🔍 Overview A rare winter vagrant from northeast Europe and Asia, Little Bunting is most likely in late autumn or winter in Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Smaller than a Chaffinch (12.5 cm) Plumage: Warm brown with fine streaks Face: Chestnut ear coverts, white eye-ring, thin dark moustache Tail: Short, notched 🗺️ Habitat &...
🔍 Overview A scarce autumn migrant, typically seen on the Sussex coast during easterly winds. A large, upright pipit with a distinctive call. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Larger than Meadow Pipit (18–20 cm) Plumage: Buff-brown with fine streaking Posture: Upright stance, long tail and legs Call: Loud, sparrowhawk-like “shreep!” 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most...
🔍 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 scarce spring overshoot from southern Europe, occasionally found in Sussex scrub or hedgerows. 🪶 Key Identification Features Bright yellow underparts Olive-green upperparts Larger and more upright than Willow Warbler 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most likely at coastal scrub sites like Beachy Head, Seaford, or Hope Gap in May–June. 🎶 Voice & Behaviour...
🔍 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 A very rare autumn migrant to the UK, with a handful of Sussex records. Often found in dense coastal scrub following easterly winds. 🪶 Key Identification Features Olive-brown above, yellowish below Strong creamy supercilium (eyebrow) Long undertail coverts and flicking tail 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best searched for in coastal bushes and willow...
🔍 Overview A rare but increasing autumn migrant, mostly in October–November. Tiny, hyperactive, and often with Goldcrests. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Tiny (9–10 cm) Plumage: Greenish above, yellowish below Stripes: Two bright wingbars, strong supercilium, crown stripe Other: Constantly moving 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most often found in coastal bushes, wooded gardens, or willow...
🔍 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 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 A striking, rare migrant to Sussex, mostly in spring. This southern European shrike stands out thanks to its bright plumage and predatory habits. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Larger than a Robin (17–18 cm) Plumage: Chestnut crown, black eye mask, white underparts, and black-and-white wings Other: Hooked bill 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best...
