🔍 Overview A once-regular migrant now much rarer in the UK. Occasionally reaches Sussex on autumn passage. 🪶 Key Identification Features Olive-grey head, yellow throat Pink bill and legs Warm brown upperparts 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best chance is coastal farmland or clifftop fields around Beachy Head or Pagham in late August to early October....
🔍 Overview A rare but annual spring and autumn migrant to Sussex, typically recorded during coastal passage. Larger and paler than most pipits. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: About 16–17 cm Plumage: Sandy brown upperparts, plain pale underparts, less streaked than other pipits Other: Strong, straight bill; upright posture 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Occasional sightings...
🔍 Overview A rare autumn migrant from Asia, most often found in dense coastal cover after easterly winds. 🪶 Key Identification Features Tree Pipit-sized Olive-brown back with dark streaks Pale supercilium, pinkish legs, and fine bill 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Favours coastal scrub and sheltered valleys—seen at Beachy Head, Seaford, and Shooter’s Bottom in October–November....
🔍 Overview A rare autumn migrant from eastern Europe, seen infrequently in Sussex during coastal migration. 🪶 Key Identification Features Large, grey warbler with barred underparts Yellow eye in adults Hefty bill and tail flicking behaviour 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best looked for along coastal scrub and migration hotspots like Beachy Head, Seaford Head, and...
🔍 Overview A scarce and secretive spring migrant. Most Sussex records come from May and early June, especially after easterly winds. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Similar to Reed Warbler (13 cm) Plumage: Plain brown above, pale below Bill: Straight, pale base Other: No obvious features—best identified by song 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Occasionally found...
🔍 Overview Once bred in Sussex but now a rare passage migrant, mainly in spring. Rare in summer with no confirmed breeding records since 2010. 🪶 Key Identification Features Bright lemon-yellow throat and white underparts Clear-cut green back and crown Quicker and brighter than Willow or Chiffchaff 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Can be seen in...
🔍 Overview A scarce autumn migrant to Sussex from Siberia, increasing in frequency. 🪶 Key Identification Features Tiny greenish warbler Bold yellow supercilium and wingbars Constantly flitting through foliage 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Found in coastal trees and gardens, especially at Seaford Head, Beachy Head, and Pagham, mainly in late September–October. 🎶 Voice & Behaviour...
🔍 Overview A striking winter visitor and scarce migrant to Sussex, favouring open habitats with scattered trees. 🪶 Key Identification Features Pale grey above, white below Bold black face mask and strong hooked bill Black wings and white outer tail 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Regular sightings in winter in areas like Ashdown Forest, Ambersham Common,...
🔍 Overview Formerly bred in the UK, now a scarce passage migrant through Sussex, mostly in spring and early autumn. 🪶 Key Identification Features Males: grey head, black mask, chestnut back Females: brown with scalloped underparts Perches on bushes or posts, upright stance 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most likely at coastal scrub and farmland edges,...
🔍 Overview Rare passage migrant and summer visitor; may have bred in 1965. A stunning but secretive migrant, the Golden Oriole is a rare spring overshoot in Sussex, most often detected by its flute-like song. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Blackbird-sized (24 cm) Male: Brilliant golden-yellow with black wings Female/Immature: Duller greenish-yellow Flight: Direct and...
