🔍 Overview A slim, green-glossed seabird often confused with the Cormorant, but favouring rockier coastal habitats. Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; rare away from coast. 🪶 Key Identification Features Slender with a long, thin bill Dark green sheen Crest visible in breeding adults 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Regular off Brighton Marina, Worthing Beaches, and...
🔍 Overview A day-flying owl that winters on open ground in Sussex and occasionally breeds. Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; Last bred 1922. 🪶 Key Identification Features Pale owl with streaky breast Bold black “mascara” patches around yellow eyes Floppy, moth-like flight 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best seen on the Downs, Adur Valley and...
🔍 Overview A beloved and bold garden bird, the Robin is a year-round presence throughout Sussex in gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (14 cm) Plumage: Bright red breast, brown back, white belly Posture: Upright with flicking movements Behaviour: Confident, often foraging near people 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Ubiquitous across Sussex—gardens,...
🔍 Overview A streaky, coastal pipit often found on rocky shores and harbour walls in winter. Scarce resident and scarce winter visitor; very rare away from the coast. 🪶 Key Identification Features Dark olive-brown overall Heavily streaked underparts Slightly downcurved bill and tail-flicking behaviour 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Winter visitor to Brighton Marina, Shoreham Harbour,...
🔍 Overview The most social of UK crows, Rooks are widespread in rural Sussex and identifiable by their bare greyish face and shaggy thigh feathers. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Large (45 cm) Plumage: Glossy black with purple sheen Bill Base: Pale and bare in adults Thighs: Feathered and shaggy-looking 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Common...
🔍 Overview Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. A highly variable medium-sized wader, best known for the male’s extravagant breeding plumage (rarely seen in Sussex). 🪶 Key Identification Features Long neck, small head Leg and plumage colour vary Males much larger than females (“reeves”) 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Passage migrant and winter visitor to Pagham...
🔍 Overview A lively summer visitor, the Sand Martin nests in colonies along sandy riverbanks and quarries in Sussex. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (12–13 cm)Plumage: Brown above, white below with brown chest bandDistinctive Marks: Narrow breast bandBill: SmallTail: Slightly forkedFlight: Swift and erratic 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Breeds at Goring Gap, Upper Adur Valley....
🔍 Overview Often overlooked, the Reed Bunting is a hardy year-round resident of Sussex wetlands, with striking plumage in spring. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Sparrow-sized (13–15 cm)Plumage: Males have black head, white collar; females streakyDistinctive Marks: White outer tail feathersBill: Short and strongTail: LongFlight: Fluttery, low 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Wetlands like Adur Valley and...
🔍 Overview A secretive, common summer visitor to Sussex reedbeds, the Reed Warbler is best located by its repetitive, rhythmic song during breeding season. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Small (13 cm) Plumage: Warm brown upperparts, pale buff underparts Bill: Slender and pointed Tail: Medium length, often flicked Behaviour: Skulking and rarely leaves reeds 🗺️...
🔍 Overview A summer thrush from upland Britain, seen in Sussex during spring and autumn migration. 🪶 Key Identification Features Blackish plumage with pale wing edges Bold white crescent across chest (especially males) Larger and leaner than a Blackbird 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Passes through coastal hills, golf courses, and Downland slopes such as Cissbury...
