in the county. Try as I may, I was not able to find my first of the spring on the patch, despite a good look; disappointing but I guess it won't be too long now!

Turnstones stole the show this morning, in the absence of anything scarcer...

Climping Gap: Shortly after noon, a message was received telling of another early migrant and first for the year - a Little Ringed Plover - having been found on a partly flooded area at Atherington (per C Nye). To cut the story short, I visited the site early afternoon, but there was no sign of it, so a second disappointment for the day. There were a few other species around in the set-aside, including 20+ Linnets, a dozen Meadow Pipits, a few Skylarks and then in one of the back fields a nice male Reed Bunting.

male Reed Bunting at Climping Gap

Saturday, 8th March: Quite hazy at times with sunshine and cloud, but remaining dry, with a moderate to fresh E/SE breeze 4-5.

Lidsey area: I was otherwise engaged for much of the morning on a monthly wildfowl count at Chichester gravel pits, but later made a couple of fairly brief visits to a couple of sites on the local patch. Bird of the morning was present just as I arrived - a male Marsh Harrier - but it quickly disappeared almost immediately and did not return. The flooded area held 12 Mute Swans, c.80 Teal, four Pintail, eight Wigeon and a dozen Shoveler, plus three Little Egrets, three Grey Herons and 20 Lapwings. As I scanned the reedy area a single Common Snipe could be seen, fairly close but partly obscured by vegetation and relying on its camouflaged plumage, whilst a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk were also seen.

The only waders present of the flooded area were 20 Lapwings on the water's edge with a Grey Heron (above) and a single Snipe (below) hidden in a reedy area.

Bilsham farm: Disappointingly quiet today, with most of the wildfowl now gone, and all I could find were three Tufted Ducks, two Mallard and 32 Coots, plus a Yellowhammer in the hedgerows.

Friday, 7th March: Hazy brightness with cloud and sunny spells through the morning, though feeling quite cool in a fresh SE breeze, force 4. Cloud increasing by afternoon, with the odd shower at times, though staying mainly dry.

Elmer Rocks: Conditions looked promising for migration this morning and I was hoping for some early inbound migrants, but in the event it was decidedly slow, with flocks of Brent Geese again being the only highlight. There were several flocks at various ranges, but as I was getting ready to leave at about 10:45hrs two very distant flocks were just about visible, joining up to make one long. wavering line along the horizon....spectacular, but it was not possible to accurately count, so my rough estimate of c.200 may well be an underestimate. I reckon therefore I logged at least 320 between 08:30-11:00hrs. There must also have been other movements just too far out to sea to see!! 

Apart from the above, I could find only a single Great Crested Grebe and four Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. The tide was low and the rockpools held 60+ Turnstones and 15 Sanderlings, whilst four Mallard flew over The only other bird of any note was a male Kestrel hunting over the set-aside area behind the beach; it showed well, frequently hovering, hunting and dropping down until eventually successful.

Brent Geese passing Elmer Rocks; c.55 birds above and 39 in the lower image

Male Kestrel hovering and hunting over the set-aside area, and (below) dropping down onto prey

4th - 6th March 2025

Thursday, 6th March: A misty, hazy start and not as chilly as the last few days, the sun breaking through to give a lovely early spring day, with blue skies, high wispy cloud and a fairly light SSE breeze 2-3.

Elmer Rocks: After the foggy white-out of yesterday it was a joy to be out in the sunshine, which felt pleasantly warm in sheltered spots. Species numbers recorded were low today, but it was all about Brent Geese this morning, with the first obvious migration underway and a proper easterly movement, albeit some were difficult to see at distance against the misty horizon. I logged a total of 264E, but doubtless missed some whilst looking around the patch. 

Amongst one of the goose flocks moving were c.15 Pintail mixed in, but the glaring sun and background murkiness made an exact count - or photo - impossible. These apart, there was nothing else moving through that I could discern, but three Great Crested Grebes, two Red-breasted Mergansers and a Grey Seal were offshore behind the rock islands. The tide was well out and several small flocks of Turnstone and Sanderling were back and forth, but no count made today. The only passerines of any note were a Chiffchaff, a Song Thrush and a couple of Skylarks.

Brent Goose migration underway, a fine sight in early spring. (above) Note the misty horizon, whilst (lower two) conditions have cleared a bit, with the birds now a little closer. 

Tuesday, 4th March: Yet another cold and frosty start, followed by a lovely sunny day, with just a light SW breeze.

