Birds in East Sussex
Explore 217 species found in this region.
East Sussex is home to an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 212 species recorded across its varied landscapes of chalk downland, ancient woodland, coastal marshes, and shingle beaches. From the iconic white cliffs at Beachy Head — a renowned migration hotspot — to the wetlands of Pevensey Levels and the reedbeds of Rye Harbour, the county offers outstanding birding opportunities year-round. Notable species include the Dotterel on passage, wintering Great Grey Shrike, breeding Northern Lapwing, and the elegant Eurasian Woodcock in the county's woodlands.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Jaeger and Arctic Tern arriving this month, and Brambling and Eurasian Spoonbill depart for the season.
Showing 93–115 of 217 species
Great Grey Shrike
Lanius excubitorLC
A rare passage visitor, very occasionally recorded in March on heathland or open scrub. A prized find for local birders.
Mar
Great Skua
Catharacta skuaLC
A powerful seabird seen rarely offshore during spring passage. Best spotted from headlands like Beachy Head during April and May seawatches.
Apr–May
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
A common resident of woodlands, parks, and gardens throughout the county. Its loud drumming on trees is a familiar sound in spring.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common and familiar garden resident found year-round. Its bold "teacher-teacher" song is one of the earliest heard in spring.
Year-round
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident, seen year-round at marshes and wetlands. Part of a wider UK range expansion.
Year-round
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare passage visitor in early winter and spring, occasionally found among Tufted Duck and Pochard flocks on reservoirs and sheltered coastal waters.
Jan–Mar
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor to the Pevensey Levels and grazing marshes, sometimes mixing with other goose flocks from November through to March.
Nov–Mar
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
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Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodland edges. Numbers have declined due to trichomonosis but it remains widespread.
Year-round
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
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A familiar year-round resident of rivers, lakes and marshes, often seen standing motionless at the Pevensey Levels and Cuckmere.
Year-round
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A rare and declining gamebird, occasionally recorded on passage in spring. Once more widespread on the South Downs, now very scarce in the county.
May
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarolaLC
An uncommon but regular visitor to coastal mudflats and estuaries, present most of the year. Silver-grey plumage and black 'armpits' aid identification.
Aug–Jun
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident found along streams and rivers in the Weald. More widespread in winter when birds move to lowland watercourses and coast.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
Common on lakes, marshes and farmland throughout the county. Feral populations are well established and breed readily at wetland sites.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare passage visitor in November, occasionally turning up in wooded areas. Once more widespread, now a scarce and declining species in southern England.
Nov
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
A rare winter visitor to open marshes and farmland, occasionally seen quartering the Pevensey Levels in deep winter.
Dec–Feb
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An uncommon summer breeder from April to October, hunting dragonflies and small birds over heathland, wetlands and open countryside.
Apr–Oct
Hooded Crow
Corvus cornixLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in February and December. Most sightings likely involve Continental birds drifting across the Channel.
Dec–Feb
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer breeder nesting under eaves in towns and villages. Arrives in April and gathers in large flocks before departing by October.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common and familiar resident of towns and villages throughout the county. Nests in buildings and gathers in noisy colonies year-round.
Year-round
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoidesLC
A rare late-winter visitor, occasionally found among gull flocks at coastal roosts. Most records fall in March.
Mar
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