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August marks the point when autumn migration really begins to gather pace in Sussex. Summer may still be firmly in evidence, with long days and warm weather, but the first signs of the changing season are everywhere. Waders are moving south through our wetlands, summer visitors are beginning their journeys to Africa, and the first waves of migrant passerines are starting to appear along the coast and across the Downs.

For the Sussex birder, August is a month of transition. The last of our breeding birds remain, but increasingly they are being joined by travellers from much further north. With the right weather, almost anywhere can produce something of interest, although coastal wetlands, downland and headlands are particularly worth exploring.

Passage waders

August is arguably the best month of the year for passage waders in Sussex. Adults that have completed their breeding attempts in northern Britain, Scandinavia and the Arctic are already heading south, with juveniles following later in the month on their first migration.

Wetlands with exposed mud and shallow water can consequently be exceptionally productive. Black-tailed Godwit, Common and Green Sandpipers, Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover and Whimbrel are all realistic targets, while careful scanning can produce scarcer species such as Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank.

Good places to look include Medmerry, Pagham Harbour, Pulborough Brooks, Cuckmere Haven and Rye Harbour. As ever, however, water levels are crucial. With the long, hot summer we are experiencing, some wetlands have dried out completely, leaving little or no suitable habitat for passage waders. Where wet mud remains, though, the rewards can be considerable.

Migrant passerines

By the middle of August, the first substantial waves of autumn passerine migration should be underway. Willow Warblers are among the earliest species to move in significant numbers, while Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Common and Lesser Whitethroats, and Reed and Sedge Warblers gradually become more numerous.

The movement of Sand Martins is already well underway, while Swallows and House Martins gather in increasing numbers as they prepare for their eventual departure.

The most exciting days are those when the weather produces a genuine fall of migrants. Coastal and downland sites can suddenly come alive, with tired birds dropping into bushes and hedgerows to feed and recover.

The entire stretch between Birling Gap and Beachy Head is worth checking, as are Cissbury Ring, Climping Gap, Pagham Harbour and Seaford Head. Cloudy conditions combined with light rain and overnight winds from the east or south-east can be particularly productive.

Among the more desirable migrants to look for are Common Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Wheatear, Whinchat and Yellow Wagtail, while a lucky observer might encounter a Grasshopper Warbler or Pied Flycatcher.

Seawatching

August can also produce some rewarding seawatching, particularly when strong onshore winds push birds close to the Sussex coast. Selsey Bill, Splash Point and other exposed viewpoints are well worth checking during suitable weather.

Common Terns and Sandwich Terns should be among the more obvious species, but check carefully for scarcer species such as Arctic and Black Terns and Little Gulls.

Offshore concentrations of terns can also attract the attention of Arctic Skuas. These formidable pirates pursue terns relentlessly until their victims disgorge the contents of their crops, which the pursuing skua then catches in mid-air.

August is also potentially a good month for the critically endangered Mediterranean Shearwater with Selsey Bill likely to hold the lion’s share should any appear.

Honey-buzzards and Ospreys

August provides the last real opportunity to look for breeding Honey-buzzards in Sussex before the birds begin their autumn movements.

The county’s breeding population now exceeds 20 pairs, making Sussex one of the best places in Britain to look for this elusive species. Established viewpoints at Ashdown Forest and Woolbeding Common offer opportunities to watch adults soaring above the woodland, particularly during warm, sunny weather when they take to the air in search of food for their recently fledged young. Other birds of prey which may well be encountered as these sites in August include Goshawk, Hobby and Red Kite.

Osprey, unlike Honey-buzzard, does not breed in Sussex, but they do pass through the county every autumn. Chichester and Pagham Harbours are among the best areas to keep an eye on, while inland reservoirs such as Arlington and Weir Wood can also produce sightings. Headlands, including Beachy Head, are worth watching too, as birds on migration may pass overhead.

