Ruff

🔍 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 Harbour, Pulborough Brooks, and Rye Harbour, especially in January – March and September–October.

🎶 Voice & Behaviour

Quiet; may give a soft “prut” or “tuut” call. Often seen feeding singly or in loose flocks on muddy margins.