Come to Sussex and discover our nature and wildlife!
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter – there’s always something to see.
We consulted with experts and ecologists at the RSPB, Knepp Safari’s, South Downs National Park and Mulberry Marine Experiences to bring you our natural highlights. Don’t forget to respect, protect and enjoy our natural world.
In spring, Sussex comes to life with a diverse range of wildlife species. As the weather warms up and plants start to bloom, you can expect to see creatures emerging from hibernation and migrating back to the region. Blow the cobwebs away with a marine walk led by an ecologist – our beaches and waters are full of life waiting to be discovered. Look out for colourful butterflies flitting around at Knepp Estate and listen to the songbirds at our nature reserves, you’re likely to be serenaded by nightingales! Here are some wildlife species you could encounter:
Sharks, seals, dolphins (bottlenose and common), stingrays, spotted rays, jellyfish, skate, pipe fish, sea horses, eels, lobster, anemones, bass, bream, crabs, starfish
Where to see them:
Sussex Dolphin Project, Mulberry Marine Experiences, Chichester Harbour Boat Tours, RSPB Medmerry
Nightingales, warblers (blackcap, willow warbler and whitethroats), swallows and swifts
Songbirds: Listen for the beautiful melodies of songbirds like Blackbirds, Robins, and Chaffinches as they establish territories and attract mates.
Waders: White storks, redshank sandpiper, lapwing.
Birds of Prey: Peregrine falcons, white tailed eagle, red kite, kestrel, buzzard, marsh harrier
Where to see them:
RSPB Pulborough Brooks, RSPB Pagham, RSPB Medmerry, Arundel Wetland Centre, Huxley Bird of Prey Centre
Slow worms, Adders, grass snakes, common lizard.
Where to see them:
South Downs National Park, Wiston Estate, Knepp Estate, Ashdown Forest
Adders are very shy and should not be disturbed. If you are lucky enough to see them, keep a respectful distance. Dogs who are reactive to snakes should also be kept on a lead.
Painted Lady, Adonis Blue, Peacocks, Orange Tips, and Brimstones, Wood White, Hummingbird Hawkmoth
Where to see them:
South Downs National Park, Wiston Estate, Knepp Estate, Borde Hill Gardens, Sussex Prairie Garden
Red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, fawns
Where to see them:
Petworth House Deer Park , Knepp Estate.
Dragonflies, damselflies, stag beetles
Where to see them:
Wakehurst Place, Leonardslee Gardens, Tilgate Park
Where to see them:
There are 24 species of bumblebee in the UK. Find out more at Bees | Sussex Wildlife Trust including Bumblebees, Honeybees and the Potter Flower bee (rarest in the UK)
Where to see them:
Sussex is teeming with wildlife as the warm weather and longer days create ideal conditions for nature to thrive. It’s the perfect time for a weekend getaway, to try outdoor activities (anyone for paddleboarding through our wildlife rich riverbanks) and beach visits along the Sussex Coast. Plenty of opportunities for spotting butterflies, mini beasts, seals, wild horses, deer and birds of prey. Whilst our vineyards are extraordinary places to relax with a view, a glass of Sussex sparkling and see nature unfold. Here are some of the species you can expect to see during the summer:
Sharks, dolphins (bottlenose and common), Grey seal, common harbour seal, blenny, squid, cuttlefish, stingrays, jellyfish, skate, pipe fish, sea horses, eels, lobster, anemones, bass, bream, crabs, starfish
Where to see them:
Sussex Dolphin Project, Mulberry Marine Experiences, Chichester Harbour Boat Tours, RSPB Medmerry
Swifts, swallows and martins. Watch these aerial acrobats as they dart through the skies catching insects on the wing.
Waders: White storks, redshank sandpiper, lapwing, reed warblers
Birds of Prey: Night Jar (nocturnal) Peregrine falcons, white tailed eagle, red kite, kestrel, buzzard, marsh harrier
Seabirds: Gulls, Cormorants, Oystercatchers.
