Rock Pipit

🔍 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, and Lower Adur Valley. Occasionally breeds further west along the coast.

🎶 Voice & Behaviour

Call is a sharp “wheest” or “tseep”. Feeds among seaweed and rocks, often flushed from below footpaths.