🔍 Overview A vibrant, long-tailed wagtail often found near fast-moving water, especially in upland Sussex streams and winter gardens. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (18–20 cm)Plumage: Grey back, bright yellow underparts (male), long tailDistinctive Marks: Constant tail waggingBill: Thin and pointedTail: Long and narrowFlight: Bouncy and fluttering 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Rivers, streams, canals, and...
🔍 Overview The ancestor of domestic geese, the Greylag Goose is common in Sussex pastures, lakes, and coastal marshes, often in large flocks. (Native population in UK is Amber listed species of medium conservation concern). 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (74–84 cm)Plumage: Mottled grey, pale bellyDistinctive Marks: Pinkish bill, orange legsBill: Broad and orange-pinkTail: Short...
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 colourful, ground-feeding woodpecker, frequently seen on lawns in Sussex, known locally as the “yaffle.” 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (31 cm) Plumage: Green body, red crown, black around eyes/yellow rump Distinctive Marks: Red mustache stripe in males Bill: Long and pointed Tail: Stiff Flight: Slow, strong wingbeats 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Common...
🔍 Overview A stout, seed-eating finch common at Sussex feeders, especially in winter and spring. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (16 cm) Plumage: Olive-green with yellow wing and tail bars Distinctive Marks: Yellow patch at wing edge Bill: Thick and conical Tail: Medium Flight: Fast with bursts 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Present in gardens, woodlands,...
📍 Local Expert Tip “The Greenshank is generally a passage migrant in small numbers along the edge of the Estuary. However since 2019 a bird has wintered being faithful to the Houseboat Channel where it regularly chases its smaller cousins, the Redshanks, making them drop food items.” 🔍 Overview Elegant and long-legged, the Greenshank is a...
🔍 Overview A bold and familiar woodpecker in Sussex, frequenting woodlands, parks, and gardens throughout the year. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (23 cm) Plumage: Black and white pattern, red under-tail Distinctive Marks: Adult male has red nape patch Bill: Strong and chisel-like Tail: Stiff for bracing Flight: Undulating 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Widespread in...
🔍 Overview A large, vocal tit common in Sussex gardens, woodlands, and parks year-round. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (14 cm) Plumage: Yellow belly and green back Distinctive Marks: Black head and bib, white cheeks Bill: Robust Tail: Medium Flight: Bouncy 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Everywhere—gardens, woodlands, hedgerows throughout Sussex. 🎶 Voice & Behaviour Two-syllable...
🔍 Overview Elegant and ornate, the Great Crested Grebe is a classic waterbird, known for its beautiful breeding display and slender profile. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium-large (46–51 cm)Plumage: White neck, black cap, chestnut and black face frillsDistinctive Marks: Elaborate head plumes (breeding)Bill: Long and pointedTail: Short and hiddenFlight: Rarely seen flying 🗺️ Habitat...
🔍 Overview Bold, powerful and unmistakable, the Great Skua (often known as the Bonxie) is the largest skua regularly seen in Sussex. An uncommon but regular passage migrant, it is seen mainly during autumn seawatches, with smaller numbers in spring. Unlike the more agile Arctic Skua, the Great Skua relies on its strength to dominate...
