🔍 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...
🔍 Overview A true ocean wanderer, the Manx Shearwater is seen passing Sussex headlands on migration—graceful and fast over waves.Fairly common spring to autumn passage migrant. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium seabird (30–38 cm)Plumage: Black above, white belowDistinctive Marks: Clean contrast in plumageBill: Thin and hookedTail: ShortFlight: Low glides with stiff wings 🗺️ Habitat &...
🔍 Overview A large, graceful raptor of reedbeds and marshes. Recolonised Sussex in recent years after a long absence. Scarce breeder since 2004. 🪶 Key Identification Features Long wings held in a shallow “V” Male: Pale head and underwings Female/Juvenile: Dark with golden crown 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen at Chantry, Cissbury, and Upper Adur...
🔍 Overview A delightful and highly social garden and woodland bird. Easily recognisable by its fluffy body and very long tail. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (14 cm including tail) Plumage: Pale pink sides, black and white above Distinctive Marks: Very long tail, small round body Bill: Tiny and stubby Flight: Quick and undulating...
🔍 Overview A familiar black-and-white bird in Sussex gardens and fields, with a reputation for intelligence and bold behaviour. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Medium-large (44–46 cm) Plumage: Black and white with iridescent green and blue wing and tail sheen Bill: Large and strong Tail: Long and wedge-shaped Flight: Steady, fluttery with long glides 🗺️...
🔍 Overview Also known as “Dabchick,” the Little Grebe is a small, round diving bird commonly found on Sussex ponds and lakes. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Tiny (25–29 cm)Plumage: Chestnut neck, dark back in summer; duller in winterDistinctive Marks: Puffy shape, hidden tailBill: Short and pointedTail: Virtually absentFlight: Rarely flies; prefers diving 🗺️ Habitat &...
