🔍 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 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 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 Rare vagrant. An increasingly regular spring overshoot migrant from continental Europe, Black Kites are now annually recorded in Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (60 cm; wingspan 150–170 cm) Plumage: Dark brown overall Tail: Slightly forked, less pronounced than Red Kite Flight: Graceful, with distinctive gliding 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Sightings peak...
🔍 Overview A scarce but regular passage migrant in Sussex, especially in spring and autumn, with small numbers possibly breeding nearby. 🪶 Key Identification Features Long tail with several dark bars Long neck and small pigeon-like head Variable plumage: from pale to dark morphs 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen at migration watchpoints like Beachy...
🔍 Overview The most widespread and abundant pigeon in Sussex and across the UK. Common in gardens, farmland, parks, and woodlands. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large pigeon (38–44 cm) Plumage: Grey overall with pinkish breast, distinctive white neck patch and white wing bars visible in flight Other: Broad wings and long tail 🗺️ Habitat...
🔍 Overview Britain’s most widespread breeding bird, the Wren is tiny but loud, often found in tangled undergrowth across Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Tiny (9 cm) Plumage: Brown with fine barring Tail: Short and held upright Bill: Fine and down-curved 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Occurs in gardens, woodlands, hedgerows, and marshes—virtually everywhere across...
🔍 Overview A rare but locally breeding songbird of open heath and forestry rides in Sussex. Scarce resident and very scarce passage migrant. 🪶 Key Identification Features Short tail, broad wings White supercilium curving behind the head Buff with dark streaks 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Nesting pairs found in Ashdown Forest, The Mens, and Broadwater...
🔍 OverviewA mysterious and well-camouflaged woodland wader, mostly encountered at dusk or flushed from dense cover. Winters widely in Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium-large (33–38 cm) Plumage: Mottled brown and rufous for camouflage Distinctive Marks: Barred crown, large dark eye Bill: Long and straight Tail: Short Flight: Fast with twisting take-off 🗺️ Habitat...
🔍 OverviewA charming migrant seen in Sussex during spring and autumn passage. Prefers rough fields and heathland edges. Rare summer visitor; last bred in 1999. Very rare in winter. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (13–14 cm) Plumage: Males orange-breasted with pale supercilium Distinctive Marks: Bold white eye stripe, pale throat Bill: Short and thin...
