Birds to See in West Sussex in October
157 bird species on our list for West Sussex are recorded regularly in October
Of these, the most often recorded are Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, European Robin, Magpie and Blue Tit. New this month: Redwing, Fieldfare, Red-breasted Merganser and Red-throated Loon and 12 more.
On the move in October
GBIF · OctArriving
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 157 birds in October
157 birds
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 3.22% in Oct
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 3.09% in Oct
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.86% in Oct
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.67% in Oct
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.35% in Oct
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 2.22% in Oct
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 2.16% in Oct
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 2.00% in Oct
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 2.00% in Oct
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.95% in Oct
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.95% in Oct
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 1.88% in Oct
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.86% in Oct
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.77% in Oct
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.66% in Oct
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.64% in Oct
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisWinter visitorCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.62% in Oct
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.54% in Oct
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.50% in Oct
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in Oct
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 1.42% in Oct
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.42% in Oct
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 1.42% in Oct
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 1.36% in Oct
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Oct
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.26% in Oct
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in Oct
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.18% in Oct
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Oct
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.15% in Oct
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Oct
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.13% in Oct
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Oct
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentCommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 1.10% in Oct
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.10% in Oct
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in Oct
Eurasian TealAnas creccaResidentCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in Oct
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in Oct
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 1.06% in Oct
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in Oct
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 1.05% in Oct
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Oct
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in Oct
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in Oct
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in Oct
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentCommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in Oct
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.74% in Oct
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.74% in Oct
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Oct
RedwingTurdus iliacusWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.72% in Oct
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentCommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Oct
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusWinter visitorCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Oct
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Oct
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Oct
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Oct
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Oct
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Oct
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.58% in Oct
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Oct
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Oct
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Oct
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Oct
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Oct
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusWinter visitorCommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Oct
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Oct
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Oct
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentCommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Oct
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Oct
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Oct
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Oct
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Oct
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in Oct
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusResidentCommon37–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in Oct
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.47% in Oct
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaResidentCommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Oct
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Oct
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Oct
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Oct
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.44% in Oct
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.43% in Oct
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.42% in Oct
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.41% in Oct
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Oct
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Oct
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Oct
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Oct
Northern GannetMorus bassanusResidentUncommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Oct
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Oct
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Oct
GreenshankTringa nebulariaSummer visitorCommon30–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Oct
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Oct
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Oct
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.24% in Oct
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Oct
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaResidentUncommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Oct
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Oct
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusResidentCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Oct
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Oct
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Oct
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.18% in Oct
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Oct
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaSummer visitorUncommon66–94 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.18% in Oct
FieldfareTurdus pilarisWinter visitorCommon22–27 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.17% in Oct
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.16% in Oct
RazorbillAlca tordaWinter visitorUncommon38–43 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.15% in Oct
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaResidentCommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Oct
Great White EgretArdea albaWinter visitorUncommon80–104 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.14% in Oct
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraResidentUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Oct
European ShagGulosus aristotelisWinter visitorUncommon65–80 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.13% in Oct
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Oct
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Oct
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.11% in Oct
WheatearOenanthe oenanthePassage migrantCommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.11% in Oct
WoodlarkLullula arboreaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.10% in Oct
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.10% in Oct
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Oct
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusWinter visitorUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.10% in Oct
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusPassage migrantUncommon23–24 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.09% in Oct
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Oct
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Oct
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorUncommon28–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Oct
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixWinter visitorUncommon28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentUncommon41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusPassage migrantCommon21–24 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.07% in Oct
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.06% in Oct
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.06% in Oct
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.06% in Oct
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusWinter visitorUncommon29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Oct
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaPassage migrantCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Oct
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosPassage migrantCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Oct
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantUncommon41–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Oct
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in Oct
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Aug–Feb · 0.04% in Oct
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Oct
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Oct
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Oct–Dec · 0.04% in Oct
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisWinter visitorRare58–70 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in Oct
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.03% in Oct
Little OwlAthene noctuaSummer visitorUncommon21–23 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.03% in Oct
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellisResidentUncommon52–68 cmRegularly Jun–Jan · 0.03% in Oct
OspreyPandion haliaetusPassage migrantUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.02% in Oct
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in Oct
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaSummer visitorRare80–90 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Black SwanCygnus atratusWinter visitorUncommon110–142 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.02% in Oct
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.02% in Oct
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentRare38–42 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.02% in Oct
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorWinter visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.01% in Oct
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorRare34–43 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorUncommon58–68 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.01% in Oct
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusPassage migrantUncommon41–52 cmRegularly Oct–Jan · 0.01% in Oct
Little StintCalidris minutaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorRare20–22 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.01% in Oct
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisPassage migrantUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusPassage migrantRare30–38 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
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