🔍 Overview A scarce and irregular spring/summer visitor. Often seen at dusk or dawn near water. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium heron (58–65 cm) Adult: Black crown/back, grey wings, red eye Juvenile: Streaky brown Flight: Steady, crow-like 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Occasional records from Pulborough Brooks, Arundel WWT, and Pagham Harbour, especially in spring...
🔍 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 Very scarce visitor; most frequently recorded in spring. Famous auk species that breeds in the UK but only seen in Sussex during offshore passage or after storms. 🪶 Key Identification Features Black upperparts, white underparts Bright orange legs and colourful bill Rounded head and short neck 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Rarely seen from...
🔍 Overview Rare vagrant. A coastal auk of northern Britain, Black Guillemots are rare visitors to Sussex, most often seen in winter after storms. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium auk (32 cm) Winter Plumage: White with black wing patch Summer Plumage: Striking black with white wing panel Bill & Legs: Thin bill, red legs...
🔍 Overview One of the UK’s rarest breeding seabirds, occasionally seen in Sussex on spring or summer passage. 🪶 Key Identification Features Very pale plumage, long tail streamers Black cap, mostly black bill with reddish base Slight pink flush to underparts in breeding season 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best chance at shoreline roosts or sea-watching...
🔍 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 Once extirpated from the UK, this majestic bird is making a comeback. Rare but increasing visitor to Sussex, especially in migration seasons. 🪶 Key Identification Features Tall, elegant bird with long legs and neck Grey body, black wingtips Red crown patch and bushy rear plumes 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen flying overhead...
🔍 Overview A rare North American sea duck occasionally recorded off Sussex during winter gales, especially after storms. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Black with large white patches on head and nape, colourful swollen bill Female: Brown with pale cheek patches Size: Larger than a Common Scoter (48–55 cm) 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best looked...
🔍 Overview A scarce winter visitor to Sussex, especially on larger lakes, reservoirs, and coastal bays. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: white flanks, dark back, rounded head Female: brown with white around bill base Blue-grey bill and black nail 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen at Arlington Reservoir, Pagham Harbour, or offshore from Selsey Bill....
🔍 Overview A rare North American diving duck, sometimes turning up among Tufted Duck flocks in winter. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Black back and breast, grey flanks, white ring on bill Female: Brown with white eye-ring and pale face Size: Similar to Tufted Duck (41–46 cm) 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Usually found at gravel...
