Back on the Peninsula

Been back a few days and mainly been catching up with work but managed to get out locally birding a couple of times. There's been a major influx of Balearic Shearwaters offshore over last few days and a juvenile Long-tailed Skua has been hanging around. A quick seawatch with Jacob and Ian on Saturday scored the skua and a single Balearic HERE and I did a longer session this morning which was basically a repeat HERE with the Long-tailed Skua still around a few other bits and bobs in a force 7 southwesterly. All the latest news from Selsey Bill as usual on the excellent blog: Birding the Selsey Peninsula. 

This afternoon I did a quick check of Church Norton- a juv Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spoonbill and a Spot Fly were the highlights HEREafter which I had to pick up Jacob so checked out Birdham Pool quickly- 34 Little Grebes were the highlight there HERE

There was a calm interlude on Sunday morning and I did a garden watch which wasn't bad with a Spotted Flycatcher being mobbed a female-type Redstart on the lane and a few Siskins, Mips and Yellow Wagtails going over HERE.

Long-tailed Skua is a local lifer for me so now on 197 all time and 178 for the year. 

Juvenile Arctic Skuas (above and below) past the Bill 

Juv Black Tern battling into the storm this morning 

Juv Curlew Sand (right) with juv Dunlin

Juv Barwit

Little Grebes at Birdham Pool- an autumn gathering site. 34 today

Been using the van as a hide in these rather appalling conditions

Biggest news round here since I've been back is that our ducks are finally laying eggs (after about six months). Looks like we've got one female and two males and the jury is still out on the goose.