Unlike in spring, autumn Ospreys can sometimes linger for several days, particularly at favoured sites such as Thorney Deeps.

Rarities

For the rarity-minded birder, August is when things really start to get interesting. The combination of returning waders, migrating passerines and birds displaced by weather systems means that almost anything can turn up.

Vagrant waders are perhaps the most obvious targets. Pectoral Sandpiper, Temminck’s Stint and Red-necked Phalarope are all species that could suddenly appear among the more regular passage birds.

The coastal bushes offer another tantalising possibility. A Red-backed Shrike or Wryneck would not be entirely unexpected during a favourable spell of easterly winds, while there is always the possibility of something much rarer, such as a Melodious Warbler or Ortolan Bunting.

Tips for August Birding

• Check wetlands regularly: August is one of the best months for passage waders, particularly at sites where muddy feeding margins remain.
• Work the coastal and downland bushes: Migrant passerines can appear almost anywhere during suitable weather, so check scrub, hedgerows and even small patches of cover carefully.
• Watch the weather: Southeasterly winds can produce sfalls of passerines, while strong onshore winds can make seawatching particularly rewarding.
• Keep looking: August migration is constantly changing, so a site that appears quiet one day can be transformed the next.

Above all, keep checking. By August, Sussex is already firmly in autumn migration mode. With every passing week, more birds will be on the move – and the variety, excitement and possibility of finding something unexpected will only increase.

On 16th July, the South Downs National Park Authority granted planning permission for the National Trust’s proposed restoration of 42 hectares (100 acres) of saltmarsh and mudflat at Chyngton Brooks.

SOS submitted a letter of support for this application, and we’re delighted to see it approved.

This project will provide valuable habitat for wetland birds, especially species that overwinter in the area. Curlew, Dunlin, and Lapwing – all red-listed species – will benefit from the increased area of saltmarsh and mudflats. It will also increase the biodiversity in Sussex, which holds less than 1% of the saltmarsh in the UK.

The western bank of the Cuckmere River will be breached in five locations, allowing the tide to flow in and out and gradually recreating saltmarsh and mudflat. Historically, Chyngton Brooks was made up of intertidal habitat, but in 1846, the land was drained to make it more suitable for agricultural use. This resulted in the loss of coastal habitat and in reliance on sea defences that are expensive to maintain. By working with the natural processes of the coastline and building on their past success with managed realignments, the National Trust will return the western floodplain of Chyngton Brooks to a naturally functioning estuary habitat.

Access for birders will also be improved. A section of the existing footpath that is difficult to navigate in wet weather and is degrading in many places will be replaced with a new footpath slightly up the slope, where it will be less prone to flooding. It will link up with the Vanguard Way/King Charles III England Coast Path. A detailed map is available on the National Trust’s project page. Walkers will be able to use the new footpath for good views across the estuary without disturbing the birds.

The National Trust project schedule has work starting in 2026-2027. The area will gradually revert to saltmarsh over time, with pioneer saltmarsh species likely to colonise the site within a year, and well-developed saltmarsh vegetation to be established over the next few years.

The SOS welcomes this change, and looks forward to the benefits that birds and birders will both enjoy.

Dunlin – Gary Faulkner

The two chicks at the live-streamed nest which can be seen here https://sos.org.uk/about/our-work-with-people/surveys/honey-buzzards/ were ringed yesterday morning with BTO metal rings and with colour rings VV (chick weight 782 g) and VW ( chick weight 735 g).

Colour ringing over several decades has revealed much about the movements and longevity of breeding Honey-buzzards, so hopefully these youngsters will add new insights.

Both adults returned with food soon after the ringing was completed. The youngsters are one month old and if all goes well should fledge in about two weeks. They can now feed themselves on wasp larvae though not quite yet with the birds and frogs that are also being brought in by the adults.

