🔍 Overview A majestic symbol of British waterways, the Mute Swan is common across Sussex’s lakes, rivers, and estuaries. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Very large (140–160 cm wingspan)Plumage: All whiteDistinctive Marks: Orange bill with black knobBill: Large and curvedTail: ShortFlight: Heavy wingbeats with loud whoosh 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen across Sussex on rivers, lakes,...
An elusive summer visitor, the Nightjar haunts heathland and woodland clearings, emerging at dusk. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (26–28 cm)Plumage: Cryptic grey-brownDistinctive Marks: White wing spots (male), long wingsBill: Short but wideTail: LongFlight: Silent, fluttering 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Heathland and conifer plantations—especially Pulborough and Iping Common. 🎶 Voice & Behaviour Unmistakable “churring” trill...
📍 Local Expert Tip “The Wheatear is a a regular passage migrant in Spring and Autumn. Shoreham Fort often records the first birds heading north in Spring from mid-March but can be found anywhere along the coast. Regularly seen during Autumn migration in the Downs along the Monarch’s Way footpath, Truleigh Hill, Cissbury Ring etc.” 🔍...
🔍 Overview An acrobatic woodland resident that creeps down tree trunks headfirst. Widespread in Sussex’s mature broadleaf woodlands. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium-small (14 cm) Plumage: Blue-grey upperparts, buff underparts Markings: Bold black eye-stripe Posture: Often seen head-down on tree trunks 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Frequents deciduous woodlands, parks, and large gardens with mature...
🔍 Overview Larger and bolder than the Song Thrush, Mistle Thrushes are widespread across Sussex in woodland edges, parks, and open countryside. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (27 cm) Plumage: Greyish-brown back, bold spots on pale chest Posture: Upright and alert Flight: Strong and direct 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Common in parkland, churchyards, and...
🔍 Overview Common in Sussex wetlands, the Moorhen is a dark, duck-sized waterbird with a red bill and a quirky personality. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (30–35 cm)Plumage: Dark brown-black with white flashesDistinctive Marks: Red bill with yellow tipBill: Red, triangularTail: Short and flicked upwardFlight: Clumsy, weak flier 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Everywhere from garden...
🔍 Overview A quiet, elusive resident of mature Sussex woodlands. Easily confused with the Willow Tit, though rarer locally. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (11.5 cm) Plumage: Pale underparts, brown back Cap: Shiny black cap and bib Distinctive Mark: No pale wing panel Voice: Clear “pitchou” call 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Favors ancient woodlands...
🔍 Overview A slender, streaky bird of open habitats. Common across Sussex heathlands, downs, and coastal marshes. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (15 cm) Plumage: Streaky brown above, pale with heavy breast streaking below Legs: Pale pink, often seen bobbing Flight: Flutters upwards, then parachutes down 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Breeds in open moorland,...
📍 Local Expert Tip “The Mediterranean Gull is a species undergoing a dramatic range expansion and now breeds in Sussex although not in the local area. However, in Spring the high tide gull roost at Goring Gap often contains Mediterranean Gulls of various ages allowing good views.” 🔍 Overview A once-rare visitor now increasingly common in...
🔍 Overview The UK’s most familiar duck, the Mallard is a common sight on Sussex’s lakes, rivers, ponds, and even urban parks year-round. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (58 cm) Male: Glossy green head, yellow bill, grey body, curled black tail feathers Female: Mottled brown with orange bill Flight: Fast and direct, with loud...
