April is one of the most exciting months for birding in Sussex. 🐦
The county being ideally situated to witness the arrival of summer migrants from the south – some staying to breed, others continuing north – while also offering excellent seawatching as divers, ducks, waders, skuas and terns move through the English Channel.
Newly Arrived Summer Migrants
By early April, most winter visitors have departed, and summer migrants are steadily increasing. Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins become widespread, with Swifts typically arriving later in the month. These species are often seen coming in off the sea or feeding low over reservoirs and gravel pits, especially during unsettled weather.
Along the coast and south-facing slope of the Downs, grounded migrants such as Redstarts, Wheatears, Willow Warblers, Whinchats, Yellow Wagtails and the occasional Pied Flycatcher may appear after crossing the Channel, particularly during northerly winds. April also offers a chance of encountering Ring Ouzel. Although numbers vary annually, traditional downland stopover sites like Beachy Head, Cissbury Ring and the Long Man of Wilmington can sometimes produce sightings, with birds occasionally lingering for several days.
(Ring Ouzel; Gary Faulkner)
Heathland sites such as Old Lodge on Ashdown Forest, Ambersham Common and Iping Common are especially rewarding in April. Alongside residents like Dartford Warbler and Woodlark, there is a strong chance of finding scarcer summer visitors including Cuckoo, Redstart and Tree Pipit.
Woodland sites also come alive in April. Early morning visits to places like Abbot’s Wood, the Knepp Estate or Woods Mill often reveal Nightingales in full song, broadcasting from dense scrub.
Wetlands across Sussex can be highly productive too. Little Ringed Plovers are regularly seen at sites such as Medmerry and Pulborough Brooks. With luck, you might encounter a Garganey or even an Osprey, particularly at locations like Thorney Deeps or Weir Wood Reservoir where they may linger for a few days.
Seawatching
April is often considered the prime month for seawatching in Sussex. An onshore south-easterly wind can create ideal conditions, funnelling migrating birds closer to the coastline and concentrating them as they travel east up-Channel.
Early April typically brings movements of Brent Geese, Common Scoters, Black-headed, Common and Mediterranean Gulls, along with Sandwich Terns. These may be accompanied by the first Arctic Skuas of the spring. By mid-month, wader passage builds, with movements of Whimbrel followed later in the month by Bar-tailed Godwit, especially during north-easterly winds.
Common and Arctic Terns – frequently grouped as “Commic” Terns due to the difficulty of separating them at distance – also move through, though numbers are much reduced compared to past decades. Rarer species are always a possibility, perhaps a Velvet Scoter or a Garganey tagged on to a line of Common Scoters, a small flock of Little Gulls, a Black-throated Diver in resplendent summer plumage or a Black Tern. Great Skuas can occur throughout the month, though numbers have declined in recent years due to the devastating effects of avian flu. Pomarine Skuas may also be seen from mid-April onwards but more about this enigmatic species in the May article.
Seawatching can be unpredictable, with long quiet periods punctuated by sudden bursts of activity. Recommended sites include Selsey Bill and Splash Point at Seaford, where other birders can help pick out passing birds. Worthing and Birling Gap are also worth considering. Early starts are best, as activity often decreases later in the morning – though some species especially Pomarine Skuas have an annoying habit of appearing after most observers have left!
Overshooting Rarities
April is one of the best months for rare birds. While headline rarities occasionally appear such as the White-crowned Sparrow at Hope Gap in 2023 and the Least Sandpiper at Medmerry in 2025, a more typical encounter is an “overshoot” – a migrant that has travelled further north than intended.
Overshooting usually occurs during high-pressure systems stretching from the Mediterranean to Britain, bringing warm, clear conditions and light southerly winds. In some years, this can lead to notable influxes of particular species, for example Alpine Swifts and Night Herons in 2024 and Hoopoes in 2025. Other potential spring overshoots in April include Black-winged Stilt, Purple Heron, Red-rumped Swallow and Serin.
Tips for April Birding
- Watch the weather: Northerly winds can bring migrants down along the coast and Downs, while south-easterlies are ideal for seawatching.
- Start early: Dawn is the best time for migrants and heathland birds.
- Revisit sites: Bird activity can change quickly – quiet locations may become busy especially after overnight rain.
- Be prepared for seawatching: Bring a telescope, tripod, warm clothing, food, drink and a folding chair.
Stay informed: Follow local bird news to keep track of rarities, influxes and coastal movements.