Two Honey-buzzard chicks were also ringed today at each of two other nests in Sussex and in one nest the young were only three weeks old. At the other, they were about five weeks old, suggesting egg laying as early as about 15 May.

Samples of empty comb were taken from all three nests for analysis by one of the University of Sussex students.

Although July can often seem a quiet month for birding, Sussex still offers plenty to keep birders engaged. As the month progresses, there is a subtle shift as autumn edges ever closer. From the first returning waders and departing summer visitors to breeding Honey-buzzards and Nightjars, there is no shortage of interest.

Departing summer visitors

July signals the beginning of the end for many of the UK’s summer visitors. With the breeding season drawing to a close, some species waste little time in beginning their long journeys south. Cuckoos and Nightingales are among the earliest to depart, with the adults leaving during June and July, while Swifts and Sand Martins will also have largely vacated their breeding sites by the end of July.

Along the Sussex coast, pre-migratory gatherings of Sand Martins form at favourable locations such as West Rise Marsh, where they feed up before departing the UK. By late month, the first returning Redstarts, Wheatears, Whinchats and Willow Warblers may be encountered on the Downs and at Beachy Head, the latter an important departure point for many of our summer visitors. Watching these early migrants depart provides a reminder that autumn migration is already well underway, even in the height of summer.

Returning waders

July marks the real beginning of the return wader migration, as adult birds that have finished breeding in northern Britain, Scandinavia and across the Arctic begin their journey south towards their wintering grounds in West Africa. Many pause at suitable wetlands to rest and feed, with Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover and Whimbrel all regular migrants during the month. Careful searching can also produce scarcer species such as Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Ruff, Spotted Redshank and Wood Sandpiper often still in their breeding plumages.

The best sites are those with falling water levels that expose muddy margins rich in invertebrates, providing ideal feeding conditions. In Sussex, productive locations include Sidlesham Ferry, Pulborough Brooks and Castle Water at Rye Harbour. For Spotted Redshank, try the Breech Pool and adjacent White’s Creek at Pagham Harbour.

Honey-buzzards

One of the most exciting birding stories of 2026 has been the live-streaming of a Honey-buzzard nesting attempt from an undisclosed location in Ashdown Forest which can be watched via the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o05dxPbOtF4

By visiting the well-publicised viewpoints on Ashdown Forest and at Woolbeding Common throughout July and August, there is an excellent chance of seeing adult birds soaring above the forest or heading off in search of food for their chicks. Choose a fine, sunny day, as warm conditions encourage the birds to take to the air and greatly improve your chances of enjoying prolonged views.

Nightjars

A visit to any of the Sussex heathlands on a warm, calm evening during July is likely to be rewarded with Nightjars, which continue to ‘churr’ throughout the month. Favoured sites include Ambersham, Iping and Lavington Commons in West Sussex and Old Lodge in East Sussex. Aim to arrive about half an hour before sunset and wait for the churring to begin.

With luck, you may also encounter a Hobby – a small, scythe-winged falcon that breeds late in the season and feeds its young on dragonflies, swallows and martins.

Rarities

In last month’s article I suggested that June can often be a productive month for rarities. However, 2026 proved to be something of an exception, so I am a little reluctant to make the same prediction for July. Nevertheless, there is always the potential for something exceptional to appear, such as the Caspian Tern that graced the Adur at Shoreham for a few hours in July 2024.

Perhaps the best chance of a rarity comes in the form of a vagrant wader. Species such as White-rumped Sandpiper or Pectoral Sandpiper are always possibilities, particularly if the predicted hotter-than-average summer leads to falling water levels and extensive muddy margins at the county’s wetlands.

Tips for July Birding

• Check water levels for passage waders: Too much or too little water will likely produce very little. The best locations for passage waders are wetlands with muddy fringes where birds can pause to feed.
• Check the weather forecast: Settled weather will greatly enhance your chances of seeing Honey-buzzards and Nightjars.

