🔍 Overview A stunning scarce winter visitor, usually seen among flocks of Brent or Barnacle Geese. Some may be of captive origin. 🪶 Key Identification Features Compact goose with bold black, white, and red plumage Red face and breast bordered with white Small bill, fast flight 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Occasionally recorded at Pagham Harbour,...
🔍 Overview A tiny continental finch seen as a rare spring overshoot in Sussex, particularly in coastal locations. 🪶 Key Identification Features Very small, streaky yellow-green finch Males: bright yellow face and breast Stubby bill, fluttery flight 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Look for in coastal bushes, parkland, or plantation edges, especially at Beachy Head or...
🔍 Overview A rare winter visitor and passage migrant. Easily overlooked among finch flocks; mainly seen along the Sussex coast. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Similar to Linnet (13–14 cm) Plumage: Streaked brown with pink rump (in adults), yellow bill in winter Other: Slim build, long tail 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen occasionally at Shoeburyness,...
🔍 Overview Very rare vagrant. A striking Saharan vagrant that occasionally appears on UK coastlines. Sussex has had a handful of records, mostly in late autumn. 🪶 Key Identification Features Males: sandy body, black face and wings, white crown Females: plainer but still pale and compact Black tail with white rump 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution...
🔍 Overview Now extremely scarce in Sussex and possibly extirpated as a breeding bird. Hard to separate from Marsh Tit without close observation. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small tit (11–12 cm) Plumage: Black cap, pale cheeks, buffy flanks Key ID: Pale wing panel, duller cap, and harsh “dzerr-dzerr” call 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Formerly...
🔍 Overview A colourful spring overshoot from southern Europe. Seen annually in Sussex, often in gardens or open grassland. 🪶 Key Identification Features Pinkish-orange body Striking black-and-white wings Large crest often raised in display 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Favours golf courses, lawns, and grazed fields. Sightings from Brighton, Chichester, Beachy Head, and Ashdown Forest are...
🔍 Overview Rare vagrant. An increasingly regular spring overshoot migrant from continental Europe, Black Kites are now annually recorded in Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (60 cm; wingspan 150–170 cm) Plumage: Dark brown overall Tail: Slightly forked, less pronounced than Red Kite Flight: Graceful, with distinctive gliding 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Sightings peak...
🔍 Overview A tiny heron and very rare visitor to Sussex, often recorded in spring at reedbeds. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Very small heron (36 cm) Male: Black crown/back, buff underparts Female: Browner overall Flight: Fast and low with dangling legs 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Only recorded in Hove and Southwick during period 2000-2024....
🔍 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 A critically endangered seabird from the western Mediterranean, seen irregularly off the Sussex coast on passage. Very scarce spring to autumn visitor. 🪶 Key Identification Features Dusky brown above, paler below Slender wings and rapid, shearing flight Typically darker overall than Manx Shearwater 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best spotted during sea-watches off Selsey...
