Find Birds by Location

Find which birds you may see in your selected location. (Locations with an * are outside of our Recording Area). The month defaults to the current month. This function is continuing to be developed, any problems identified please email webmaster@sdos.org
(Bird data shown is for the 25 years 2000 to 2024 inclusive). When selecting a bird, months shown in Red are very small numbers(<10)
You have the option to produce a checklist if you wish.

Bearded Tit

๐Ÿ” Overview A reedbed specialist with a misleading nameโ€”more closely related to larks than tits. A scarce breeder and winter visitor in Sussex. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Male: Ginger body,…

Scarce

Black-headed Gull

๐Ÿ” Overview The most familiar gull in Sussex, especially around coastal towns, wetlands, and inland reservoirs. Not truly black-headed โ€“ its breeding plumage features a chocolate-brown hood. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification…

Abundant

Blackbird

๐Ÿ” Overview One of the most familiar garden birds in Sussex. Males are sleek black with a bright yellow bill, while females are dark brown. Common across gardens, woodlands, and…

Abundant

Blue Tit

๐Ÿ” Overview A colourful and acrobatic garden favourite across Sussex. Found in almost any habitat with trees and shrubs, especially fond of garden feeders. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Small…

Abundant

Carrion Crow

๐Ÿ” Overview Intelligent, all-black crow commonly seen in fields, parks, and towns across Sussex. Wary but often curious, it adapts well to both rural and urban habitats. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification…

Abundant

Cetti’s Warbler

๐Ÿ“ย Local Expert Tip “The Cetti’s Warbler is a relatively recent coloniser from the Continent and can be reliably found at Brooklands Park, along the stream and around the lake, where…

Fairly Common

Chaffinch

๐Ÿ” Overview One of the most colourful and common finches in Sussex. Males are especially bright in spring. Found in gardens, woodlands, and farmland year-round. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size:…

Very Common

Coal Tit

๐Ÿ” Overview A small, agile woodland bird that often joins mixed flocks in Sussex woodlands and gardens. Less bold than the blue tit but just as active and vocal. ๐Ÿชถ…

Very Common

Common Chiffchaff

๐Ÿ” Overview A small, greenish warbler, arriving in Sussex each spring. Known for its rhythmic, onomatopoeic โ€œchiff-chaffโ€ song. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Very small (10โ€“12 cm) Plumage: Olive-grey above,…

Abundant

Common Pochard

๐Ÿ” Overview A diving duck, the Pochard is a regular winter visitor to Sussex lakes and gravel pits. Males are handsome with a rusty head and striking grey body. ๐Ÿชถ…

Fairly Common

Common Redshank

๐Ÿ“ Local Expert Tip โ€œThe Estuary around the Ferry Bridge, Norfolk Bridge and RSPB Adur sections are favoured areas as is the area between the Railway and Old Toll Bridges….

Fairly Common

Common Starling

๐Ÿ” Overview Shiny and social, the Starling is a brilliant presence in Sussex fields and gardens. Known for its iridescent plumage and murmuring flocks. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Medium…

Abundant

Coot

๐Ÿ” Overview Common and unmistakable, the Coot is a year-round resident of Sussex ponds, lakes, and rivers. Not as friendly as it looks! ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Medium (36โ€“38…

Fairly Common

Cormorant

๐Ÿ” Overview A sleek fisher and silhouette of Sussex rivers, lakes, and coast. The Cormorant is an adaptable and widespread bird often seen drying its wings. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features…

Fairly Common

Dartford Warbler

๐Ÿ” Overview A local Sussex speciality and year-round resident of heathland. A small, dark warbler with a big personality. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Male: Dark grey above, reddish below, red…

Scarce

Dunnock

๐Ÿ” Overview A shy, understated passerine of Sussex gardens and shrubberies. Often mistaken for a sparrow, but with a skittish, furtive nature. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Small (14 cm)…

Abundant

Egyptian Goose

๐Ÿ” Overview A non-native species now breeding freely in parts of Sussex. Recognisable and increasingly widespread. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Pale buff plumage with dark chest patch Eye-ring and chestnut…

Scarce

Eurasian Teal

๐Ÿ” Overview The UKโ€™s smallest dabbling duck, the Teal is a common winter visitor to Sussex wetlands. Males are striking, females subtly patterned. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Small duck…

Fairly Common

Gadwall

๐Ÿ” 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…

Scarce

Goldeneye

๐Ÿ” Overview A striking diving duck, found in Sussex on freshwater lakes and reservoirs in winter. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Male: Black-and-white with greenish head and golden eye Female: Grey…

Scarce

Goldfinch

๐Ÿ” Overview Bright, musical, and common, the Goldfinch is one of Sussexโ€™s most recognisable garden and countryside finches. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Small (12โ€“13 cm)Plumage: Red face, gold wing…

Abundant

Great Black-backed Gull

๐Ÿ“ย Local Expert Tip “The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull in the world and a frequent sight anywhere along the tideline and at low tide in the Adur Estuary…

Fairly Common

Great Tit

๐Ÿ” Overview A large, vocal tit common in Sussex gardens, woodlands, and parks year-round. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Medium (14โ€ฏcm) Plumage: Yellow belly and green back Distinctive Marks: Black…

Abundant

Greenfinch

๐Ÿ” Overview A stout, seed-eating finch common at Sussex feeders, especially in winter and spring. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Small (16โ€ฏcm) Plumage: Olive-green with yellow wing and tail bars…

