The weekend potentially looked like another write off with snow all day Saturday, although it didn't settle that much. So Sunday looked as if it would be the same but maybe with a dryer spell on the coast, so with a level of determination to stick 2 fingers up at the weather I rose early and headed South - arriving at Selsey at 6.15 (although not the first there !).
The respite from the biting cold NE wind was under the sea wall giving a surprisingly sheltered spot (Even with several layers after 4 hours frozen feet and numb fingertips were the order of the day). an overcast sky and the occasional very light snow wasn't too uncomfortable and surprisingly the birds performed quite well.
Not long after arriving with views of 2 Slavonian Grebes on the sea (one showing summer plumage with the gold eyebrow) several Red breasted Mergansers and 2 Sandwich Terns, the first 2 Common Terns of the spring appeared heading East and a Sparrowhawk flew along the beach. A large looking Diver flew in and landed close enough to be ID'd as a Black-throated to add to the Red-throats seen later, and the first couple of Meadow Pipits were heard calling as they flew in off the sea, then a Chiffchaff landed on the wall and soon disappeared into the bushes. Oblivious to us watching a male Wheatear arrived on the beach which was pointed out to great delight at being the first of the Spring at the Bill.
The number of inbound migrants flying from the sea gradually built up and in total we had c200 Meadow Pipits, 3 Chiffchaffs, including one that was picked up several hundred metres offshore and flew directly at us landing at the base of my chair before flitting off. 8 Wheatears and 1 Pied Wagtail. Several Common Scoter flocks flew East, 2 Velvet Scoter were the first I've seen this year and 3 smaller duck were nailed as Garganey after a short debate, also 4 Mallard, 3 Teal, 2 Pintail and one Tufted Duck . 5 Little Gulls flew East quite distantly,. A Little Egret flew through then a Peregrine seem to drift in from the sea carrying and plucking a catch in mid-air which on closer inspection turned out to be a Moorhen !
So a freezing but thoroughly entertaining morning - just a few more days before heading off to African heat !
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