🔍 OverviewA lively and restless warbler often seen flitting through reedbeds and scrubby wetland edges in Sussex, especially in spring and summer. Its scratchy, varied song bursts from cover and is a sure sign of its presence. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (12–13 cm) Plumage: Brown-streaked back, pale underparts Distinctive Marks: Bold white supercilium...
🔍 Overview A day-flying owl that winters on open ground in Sussex and occasionally breeds. Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; Last bred 1922. 🪶 Key Identification Features Pale owl with streaky breast Bold black “mascara” patches around yellow eyes Floppy, moth-like flight 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen on the Downs, Adur Valley and...
🔍 Overview A beloved and bold garden bird, the Robin is a year-round presence throughout Sussex in gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (14 cm) Plumage: Bright red breast, brown back, white belly Posture: Upright with flicking movements Behaviour: Confident, often foraging near people 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Ubiquitous across Sussex—gardens,...
🔍 Overview The most social of UK crows, Rooks are widespread in rural Sussex and identifiable by their bare greyish face and shaggy thigh feathers. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (45 cm) Plumage: Glossy black with purple sheen Bill Base: Pale and bare in adults Thighs: Feathered and shaggy-looking 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Common...
🔍 Overview Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. A highly variable medium-sized wader, best known for the male’s extravagant breeding plumage (rarely seen in Sussex). 🪶 Key Identification Features Long neck, small head Leg and plumage colour vary Males much larger than females (“reeves”) 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Passage migrant and winter visitor to Pagham...
🔍 Overview A lively summer visitor, the Sand Martin nests in colonies along sandy riverbanks and quarries in Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (12–13 cm)Plumage: Brown above, white below with brown chest bandDistinctive Marks: Narrow breast bandBill: SmallTail: Slightly forkedFlight: Swift and erratic 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Breeds at Goring Gap, Upper Adur Valley....
🔍 Overview Often overlooked, the Reed Bunting is a hardy year-round resident of Sussex wetlands, with striking plumage in spring. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Sparrow-sized (13–15 cm)Plumage: Males have black head, white collar; females streakyDistinctive Marks: White outer tail feathersBill: Short and strongTail: LongFlight: Fluttery, low 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Wetlands like Adur Valley and...
🔍 Overview A secretive, common summer visitor to Sussex reedbeds, the Reed Warbler is best located by its repetitive, rhythmic song during breeding season. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (13 cm) Plumage: Warm brown upperparts, pale buff underparts Bill: Slender and pointed Tail: Medium length, often flicked Behaviour: Skulking and rarely leaves reeds 🗺️...
🔍 Overview A striking green parrot with a growing presence in Sussex, especially around urban parks and gardens. Scarce introduced resident; has bred. 🪶 Key Identification Features Bright green plumage Long pointed tail Male: pink and black neck ring Loud, squawky flight call 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Established in parts of Brighton, Crawley, and Eastbourne,...
🔍 Overview A winter thrush from Scandinavia. Redwings arrive in Sussex around October and often form flocks with Fieldfares. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (21 cm) Plumage: Brown back, pale belly with streaks Markings: Bold white eyebrow and red underwing flanks Flight: Fast and flitting 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Winters in hedgerows, orchards, fields,...
