Little Terns added to year list.

Saturday 7th May 2022.

Above, Scorched Carpet moth and below, Least Black Arches at Cowplain Marshes this morning.

So surely we would get lucky today at being at one of the south coasts top seawatching sites, Selsey Bill and see our first Skua of the year? Right? Fat chance! Apparently, none went through this morning and a possible went through much later in the afternoon after Andy and myself had long left! However, we did get some ‘year-ticks’ under our belts with Andy getting both Little Tern and Sand Martin on his year list, while I just added the Little Tern. 

Above, Common Pug and below, May Highflyer also at Cowplain Marsh.

Work is still being carried out in my back garden and so no moth trap was put out overnight. However, Andy had his on overnight and we were rewarded with some nice moths. New for the year present here included a Scorched Carpet, Common Pug (2), Nut-tree Tussock, May Highflyer, Least Black Arches and the micro moths, Common Plume, Light Brown Apple Moth and Notocelia cynosbatella. There was also two Cockchafer beetles in attendance by the moth box.

Cockchafer Beetles by the moth box.

A Common Seal off Selsey Bill this morning.

Arriving at Selsey Bill around 9am, we decided to sit on one of the benches to watch what went through and though no Skua’s were seen, there was a bit of variety offshore including a lot of Terns fishing offshore. Sandwich, a few Common and a lot of Little Terns were seen passing through and probably catching fish and then heading off to Pagham Harbour . Several Gannets were noted with most flying west and at least 4 flocks of Common Scoter headed east. Other sightings here while enjoying a lovely cup of coffee from the little Kiosk nearby, included a pair of Great Crested Grebes heading low west over the sea; 2 individual Whimbrel flying east as was a single Bar-tailed Godwit and finally, a single Oystercatcher. Another bonus was the sighting of a couple of Green-veined White butterflies fluttering about  along  with a few Small and Large Whites among the Hoary Cress growing near the beach.

A flock of Common Scoter passing through eastbound.

A passing Spitfire entertaining the birders over the sea! 

A Green-veined White butterfly flying over the Hoary Cress by the beach. 

By 11am, things really began to fizzle out and what with jet skis going through and the tide being well out, it began  to get really quiet and so we decided to 'up-sticks' and make our way to Church Norton. Walking down the path to the harbour, a male Blackcap showed well in a dead tree , but little else of note around the Church yard. We managed to grab one of the benches overlooking the harbour and I got to work checking out the many waders on the mudflats. Unfortunately, there was no sign of yesterdays Curlew Sandpiper, but there were good numbers of Dunlin (in summer plumage), Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel and Ringed Plover. A few Turnstone were seen on the beach to the south and a few Curlew were further north in the harbour. 

The male Blackcap by the footpath leading to Pagham harbour.

One of many Whimbrel in the harbour.

 These summer-plumage Dunlin in the harbour. Heat haze was kicking in as the morning wore on.

Sandwich and Little Terns among the Black-headed Gulls in the harbour.

Again, there was a lot of Terns out in the harbour  resting on the mudflats that included Sandwich, Little and a single Common Tern and also good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls on both the mudflats and Tern Island. We then took a stroll around the Severals area and then took the path around Greenlease Farm area and back to the car park. Sightings along here included Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Mistle Thrush and Great Spotted Woodpecker, but nothing more exciting than that.

Ringed Plover and Dunlin in the harbour.

A Black-tailed Godwit on the Ferry Pool.

A Little Egret flying east over the Ferry Pool.  

A Marsh Frog on the small pool near the Hide.

Our next stop was to be Sidlesham Ferry Pool, but not before checking out the big pond on the way to the Hide. By the pond, I had my first female Hairy Dragonfly of the year and actually laying eggs, but grabbing a photo of the insects was proving difficult. I got much better luck when I managed to take some photos of the vocal Marsh Frog, which I lent my binoculars to an old lady to view the Frogs (my good deed for the day!) From the Hide, the only waders present in the pool were around 30+ Black-tailed Godwit, and singles of Avocet and Redshank. There was no sign of yesterdays drake Garganey, Whinchat or Wheatear out in the fields, however, a male Kestrel was hovering just south of the Ferry Pool So, it was time to go home and reflect on a relaxing mornings birding.

