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 139–161 of 217 species
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of downland grassland, heathland, and coastal margins. Numbers swell in autumn with passage birds moving through the county.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen dashing low over coastal marshes and downland. Most likely from autumn through to early spring.
Sep–Mar
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident of parkland and open woodland, often singing boldly from treetops even in midwinter. Numbers are declining.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common and widespread resident of ponds, streams, and ditches across the county. Often seen picking its way along muddy margins, flicking its white tail.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
An elegant year-round resident of rivers, lakes and coastal lagoons. Breeds on the Cuckmere, Ouse and at Rye Harbour.
Year-round
Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchosLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in April. Dense coppiced woodland in the Low Weald remains a stronghold for this celebrated songster.
Apr–Aug
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A scarce summer breeder on heathland in the Ashdown Forest area. Its churring song carries across warm evenings from May to July.
May–Jul
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanusLC
Seen offshore year-round, often plunge-diving spectacularly. Passage numbers peak in autumn off Beachy Head and other watchpoints.
Year-round
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Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare and secretive resident of larger woodlands. Sightings peak in late winter and autumn, often near extensive forest blocks in the Weald.
Aug–Apr
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
An uncommon year-round resident of farmland and marshes, though declining as a breeder. Winter flocks form on the Pevensey Levels and coastal fields.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An elegant dabbling duck found on coastal marshes and flooded fields, mainly from autumn to spring. Scarce but regular at Rye Harbour.
Sep–May
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
Uncommon but present year-round on freshwater marshes and flooded fields. Most reliably seen at Rye Harbour and Pevensey Levels.
Year-round
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but eagerly awaited autumn passage migrant in August and September, often seen fishing over reservoirs and coastal lagoons.
Aug–Sep
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
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, nesting on coastal cliffs and tall buildings. Often seen hunting over the Downs and marshes.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare winter visitor to the Pevensey Levels and coastal grazing marshes. Small numbers occasionally appear among flocks of other geese in January and February.
Jan–Feb
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
Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinusLC
A rare spring passage migrant best seen during seawatches from Beachy Head or Splash Point in April and May.
Apr–May
Purple Heron
Ardea purpureaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally spotted in April at reedbeds and wetlands such as those around the Pevensey Levels or Rye Harbour.
Apr
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
Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
Scarce but regular offshore in winter and spring, often seen from seawatching points. Occasionally washes up on beaches after storms.
Oct–May
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare resident of conifer plantations, with numbers varying greatly between years. Ashdown Forest is a key site for this unpredictable finch.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A rare but increasingly seen resident, soaring over the Downs and Weald as the population slowly spreads southward.
Year-round