Upper Adur Valley
The Upper Adur Valley extends northward from the A27 flyover in Shoreham to Bramber village, forming a low-lying corridor within the South Downs landscape. The area encompasses a mix of tidal river, floodplain, wet meadows, grazing marsh, reedbeds, and hedgerows shaped by agricultural use and estuarine processes.
Habitat Composition
- Tidal River (River Adur): Meandering watercourse with fluctuating salinity and flow influenced by tidal cycles
- Floodplain and Grazing Marsh: Seasonally inundated fields support breeding and overwintering bird species
- Wet Meadows and Reedbeds: Key areas for nesting warblers and wading birds
- Ancient Hedgerows and Scrub: Offer food resources and cover for passerines and winter migrants
Avifauna (Birdlife)
Bird populations vary seasonally and reflect the ecological diversity of the site:
- Spring/Summer Species:
- Warblers: Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers
- Waders: Lapwings, Redshanks
- Grassland and edge species: Skylarks, Yellow Wagtails
- Wetland birds: Little Egrets, Grey Herons, Kingfishers
- Autumn/Winter Species:
- Wildfowl and waders: Wigeon, Teal, Snipe
- Raptors: Buzzards, Kestrels, occasional Peregrine Falcons
- Hedgerow-associated species: Redwings, Fieldfares, Bullfinches
- River-associated birds: Cormorants, gull species including Black-headed and Herring Gulls
Conservation Context
This area supports a mixture of priority habitats and species outlined under UK biodiversity frameworks. Regular use by migratory and overwintering birds highlights its regional significance for avian ecology. Long-term agricultural and tidal influences continue to shape species assemblages and habitat structure.