🔍 Overview The world’s fastest bird, this powerful falcon is now a regular breeder on cliffs and urban buildings in Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Slate-grey upperparts Heavy black moustache mark Bullet-shaped in flight with rapid wingbeats and steep dives 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Breeds on Shoreham Cement Works, Chichester Cathedral. Seen on Shoreham Harbour...
The Pintail is a sleek and elegant winter duck in Sussex, known for its long tail and graceful posture. A regular visitor to floodplains and estuaries. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (55–65 cm)Plumage: Chocolate-brown head (male), pale grey body, long tailDistinctive Marks: Needle-like tail, white neck stripeBill: Blue-greyTail: Long and pointed in malesFlight: Smooth and...
🔍 Overview A majestic symbol of British waterways, the Mute Swan is common across Sussex’s lakes, rivers, and estuaries. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Very large (140–160 cm wingspan)Plumage: All whiteDistinctive Marks: Orange bill with black knobBill: Large and curvedTail: ShortFlight: Heavy wingbeats with loud whoosh 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen across Sussex on rivers, lakes,...
🔍 Overview Common in Sussex wetlands, the Moorhen is a dark, duck-sized waterbird with a red bill and a quirky personality. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (30–35 cm)Plumage: Dark brown-black with white flashesDistinctive Marks: Red bill with yellow tipBill: Red, triangularTail: Short and flicked upwardFlight: Clumsy, weak flier 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Everywhere from garden...
🔍 Overview A slender, streaky bird of open habitats. Common across Sussex heathlands, downs, and coastal marshes. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (15 cm) Plumage: Streaky brown above, pale with heavy breast streaking below Legs: Pale pink, often seen bobbing Flight: Flutters upwards, then parachutes down 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Breeds in open moorland,...
🔍 Overview The UK’s most familiar duck, the Mallard is a common sight on Sussex’s lakes, rivers, ponds, and even urban parks year-round. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (58 cm) Male: Glossy green head, yellow bill, grey body, curled black tail feathers Female: Mottled brown with orange bill Flight: Fast and direct, with loud...
🔍 Overview An introduced species from Asia, now thriving in parts of Sussex. Arguably the most ornamental duck in Britain. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Bright orange sail-like feathers, ornate and multicoloured Female: Subtly patterned grey with white eye-ring Small and short-tailed 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Resident in wooded lakes and slow rivers like Arundel...
🔍 Overview A large, graceful raptor of reedbeds and marshes. Recolonised Sussex in recent years after a long absence. Scarce breeder since 2004. 🪶 Key Identification Features Long wings held in a shallow “V” Male: Pale head and underwings Female/Juvenile: Dark with golden crown 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen at Chantry, Cissbury, and Upper Adur...
🔍 Overview A familiar black-and-white bird in Sussex gardens and fields, with a reputation for intelligence and bold behaviour. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium-large (44–46 cm) Plumage: Black and white with iridescent green and blue wing and tail sheen Bill: Large and strong Tail: Long and wedge-shaped Flight: Steady, fluttery with long glides 🗺️...
🔍 Overview A charming, stocky owl introduced to Britain in the 19th century. Now widespread in Sussex farmland and parkland. 🪶 Key Identification Features Small, rounded body Yellow eyes with expressive white eyebrows Short tail, direct flight 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Favors open countryside with trees, barns, or old orchards. Seen in Upper Adur Valley,...
