Bexhill Nature

Buzzards are often seen wheeling around high in the sky uttering their characteristic mewing call. They often get mobbed by crows or gulls as the chicks can be an easy meal.

Smaller than the Buzzard, the Kestrel is the only raptor that has perfected hovering when hunting it's prey. There are several pairs in the Bexhill area.

Sparrowhawks hunt from a lower level, often in woodland and are sometimes seen in the more rural gardens and parks.

There are quite a lot of pheasants in the woods along the Combe Valley, but you hear them more often than see them.

A common all-black bird that is often seen on farmland. Often solitary but sometimes seen in flocks.

More sociable than the Crow, it is usually seen in groups. Adults have a bare patch at the base of their massive bill.

Its black and white markings and long wagging tail make this bird easy to identify. They often follow sheep or cattle who disturb the ground for them, but also visit parks and gardens.

Stonechats are resident in the Combe Valley as the boggy ground is ideal for them and are also seen around Galley Hill. They can often be spotted perched on the top of a bush.

This is the most common Pipit and it can be found on farmland and grassland all year round. Meadow pipit nests are a favourite place for cuckoos to lay their eggs.

Adult swallows are easily recognised by their very long tails and they also have a red throat patch. Perhaps our best known summer visitor. 

A little smaller than the swallow it has a forked tail and lacks the red throat. In autumn Martins and Swallows often gather together before flying back to Africa.

With much narrower wings than Swifts or Swallows and no white markings, these acrobatic birds seem to spend all their time in the air. Sometimes seen above urban gardens.

A fairly grey bird but with a prominent white throat from which it gets its name.

A small number of Wheatears spend the summer in this area but they are quite distinctive..

The largest of our thrushes this bird has a noticeably blue-grey head. They often congregate to feed in fields.

This bird is very like the Song Thrush but has a distinctive red patch on each side of it's body.

Hundreds of Lapwing over-winter in the Combe Valley and on the Hooe Levels. A very few stay for the summer and attempt to breed.