🔍 Overview A dainty wader that breeds on bare, stony ground. Summer visitor and breeder in parts of Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Sandy brown upperparts, white belly Bright yellow eye-ring Smaller and darker than Ringed Plover 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Breeds at gravel pits, reservoirs, and quarries, including Arlington Reservoir and Rye Harbour. 🎶...
🔍 Overview The smallest gull in the world, the Little Gull is a scarce but regular passage migrant along the Sussex coast. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Very small (25–29 cm)Plumage: Pale grey back, black underwings (adult), dark smudge on headDistinctive Marks: Short black bill, dainty buildBill: Thin and darkTail: SquareFlight: Buoyant, tern-like flight 🗺️ Habitat...
🔍 Overview Britain’s smallest and rarest woodpecker. Once more widespread in Sussex, now very scarce and local. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size of a sparrow Black and white barred back Male: Small red crown; Female: Lacks red 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Prefers mature deciduous woodland, especially West Sussex Weald and Ashdown Forest. Most active in...
🔍 Overview A gorgeous winter wader, the Knot in plumage can appear almost white or deep cinnamon in spring plumage along coastlines. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Stocky wader (23–26 cm)Plumage: Mottled grey/white, red-brown breeding plumageDistinctive Marks: Short, straight billBill: Short and straightTail: Short and roundFlight: Barking calls in low flocks 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Wintering...
🔍 Overview Britain’s largest finch, known for its massive bill and shy nature. Scarce in Sussex but winter sightings increasing. 🪶 Key Identification Features Bulky finch with thick neck Huge, powerful bill Orange-brown body, black-and-white wings 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen at Arundel, Ebernoe, Brede High Woods, especially in late winter and early spring. 🎶...
📍 Local Expert Tip “A handful of birds can be seen most winters around the Adur Estuary and Goring Gap and Worthing beaches. A distinctive white-headed individual returned for at least five years from 2020 to the Adur Estuary favouring the section north of the Railway Bridge.” 🔍 Overview A robust, medium-large wader known for...
🔍 Overview Elusive and skulking, the Grasshopper Warbler is a rare but fascinating summer migrant in Sussex, best located by its insect-like song. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (13–14 cm)Plumage: Brown with fine streakingDistinctive Marks: Plain face, flat crown, rounded wingsBill: Short and thinTail: Long and roundedFlight: Weak and fluttery 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution...
🔍 Overview Scarce passage migrant in Sussex found in farmland or coastal fields. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (28–31 cm) Plumage (breeding): Mottled gold and black Non‑breeding: Grey with pale underparts Distinctive Marks: Black belly patch in spring Bill: Short and straight Flight: Fast and direct 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen in wet grasslands, flooded...
🔍 Overview A scarce and elegant spring migrant, typically seen in Sussex from March to May. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Distinctive white eye-stripe, brown head, patterned flanks Female: Similar to female Teal but lacks clear facial markings Small, fast-flying dabbling duck 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen at Pulborough Brooks, Rye Harbour, and Arundel...
🔍 Overview A subtly beautiful dabbling duck, found across Sussex wetlands in winter and breeding in select sites. Very scarce breeder and scarce summer non-breeder; fairly common winter visitor; scarce on observed passage. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Grey body, black rump, white wing patch Female: Looks like a darker Mallard Both: Neat, understated appearance...
