Sandpipers & Snipes in East Sussex

23 species matching this filter.

All birds in East SussexView family page

East Sussex is home to 23 recorded species from the Sandpipers & Snipes family, reflecting the county's rich mosaic of coastal mudflats, estuarine habitats, and inland wetlands. The sheltered bays and marshes around Pevensey Levels, Rye Harbour, and the Cuckmere estuary provide vital feeding and roosting grounds for waders such as Dunlin, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Common Snipe. Scarcer visitors like Curlew Sandpiper and Greenshank add excitement during migration periods, making East Sussex a rewarding destination for wader enthusiasts year-round.

Little Stint
Little StintSmallest · 13cm
to
Curlew
CurlewLargest · 60cm
Ranges from the Little Stint (13cm) to the Curlew (60cm)13 year-round residents
Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

A rare but regular visitor to coastal mudflats and estuaries, with passage peaks in spring and autumn. Favours the Cuckmere and Rye areas.

Mar–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A rare but increasingly regular wader at coastal pools and grazing marshes. Rye Harbour and the Pevensey Levels offer the best chances of sightings.

Mar–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon wader found along rivers, reservoirs, and coastal pools. Most conspicuous on passage, bobbing along stony margins with a distinctive teetering gait.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Snipe

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon resident of wet grasslands and marshes, most easily seen in winter when numbers are boosted by continental migrants.

Jul–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Curlew

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

An uncommon resident found on coastal marshes and the Pevensey Levels year-round. Numbers have declined as a breeding bird in the region.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Curlew Sandpiper

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferrugineaNT

A rare but annual autumn passage migrant, typically seen on coastal scrapes from July to September, often alongside Dunlin.

Jul–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Dunlin

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

Found on mudflats and coastal lagoons year-round, with numbers boosted in winter. Pevensey Levels and Rye Harbour are key sites.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Woodcock

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A secretive resident of damp woodland, most often flushed unexpectedly in winter. Breeds in small numbers in the county's larger woodlands.

Jan–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

A rare but near year-round visitor to ditches, streams and watercress beds. Often detected by its sharp call as it flies up from cover.

Jun–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greenshank

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon visitor mainly on passage and in autumn, frequenting coastal pools and estuaries. Its ringing call often draws attention at Cuckmere Haven.

Apr–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jack Snipe

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A rare and secretive passage visitor, most likely flushed from boggy margins in March. Easily overlooked due to its reluctance to fly.

Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Little Stint

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, appearing briefly on coastal scrapes and pools from August to October. Rye Harbour is the most reliable site.

Aug–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotosLC

A rare transatlantic vagrant, occasionally turning up at coastal pools in August. Most records come from sites like Pett Level or the Cuckmere.

Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Purple Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

A rare winter visitor favouring rocky groynes and harbour walls along the coast. Most reliably seen from November to March.

Nov–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red Knot

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

A rare visitor to mudflats and coastal lagoons, present mainly in winter and on passage. Small flocks occasionally visit Rye Harbour.

Aug–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-necked Phalarope

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen spinning on pools at coastal reserves such as Rye Harbour in September.

Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Redshank

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

An uncommon resident of coastal marshes and estuaries, breeding on grazing levels. Its loud piping call is characteristic of the Pevensey Levels.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

Forages along rocky shorelines and groynes, flipping stones for invertebrates. Present year-round but uncommon, favouring the coast at sites like Rye Harbour.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Ruff

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare wader found at coastal pools and marshes, most often seen on autumn passage. Breeding males sport extraordinary ruffs, but most sightings here involve plainer birds.

Jul–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Sanderling

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

Scarce along East Sussex's shingle and sandy shores, mainly seen in winter and on passage. Runs energetically at the tide edge, often in small flocks.

Aug–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to sheltered estuaries and coastal pools. Most often seen at Rye Harbour or Pagham-area marshes.

Aug–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Whimbrel

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

An uncommon passage wader heard calling overhead in spring and late summer. Coastal marshes and the Cuckmere Valley are favoured stopover sites.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare but regular autumn passage wader, favouring freshwater scrapes at sites like Rye Harbour and Pett Level from July to September.

Jul–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Frequently Asked Questions

Sandpipers & Snipes in East Sussex | Birdfact