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 162–184 of 211 species
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October and foraging in hedgerows and fields. Often found alongside Fieldfares.
Oct–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of reedbeds, ditches and damp scrub. Spreads into farmland hedgerows in winter.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, briefly passing through the South Downs in October on its way to wintering grounds.
Oct
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon resident found on shingle beaches and mudflats, breeding at sites like Pagham Harbour and the Adur estuary.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Common year-round in towns and along coastal cliffs. Feral populations thrive in urban centres like Chichester and Worthing.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to rocky coastal shores, present from October to March along the Sussex coastline.
Oct–Mar
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident forming noisy rookeries in tall trees across farmland and villages throughout the county.
Year-round
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougalliiLC
An exceptionally rare passage tern, occasionally glimpsed offshore in July. One of Britain's scarcest breeding seabirds, seen only as a vagrant here.
Jul
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Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
An uncommon but year-round presence on rocky shores and harbour walls. Feeds busily among seaweed-covered stones along the coast.
Year-round
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare visitor to wet grasslands and coastal pools, most likely at sites like Pulborough Brooks or Pagham Harbour during passage.
Jul–May
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from March to October, nesting in sandy banks along rivers and gravel pits across the county.
Mar–Oct
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare but regular sight on sandy beaches, often seen in small flocks running along the tideline outside summer months.
Aug–May
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
Uncommon but present year-round, often seen plunge-diving offshore at sites like Selsey Bill and Pagham Harbour.
Year-round
Savi's Warbler
Locustella luscinioidesLC
A very rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in reedbeds during June. Its reeling song resembles a grasshopper warbler's but is lower-pitched.
Jun
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder from April to September, singing from reedbeds and ditches at sites like Pulborough Brooks.
Apr–Sep
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Calidris pusillaNT
A very rare transatlantic vagrant, occasionally recorded in August on coastal mudflats. A prized find for local birders.
Aug
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare winter visitor to coastal marshes and rough grassland, arriving from November and departing by early spring.
Nov–Mar
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare winter visitor to the coast, occasionally seen on shingle beaches. Most likely November to January.
Nov–Jan
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common year-round resident singing from gardens, hedgerows, and woodland. Numbers boosted by continental arrivals in autumn.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds through woodland and gardens across the county year-round.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A declining summer visitor arriving in May, favouring woodland edges and churchyards. Sallies from exposed perches to catch flying insects.
May–Oct
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare but regular wader at sheltered estuarine sites, most reliably seen at Chichester and Pagham Harbours on passage.
Jun–Apr
Squacco Heron
Ardeola ralloidesLC
An extremely rare vagrant from southern Europe, occasionally turning up at coastal marshes in late summer. A prized find for local birders.
Aug