A family outing to Arundel WWT.

Monday 2nd May 2022.

The Kingfisher put in a special appearance for its many admirers here at Arundel. 

We paid a family visit to Arundel Wildfowl & Wetland Trust late this morning, a long overdue trip here, hoping to show our Isabelle the young Geese and ducks that could be on show at this wonderful place. Ok, it was a bit expensive to get in, but the entrance fee plus the Gift Aid is well spent on keeping this place up to date and as friendly as possible for all-comers. Not only is there plenty of wildfowl to look at, but a lot of wild birds inhabit this place and I even notched up my first House Martins of the year! 

Above, a juvenile Coot waiting to be fed by its parents. Below, this Sedge Warbler was seen singing near the entrance of the reserve.

Though we got lumbered with the entrance fee again, which kind of annoyed me, once inside, I kind of relaxed and started to enjoy all the birds present, naming most of the ducks to our Isabelle as she was desperate to feed the birds. The chap on reception said we could purchase the food on the complex, but we failed to find any facility that you could buy the food from. Instead, Russell bought some food from the Gift Shop instead. Around midday, we were all peckish and a rather expensive light meal, which Becky and I never paid for (!!!!!), was kindly bought by Sinead. Again, we were lucky with the weather for it remained mostly cloudy in the morning, but a lot brighter in the afternoon, which brought the insects out too.

Above, another photo of the same Sedge Warbler and below, a Canada Goose with her brood. 

There are plenty of Hides on the site of which Isabelle was more than happy to see what she could find using her own binoculars. I even let her use my camera now and then and her photos weren't all that bad either. Up to 6 species of Warbler were seen or heard including some very showy Sedge Warblers, plus sightings of Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and a Lesser Whitethroat that was frustratingly heard only, despite being about 5 feet away from it as it skulked about in a bramble.

Above, a nesting Oystercatcher on the reserve was a surprise. Below, a different Sedge Warbler showing well by the footpath.

Above, Lapwing were clearly visible on the reserve, but it was sad to see a Crow make off with one of the nesting birds eggs. But that is all part of mother nature and how cruel it can be. Below, a few Redshank were visible from one of the Hides. 

There were a few waders present including Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Redshank on the reserve, while ‘wild’ wildfowl included Pochard, Shoveler and a few Teal. A Kingfisher showed well at times and in one of the Hides, it posed nicely for a few photos. There was a family also sharing the Hide and they were interested for their daughter, who was in a wheelchair, to view the Kingfisher and so I showed the young lady an image of the bird from my camera. I think it made her day. As written earlier, a flock of Hirundines over the reserve were mostly Sand Martin and Swallows, but it did contain at least 3 House Martins; my 181st species of the year. 

Above, my first Blue-tailed Damselfly of the year. Below, a Yellow Iris in full bloom.

A one-legged Robin waiting to be fed by Isabelle. 

Both Common Buzzard and Red Kite were seen over the reserve and from the Hide overlooking to the north, at least 4 Red Kites could be seen over the Downs in the distance. Other birds noted included a couple of Grey Herons and some rather friendly Robins and Blackbirds, which our Isabelle enjoyed trying to feed. Away from birds, we did not spot any Grass Snakes or Water Voles unlike the last time we were here, but I did find my first Blue-tailed Damselfly of the year and quite a few St Marks Flies on the wing. Yes, we probably will not be back till the same time next year, but who knows? 

Our Isabelle enjoying birding in the Hides.

An elusive Blackcap within the Cemy.

Monday 2nd May 2022.

A male Blackbird holding territory in the north-east corner of the Cemetery.

Not a bad walk this morning as I took Scruff for a walk around Highland Road Cemetery before my family and myself headed off eastbound to Arundel Wildfowl Trust. Though overcast, with heavy low clouds, it was reasonably mild as Scruff and I took a leisurely slow walk around my local patch. It wasn't a bad species count as I notched up 21 species in all, including a singing Blackcap, the male Sparrowhawk and a surprise Song Thrush. I was hoping for a Hirundine over or maybe a Swift, but the latter species have still to arrive over Portsmouth.

