🔍 OverviewA smart and common diving duck found year-round on Sussex lakes and reservoirs. Easily identified by its black-and-white plumage and diving behaviour. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (42–48 cm) Plumage: Males black with white sides, females brown Distinctive Marks: Males have a drooping head tuft Bill: Blue-grey with black tip Tail: Short Flight:...
🔍 Overview A sleek wader often found in Sussex on passage and in small numbers in winter. Scarce passage migrant and very scarce winter visitor. 🪶 Key Identification Features Longer-legged and slimmer than Redshank Straight, slightly upturned bill Grey in winter; black with white spots in breeding plumage 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most regular at...
🔍 Overview A distinctive dabbling duck with a comically large bill, found widely in Sussex in winter and during passage. 🪶 Key Identification Features Large spatula-shaped bill Male: green head, white breast, chestnut flanks Feeds by sweeping bill side-to-side 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Found in Pulborough Brooks, Goring Gap, Brighton Marina, and Brooklands, mainly September–May....
🔍 Overview A day-flying owl that winters on open ground in Sussex and occasionally breeds. Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; Last bred 1922. 🪶 Key Identification Features Pale owl with streaky breast Bold black “mascara” patches around yellow eyes Floppy, moth-like flight 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen on the Downs, Adur Valley and...
🔍 Overview Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. A highly variable medium-sized wader, best known for the male’s extravagant breeding plumage (rarely seen in Sussex). 🪶 Key Identification Features Long neck, small head Leg and plumage colour vary Males much larger than females (“reeves”) 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Passage migrant and winter visitor to Pagham...
🔍 Overview A striking green parrot with a growing presence in Sussex, especially around urban parks and gardens. Scarce introduced resident; has bred. 🪶 Key Identification Features Bright green plumage Long pointed tail Male: pink and black neck ring Loud, squawky flight call 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Established in parts of Brighton, Crawley, and Eastbourne,...
🔍 Overview A summer thrush from upland Britain, seen in Sussex during spring and autumn migration. 🪶 Key Identification Features Blackish plumage with pale wing edges Bold white crescent across chest (especially males) Larger and leaner than a Blackbird 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Passes through coastal hills, golf courses, and Downland slopes such as Cissbury...
🔍 Overview A tiny finch with a crimson cap, the Redpoll is a winter visitor to Sussex, occasionally forming flocks in birch woods and weedy patches. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (11–13 cm)Plumage: Brown streaky with red forehead and bibDistinctive Marks: Black chin, red foreheadBill: Small and conicalTail: ForkedFlight: Bouncing, finch-like 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution...
🔍 Overview A winter thrush from Scandinavia. Redwings arrive in Sussex around October and often form flocks with Fieldfares. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (21 cm) Plumage: Brown back, pale belly with streaks Markings: Bold white eyebrow and red underwing flanks Flight: Fast and flitting 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Winters in hedgerows, orchards, fields,...
🔍 Overview A sleek, elegant diver seen off the Sussex coast in winter. The Red-throated Diver is the commonest diver here. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (55–67 cm)Plumage: Grey above, pale below; breeding birds have red throat patchDistinctive Marks: Thin upturned billBill: Straight and slenderTail: ShortFlight: Strong and purposeful 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Wintering offshore...
