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 185–207 of 211 species
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common year-round resident of farmland, parkland, and woodland edges, nesting in tree holes across the county.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon resident found year-round on coastal gorse scrub and heathland, often perching prominently while flicking its tail.
Year-round
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A secretive resident of mature woodland, rarely seen but often heard hooting after dark in the county's woods and parks.
Year-round
Temminck's Stint
Calidris temminckiiLC
A rare passage migrant glimpsed briefly in May and August at freshwater scrapes and muddy pool margins.
May–Aug
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
A rare passage migrant through the county, seen briefly in spring and autumn. Formerly bred on heathland in the region.
May–Sep
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects hidden in bark crevices.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common diving duck found year-round on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits across the county. Breeds locally and gathers in larger winter flocks.
Year-round
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianusLC
A rare midwinter visitor, sometimes found on flooded fields and wetlands in the Arun Valley during cold spells.
Dec–Feb
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Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fuscaVU
A rare late-autumn passage migrant, occasionally spotted among Common Scoter flocks off the coast in November and December.
Nov–Dec
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted at watercress beds and wet meadows in March. Easily confused with Rock Pipit.
Mar
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
An uncommon but secretive year-round resident of reedbeds and marshy ditches. More often heard squealing than seen at sites like Arundel.
Year-round
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
An uncommon resident quartering reedbeds and marshes year-round, notably at Pulborough Brooks and Amberley Wildbrooks.
Year-round
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
An uncommon visitor to open downland and coastal grassland, most visible during spring and autumn passage across the South Downs.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
An uncommon but regular wader, most conspicuous on spring and autumn passage at coastal sites like Pagham and Chichester Harbours.
Year-round
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
An uncommon bird of open scrubby habitats, seen mainly on passage in spring and autumn across downland and coastal areas.
Apr–Oct
White-tailed Sea-eagle
Haliaeetus albicillaLC
A rare resident following reintroduction on the Isle of Wight; increasingly seen soaring over harbours and wetlands in the county.
Year-round
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A lively summer warbler breeding commonly in hedgerows, scrub and field margins from April. Its scratchy song is a hallmark of the Downs.
Apr–Sep
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally recorded in October on flooded fields or reservoirs. Far scarcer than Bewick's Swan here.
Oct
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
A declining summer breeder found in scrubby woodland and heathland edges. Its gentle descending song is heard from April to July.
Mar–Oct
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare visitor to freshwater marshes, occasionally recorded at Pulborough Brooks and Pagham during spring and autumn passage.
Apr–Aug
Woodlark
Lullula arboreaLC
A rare resident favouring lowland heaths and forest clearings, notably around the commons. Sings its melodious song from early spring.
Oct–Jun
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant year-round resident found in virtually every habitat. Huge autumn flocks gather on arable fields.
Year-round
Wryneck
Jynx torquillaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant in September, occasionally turning up at coastal scrub and gardens along the Sussex coast.
Sep