Uncommon Birds in East Sussex

67 species matching this filter.

All birds in East Sussex

East Sussex supports a diverse range of uncommon bird species across its varied habitats, from the chalk cliffs of Beachy Head to the wetlands of Pevensey Levels and the reedbeds of Rye Harbour. Among the 67 uncommon species recorded in the county, birdwatchers can encounter elegant Avocets wading through coastal lagoons, colourful Bullfinches in hedgerows, and striking European Green Woodpeckers in parkland and woodland edges. The county's estuaries, reservoirs, and grazing marshes provide vital habitat for passage waders such as Common Sandpiper and wintering wildfowl including Gadwall and Common Shelduck.

Firecrest
FirecrestSmallest · 9cm
to
Northern Gannet
Northern GannetLargest · 100cm
Ranges from the Firecrest (9cm) to the Northern Gannet (100cm)29 families represented46 year-round residents

Showing 47–67 of 67 species

Pochard

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

An uncommon diving duck on lakes and reservoirs year-round. Nationally declining, but Arlington Reservoir remains a reliable local site.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-throated Loon

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellataLC

An uncommon winter visitor seen offshore from autumn to spring, often flying low over the sea past coastal headlands.

Oct–May

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
Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclusLC

An uncommon resident of reedbeds and wetland margins, found year-round at sites like the Pevensey Levels and Rye Harbour.

Year-round

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

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

Breeds on shingle beaches and frequents coastal pools year-round. Rye Harbour is a key nesting site, with numbers rising on passage.

Year-round

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

Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosusLC

An uncommon resident of rocky shorelines and chalk cliffs, often seen foraging along the base of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head throughout the year.

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
Sand Martin

Sand Martin

Riparia ripariaLC

An uncommon summer breeder from March to October, nesting in sandy banks near rivers and gravel pits across the county.

Mar–Oct

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

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Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

An uncommon breeding visitor arriving in March, nesting at coastal shingle sites like Rye Harbour before departing by October.

Mar–Oct

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

Sedge Warbler

Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC

An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring dense waterside vegetation at wetland sites. Its rapid, chattering song is distinctive.

Apr–Sep

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

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisusLC

An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds through woodland and gardens with dashing low-level flight year-round.

Year-round

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

Spotted Flycatcher

Muscicapa striataLC

An uncommon and declining summer breeder arriving in May. Sallies for insects from exposed perches in woodland edges and mature gardens.

May–Sep

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

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

An uncommon resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Found throughout the Wealden woods year-round.

Year-round

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

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligulaLC

Found year-round on lakes and reservoirs, diving for invertebrates. Regularly seen at Arlington Reservoir and Weir Wood.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Western Marsh-harrier

Western Marsh-harrier

Circus aeruginosusLC

An uncommon year-round resident of extensive reedbeds and marshes, regularly seen quartering the Pevensey Levels and Lewes Brooks.

Year-round

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

Wheatear

Oenanthe oenantheLC

An uncommon breeder on short-grazed chalk downland and coastal clifftops. Most visible during spring and autumn passage along the Sussex coast.

Mar–Nov

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
Whinchat

Whinchat

Saxicola rubetraLC

An uncommon visitor to rough grassland and scrubby margins, mainly on passage from May to October. Favours open areas along the coast and Downs.

May–Oct

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

Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus trochilusLC

An uncommon summer breeder arriving from March, favouring scrubby woodland edges and heathland. Its gentle descending song is a hallmark of spring.

Mar–Oct

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

Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flavaLC

An uncommon summer breeder arriving from April, favouring damp meadows and the Pevensey Levels. A declining species across southern England.

Apr–Oct

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

Yellowhammer

Emberiza citrinellaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of hedgerow-rich farmland on the Downs. Its jangling song is a characteristic sound of rural East Sussex.

Year-round

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