Birds in West Sussex
Explore 211 species found in this region.
West Sussex is home to an impressive 207 recorded bird species, reflecting the county's rich diversity of habitats — from the chalk downlands of the South Downs to the coastal mudflats and harbours of Chichester and Pagham. Birdwatchers can enjoy sightings ranging from familiar garden visitors like the Great Tit and Magpie to scarcer species such as the Great Grey Shrike and the elegant Northern Pintail. The county's wetlands, woodlands, and estuaries make it one of the most rewarding birding destinations in southern England.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Jaeger and Common Redstart arriving this month, and Black-necked Grebe and Brambling depart for the season.
Showing 139–161 of 211 species
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanusLC
Seen offshore year-round, often plunge-diving for fish. Most numerous during autumn passage, visible from headlands like Selsey Bill.
Year-round
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen over extensive woodland. Sightings are scattered across several months.
Feb–Aug
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common resident of farmland and marshes, with large winter flocks on the coastal plain. Breeding numbers are declining.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An uncommon but elegant dabbling duck, favouring coastal marshes and harbours. Most numerous in winter at Chichester and Pagham harbours.
Jun–Apr
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident found on shallow wetlands and flooded fields, with numbers boosted in winter at sites like Pulborough Brooks.
Year-round
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but thrilling autumn passage migrant, often spotted fishing at reservoirs and coastal lagoons in August–October.
Aug–Oct
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare Nearctic wader recorded on autumn passage in September. A prized find at coastal scrapes and wetland reserves.
Sep
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, nesting on coastal cliffs and tall buildings, often hunting over estuaries.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon resident on deeper lakes and reservoirs, though nationally declining. Winter numbers are bolstered by continental arrivals.
Year-round
Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinusLC
A rare spring passage seabird, occasionally spotted from headlands like Selsey Bill during May seawatches.
May
Purple Heron
Ardea purpureaLC
A rare autumn passage vagrant, occasionally recorded in October at coastal wetlands and reedbeds.
Oct
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritimaLC
A rare winter visitor favouring rocky groynes and sea defences along the coast, occasionally noted in January and February.
Jan–Feb
Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen offshore from Selsey Bill and other coastal headlands during autumn and winter storms.
Oct–Feb
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare resident of conifer plantations, with numbers boosted by occasional irruptions. Most likely in the wooded areas of the county.
May–Mar
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now regularly soaring over the Downs and farmland following successful reintroductions.
Year-round
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
A rare wader found on mudflats and harbours, with small numbers wintering at Chichester Harbour and Pagham.
Year-round
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally turning up on coastal scrub and hedgerows in September and October.
Sep–Oct
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to Chichester and Pagham harbours, present from autumn through to spring along the sheltered coast.
Oct–Apr
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded on lakes and reservoirs during March. Numbers in southern England are slowly increasing.
Mar
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
A rare resident of arable farmland and downland. Numbers have declined significantly, and sightings are increasingly scarce.
Year-round
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing offshore or in sheltered harbours during December cold spells.
Dec
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
A rare winter visitor to inshore waters, best seen during seawatches from Selsey Bill between October and April.
Oct–May
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A common year-round resident of estuaries and saltmarshes, with good numbers at Pagham Harbour and Chichester Harbour.
Year-round