Common introduced resident. Population augmented annually by captive bred stock.
Archives: Birds
Bird
Alpine Swift
🔍 Overview Rare vagrant. A large, fast-flying swift rarely seen in Sussex, Alpine Swifts are scarce spring and summer visitors, typically after strong southerly winds. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large swift (20–22 cm) Plumage: Dark brown above with striking white belly and throat Shape: Long, scythe-shaped wings and forked tail Flight: Powerful, agile, often...
Bird
Smew
🔍 Overview A striking and scarce winter visitor to Sussex, mostly seen on inland waters and gravel pits. 🪶 Key Identification Features Males: white plumage with black mask and lines (“panda duck”) Females/immatures: grey with reddish-brown heads (“redhead”) Small and agile diving duck 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen at Arlington Reservoir, Weir Wood Reservoir,...
Bird
Blue-winged Teal
🔍 Overview A small North American duck that is a rare but near-annual vagrant to the UK. Sussex has a handful of credible records, mostly in autumn and winter. 🪶 Key Identification Features Males: pale blue forewing and bold white crescent in front of eye Females resemble female Garganey but have plainer faces Smaller than...
Bird
Red-crested Pochard
🔍 Overview Possibly a rare winter visitor and passage migrant although most records probably relate to escaped or naturalised birds. An attractive diving duck, recorded occasionally in Sussex. Can be of wild or feral origin. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Bright orange head, red bill, black breast, pale flanks Female: Dull brown with pale cheeks...
Bird
Ring-necked Duck
🔍 Overview A rare North American diving duck, sometimes turning up among Tufted Duck flocks in winter. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Black back and breast, grey flanks, white ring on bill Female: Brown with white eye-ring and pale face Size: Similar to Tufted Duck (41–46 cm) 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Usually found at gravel...
Bird
Greater Scaup
🔍 Overview A scarce winter visitor to Sussex, especially on larger lakes, reservoirs, and coastal bays. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: white flanks, dark back, rounded head Female: brown with white around bill base Blue-grey bill and black nail 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen at Arlington Reservoir, Pagham Harbour, or offshore from Selsey Bill....
Bird
Surf Scoter
🔍 Overview A rare North American sea duck occasionally recorded off Sussex during winter gales, especially after storms. 🪶 Key Identification Features Male: Black with large white patches on head and nape, colourful swollen bill Female: Brown with pale cheek patches Size: Larger than a Common Scoter (48–55 cm) 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best looked...
Bird
Barnacle Goose
🔍 Overview Most Barnacle Geese seen in Sussex are feral, but small numbers of wild birds may arrive in winter, particularly in hard weather. 🪶 Key Identification Features Striking black-and-white plumage White face with black breast and neck Compact, goose-shaped body 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Feral birds occur year-round at sites like Arundel WWT or...
