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Jonno Cook, (Chair, Membership and Publicity Committee, SOS)

September is another exciting month of the year for birding in Sussex.

Autumn migration is now in full swing, with birds arriving from the north and east while our own breeding birds head south towards their wintering grounds. Almost any day can produce something interesting, including passage waders moving through our wetlands, seawatching with the potential for exciting seabirds, and coastal bushes filled with migrant warblers, chats and flycatchers. It is also one of the best months of the year for finding a rarity, particularly after easterly winds or autumn gales.

Passage waders

September remains an excellent month for passage waders, with adult birds joined by increasing numbers of juveniles making their first journeys south. With some very welcome rain in the last few days, mudflats, shallow pools and flooded fields should be checked carefully for a variety of species including Black-tailed Godwit, Common and Green Sandpipers, Dunlin, Greenshank, Knot, Ringed Plover and Ruff. Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank and Wood Sandpiper are among the scarcer possibilities, particularly after easterly winds.

Migrant passerines

September is the month when Sussex’s coastal and downland bushes can become very productive. Birds migrating south from Britain may stop to feed on the prolific elderberries and blackberries before crossing the Channel, with the potential for even a small patch of scrub to contain a variety of species.
Chiffchaff and Blackcap are among the commonest migrants, while Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler continue to move through.

The real excitement, however, comes when, on the rare occasion, the weather produces a fall. Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Redstart, Tree Pipit, Wheatear, Whinchat and Yellow Wagtail are all species worth searching for, especially at some of the migrant ‘hotspots’ including Beachy Head and Seaford Head, while Cissbury Ring, Climping Gap and Pagham Harbour are also well worth exploring.

September is one of the best months of the year to look for Wryneck in Sussex. These beautifully cryptic woodpeckers are recorded every autumn in Sussex, but their camouflage makes them notoriously easy to overlook.
Wrynecks are especially associated with easterly winds and periods of migration activity. Areas of rough grassland and scrub at places such as Beachy Head, Cuckmere Haven, Newhaven Tidemills, Seaford Head, Sheepcote Valley and Church Norton all have the potential to hold this species. Wrynecks can sit motionless for long periods, so patience is essential. Don’t assume that a seemingly empty patch of rough grass is birdless – scan carefully and watch for movement on the ground.

Migration Spectacles

September can provide some of the most spectacular visible migration spectacles of the year in Sussex. Two movements are particularly worth noteworthy: the westward passage of returning Brent Geese along the coast and the spectacular movements of large numbers of coasting Swallows and House Martins.
The first returning Dark-bellied Brent Geese begin to reach Sussex from their Arctic breeding grounds during September. They can be seen moving westwards along the Sussex coastline, heading for the mudflats and surrounding fields of Pagham and Chichester Harbours where they spend the winter. Usually they are in small groups close inshore, but sometimes much larger flocks may be seen.

The middle of September can also bring impressive coastal movements of Swallows and House Martins. On suitable days, particularly when there is a stiff breeze, huge numbers can be seen streaming east or westwards into the wind. Beachy Head is one of the best places to witness this phenomenon, where on the right day you may be fortunate to witness a continuous movement along the cliff edge, often just a few feet away.
Remember, though, that the chalk cliffs in Sussex are precarious and that cliff falls do occur, so don’t be tempted to stand too close to the edge.

Seawatching

September is potentially an exciting month for seawatching. As seabirds move south through the North Sea and into the English Channel, strong onshore winds can bring them closer to shore and increase the chances of seeing species that are otherwise difficult to find from land.
Gannet, Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern and Arctic Skua should all be on the radar, while stronger winds can produce much scarcer species. Balearic Shearwater is one of the major targets. September is an excellent month to look for them as they move through the Channel, with exposed viewpoints such as Selsey Bill, Splash Point, Cow Gap and Langney Point all capable of producing sightings in suitable conditions. In September 2025, record-breaking numbers of this critically endangered seabird occurred at Selsey Bill, and it will be interesting to see if there is any repeat in 2026.
Scarcer species such as Long-tailed Skua, Grey Phalarope, Sabine’s Gull and Sooty Shearwater are other possibilities, particularly after autumn gales. A seawatch can be frustratingly quiet for hours, but a sudden movement of seabirds can make all that waiting worthwhile.

Ospreys and Honey-buzzards

September is a particularly good month for Osprey in Sussex as birds continue their autumn migration. Unlike spring migrants, which can pass through quickly, some autumn birds may stop at suitable wetlands and remain for several days.
Chichester Harbour is the most reliable location, especially Thorney Island, where up to seven birds lingered during September 2024. Pagham Harbour is another regular site, but inland reservoirs, lakes and larger wetlands can also attract migrating birds where they may linger for several days. Arlington Reservoir, Weir Wood Reservoir and other suitable water bodies are worth checking, particularly when there are reports of birds moving through the county.
September can also produce Honey-buzzard on migration, especially at Beachy Head. Some of these birds will have spent the summer breeding in the UK, as confirmed by photographs that have been linked back to known breeding pairs in Sussex.

Other raptors to look for include Hobby, Merlin and Marsh Harrier. September can also be a good month for sightings of Short-eared Owl, with early signs suggesting that this is likely to be a good winter for them following a successful breeding season.

Rarities

September is one of the best months for rarities in Sussex. Coastal bushes are perhaps the most obvious place to start. Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike, Barred Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler are all exciting September possibilities, especially after easterly or southeasterly winds.
Wetlands are worth equal attention. Scarce waders such as Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope or Temminck’s Stint are all possible while flocks of Eurasian Golden Plover have the potential to hold an American Golden Plover or Dotterel, as happened at Jury’s Gap in September 2025.

Tips for September Birding
• Check the weather: Easterly and south-easterly winds can produce falls of migrants and increase the chances of eastern rarities.
• Work every bush: September migrants can be hiding almost anywhere, so don’t ignore small patches of scrub, hedgerows and isolated bushes.
• Scan every wader flock: Scarce species can be tucked away among flocks of commoner species.
• Try a seawatch: Strong winds can produce Balearic Shearwaters, skuas and other seabirds close to shore.
• Watch for raptors: Ospreys and Honey-buzzards are both possible during September, particularly when conditions (settled weather with northeasterly winds) encourage migration.

For the Sussex birder, there are few better times of year to be in the field. Whether it is a flock of newly arrived Brent Geese, an Osprey circling over a harbour, a Wryneck hiding in coastal gorse or a Sooty Shearwater powering west through heavy seas, September offers plenty of exciting possibilities.

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.

A Dunlin. Photo by 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.

If it has not arrived by the end of the month, please contact Val Bentley on chetsford@talk21.com  as she has a stock of spares and will post one out to you.  Alternatively please let her know if you would be happy to receive an e-version this time (or indeed for  all future mailings) as there is only a limited stock of spare copies if the originals have gone astray and not been returned to us.  Please accept our apologies.

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.

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Mark Mallalieu