Above, one of many Goldfinches seen this morning. This individual was checking out the roof on a house at the southern end of the Cemetery. Below, a showy Robin over on the east side.

There weren't too many insects on show today, probably due to the overcast conditions, but there were a few Hoverflies zipping about and the occasional Buff-tailed Bumble Bee was seen a few times. There  were plenty of wild flowers around including Creeping Buttercup, Daisy, Red Dead-nettle, Common Speedwell, Ribwort Plantain and the flowering Borage plant were all on show today.

Above, this acrobatic male House Sparrow was getting to grips with a TV Aerial and below, a few Hoverflies were on the wing early this morning.

The singing male Blackcap was heard only, choosing to hide deep within a large bush on the northern edge of the Cemetery. Although I waited patiently for around 5 minutes, the bird refused to give itself up and so I carried on my walk. Before the Blackcap, a Song Thrush flew up into one of the Chestnut trees and eventually flew off east. The male Sparrowhawk was seen perched high up in one of the Holm Oaks in the centre of the Cemetery and I was just about to take a photo, but the bird flew down and out of view. It was heard calling before I saw it and most likely trying to attract the female. Again, a pleasant early morning walk and now that the Cemetery does not now close till 8pm, I shall be taking some early evening walks with Scruff over the coming weeks. The following birds were seen or heard this morning within the Cemetery:

• Herring Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Lesser Black-backed Gull
• House Sparrow
• Starling
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Greenfinch
• Goldfinch
• Blackcap
• Song Thrush
• Blackbird
• Sparrowhawk
• Wren
• Dunnock
• Robin
• Blue Tit

 

Above, a record shot of the Lesser Black-backed Gull that came down to investigate why bread was being thrown down by some old lady. Yesterday, it was an old man feeding the Crows and today, it was an old lady feeding the Gulls within the Cemy! 

Kittiwake the highlight this morning.

Sunday 1st May 2022.

The Pale-bellied Brent Goose that sped through this morning. 

I was up for a sea-watch this morning, especially as the weather forecast looked promising today with East South-easterly winds predicted, but when I arrived at 6.30am this morning at the shelter at Gilkicker Point, the sea was dead flat and there was hardly a breath of wind. It was also a little gloomy over the Solent and rain was forecast for around midday. Could this bring in a nice movement of seabirds?

Oystercatchers heading east.

I wasn't on my own this morning as a couple of unfamiliar birders joined me within the shelter and thankfully, as they say, more pairs of eyes looking, more get seen. A lot of the time, there was simply nothing going through the Solent, but occasionally, something of note would be seen. A small group of Sandwich Terns fished offshore to the west and a few groups of Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls kept us entertained throughout the time we were there. I gave it until 9.15am before I made my way back home as things got too quiet and there were jobs to do at home.

This adult Gannet was first seen sitting on the water but eventually flew off east.

An adult Gannet was my first bird of note this morning, seen sitting on the sea half way across the Solent and a further two more birds were seen flying east during the morning. Minutes later, a flock of 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, including two summer-plumage birds, flew east and a further 10 more birds flew through including one that flew north over our heads and then circled the fields behind us and headed off somewhere west.

I have heard of feeding the Pigeons, but feeding the Crows???

Just four Common Terns were seen and again, no Little Terns to add to my year list; but bird of the morning had to be the adult Kittiwake heading east high over the sea, my first of the year. A single Pale-bellied Brent Goose was seen heading east, somewhat a rather late bird, which was seen earlier off Barton-on-sea and later off Selsey Bill. Other birds noted included 2 Whimbrel, 3 Shelduck, a single drake Mallard, 3 Med Gulls heading north together, 4 Oystercatchers and a Grey Heron; The latter looked as though it was off to the Isle of Wight for its Hols! There was a steady trickle of Swallows coming in off the sea and while I was driving back along the coast road, many more were still flying in. 

This superb Hobby was hunting over Fishlake Meadows yesterday. Photo by Pete Appleton.