🔍 Overview Powerful and agile, the Arctic Skua is a pirate of the skies, best known in Sussex as a scarce but thrilling passage migrant. Fairly common spring and scarce autumn passage migrant; very scarce in summer and rare in winter. Most sightings occur along the coast, when they chase other seabirds to steal food...
🔍 Overview A rare spring overshoot from Eastern Europe. Occasionally appears in Sussex in May–June. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Blue-grey plumage with red legs and vent Female/Immature: Buff with dark streaks, rusty underparts, and pale face Flight: Agile, hovering like a kestrel 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution May be seen hunting over heathland, farmland, or...
Image attribution:Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview A scarce but regular passage migrant in Sussex, especially in spring and autumn, with small numbers possibly breeding nearby. 🪶 Key Identification Features Long tail with several dark bars Long neck and small pigeon-like head Variable plumage: from pale to dark morphs 🗺️...
🔍 Overview Once a major rarity, now an increasingly regular visitor to Sussex, with occasional overwintering birds. 🪶 Key Identification Features Dark, iridescent plumage with green and bronze sheen Long, down-curved bill Long legs and neck 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Regularly seen at wetland reserves like Pulborough Brooks, Rye Harbour, and Pagham Harbour. Most likely...
Image Attribution: Imran Shah from Islamabad, Pakistan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview A rare and irregular vagrant in Sussex, the Gull-billed Tern resembles a large marsh tern and is occasionally spotted at coastal lagoons or gravel pits. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Mid-sized tern (33–38 cm) Plumage: White with grey wings and...
🔍 Overview The most widespread and abundant pigeon in Sussex and across the UK. Common in gardens, farmland, parks, and woodlands. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large pigeon (38–44 cm) Plumage: Grey overall with pinkish breast, distinctive white neck patch and white wing bars visible in flight Other: Broad wings and long tail 🗺️ Habitat...
Image Attribution:Muhammad Mahdi Karim (GFDL 1.2 or FAL), via Wikimedia Commons 🔍 Overview Common resident. The Feral Pigeon is one of Sussex’s most familiar birds, found in towns, cities, villages and around farms. Descended from the wild Rock Dove, it is highly adaptable and can be seen throughout the year. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size:...
Very common introduced resident. Population augmented annually by captive bred stock.
Common introduced resident. Population augmented annually by captive bred stock.
🔍 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...
