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 116–138 of 217 species
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A common year-round resident, often seen in noisy flocks around church towers, farmland and the chalk cliffs of the South Downs.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A common year-round resident, often seen hovering over downland, road verges and farmland across the county.
Year-round
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
Scarce year-round, most often seen offshore or at coastal roosts. Once bred on nearby cliffs but has declined dramatically across the UK.
Year-round
Lapland Longspur
Calcarius lapponicusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally recorded in October on coastal fields and shingle. Beachy Head is a favoured site for sightings.
Oct
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common year-round resident seen along the coast, at landfill sites, and increasingly inland. Numbers peak in summer and autumn.
Year-round
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
A rare and declining species, occasionally recorded in March when drumming reveals its presence in mature broadleaved woodland.
Mar
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring dense hedgerows and scrub. Its rattling song is easily overlooked.
Apr–Sep
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of gorse-covered downland and farmland edges. Often forms large flocks on stubble fields and coastal scrub in winter.
Year-round
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Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now a common resident, thriving along estuaries, marshes, and coastal pools. A colonisation success story since the 1990s.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of ponds, lakes, and ditches. Often secretive in summer but more visible in winter.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A dainty, rare gull seen on passage and in winter, often at coastal lagoons. Spring and autumn movements bring occasional sightings offshore.
Sep–May
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A scarce resident of farmland and parkland, often perching on fence posts across the Low Weald. An introduced species now in gradual decline.
Oct–Jun
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder on gravel pits and reservoir margins from March to September. Smaller and slimmer than Ringed Plover with a bold eye-ring.
Mar–Sep
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
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
An uncommon summer breeder nesting on shingle beaches. Colonies at Rye Harbour are carefully protected from disturbance.
Apr–Aug
Long-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus scolopaceusNT
A rare Nearctic vagrant occasionally recorded at coastal pools and marshes, mainly in autumn. A prized find for local birders.
Oct–Jan
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare winter visitor, occasionally spotted offshore or in sheltered bays during December. One of the county's scarcest sea ducks.
Dec
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common and endearing resident, often seen in lively family flocks bouncing through hedgerows and woodland edges throughout the year.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident found year-round in gardens, parks, hedgerows and farmland across the county.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common and familiar resident found year-round on rivers, ponds, lakes, and marshes throughout the county. Readily seen in parks and gardens near water.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but established resident on wooded lakes and rivers, favouring mature trees with nesting holes. Most easily seen in late winter displays.
Year-round
Manx Shearwater
Puffinus puffinusLC
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally spotted from coastal headlands such as Beachy Head during seawatching in May.
May
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland, particularly in the Weald. A declining species easily confused with the Willow Tit.
Year-round