These long-distance migrants arrive on our shores from mid-March, and can be seen along the beach, resting and refuelling, before continuing their migration further north. The sight of the first Wheatear in spring is an exciting spectacle for many birders: … Continue reading →
Stonechats don’t breed anywhere near the beach, but are sometimes seen during the autumn and winter months when they stray away from their breeding territories. It’s possible that some birds also arrive from the continent, in search of a relatively … Continue reading →
This diminutive wader is generally seen only during the winter months, and is always close to the very edge of the shoreline. If you see a small bird scurrying around like a clockwork mouse, just managing to avoid the breaking … Continue reading →
These noisy and charismatic birds are becoming less common, and are now a species of high conservation concern. Small flocks sometimes appear on the beach, exploiting seeds and small insects hiding in the vegetation. Starlings are good mimics, and often … Continue reading →
There’s still a healthy population of these birds around Shoreham and small groups can often be seen on the beach itself. In late summer, many of the plants growing on the beach ‘go to seed’, and this provides sparrows with … Continue reading →
Seen all around Shoreham, and daily on the beach, these large gulls are one of our most familiar birds. They are opportunists, which means that there’s not much that they won’t eat! When they are breeding, they can become more … Continue reading →
The largest gull in the world, weighing in at 1.6kg, this is a bird not to be messed with! They are present all year round, but numbers increase in the winter months when birds from Norway and Sweden visit us … Continue reading →
This is a species that is rapidly declining, and has become scarce on the beach in recent years. Like other finches that can be seen on the beach, Greenfinches feed on seeds and so are dependent on the vegetated shingle. … Continue reading →
Who doesn’t admire a Goldfinch, they look almost like a tropical bird with their red faces and flashes of gold in their wings! This is a species that is doing well and has increased significantly across Sussex in recent years. … Continue reading →
This is a large seabird, and can sometimes be seen off shore, especially when they are moving to and from their breeding grounds in spring and autumn. At sea, they flap and then glide low over the water, often in … Continue reading →