Barnham Brooks - Lidsey: A couple of hours spent this morning on the Brooks, concentrating mainly on the Lidsey side, where a flooded field still remains to draw in some wildfowl. There were 130 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 20 Pintail, a few Mallard, a courting pair of Mute Swans, a Little Egret and 16 Lapwings on or around the flood, whilst in the surrounding area were two Stonechats (a pair), a singing Reed Bunting, two Cetti's Warblers, two Chiffchaffs (one singing), 40 Goldfinch and two Kestrels.  A couple of Mediterranean Gulls also flew over, giving their distinctive call.

Courting Mute Swans and (below) Teal on the floods

(above) Pintail (foreground) with Wigeon, and Stonechat (below)

1st - 3rd March 2025

Monday, 3rd March: Another sharp frost this morning, leading into a crisp, bright and sunny day, with blue skies and just a light NE breeze.

Elmer Rocks: There was virtually nothing moving through on passage this morning, although on the calm sea at low tide there were 24 Red-breasted Mergansers, dotted about, in twos and threes and at varying ranges, with most of the males now attempting some display, whilst three Great Crested Grebes were far more sedate. Waders were again the most numerous feature; 45 Oystercatchers dropped in to rest on the rock islands awhile, a large mixed flock of Turnstones and Sanderlings also appeared - consisting of about 40 of each - to be joined later by other stragglers (one hopping about on just one leg), and four Ringed Plovers were also feeding on the beach.

In the set-aside adjoining the beach, a single Chiffchaff was present and singing occasionally; this was probably an early migrant as none have been present here for some weeks now, two rival Song Thrushes were again duetting, and several Linnets were flying around, but otherwise there was nothing of note.

Oystercatchers dropped onto the rocks to rest for a while this morning

Sanderlings at Elmer Rocks; the above 'normal' bird was feeding on the beach, whilst the two images below show an unfortunate one-legged bird that had to rapidly hop (as immediately below) to keep up with its congeners that were running, before eventually resting (bottom image).

Sunday, 2nd March: A hard frost to start, giving way to a mainly sunny day again, with a fairly light but chilly E/SE breeze.

Shripney area: In the fields, a count of the wintering herd of Mute Swans produced a total of 52 birds, though doubtless these numbers will soon decline as adults move to their breeding sites. On the small reservoirs nearby were seven Tufted Ducks, six Mallard, two Shelduck and a Little Grebe. Along the hedgerows there were 10 Linnets, a couple of Greenfinches and two Chiffchaffs, whilst a small flock of c.30 Starlings fooled me for a while with a parakeet impression!

Starling at Shripney; I thought I heard the screech of a parakeet until I realised it was Starlings mimicking....but what attractive birds they are with their iridescent plumage reflecting the sunlight.

Bilsham farm: There were c.20 Mute Swans distantly viewable from the reservoir this afternoon, whilst on the water were just seven Tufted Ducks, two Gadwall, three Mallard, two Little Grebes and 34 Coots.

Duck numbers continue to fall and there were just seven Tufted Ducks left on the reservoir this morning, whilst below, a sure sign that spring is just around the corner with this bank of primroses now out.

Saturday, 1st March: Another cold and frosty start, leading to a bright and sunny day, with some scattered cloud and just a light to moderate NE breeze force 3.

Lidsey WTW area: Quite spring-like conditions for the first day of meteorological spring, so before leaving to go birding off the patch, I made a short visit here this morning, where I was pleased to find my first Green Sandpiper of the year at the small reservoir. Also present were five Tufted Ducks, six Shoveler, 15 Teal, six Gadwall and two Little Grebes. The hedgerows all around the WTW and the footpath seemed to be alive with Chiffchaffs feeding on insects in the morning sunshine; I counted at least 30 but doubtless there were others unseen and several were singing, whilst c.20 Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail were also present.

(above) Green Sandpiper at the small reservoir this morning and (below) a drake Gadwall (bottom left) and two pairs of Shoveler.

Chiffchaff and Robin feeding on the ground near the WTW

27th - 28th February 2025

Friday, 28th February: A bright, clear morning, cold enough for a touch of frost, with just a light NW breeze and prolonged sunshine through the day.

Elmer Rocks: An interesting morning with a bit of variety and a fair number of waders, on the late morning high tide. At least 18 Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore, with some displaying to each other, whilst three Red-throated Divers were also on the sea, eventually heading off east, followed by a fourth bird. Two Sandwich Terns then went steadily east; most likely they were from the small wintering population present on the Selsey Peninsula, although somehow they had that spring migration feel! Wader numbers built up as birds flew in to roost on the rock islands and surrounding beach, with peak total as follows: Turnstone - 120, Sanderling - 85, Oystercatcher - 24 and Grey Plover - 1.

