The long South facing coastline of Sussex is a good place to observe spectacular
migrations during both the Spring and Autumn passage. The headlands at Beachy
Head and also Seaford Head are good places to visit during these passage periods.
Species seen can include Red-Throated Diver, various auk
species and good numbers of waders.
The harbours and associated wetlands at Chichester Harbour,
Pagham Harbour, Rye Harbour and West Wittering host excellent numbers of migrants
and Winter visitors. In the spring and Summer they are home to Great
Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Coot and Moorhen. Breeding
warblers include Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Redstart
and Garden warbler. Terns and gulls appear in large numbers
with breeding Sandwich Tern, Common Tern and small numbers
of both Little Tern and Mediterranean Gulls.
Waders found at these sites include Whimbrel, Knot, Greenshank, Spotted
Redshank, Curlew and Ringed Plover. Osprey can also
been seen during passage periods.
The habitat found in the rest of the county is varied and is made up of
farmland, which holds small numbers of Grey Partridge and
Corn Bunting, large heavily wooded areas and mixed heathland -
similar to parts of Surrey. One of the areas we
visit in the Spring and early Summer is Ashdown
Forest. This area holds species such as Redstart, Wood Warbler, Woodlark
and Tree Pipit. In the Summer Pulborough Brooks is a wonderful
site for Nightingale, Yellowhammer and Bullfinch.
While an Autumn or Winter visit provides good numbers of wildfowl, geese and
swans. Recent rarities to this RSPB reserve have included Black-Winged
Stilt and Grey Phalarope.
Other birds regularly seen in Sussex are Black Terns -
in the late Summer. In the Winter there are a number of good sites for Barn
Owl, Short-Eared Owl and Bewick's Swan.
South East Bird Tours