Unfortunately there was a glitch when the mailing list was generated for the newsletter, and wrong postcodes were assigned to the addresses.  We know some have been delivered where the error has kindly been overridden by the posties, but some have been returned.

If you have received your newsletter no need to do anything – your correct postcode is on file.

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I hope that you were excited at seeing a Honey-buzzard chick in the live-streamed nest. The chick hatched on 23 June in the morning and has since been fed with wasp larvae and pieces of frog.

There is a second egg which may hatch though it could be infertile. *UPDATE ; 2ND CHICK NOW HATCHED* 🐣🐣

Any fledged young will leave the nest in early August, though may not leave Britain until September or even October, to spend 18 months in West Africa. The main risks are probably Goshawk predation and prolonged severe weather events, though there are other hazards.

The Society has part-funded and advised on the filming, which is the subject of research projects by University of Sussex students, the results of which will be published in the 2026 Sussex Bird Report and likely elsewhere.

Thanks to project partners: the Conservators of Ashdown Forest and Wildlife Windows Ltd, as well as to the other funders. The project and the Society has received national attention via SpringWatch, ITV Meridian, BBC SE News and BirdGuides, which we hope will attract new members.

Did you know there is also a YouTube archive system. Each period that streams is archived in YouTube and can be accessed via the following play list.

Which means you will be able to go back to dates/events if missed when live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFNpAAJjUic&list=PLAB8_YP2BBOo

If you are enjoying watching this, please think about joining SOS and supporting many more important conservation studies and work across Sussex.

Join Online

Mark Mallalieu

Volunteers with Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) squares have the option to survey their squares for butterflies during June, July and August, as part of the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS) which is a collaboration between the BTO and Butterfly Conservation. Volunteers taking on new squares now can take part in the WCBS and then have the option to survey their squares over the winter for the Sussex Winter Bird Survey before breeding bird surveys begin next April.

The BBS is a national monitoring scheme administered by the BTO and jointly funded by the BTO, JNCC and RSPB. It has been running since 1994 and its primary aim is to provide population trends for common and widespread bird species in the UK.

Survey plots are randomly-selected 1-km squares of the National Grid, and the same squares are surveyed each year. Volunteers visit their squares three times each year during the breeding season, once to record simple habitat data, and twice to walk a fixed route, recording birds seen and heard. There are more than 200 BBS squares across Sussex, covering every type of habitat, and new volunteers are always needed.

Volunteers must be able to recognise common and widespread birds by sight and sound, but previous experience of survey work is not necessary. Help and support from experienced volunteers can be arranged if required.

For the WCBS, volunteers walk their usual BBS routes and record butterflies. Volunteers must be able to recognise common butterfly species but no special expertise is required.

The BBS squares (asterisks indicate priority squares that have been surveyed before) in Sussex which currently need volunteers and which could be surveyed for butterflies this summer are (updated 20/7/2026):

SU8102 near Bosham Hoe*
SU8404 Fishbourne*
SU8602 Chichester Canal (WBBS)*
SU8909 Goodwood Park*
SU9729 near Northchapel*
SZ7996 East Wittering*
SZ8199 near Birdham
TQ0124 near Kirdford*
TQ0322 near Codmore Hill*
TQ0324 near Wisborough Green
TQ0601 East Preston*
TQ0826 Billingshurst
TQ0918 West Chiltington*
TQ1031 near Slinfold*
TQ1038 near Ewhurst (Surrey)*
TQ1323 Dragon’s Green*
TQ1531 Broadbridge Heath*
TQ1636 Kingsfold*
TQ2536 Gossops Green
TQ2734 Tilgate Park*
TQ2638 Langley Green*
TQ3922 near North Chailey*
TQ4922 near Buxted
TQ4938 near Blackham*
TQ5023 Buxted*
TQ5026 High Hurstwood
TQ5128 near Crowborough*
TQ5130 central Crowborough*
TQ5228 near Crowborough*
TQ5435 near Eridge Station*
TQ5639 Tunbridge Wells*
TQ6000 Eastbourne Upperton*
TQ6414 Bodle Street*
TQ6419 Earl’s Down*
TQ6817 near Penhurst
TQ7811 Hollington*
TQ8413 near Three Oaks*
TQ8414 near Three Oaks*
TQ8613 Guestling Green*

For further information, please contact Helen Crabtree at hcrabtree@gmail.com.

