4th - 5th September 2025

Friday, 5th September: A generally dry, fine and sunny day with some scattered cloud and feeling pleasantly warm later, in a moderate W/SW breeze.

Bilsham farm: Two Ravens were flying around the back fields, annoying the local crows, before settling to feed awhile but at some distance. On the reservoir there was an obvious influx of Little Grebes this morning, with at least 18 counted, together with a Great Crested Grebe. Also present were three Common Sandpipers, a drake Pochard, 20 Tufted Ducks and two Teal, Around the margins were a Grey Wagtail, two Pied Wagtails and a couple of Chiffchaffs on the perimeter hedge, whilst around 30 Swallows and 50 Sand Martins were feeding over the water.

Juvenile Common Sandpiper (above) and two presumed adults (below) on Bilsham reservoir this morning

An influx of at least 18 Little Grebes included this nine (above), whilst a distant Raven was feeding in the fields (excuse cropping and heat haze!)

Climping - Atherington: I stayed around the Atherington area finding a variety of migrants in the bushes and trees, but there just wasn't time to cover more ground or even the beach in the restricted time of under two hours available to me today. My highlights were three Spotted Flycatchers, a Whinchat, a Lesser Whitethroat, six Whitethroats, at least 12 Blackcaps, eight Chiffchaffs and five Willow Warblers (including one singing in the sunshine)....and also a Hummingbird Hawkmoth!

Spotted Flycatcher (above) and Whinchat at Atherington

Thursday, 4th September: Another really changeable day, with frequent heavy and squally showers all morning, pushed through with a near gale-force SW wind force 6-7, occasionally gusting 8, but also with brief periods of bright sunshine in-between.

Elmer Rocks: I managed nearly three hours sea-watching this morning, but it was more of a test of endurance rather than a productive session, with very little on the move, and none of the scarcer species hoped for after yesterday's stormy conditions. The meagre log for my efforts shows just Gannet - 24W, Common Gull - 1W, Mediterranean Gull - 1, Sandwich Tern - 8W, Oystercatcher - 2 and Ringed Plover - 22.....and, apart from the other regular gull species, that was it!

(above) Mediterranean Gull (1st-winter) and (below) Common Gull at Elmer Rocks