🔍 Overview A North American species introduced to the UK, now nearly eradicated due to a control programme. Rare in Sussex today. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Chestnut body, sky-blue bill, stiff tail often held upright Female: Brown with dark cap and pale face Size: Small diving duck (35–43 cm) 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Formerly...
🔍 Overview A striking and scarce winter visitor to Sussex, mostly seen on inland waters and gravel pits. 🪶 Key Identification Features Males: white plumage with black mask and lines (“panda duck”) Females/immatures: grey with reddish-brown heads (“redhead”) Small and agile diving duck 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen at Arlington Reservoir, Weir Wood Reservoir,...
Image Attribution: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview A scarce winter visitor to Sussex, more regular in northern England but occasionally recorded in the south. 🪶 Key Identification Features Large white swan with long neck Yellow and black bill (yellow extends beyond nostrils) Loud, bugling call 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution...
🔍 Overview Most Barnacle Geese seen in Sussex are feral, but small numbers of wild birds may arrive in winter, particularly in hard weather. 🪶 Key Identification Features Striking black-and-white plumage White face with black breast and neck Compact, goose-shaped body 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Feral birds occur year-round at sites like Arundel WWT or...
🔍 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 A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant, usually found on wet meadows and saline lagoons. 🪶 Key Identification Features Greyish upperparts, clean pale underparts Pale supercilium and slender bill More refined than Rock Pipit 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Regular at Pulborough Brooks, Amberley Wild Brooks, and Cuckmere Haven from October–April. 🎶 Voice &...
🔍 Overview A scarce winter visitor to Sussex, typically in cold spells and often among other grey geese. 🪶 Key Identification Features Dark brown plumage Orange legs and bill (with a black base) Stockier and darker than Pink-footed Goose 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most likely in the Arun Valley, Amberley Wild Brooks, or among White-fronted...
🔍 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 smart, crested seabird with a harsh call, the Sandwich Tern is a common coastal summer visitor in Sussex. Localised breeding summer visitor and common passage migrant; very scarce winter visitor. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium tern (37–43 cm)Plumage: Pale grey and white with black capDistinctive Marks: Yellow-tipped black billBill: Long and slenderTail:...
🔍 Overview A large, graceful raptor of reedbeds and marshes. Recolonised Sussex in recent years after a long absence. Scarce breeder since 2004. 🪶 Key Identification Features Long wings held in a shallow “V” Male: Pale head and underwings Female/Juvenile: Dark with golden crown 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen at Chantry, Cissbury, and Upper Adur...
