🔍 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 colourful migrant seen in Sussex mainly on spring and autumn passage, occasionally breeding in lowland wet meadows. 🪶 Key Identification Features Bright yellow underparts Olive-green upperparts Greyish or brownish head depending on race 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen in coastal fields, arable land, and around Goring Gap, Upper Adur Valley, and Cissbury...
🔍 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...
🔍 Overview A sweet-voiced migrant warbler, the Willow Warbler breeds in Sussex’s open scrub and young woodland during spring and summer. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (11 cm) Plumage: Greenish-brown above, pale yellow underparts Legs: Pale Supercilium: Clear yellowish eye stripe 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Found in young woodland, scrub, and heathland—notably Cissbury Ring....
🔍 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 &...
🔍 OverviewA charming migrant seen in Sussex during spring and autumn passage. Prefers rough fields and heathland edges. Rare summer visitor; last bred in 1999. Very rare in winter. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (13–14 cm) Plumage: Males orange-breasted with pale supercilium Distinctive Marks: Bold white eye stripe, pale throat Bill: Short and thin...
🔍 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:...
🔍 OverviewA sturdy, energetic wader found along Sussex shingle and rocky coasts in all seasons. Known for flipping stones to find prey. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small wader (22–24 cm) Plumage: Bold black-and-white in summer; duller in winter Distinctive Marks: Orange legs, short stubby bill Bill: Slightly upturned and strong Tail: Short with white...
🔍 Overview Often overlooked, the Stock Dove is a quieter cousin of the Woodpigeon. Common across Sussex farmland and parkland. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (30–33 cm) Plumage: Blue-grey with iridescent green neck patch Markings: No white neck or wing patches (unlike Woodpigeon) Eyes: Dark, giving soft expression 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Frequents woodland...
