Birds to See in West Sussex in May
160 bird species on our list for West Sussex are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Woodpigeon, Blackbird, European Robin, Carrion Crow and Eurasian Wren. New this month: Spotted Flycatcher, European Turtle-dove, Curlew Sandpiper and Nightjar and 7 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
From West Sussex’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 160 birds in May
160 birds
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 3.14% in May
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 3.04% in May
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.74% in May
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.71% in May
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 2.24% in May
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.21% in May
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.20% in May
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.17% in May
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 2.13% in May
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 2.08% in May
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 2.02% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.00% in May
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.96% in May
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.93% in May
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.78% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.73% in May
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.72% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.70% in May
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.66% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.58% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 1.49% in May
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in May
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.45% in May
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 1.42% in May
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.31% in May
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.30% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in May
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.24% in May
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in May
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 1.22% in May
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in May
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentCommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in May
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.11% in May
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in May
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in May
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.98% in May
CuckooCuculus canorusPassage migrantCommon32–34 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.97% in May
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in May
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.93% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in May
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in May
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in May
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.88% in May
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentCommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in May
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in May
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in May
NightingaleLuscinia megarhynchosSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.83% in May
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.78% in May
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in May
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in May
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in May
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in May
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentCommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in May
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentCommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in May
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.65% in May
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in May
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in May
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.62% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in May
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaResidentCommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in May
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in May
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.55% in May
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.55% in May
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in May
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusResidentCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.47% in May
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in May
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in May
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in May
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in May
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.34% in May
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.33% in May
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusSummer visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.28% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorUncommon28–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.27% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaResidentCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in May
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in May
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaResidentCommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in May
Little TernSternula albifronsSummer visitorUncommon21–25 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.24% in May
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusResidentCommon37–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisWinter visitorCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Northern GannetMorus bassanusResidentUncommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in May
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in May
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in May
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentUncommon41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in May
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
GreenshankTringa nebulariaSummer visitorCommon30–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
European Turtle-doveStreptopelia turturSummer visitorUncommon26–28 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.18% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in May
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusWinter visitorCommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosPassage migrantCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in May
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.13% in May
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraResidentUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
WoodlarkLullula arboreaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.12% in May
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaResidentUncommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.11% in May
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · records held back in May (protected)
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaSummer visitorUncommon66–94 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.09% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusWinter visitorCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
WheatearOenanthe oenanthePassage migrantCommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.09% in May
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisPassage migrantUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantUncommon41–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in May
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
FulmarFulmarus glacialisWinter visitorUncommon45–50 cmRegularly Dec–Aug · 0.07% in May
NightjarCaprimulgus europaeusSummer visitorUncommon24–28 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.06% in May
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.06% in May
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.06% in May
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaWinter visitorUncommon80–104 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.06% in May
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.06% in May
Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaSummer visitorUncommon19–21 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.05% in May
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.05% in May
GarganeySpatula querquedulaPassage migrantUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.05% in May
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixWinter visitorUncommon28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaPassage migrantCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.04% in May
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantRare46–51 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.04% in May
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.04% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Little OwlAthene noctuaSummer visitorUncommon21–23 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.03% in May
Roseate TernSterna dougalliiPassage migrantRare33–41 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.02% in May
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.02% in May
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorUncommon50–71 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.02% in May
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in May
Great SkuaStercorarius skuaPassage migrantUncommon50–58 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in May
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusPassage migrantRare30–38 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaPassage migrantRare58–77 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerPassage migrantRare22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaSummer visitorRare12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorWinter visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.01% in May
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusWinter visitorUncommon29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisWinter visitorRare58–70 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaSummer visitorRare80–90 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.01% in May
Common QuailCoturnix coturnixSummer visitorRare16–18 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentRare38–42 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.01% in May
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.00% in May
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made