We are really excited to be hosting this live stream that many of you may have seen on Springwatch 2026.

The Society part-funded this work, which should contribute much to our understanding of the species’ breeding ecology in Sussex.

With thanks for all partners involved.

Honey-buzzards

June is often considered one of the quieter months in the birdwatching calendar. Spring migration has largely concluded, and many species are busy with the final stages of breeding. As a result, birders often turn their attention to butterflies, dragonflies, and orchids, which flourish across Sussex at this time of year. Nevertheless, the county still offers excellent birding opportunities, with habitats ranging from chalk cliffs and ancient woodlands to heathlands, reedbeds, estuaries and rolling downs supporting a rich variety of breeding species.

Chalk Cliffs
Sussex’s chalk cliffs rank among its most celebrated natural landmarks, drawing thousands of visitors to Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters Country Park. For birders, a more rewarding location to visit is Splash Point (Seaford), where visitors can observe the county’s only Kittiwake colony (200-300 pairs). The cliffs here are also home to Fulmars, Peregrines, Ravens and Rock Pipits. For closer views of Fulmars, try the cliffs behind the car park at Newhaven West Beach.

Heathland
By June, many heathland birds in Sussex are actively feeding young including Dartford Warblers, Redstarts, Stonechats and Tree Pipits. A visit to any of the county’s heaths at dusk but especially Ambersham Common or Old Lodge will likely be rewarded with Nightjars. The best time to hear their distinctive churring song is during warm, calm evenings. Aim to arrive about half an hour before sunset and then wait for churring to begin. Once the churring stops – often indicating that the bird has taken flight – watch for the male’s wing-clapping display and the flashes of white in its wings and tail as it moves between song posts.
Honey-buzzards are still likely to be seen from well-publicised viewpoints on Ashdown Forest and at Woolbeding Common though sightings are less frequent in June as females spend time incubating their eggs.

The South Downs
The South Downs remain one of the last strongholds of the Corn Bunting, whose song can often be heard from fence posts and the tops of bushes throughout the summer. Reliable locations include Steep Down and The Burgh, where with luck you may also hear the distinctive repetitive wet-my-lips call of a Quail emerging from nearby barley fields, although actually seeing one is highly unlikely.

Coastal wetlands
The nature reserves at Medmerry, Pagham Harbour and Rye Harbour are without question three of the best birding sites in the county, a mixture of habitats including lagoons, shingle and saltmarsh supporting important breeding species including Avocet, Common, Little and Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls. All these are easy to see at Pagham Harbour: Avocets with their delightful chicks from the hide near the visitor centre overlooking Sidlesham Ferry Pool and raucous terns and Mediterranean Gulls on and around Tern Island viewable from the benches at Church Norton.

Early signs of autumn
By the end of the month, the first of our summer visitors including departing Cuckoos and a trickle of Sand Martins will be on the move, a sure sign that autumn is just around the corner. Also look out for the first signs of autumn wader migration with Green Sandpiper typically the first species to appear from mid-month at wetlands such as Pulborough Brooks and Sidlesham Ferry.

Rarities
June can be a surprisingly good month for rarities. In 2025, species recorded in Sussex included Bee-eater, Caspian and White-winged Black Terns, Common Crane, Lesser Yellowlegs, Red-necked Phalarope, Roseate Tern and Serin! Extreme rarities in previous years have included both American Royal Tern and Elegant Tern at Pagham Harbour so almost anything is possible….