🔍 Overview A spectacular Mediterranean visitor that is becoming more regular in the UK. Occasionally breeds and increasingly reported on passage in Sussex. Bred once in 1955 in our area. 🪶 Key Identification Features Rainbow plumage with blue, yellow, chestnut Long, curved bill Graceful, swallow-like flight 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most sightings occur May–June and...
🔍 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 rare and irregular vagrant in Sussex, the Gull-billed Tern resembles a large marsh tern and is occasionally spotted at coastal lagoons or gravel pits. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Mid-sized tern (33–38 cm) Plumage: White with grey wings and black cap (in breeding plumage) Bill: Short, thick, and black—distinctive Flight: Smooth, buoyant...
🔍 Overview Rare vagrant. A scarce but nearly annual migrant to Sussex, the Caspian Tern is a huge, carrot-billed tern often seen at coastal lagoons or inland gravel pits. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Very large tern (48–56 cm) Plumage: White body, pale grey wings, black cap in breeding plumage Bill: Large, red-orange, and dagger-shaped...
🔍 Overview A scarce but regular North American vagrant. Typically appears in Sussex during autumn, often found among other waders on wetlands. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Slightly smaller than a Dunlin (21 cm) Plumage: Brown-streaked breast with sharp boundary to white belly Other: Yellowish legs, fine bill, upright posture 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best...
🔍 Overview Very scarce spring migrant. An elegant wader with extremely long pink legs. Once a major rarity, it is increasingly recorded in Sussex, bred in 2014 and 2021. 🪶 Key Identification Features Long, spindly pink legs Black wings and back contrast with white body Long straight black bill 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen...
🔍 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 A southern European species, this cuckoo is a very rare spring overshoot in the UK. A Sussex record would be exceptional but possible. 🪶 Key Identification Features Longer tail than Common Cuckoo Pale grey head, black-and-white speckled wings Crest and yellowish underparts 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Would most likely occur in coastal scrub...
🔍 Overview Rare vagrant. A large, fast-flying swift rarely seen in Sussex, Alpine Swifts are scarce spring and summer visitors, typically after strong southerly winds. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large swift (20–22 cm) Plumage: Dark brown above with striking white belly and throat Shape: Long, scythe-shaped wings and forked tail Flight: Powerful, agile, often...
