🔍 Overview A stunning scarce winter visitor, usually seen among flocks of Brent or Barnacle Geese. Some may be of captive origin. 🪶 Key Identification Features Compact goose with bold black, white, and red plumage Red face and breast bordered with white Small bill, fast flight 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Occasionally recorded at Pagham Harbour,...
🔍 Overview Powerful and agile, the Arctic Skua is a pirate of the skies, best known in Sussex as a scarce but thrilling passage migrant. Fairly common spring and scarce autumn passage migrant; very scarce in summer and rare in winter. Most sightings occur along the coast, when they chase other seabirds to steal food...
🔍 Overview A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant, typically associated with coastal grasslands and fields. 🪶 Key Identification Features Streaky brown body Blackish crown and bib (in breeding plumage) White outer tail feathers and chestnut nape 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best looked for in stubble fields or coastal rough ground around Beachy Head, Seaford,...
🔍 Overview A tiny continental finch seen as a rare spring overshoot in Sussex, particularly in coastal locations. 🪶 Key Identification Features Very small, streaky yellow-green finch Males: bright yellow face and breast Stubby bill, fluttery flight 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Look for in coastal bushes, parkland, or plantation edges, especially at Beachy Head or...
🔍 Overview Rare Vagrant. A scarce migrant to Sussex, mostly in spring or autumn. Singing males are very rare but have occurred in recent decades during May/June. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Sparrow-sized (14 cm) Male: Bright rosy-red head, breast, and rump; brown wings and back Female/Immature: Streaky brown, resembles Greenfinch Bill: Thick and finch-like...
🔍 Overview Very rare vagrant. A striking Saharan vagrant that occasionally appears on UK coastlines. Sussex has had a handful of records, mostly in late autumn. 🪶 Key Identification Features Males: sandy body, black face and wings, white crown Females: plainer but still pale and compact Black tail with white rump 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution...
🔍 Overview A rare and irregular vagrant, especially in years of large movements from Eastern Europe. Often appears in summer. 🪶 Key Identification Features Adult: Pink body, black head and wings Juvenile: Pale brown and starling-like Size: Slightly smaller than Common Starling (19–22 cm) 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Sightings across Sussex, often in coastal gardens,...
🔍 Overview A rare passage raptor and former UK breeder. Sussex sightings usually involve migrants over open countryside. Last bred successfully in 1962. 🪶 Key Identification Features Slim, elegant harrier Males: pale grey with black wingtips Females: brown with narrow wings and white rump 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most likely in spring (April–May) or autumn...
🔍 Overview A scarce but increasing visitor and occasional breeder in Sussex, especially in coastal wetlands. 🪶 Key Identification Features Large white bird with spoon-shaped bill Black legs, yellowish breast patch in breeding season Often rests with neck tucked back 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Regular at Rye Harbour, Pagham Harbour, and Pulborough Brooks, mainly from...
🔍 Overview A powerful, fast-flying pelagic seabird, seen off the Sussex coast during strong autumn gales. 🪶 Key Identification Features Dark sooty brown plumage Long, narrow wings held stiff in arcing glides Silvery underwings often visible 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best viewed from Selsey Bill, Splash Point (Seaford), or Brighton Marina during August to October,...
