🔍 Overview The UK’s smallest dabbling duck, the Teal is a common winter visitor to Sussex wetlands. Males are striking, females subtly patterned. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small duck (34–38 cm)Plumage: Males: chestnut head with green stripe; Females: mottled brownDistinctive Marks: Green wing patch (speculum)Bill: Small and darkTail: Neat, pointedFlight: Fast with rapid wingbeats...
📍 Local Expert Tip “The Whimbrel is a regular Spring and Autumn passage migrant with a few birds likely present most days from mid-April to end of May and again from mid-July to until end of September. Occasionally a bird will winter on the Adur Estuary.” 🔍 Overview A rare but regular spring and autumn passage...
📍 Local Expert Tip “The Dunlin is much declined but a regular winter flock present on the mudflats opposite Coronation Green / Town Quay and between the Railway and Toll Bridges. Passage birds in breeding plumage turn up in Spring, often seen on the river edge anywhere between the Ferry Bridge and Toll Bridge.” 🔍 Overview...
🔍 Overview A shy, understated passerine of Sussex gardens and shrubberies. Often mistaken for a sparrow, but with a skittish, furtive nature. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (14 cm) Plumage: Brown-streaked back, grey head, breast and throat Distinctive Marks: Plain grey face with thin bill Bill: Slender Tail: Medium Flight: Low and direct 🗺️...
🔍 Overview A shy and rare reedbed resident, hard to see but occasionally present in Sussex. Known for its booming call. 🪶 Key Identification Features Cryptic, streaked brown plumage Stocky body, thick neck, dagger-like bill Often freezes with neck raised 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Winter visitor and rare breeder in large reedbeds like Rye Harbour,...
🔍 Overview Common and unmistakable, the Coot is a year-round resident of Sussex ponds, lakes, and rivers. Not as friendly as it looks! 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (36–38 cm)Plumage: All-black bodyDistinctive Marks: White bill and forehead shieldBill: White, shortTail: Short and hiddenFlight: Laboured, with long running take-off 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Widespread on...
🔍 Overview A sleek fisher and silhouette of Sussex rivers, lakes, and coast. The Cormorant is an adaptable and widespread bird often seen drying its wings. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (80–100 cm)Plumage: Dark, glossy black with greenish sheenDistinctive Marks: Hooked bill, yellow throat patchBill: Long, hookedTail: Long and wedge-shapedFlight: Straight, low over water...
🔍 Overview The largest wader regularly recorded in Sussex, the Curlew’s haunting call is a highlight of coastal reserves and estuaries. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (50–60 cm) Plumage: Mottled brown Distinctive Marks: Very long, down-curved bill Bill: Long and curved Tail: Short and rounded Flight: Slow with deliberate wingbeats 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution...
🔍 Overview A scarce passage wader, most often seen in Sussex during autumn. Breeds in Arctic Siberia and winters in Africa. 🪶 Key Identification Features Breeding plumage: Reddish underparts, long downcurved bill Non-breeding: Pale grey above, white below Other: Slim, elegant wader with long legs 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen at Pagham Harbour, Rye...
📍 Local Expert Tip “The Snipe is a winter visitor from October to April with a peak in January and February. Often difficult to see but on high tides flocks of more than 100 get flushed out of the salt marsh in the RSPB Adur section and become more visible when viewing from the Norfolk Bridge.”...
