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.