🔍 Overview A winter visitor, the Fieldfare arrives in numbers across Sussex from October to March. A striking plump thrush with a loud contact call. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (24–25 cm) Plumage: Grey head, reddish-brown back, heavily spotted underparts Distinctive Marks: White rump visible in flight Bill: Yellow with dark tip Tail: Longish...
🔍 Overview One of Britain’s tiniest birds, the Firecrest is a gem of Sussex woodlands, especially in winter. Brilliant head markings and fast movement make it a joy to spot. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Tiny (9 cm)Plumage: Olive green, white underpartsDistinctive Marks: Striped face, orange crown stripe (male), bold white superciliumBill: Short and fineTail:...
🔍 Overview A subtly beautiful dabbling duck, found across Sussex wetlands in winter and breeding in select sites. Very scarce breeder and scarce summer non-breeder; fairly common winter visitor; scarce on observed passage. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Grey body, black rump, white wing patch Female: Looks like a darker Mallard Both: Neat, understated appearance...
🔍 Overview The UK’s largest seabird, the Gannet is a spectacular sight off Sussex coasts, plunge-diving with dramatic speed during migration. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large seabird (87–100 cm)Plumage: White with black wingtips, yellowish headDistinctive Marks: Long, pointed wings and tailBill: Long, dagger-likeTail: Long and pointedFlight: Long, gliding arcs 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen...
🔍 Overview A common and elegant winter duck, the Wigeon forms large flocks on Sussex wetlands. Easily identified by its whistling call. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium duck (45–51 cm)Plumage: Males: pinkish breast, cream crown; Females: light brownDistinctive Marks: Male’s yellow crown and whistling callBill: Short and bluishTail: NeatFlight: Strong, fast-winged 🗺️ Habitat &...
🔍 Overview A perky and charismatic bird, the Stonechat is a year-round resident of Sussex heathland, scrub, and coastal edges. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (11–13 cm)Plumage: Males: black head, orange chest; Females: browner overallDistinctive Marks: White neck patch (male), tail flickingBill: Fine and pointedTail: Black and often flickedFlight: Bouncy with short bursts 🗺️...
🔍 Overview The UK’s smallest dabbling duck, the Teal is a common winter visitor to Sussex wetlands. Males are striking, females subtly patterned. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small duck (34–38 cm)Plumage: Males: chestnut head with green stripe; Females: mottled brownDistinctive Marks: Green wing patch (speculum)Bill: Small and darkTail: Neat, pointedFlight: Fast with rapid wingbeats...
🔍 Overview Tiny and camouflaged, the Treecreeper is a specialist of Sussex woodland—often climbing up tree trunks hunting for insects. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (12–13 cm) Plumage: Brown streaked back, white underparts Distinctive Marks: Curved bill, stiff tail Bill: Down-curved and fine Tail: Thin and stiff Flight: Fluttery between trees 🗺️ Habitat &...
📍 Local Expert Tip “The Whimbrel is a regular Spring and Autumn passage migrant with a few birds likely present most days from mid-April to end of May and again from mid-July to until end of September. Occasionally a bird will winter on the Adur Estuary.” 🔍 Overview A rare but regular spring and autumn passage...
🔍 Overview A local Sussex speciality and year-round resident of heathland. A small, dark warbler with a big personality. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Dark grey above, reddish below, red eye Female: Browner and paler Other: Long tail often cocked upright 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Confined to heathland sites like Ashdown Forest, Iping Common, and...
