📍 Local Expert Tip “The Lapwing is a regular but much declined winter visitor. The island by the Toll Bridge is a regular feeding area. At high tide, birds roost on the airfield but easily disturbed.” 🔍 Overview A dramatic and beloved farmland wader, the Lapwing is iconic in Sussex with its crest and acrobatic displays....
🔍 Overview The smallest UK crow, Jackdaws are common across Sussex’s farmlands, towns, and woodlands. Known for their curious, intelligent behaviour. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (33 cm) Plumage: Black with pale grey nape and cheeks Eyes: Pale blue or white Bill: Shorter and more delicate than other crows Flight: Agile and direct 🗺️...
🔍 Overview A secretive woodland crow, the Jay is colourful and increasingly seen in Sussex gardens—especially in autumn when caching acorns. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (34 cm) Plumage: Pinkish-buff body, black moustache, blue wing patch Bill: Strong Tail: Black, medium length Flight: Fluttery with bursts 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Common in broadleaf woodlands,...
Image Attribution: Peterwchen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview Common but declining summer visitor to Sussex, House Martins are aerial insectivores seen from April to November, often nesting under eaves in towns and villages. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (13 cm) Plumage: Glossy blue-black upperparts, white underparts Distinctive Marks: White rump, short...
🔍 Overview A familiar and widespread resident in Sussex, often associated with human settlements. Numbers declined but remain strong in many towns. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (14–15 cm) Plumage (male): Grey crown, black bib, chestnut nape Plumage (female): Plain brown with pale eyebrow Bill: Thick and conical Flight: Direct, fast with quick wingbeats...
🔍 Overview A large and familiar gull, breeding on Sussex coast and present year-round on coastal and inland water bodies. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (55–66 cm) Plumage: Light grey back, white body Distinctive Marks: Pink legs, yellow bill with red spot Bill: Long and robust Tail: Square Flight: Powerful, gliding 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution...
Image Attribution: Mike Prince from Bangalore, India, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview A dashing summer falcon, superb aerial hunter of dragonflies and hirundines. Increasingly regular breeder in Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Slim, falcon-shaped Slate-grey above, orange ‘trousers’ below Striking moustachial stripe 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Breeds near Upper Adur Valley and...
🔍 Overview A familiar, statuesque wader, the Grey Heron patrols Sussex waters year-round. Often seen standing motionless, waiting to strike. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (90–100 cm)Plumage: Grey body, white head with black crest stripeDistinctive Marks: S-shaped neck, long dagger-like billBill: Large and yellowishTail: Short and squareFlight: Slow wingbeats with tucked neck 🗺️ Habitat &...
Image Attribution: Marek Szczepanek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview A farmland bird once common across Sussex, now very scarce due to habitat loss and agricultural changes. Much declined but benefiting locally through conservation effort. 🪶 Key Identification Features Round-bodied, grey-brown bird Chestnut face and flank patches Short tail and quick, whirring flight...
📍 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...
