🔍 Overview Most Barnacle Geese seen in Sussex are feral, but small numbers of wild birds may arrive in winter, particularly in hard weather. 🪶 Key Identification Features Striking black-and-white plumage White face with black breast and neck Compact, goose-shaped body 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Feral birds occur year-round at sites like Arundel WWT or...
🔍 Overview Britain’s most widespread breeding bird, the Wren is tiny but loud, often found in tangled undergrowth across Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Tiny (9 cm) Plumage: Brown with fine barring Tail: Short and held upright Bill: Fine and down-curved 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Occurs in gardens, woodlands, hedgerows, and marshes—virtually everywhere across...
🔍 Overview A large, robust gull mainly seen in Sussex in late summer and early autumn, with a few year-round. 🪶 Key Identification Features Grey mantle darker than Herring Gull Yellow legs and red spot on bill Fierce-looking eyes with dark surround 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most common at Brighton Marina, Shoreham Harbour, Goring Gap,...
🔍 Overview A striking farmland bunting with a memorable song, Yellowhammers remain locally common across Sussex countryside. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (16 cm) Male: Bright yellow head, chestnut rump, brown-streaked back Female: Duller but still yellow-tinged Flight: Flitting and bouncing 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Favors hedgerows, arable field margins, and downland. Found near...
🔍 OverviewA mysterious and well-camouflaged woodland wader, mostly encountered at dusk or flushed from dense cover. Winters widely in Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium-large (33–38 cm) Plumage: Mottled brown and rufous for camouflage Distinctive Marks: Barred crown, large dark eye Bill: Long and straight Tail: Short Flight: Fast with twisting take-off 🗺️ Habitat...
🔍 Overview Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant, arriving from Russia to spend the colder months in mild wetland areas. European race (A. a. albifrons) is red listed species of high conservation concern. 🪶 Key Identification Features White patch around bill base Black belly bars Orange legs and pinkish bill (Russian race) 🗺️ Habitat &...
🔍 Overview A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant, usually found on wet meadows and saline lagoons. 🪶 Key Identification Features Greyish upperparts, clean pale underparts Pale supercilium and slender bill More refined than Rock Pipit 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Regular at Pulborough Brooks, Amberley Wild Brooks, and Cuckmere Haven from October–April. 🎶 Voice &...
🔍 Overview A secretive marsh bird heard more often than seen, found in reedbeds and wetland edges. 🪶 Key Identification Features Grey face and underparts Brown back with black streaking Long red bill and spidery toes 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Resident at Brooklands, Woods Mill, Arundel WWT, Pulborough Brooks, and Lancing Beach and Widewater. Can...
🔍 Overview A striking winter visitor from Scandinavia, appearing in irruption years (every few winters) and favouring berry-laden trees. 🪶 Key Identification Features Pinkish-grey body Prominent crest, black mask Yellow and red wing markings 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Unpredictable; in irruption winters, flocks can be found in urban areas, supermarket car parks, and ornamental trees...
🔍 OverviewA smart and common diving duck found year-round on Sussex lakes and reservoirs. Easily identified by its black-and-white plumage and diving behaviour. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (42–48 cm) Plumage: Males black with white sides, females brown Distinctive Marks: Males have a drooping head tuft Bill: Blue-grey with black tip Tail: Short Flight:...
