🔍 Overview A small, agile woodland bird that often joins mixed flocks in Sussex woodlands and gardens. Less bold than the blue tit but just as active and vocal. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (11.5 cm) Plumage: Grey back, buff underparts Distinctive Marks: Black cap, white cheeks, and distinctive white nape patch Bill: Small...
🔍 Overview One of the most colourful and common finches in Sussex. Males are especially bright in spring. Found in gardens, woodlands, and farmland year-round. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (14–15 cm) Plumage: Male – pink breast, blue-grey head; Female – duller brown Distinctive Marks: White wing bars and outer tail Bill: Short and...
🔍 Overview Intelligent, all-black crow commonly seen in fields, parks, and towns across Sussex. Wary but often curious, it adapts well to both rural and urban habitats. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (45–47 cm) Plumage: Entirely black with a slight sheen Distinctive Marks: Thick neck, robust bill Bill: Strong, black, slightly hooked Tail: Square...
🔍 Overview The Brambling is a winter finch visitor from Scandinavia, adding colour and excitement to Sussex flocks. Most often seen in beech woods or mixed with Chaffinches in farmland. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (14–16 cm)Plumage: Orange breast, white belly, black or mottled head (depending on season)Distinctive Marks: White rump, orange shouldersBill: Pale...
🔍 Overview A colourful and acrobatic garden favourite across Sussex. Found in almost any habitat with trees and shrubs, especially fond of garden feeders. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (11–12 cm) Plumage: Blue, yellow, white, and green Distinctive Marks: Blue cap, white face with black eye stripe Bill: Short and stubby Tail: Short Flight:...
🕊️ Blackcap 🔍 Overview A sweet-singing warbler, the Blackcap is both a breeding bird and winter visitor in Sussex. Males are known for their rich, fluting song and distinctive cap. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (13–15 cm)Plumage: Grey-brown with pale underpartsDistinctive Marks: Male has a black cap; female has a chestnut capBill: Short and...
🔍 Overview One of the most familiar garden birds in Sussex. Males are sleek black with a bright yellow bill, while females are dark brown. Common across gardens, woodlands, and parks. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (24–25 cm) Plumage: Black (male), brown (female) Distinctive Marks: Yellow bill and eye-ring (male) Bill: Strong and pointed...
Located near the village of Storrington within the South Downs National Park, Chantry Hill and Kithurst Hill form part of a contiguous chalk ridge. These hills are intersected by the South Downs Way and represent a historically grazed landscape typical of lowland calcareous grassland in southern England. Landscape and Habitats Chalk downland: Managed primarily through...