Behind the beach it was nice to hear a couple of Skylarks singing over the fields in the almost spring-like weather and three different Green Woodpeckers were also seen. Then a Stonechat popped up along the lower path and telegraph wires near Poole Place, to be joined briefly by a surprise Black Redstart. A lady walker close by flushed both birds as she passed and although the Stonechat soon re-appeared, the Black Red flew over to the large pile of rocks and was then lost to view, not showing again before I departed.

Stonechat (above) Turnstones on the rocks and Red-breasted Merganser (bottom)

Thursday, 27th February: A dry, bright and fairly cool day, with sunny spells at times and a light-moderate NW breeze.

Climping Gap: An evening visit as dusk approached produced a Barn Owl, and possibly a second bird present in one area, whilst nearby on flooded fields a Lesser Black-backed Gull was amongst about 150 Herring Gulls and several Mallards. My thermal imager was put to good use later on, but there were few avian highlights, and a few Foxes and a couple of Badgers were the only sightings of interest.

24th - 26th February 2025

Wednesday, 26th February: A dry, overcast and cool start, very soon changing to light then heavier rain, with a strong W/SW wind 5-6, gusting to force 7.

Elmer Rocks: A fairly short sea-watch this morning and I just about squeezed in an hour before the conditions prompted me to leave. There was just a little movement though, with the highlight being my first Fulmar of the year here....

Red-throated Diver - 2E

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 4W

Brent Goose - 2E

Common Scoter - 5E, of which four dropped onto the sea

Red-breasted Merganser - 8 o/s, often chasing about back and forth

Oystercatcher - 4W, dropped onto the shore

Turnstone - 20+ W

Fulmar moving west of Elmer Rocks this morning

Mediterranean Gulls moving west, calling as they went, and (below) four Oystercatchers which dropped onto the shore

Tuesday, 25th February: The rain overnight continued passing through until after 09:00hrs, then subsided to give a bright day with sunny periods and some cloud, together with a fresh NW breeze force 4.

Barnham Brooks: The recent rains have now boosted the area, which until recently had been fairly dry and quite hard going. My circuit this morning took in much of the Lidsey side, where the floods had at last encouraged some wildfowl to drop in, with a variety consisting of 35 Pintail, c.20 Wigeon, c.40 Teal, 12 Mallard, 12 Shoveler and five Shelduck. Two Snipe were encountered in the damp fields, though doubtless there would have been more, and two Buzzards were occasionally disturbing the local gulls. There wasn't too much else to report, although four Chiffchaffs and two Cetti's Warblers were in the hedgerows and two rival Greenfinches were giving their wheezy song to each other at close quarters.

At last some floodwater to encourage the wildfowl at Barnham Brooks. Mixed duck species (above) over the floods; the majority shown in flight are Wigeon and Pintail, with Teal, Shoveler and Shelduck on the water.

The below two images show a pair of Pintail on the water (with another male looking on), and more Pintails in flight.

Monday, 24th February: Heavy rain overnight and into the early morning, before becoming showery, then easing as brightness and sunny spells eventually appeared. Generally breezy throughout, with a blustery W/SW wind force 5-6.

Elmer Rocks: My first day out birding for a few days, having been committed on non-birding matters over a long weekend, (well, since you asked, a soul music/dancing event on the Isle of Wight!) So, typically, it seems that the first early spring up-Channel movements of Brent Geese and ducks, especially Pintail, took place just as soon as I was away - and doubtless a good many went unrecorded locally. So be it, but hopefully there will be a good few more in the coming weeks.

This morning the old umbrella came into use for a while, but it was hardly worth it as there just wasn't much at all to record. Two flocks of Brent Geese - totalling 21 birds - went east quite high up, whilst five Red-breasted Mergansers were on the sea. A single Med Gull was on the beach amongst the regular gull species and as the tide began to fall 20 Oystercatchers were feeding along the rocky shore, together with 18 Sanderlings and a few Turnstones. The only other bird worthy of note was a Song Thrush singing in the rain from a thick bush in the hedgerow near Poole Place.

Brent Geese (top two) passing Elmer Rocks, whilst Sanderlings (two below) were running and feeding along the beach.

Bilsham farm: As the end of the winter approaches it's always worth a look at the reservoir, but there was no change since my last visit, with just 13 Tufted Ducks, two Little Grebes and 38 Coots present. It hasn't been a great winter here, so I'm hoping for an improvement when spring arrives.

Out on the Brooks, the distant herd of Mute Swans contained 24 roosting birds.

Tufted Ducks remain on the reservoir, but their numbers will soon decline as they move away to their breeding grounds.