Image Attribution: Satdeep Gill, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview Scarce spring and autumn passage migrant; more frequent in autumn; scarce in winter. A secretive, bobbing wader of wet woodland edges and inland pools, usually seen on migration. 🪶 Key Identification Features Dark green-brown above, white belly Short straight bill, greenish legs Contrasting...
🔍 Overview A striking, large white heron now increasingly regular in Sussex, both on migration and as a breeder. 🪶 Key Identification Features Pure white plumage Long yellow bill (turns black in breeding season) Taller than Little Egret with slow, majestic flight 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen at Pulborough Brooks, Amberley Wild Brooks, and Rye...
🔍 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 A saw-billed diving duck seen in Sussex during the colder months. Hunts fish in clear, deep water. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: White body, dark green head, red bill Female: Grey body, russet head, crest Long, narrow shape and low profile 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Winters at Goring Gap, and along River Adur....
Image Attribution: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sbern/, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview A striking diving duck, found in Sussex on freshwater lakes and reservoirs in winter. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Black-and-white with greenish head and golden eye Female: Grey body, brown head, yellow eye Both show a short, triangular head shape 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution...
Image Attribution: JJ Harrison (https://tiny.jjharrison.com.au/t/3CuTyj5LtxrKUxYI), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 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...
Image Attribution: Photo by Laitche, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview A common and elegant winter duck, the Wigeon forms large flocks on Sussex wetlands. Easily identified by its whistling call. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium duck (45–51 cm)Plumage: Males: pinkish breast, cream crown; Females: light brownDistinctive Marks: Male’s yellow crown and...
📍 Local Expert Tip “The Snipe is a winter visitor from October to April with a peak in January and February. Often difficult to see but on high tides flocks of more than 100 get flushed out of the salt marsh in the RSPB Adur section and become more visible when viewing from the Norfolk Bridge.”...
🔍 Overview A diving duck, the Pochard is a regular winter visitor to Sussex lakes and gravel pits. Males are handsome with a rusty head and striking grey body. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (42–49 cm)Plumage: Males: grey with chestnut head; females: brownDistinctive Marks: Rounded head, red eyes (male)Bill: Dark with pale bandTail: ShortFlight:...
Image Attribution: Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra), Baltasound by Mike Pennington, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview A chunky finch with a unique bill adapted for extracting conifer seeds. Irregular breeder and irruptive winter visitor in Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Brick-red body Female/juvenile: Greenish or yellow Other: Thick neck, crossed bill tips, heavy...