Very Common

Grey Heron

๐Ÿ” Overview A familiar, statuesque wader, the Grey Heron patrols Sussex waters year-round. Often seen standing motionless, waiting to strike. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Large (90โ€“100โ€ฏcm)Plumage: Grey body, white…

Fairly Common

Grey Wagtail

๐Ÿ” Overview A vibrant, long-tailed wagtail often found near fast-moving water, especially in upland Sussex streams and winter gardens. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Small (18โ€“20โ€ฏcm)Plumage: Grey back, bright yellow…

Fairly Common

Herring Gull

๐Ÿ” Overview A large and familiar gull, breeding on Sussex coast and present year-round on coastal and inland water bodies. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Large (55โ€“66โ€ฏcm) Plumage: Light grey…

Abundant

House Sparrow

๐Ÿ” Overview A familiar and widespread resident in Sussex, often associated with human settlements. Numbers declined but remain strong in many towns. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Small (14โ€“15 cm)…

Abundant

Jackdaw

๐Ÿ” Overview The smallest UK crow, Jackdaws are common across Sussexโ€™s farmlands, towns, and woodlands. Known for their curious, intelligent behaviour. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Medium (33 cm) Plumage:…

Abundant

Kingfisher

๐Ÿ” Overview A flash of electric blue by Sussex waters โ€” the Kingfisher is small but striking, and the emblem of healthy rivers. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Tiny (16โ€“17โ€ฏcm)Plumage:…

Fairly Common

Lesser Black-backed Gull

๐Ÿ” Overview A powerful gull with dark slate-grey back, the Lesser Black-backed Gull winters along Sussex coast and inland waters. Scarce breeder. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Large gull (55โ€“60โ€ฏcm)Plumage:…

Fairly Common

Little Grebe

๐Ÿ” Overview Also known as โ€œDabchick,โ€ the Little Grebe is a small, round diving bird commonly found on Sussex ponds and lakes. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Tiny (25โ€“29โ€ฏcm)Plumage: Chestnut…

Fairly Common

Long-tailed Duck

๐Ÿ” Overview A striking Arctic duck, usually seen off the Sussex coast in winter. Rare inland. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Male winter: White head and body, dark cheek patch, long…

Scarce

Magpie

๐Ÿ” Overview A familiar black-and-white bird in Sussex gardens and fields, with a reputation for intelligence and bold behaviour. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Medium-large (44โ€“46 cm) Plumage: Black and…

Abundant

Mallard

๐Ÿ” 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. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Large (58…

Very Common

Mandarin Duck

๐Ÿ” Overview An introduced species from Asia, now thriving in parts of Sussex. Arguably the most ornamental duck in Britain. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Male: Bright orange sail-like feathers, ornate…

Scarce

Moorhen

๐Ÿ” Overview Common in Sussex wetlands, the Moorhen is a dark, duck-sized waterbird with a red bill and a quirky personality. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Medium (30โ€“35โ€ฏcm)Plumage: Dark brown-black…

Fairly Common

Mute Swan

๐Ÿ” Overview A majestic symbol of British waterways, the Mute Swan is common across Sussexโ€™s lakes, rivers, and estuaries. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Very large (140โ€“160โ€ฏcm wingspan)Plumage: All whiteDistinctive…

Fairly Common

Reed Warbler

๐Ÿ” Overview A secretive, commonย  summer visitor to Sussex reedbeds, the Reed Warbler is best located by its repetitive, rhythmic song during breeding season. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Small…

Very Common

Ring-necked Parakeet

๐Ÿ” Overview A striking green parrot with a growing presence in Sussex, especially around urban parks and gardens. Scarce introduced resident; has bred. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Bright green plumage…

Scarce

Robin

๐Ÿ” Overview A beloved and bold garden bird, the Robin is a year-round presence throughout Sussex in gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Small (14 cm) Plumage:…

Abundant

Shoveler

๐Ÿ” Overview A distinctive dabbling duck with a comically large bill, found widely in Sussex in winter and during passage. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Large spatula-shaped bill Male: green head,…

Fairly Common

Song Thrush

๐Ÿ” Overview A sweet-voiced garden and woodland thrush with a stronghold in Sussex. Known for repeating phrases in its rich song. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Medium (23 cm) Plumage:…

Very Common

Spotted Redshank

๐Ÿ” Overview A sleek wader often found in Sussex on passage and in small numbers in winter. Scarce passage migrant and very scarce winter visitor. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Longer-legged…

Scarce

Tufted Duck

๐Ÿ” 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. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Medium (42โ€“48…

Fairly Common

Water Rail

๐Ÿ” Overview A secretive marsh bird heard more often than seen, found in reedbeds and wetland edges. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Grey face and underparts Brown back with black streaking…

Scarce

Waxwing

๐Ÿ” Overview A striking winter visitor from Scandinavia, appearing in irruption years (every few winters) and favouring berry-laden trees. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Pinkish-grey body Prominent crest, black mask Yellow…

Scarce

Woodpigeon

๐Ÿ” Overview The most widespread and abundant pigeon in Sussex and across the UK. Common in gardens, farmland, parks, and woodlands. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Large pigeon (38โ€“44 cm)…

Abundant

Wren

๐Ÿ” Overview Britainโ€™s most widespread breeding bird, the Wren is tiny but loud, often found in tangled undergrowth across Sussex. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Size: Tiny (9 cm) Plumage: Brown…

Abundant

Yellow-legged Gull

๐Ÿ” Overview A large, robust gull mainly seen in Sussex in late summer and early autumn, with a few year-round. ๐Ÿชถ Key Identification Features Grey mantle darker than Herring Gull…

Scarce