🔍 Overview Britain’s smallest seabird, rarely seen from land except during strong onshore winds. 🪶 Key Identification Features Tiny blackish seabird with white rump Bat-like fluttering flight with short glides Often hovers above waves, “pattering” on surface 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Watch from Selsey Bill or Seaford Head during August–October gales. Extremely challenging to spot...
🔍 Overview A rare but regular passage migrant, mostly seen offshore during autumn. Often confused with Arctic Skua, but more graceful in flight. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium skua (38–46 cm) Breeding adult: Pale belly, long pointed tail streamers Non-breeding/juvenile: Slim, tern-like, with finer markings than other skuas Flight: Buoyant, agile 🗺️ Habitat &...
🔍 Overview A very rare vagrant in Sussex. Once bred on UK coasts, now only occasional passage or storm-blown visitor. 🪶 Key Identification Features Small, pale plover with thin black bill Males: black mask and breast-side patches Long legs, sandy upperparts, white below 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Rarely seen but most likely at Rye Harbour,...
🔍 Overview A beautifully patterned plover, scarce passage migrant through Sussex, mostly seen in spring. 🪶 Key Identification Features Chestnut belly and white breast band (in adults) Broad white supercilium Compact and upright posture 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Prefers short turf on hills or open farmland during passage. Sightings have occurred on South Downs escarpments...
🔍 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...
🔍 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 graceful and rare passage wader in Sussex, especially during spring and late summer migration. 🪶 Key Identification Features Slim, with a long neck and greenish legs Pale spotting on back Superficially similar to Green Sandpiper but daintier 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen during passage at Rye Harbour, Pulborough Brooks, Combe Haven, and...
🔍 Overview Britain’s largest bird of prey, occasionally spotted in Sussex skies thanks to reintroduction programs on the Isle of Wight. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Huge (wingspan up to 2.4 m) Plumage: Brown overall with paler head and neck Tail: Adults have white tail Bill: Large and hooked 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Rare visitor...
🔍 Overview Once extinct in the UK, White Storks are now breeding again in Sussex thanks to reintroduction at Knepp Estate. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Very large (100–115 cm tall) Plumage: White body, black flight feathers Bill & Legs: Long and red Flight: Glides on broad wings, often seen soaring 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution...
🔍 Overview A secretive marsh bird heard more often than seen, found in reedbeds and wetland edges. 🪶 Key Identification Features Grey face and underparts Brown back with black streaking Long red bill and spidery toes 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Resident at Brooklands, Woods Mill, Arundel WWT, Pulborough Brooks, and Lancing Beach and Widewater. Can...
