Redstarts 2

The south facing hedges from the Quay towards Owl Point were considerably more sheltered than those at the North Wall and consequently there were a few small birds around including four Redstarts, a male Lesser Whitethroat, a dozen Whitethroats, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and two Willow Warblers. A few Linnets were around the saltmarsh with c.200 hirundines, including a good number of House Martins overhead, whilst in the distance 25 Cattle Egrets flew towards Marsh Farm. Interesting raptor over the other day too...

Redstarts

 Not much at the Bill today but Halsey’s was a little better with c.5 Redstarts, including a plush male, a few Willow Warblers and Whitethroats as well as the regular Cattle Egrets; also a few Yellow Wagtails with the cattle. A brief look at the Severals tuned up a Sedge Warbler and a few Wheatears but sadly no sign of a hoped-for Wryneck!

Little Stint

 Thanks to BFF & DM today.. .a Little Stint found by them at Church Norton was my first for 18 months (!). A few days prior and a breakdown (the car not me..) at the Ferry Pool led to finding a smart Redstart and later on 41 Cattle Egrets at Halsey's Farm with IP.

Pied Flycatcher

 A Pied Flycatcher (found by me for a change) was showing well at Northcommon Farm on the 16th.

A video of the Pied Flycatcher is here

Reed Warbler

 The highlight today was a juvenile Reed Warbler at Halsey’s Farm but other than that it remains deadly quiet!

Lesser Emperor

 Surprise of the day was a Lesser Emperor dragonfly found by AB which showed very well this evening at Deep Lake. Also c.4 Common Terns and a Kingfisher around the area.

Wood Sandpiper

 A Wood Sandpiper on the Ferry was decent today but there wasn’t much else of note about bar a Garden Warbler and a few Willow Warblers at Halsey’s/Sidlesham Quay.

Whinchat & Eider

Two Whinchats today: one was at Halsey’s where there was also a Wheatear, six Lesser Whitethroats, a Garden Warbler and c.6 Willow Warblers. Another Whinchat, two Lesser Whitethroats and a Willow Warbler were at Warner Lane but it was generally quiet here. At the Bill, c.11 Common Terns went east and a young Eider west west.

Whinchat

 There was little of note at the Bill this morning and Northcommon Farm was similarly quiet. Coastguards, however, found an overdue year-tick of a Whinchat, two Stonechats and a few young Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits. At Sidlesham Quay there was a Wheatear but Halsey’s Farm didn’t produce the hoped for Redstart! Bill log below:

More Cattle Egrets!

Thirteen west past Selsey Bill today! Elsewhere a Pied Flycatcher was briefly behind the hide at Church Norton and two Willow Warblers and two Lesser Whitethroats were at Warner Lane.

Cattle Egrets video

Cattle Egrets at the Bill

A nice surprise this morning when eight Cattle Egrets flew west at Selsey Bill. A Wheatear was on the beach here and another was at Warner Lane where there was also a Willow Warbler and a pair if Red-legged Partridges. Northcommon Farm remained quiet but there was a nice showy Corn Bunting at Toe End.