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….