🔍 Overview A small North American gull that occasionally strays to Europe. A rare vagrant in Sussex, most often seen in winter. 🪶 Key Identification Features Dark hood in breeding plumage; smudgy in winter Pale grey mantle Black wingtips with white spots 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Look for it among Black-headed Gull flocks at coastal...
🔍 Overview A rare vagrant from North America, with occasional Sussex records, especially during winter. 🪶 Key Identification Features Like a smaller Herring Gull Pale grey mantle, yellow legs Adult: distinctive black ring around yellow bill 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution May appear at Brighton seafront, Shoreham, or inland reservoirs. Watch for among winter gull flocks...
🔍 Overview A large Arctic gull that appears along the Sussex coast in small numbers during late winter. 🪶 Key Identification Features Very large and bulky; pale grey back Adults: white wing tips (no black) Juveniles: uniformly pale biscuit-brown with pale bill base 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most often seen at harbours and landfill sites...
🔍 Overview A scarce but regular North American vagrant. Typically appears in Sussex during autumn, often found among other waders on wetlands. 🪶 Key Identification Features Size: Slightly smaller than a Dunlin (21 cm) Plumage: Brown-streaked breast with sharp boundary to white belly Other: Yellowish legs, fine bill, upright posture 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best...
🔍 Overview A very rare passage migrant in the UK, with very few modern Sussex records. Formerly bred in Europe but now mostly seen on migration. 🪶 Key Identification Features Chunkier than Common Snipe Bold white outer tail feathers Heavily barred underparts and short bill for a snipe 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Would likely be...
🔍 Overview A scarce passage migrant, mostly in spring and autumn. Often spins in circles on water while feeding. 🪶 Key Identification Features Breeding Female: Striking with red neck, black mask, grey back Non-breeding/Immature: Pale grey and white Size: Small, dainty (18–20 cm) 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Prefers shallow freshwater pools or coastal lagoons—recorded at...
🔍 Overview An Arctic breeder that reaches Sussex mainly during or after autumn storms, often blown inland from sea. 🪶 Key Identification Features Small, pale, delicate wader Winter plumage: grey above, white below Constant spinning motion when feeding 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Seen on flooded fields, coastal pools, or even inland reservoirs like Arlington or...
🔍 Overview A rare vagrant from North America, usually seen in autumn. Often confused with Common Sandpiper. 🪶 Key Identification Features Similar to Common Sandpiper but paler Breeding: bold dark spots on white underparts Short tail, habitually bobs when walking 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Look for at coastal lagoons, reservoirs, or estuary edges such as...
🔍 Overview A scarce spring and autumn migrant, typically in small numbers in suitable wader habitat. 🪶 Key Identification Features Tiny, plain greyish-brown wader Yellowish legs, fine bill Creeping, mouse-like foraging behaviour 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Best found at Pulborough Brooks, Rye Harbour, or Sidlesham Ferry Pool during May and August–September. 🎶 Voice & Behaviour...
🔍 Overview A small American shorebird, rare in the UK and even rarer in Sussex. Occasional autumn vagrant, usually found after storms. 🪶 Key Identification Features Long wings extending past the tail Scaled appearance on upperparts Fine, neat streaking on breast 🗺️ Habitat & Distribution Most likely to appear at coastal scrapes or mudflats such...