Where to see them:
The England Coast Path, RSPB Pulborough Brooks, RSPB Pagham, RSPB Medmerry, Arundel Wetland Centre, Huxley Bird of Prey Centre,
Slow worms, Adders, grass snakes, common lizard, frogs’ newts, toads
Where to see them:
South Downs National Park, Wiston Estate, Knepp Estate, Ashdown Forest
Adders are very shy and should not be disturbed. If you are lucky enough to see them, keep a respectful distance. Dogs who are reactive to snakes should also be kept on a lead.
Painted Lady, Purple Emperor, Brown Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, marbled white, silver-washed fritillary, comma, red admiral, Common Blue, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Elephant Hawkmoth
Where to see them:
South Downs National Park, Wiston Estate, Knepp Estate, Borde Hill Gardens, Sussex Prairie Garden
Red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, fawns
Where to see them:
Petworth House Deer Park , Knepp Estate.
Glow Worms, Dragonflies: emperor dragonfly, brown hawker, golden-ringed dragonfly, damselflies, stag beetles
Where to see them:
Wakehurst Place, Leonardslee Gardens, Tilgate Park, our Sussex vineyards
Barbastelle bat, greater mouse eared bat. Spot bats during twilight as they come out to feed on insects.
Where to see them:
South Downs National Park, , Knepp Estate Weald and Downland Museum
The mild weather in Autumn is the perfect excuse to head off on a weekend of wildlife watching in Sussex! This is the best time to see migrating birds passing through on their journey to warmer climates, see deer in our country parks, take a scenic walk in our nature reserves, stroll around our coastline or take a boat trip to see dolphins, seals and marine wildlife. Bird watching season is in full swing now. Catch birds of prey swooping and long legged waders wading. Here are some of our favourite wildlife species to keep an eye out for during autumn in Sussex:
Migrating birds: spotted flycatchers, redstarts, waders (sandpipers).
Birds of prey: white tailed eagle, red kite, kestrel, buzzard, marsh harrier, sparrowhawks.
Waterfowl: Ducks such as Mallards, Teals, and Wigeons become more visible in wetlands and lakes.
Where to see them:
RSPB Pulborough Brooks, RSPB Pagham, RSPB Medmerry, Arundel Wetland Centre, Huxley Bird of Prey Centre,
Red stags, Roe Deer and fallow deer.
Where to see them:
Petworth House Deer Park, Knepp Estate.
Grey seal, common harbour seal, blenny, squid, cuttlefish, stingrays, jellyfish, skate, pipe fish, eels, lobster, anemones, bass, bream, crabs, starfish
Where to see them:
Sussex Dolphin Project, Mulberry Marine Experiences, Chichester Harbour Boat Tours, RSPB Medmerry
Red Admiral, Painted Lady.
Where to see them:
Nymans Gardens, Borde Hill Gardens, Wakehurst Place, Leonardslee Gardens, West Dean Gardens,
Woods Mill Nature Reserve, Knepp Estate, Friston Forest
Look out for bats during dusk as they become more active before their hibernation period.
Where to see them:
South Downs National Park, Petworth Park, Weald and Downland Museum, Kingley Vale
Escape into the potential of frosty landscapes, dark skies and star gazing. The starling murmurations on Brighton Pier (January – March) are are a must see as they escape the harsh Scandinavian winter to migrate to Sussex. Even our seals are friendly in Sussex! Further along the coast, you might spot seals basking on rocks or swimming in the sea. Do enjoy looking but keep a respectful distance if they come up to you. Wildlife species to look out for in Sussex during winter include:
Waterfowl: Wintering waterfowl, wigeon, teal, pintail,
Birds of Prey: Peregrine falcon, marsh harrier
Waders: Grey Herons, Little Egrets, Lapwing, snipe, black-tailed godwit, Curlews, Dunlins, and Avocets
Where to see them:
RSPB Pulborough Brooks, RSPB Pagham, Arundel Wetland Centre
Red stags, Roe Deer and fallow deer.
Where to see them:
Petworth House Deer Park, Knepp Estate.
Common seal, Grey Seal
Where to see them:
Chichester Harbour Boat Tours, Selsey Harbour, Shoreham Beach,
Eurasian Beaver (once hunted to extinction, these shy nocturnal creatures are now thriving at Knepp Estate)
Where to see them:
