Common Birds in East Sussex
51 species matching this filter.
East Sussex is home to 51 commonly spotted bird species, thriving across a rich mosaic of habitats from the chalk cliffs of Beachy Head and the wetlands of Pevensey Levels to the ancient woodlands of the High Weald. Familiar garden visitors such as Blackbirds, Chaffinches and European Goldfinches are joined by Buzzards soaring over the South Downs and Great Cormorants along the coast. Many of these species also feature in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures), making East Sussex a rewarding county for birdwatchers of all levels.
Showing 1–23 of 51 species
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer breeder arriving from March, nesting in barns and outbuildings across the Low Weald. Gathers in large pre-migration flocks in autumn.
Mar–Nov
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
Abundant in gardens, woodlands and hedgerows throughout the year. One of the most familiar birds across East Sussex.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
Resident all year, increasingly visiting garden feeders in winter. A rich songster in spring woodlands and scrubby hedgerows.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A familiar garden resident found year-round. Readily takes to nest boxes and is one of the most frequent visitors to bird feeders across the county.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common year-round resident, frequently seen soaring over farmland, downland and woodland edges throughout the county.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
Widespread and common on lakes, rivers and parkland year-round. Readily seen at Arlington Reservoir and urban ponds across the county.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable year-round resident, abundant in towns, farmland and along the coast throughout East Sussex.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and widespread resident found in woodlands, hedgerows, parks, and gardens. One of the most frequently encountered birds in the county.
Year-round
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Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common year-round warbler whose repetitive two-note song echoes through woodlands, parks and hedgerows across the county.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident across farmland, woodland edges and downland. Widely released for shooting, it is one of the most frequently encountered birds in rural areas.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident famous for its spectacular winter murmurations over Brighton and Eastbourne piers. Numbers swell with Continental arrivals in autumn.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over towns and villages from late April to August. Nests under eaves and in older buildings across the county.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
Common on lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits year-round. Often gathers in large flocks at Arlington Reservoir in winter.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and garden shrubbery. Its thin, high-pitched song is heard year-round across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common resident in towns, villages and gardens throughout the county. Its monotonous three-note call is a familiar sound year-round.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A striking wader found on shingle beaches and coastal marshes year-round. Breeds at Rye Harbour and along the Pevensey shore.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A common resident of open farmland and the South Downs, though declining nationally. Its continuous hovering song flight is a classic downland sound.
Year-round
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
One of the county's most abundant residents, its explosive song rings from hedgerows, gardens and undergrowth all year.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, frequently seen in flocks feeding on teasel and thistle heads across farmland, gardens, and downland margins.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A familiar and noisy presence in coastal towns like Brighton and Hastings. Breeds on rooftops and cliffs, scavenging boldly year-round.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
One of the most familiar year-round residents, found in gardens, hedgerows and woodland. Sings throughout winter across the county.
Year-round
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
Britain's smallest bird, common in coniferous and mixed woodland year-round. Numbers swell in autumn with continental migrants.
Year-round
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
A common and imposing resident of the coast, often seen on beaches, harbour walls, and at gull roosts throughout the year.
Year-round