🔍 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 rare winter vagrant from northeast Europe and Asia, Little Bunting is most likely in late autumn or winter in Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Smaller than a Chaffinch (12.5 cm) Plumage: Warm brown with fine streaks Face: Chestnut ear coverts, white eye-ring, thin dark moustache Tail: Short, notched 🗺️ Habitat &...
🔍 Overview Rare Vagrant. A scarce migrant to Sussex, mostly in spring or autumn. Singing males are very rare but have occurred in recent decades during May/June. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Sparrow-sized (14 cm) Male: Bright rosy-red head, breast, and rump; brown wings and back Female/Immature: Streaky brown, resembles Greenfinch Bill: Thick and finch-like...
🔍 Overview A rare autumn migrant from Asia, most often found in dense coastal cover after easterly winds. 🪶 Key Identification Features Tree Pipit-sized Olive-brown back with dark streaks Pale supercilium, pinkish legs, and fine bill 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Favours coastal scrub and sheltered valleys—seen at Beachy Head, Seaford, and Shooter’s Bottom in October–November....
🔍 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 A rare autumn migrant from eastern Europe, seen infrequently in Sussex during coastal migration. 🪶 Key Identification Features Large, grey warbler with barred underparts Yellow eye in adults Hefty bill and tail flicking behaviour 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best looked for along coastal scrub and migration hotspots like Beachy Head, Seaford Head, and...
🔍 Overview A rare but increasing autumn migrant, mostly in October–November. Tiny, hyperactive, and often with Goldcrests. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Tiny (9–10 cm) Plumage: Greenish above, yellowish below Stripes: Two bright wingbars, strong supercilium, crown stripe Other: Constantly moving 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most often found in coastal bushes, wooded gardens, or willow...
🔍 Overview A very rare autumn migrant to the UK, with a handful of Sussex records. Often found in dense coastal scrub following easterly winds. 🪶 Key Identification Features Olive-brown above, yellowish below Strong creamy supercilium (eyebrow) Long undertail coverts and flicking tail 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best searched for in coastal bushes and willow...
🔍 Overview Formerly bred in the UK, now a scarce passage migrant through Sussex, mostly in spring and early autumn. 🪶 Key Identification Features Males: grey head, black mask, chestnut back Females: brown with scalloped underparts Perches on bushes or posts, upright stance 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most likely at coastal scrub and farmland edges,...
🔍 Overview A striking winter visitor and scarce migrant to Sussex, favouring open habitats with scattered trees. 🪶 Key Identification Features Pale grey above, white below Bold black face mask and strong hooked bill Black wings and white outer tail 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Regular sightings in winter in areas like Ashdown Forest, Ambersham Common,...
