🔍 Overview The classic “twit-twoo” owl of British woodlands, Tawny Owls are widespread across Sussex but mostly heard rather than seen. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (37–39 cm) Plumage: Mottled brown with streaked underparts Face: Round with dark eyes and no ear tufts Flight: Silent and low 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Widespread in deciduous...
🔍 OverviewFairly common but local summer visitor. A subtle but charismatic spring migrant to Sussex heathlands. Known for its parachuting song flight over open areas. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (15–16 cm) Plumage: Brown-streaked above, pale below with breast streaks Distinctive Marks: Faint eye stripe, pale legs Bill: Thin and pointed Tail: Longish with...
🔍 Overview A swift, agile predator of small birds, the Sparrowhawk is a regular visitor to Sussex gardens, especially near bird feeders. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small raptor (males 30 cm, females up to 38 cm) Male: Blue-grey back, orange-barred chest Female: Browner with more streaked chest Tail: Long and rounded Flight: Short bursts,...
🔍 OverviewA slim, subtly beautiful summer visitor that’s sadly declining in Sussex. Typically seen sallying out from open perches to catch insects mid-air. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (14–15 cm) Plumage: Grey-brown upperparts, streaked breast Distinctive Marks: Fine streaking on crown and chest Bill: Short and broad Tail: Fairly long, often flicked Flight: Agile...
🔍 Overview A classic voice of Sussex’s open fields and downs. Known for its beautiful, sustained song flight over farmland and heath. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (18 cm) Plumage: Brown and streaked Crest: Small, often raised Tail: Short with white edges Flight: Strong vertical song flights 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Breeds in arable...
🔍 Overview A sweet-voiced garden and woodland thrush with a stronghold in Sussex. Known for repeating phrases in its rich song. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium (23 cm) Plumage: Brown above, creamy below with dark spots Bill: Yellowish, short Behaviour: Often seen cracking snail shells 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Common in gardens, parks, woodlands,...
🔍 Overview A distinctive dabbling duck with a comically large bill, found widely in Sussex in winter and during passage. 🪶 Key Identification Features Large spatula-shaped bill Male: green head, white breast, chestnut flanks Feeds by sweeping bill side-to-side 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Found in Pulborough Brooks, Goring Gap, Brighton Marina, and Brooklands, mainly September–May....
🔍 OverviewA colourful finch often seen in Sussex during winter, especially in alder and conifer stands. Some breed locally, mostly in wooded uplands. Fairly common breeder. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (11–12 cm) Plumage: Greenish-yellow with black markings Distinctive Marks: Males have black crown and bib Bill: Short and conical Tail: Forked Flight: Bouncy...
🔍 Overview Hyperactive and snow-white in winter, Sanderlings run along Sussex beaches just ahead of the surf. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (18–20 cm)Plumage: Pale grey-white in winterDistinctive Marks: No hind toe, “clockwork toy” runningBill: Short and straightTail: ShortFlight: Fast and tight flocks 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Common winter wader at Goring Gap, Lancing Beaches,...
🔍 Overview A smart, crested seabird with a harsh call, the Sandwich Tern is a common coastal summer visitor in Sussex. Localised breeding summer visitor and common passage migrant; very scarce winter visitor. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium tern (37–43 cm)Plumage: Pale grey and white with black capDistinctive Marks: Yellow-tipped black billBill: Long and slenderTail:...
