Image Attribution: User:Jerzystrzelecki:Jerzy Strzelecki, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview A tiny Arctic auk that becomes visible off Sussex during strong northerly gales in autumn and winter. 🪶 Key Identification Features Small, plump black-and-white seabird Short neck, stubby bill, fast wingbeats Flies low over the sea, often in ones or twos 🗺️ Habitat...
Image Attribution: Stephan Sprinz, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview A rare but regular passage migrant, mostly seen offshore during autumn. Often confused with Arctic Skua, but more graceful in flight. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium skua (38–46 cm) Breeding adult: Pale belly, long pointed tail streamers Non-breeding/juvenile: Slim, tern-like, with finer...
🔍 Overview One of the UK’s rarest breeding seabirds, occasionally seen in Sussex on spring or summer passage. 🪶 Key Identification Features Very pale plumage, long tail streamers Black cap, mostly black bill with reddish base Slight pink flush to underparts in breeding season 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best chance at shoreline roosts or sea-watching...
Image Attribution: Mdf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview A scarce winter visitor to Sussex, typically seen along the coast. Most sightings involve immatures during colder months. 🪶 Key Identification Features Pale gull with no black in wings Long wings and small, rounded head Immatures: creamy-white plumage, dark eye, pink bill with black...
Image Attribution: Peterwchen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview A rare vagrant from North America, with a few well-documented Sussex records, especially after Atlantic storms. 🪶 Key Identification Features Medium-sized gull with long wings Adult: black hood, white eye arcs, dark red bill Immature: dark tail band and dusky plumage 🗺️ Habitat &...
🔍 Overview A beautiful and rare pelagic gull, most often seen off Sussex during strong westerly gales in autumn. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Slightly smaller than Black-headed Gull (27–33 cm) Adult: Black cap, grey nape, white head, and striking tri-coloured wings Juvenile: Similar but browner with dark W-pattern on wings 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution...
Image Attribution: "Mike" Michael L. Baird, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview An Arctic breeder that reaches Sussex mainly during or after autumn storms, often blown inland from sea. 🪶 Key Identification Features Small, pale, delicate wader Winter plumage: grey above, white below Constant spinning motion when feeding 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen...
🔍 Overview A scarce passage migrant, mostly in spring and autumn. Often spins in circles on water while feeding. 🪶 Key Identification Features Breeding Female: Striking with red neck, black mask, grey back Non-breeding/Immature: Pale grey and white Size: Small, dainty (18–20 cm) 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Prefers shallow freshwater pools or coastal lagoons—recorded at...
🔍 Overview A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant to Sussex waters, mostly offshore. 🪶 Key Identification Features Breeding plumage: rufous neck, black crown Winter: duller with pale cheeks and dusky neck Larger and thicker-necked than other grebes 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen from sea-watching points like Worthing Beaches, Goring Gap, or Brighton Marina...
🔍 Overview Once extirpated from the UK, this majestic bird is making a comeback. Rare but increasing visitor to Sussex, especially in migration seasons. 🪶 Key Identification Features Tall, elegant bird with long legs and neck Grey body, black wingtips Red crown patch and bushy rear plumes 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen flying overhead...
