Where to go
You can see birds of prey across most of Sussex, but some of our best reserves for seeing them are:
- Amberley Wild Brooks
- Rye Harbour
- Woods Mill
- Old Lodge
Chichester Cathedral and the Sussex Heights building on the Brighton Seafront have both been nesting spots for Peregrine Falcons for a number of years.
Top identification tips
Here are a few clues to help you ID common birds of prey in Sussex.
- Sitting on a lawn or garden fence? Most likely a Sparrowhawk.
- Hovers on the spot? Probably a Kestrel.
- Nesting on a building? Most likely a Peregrine Falcon.
- V-shaped tail? Red Kite.
- Circling high in the sky at midday? Likely a Red Kite or Buzzard.
- Flying at very high speed: a Peregrine Falcon.
Top raptor-watching tips
- Scan high perches, like poles and dead trees.
- For falcons and hawks, go out in the early morning or late afternoon.
- For Buzzards and Red Kites, mid-morning is a good time to spot them hunting.
- For owls, dawn or dusk are the most likely time you will see them hunting.
- Remember to look up in the middle of the day for Buzzards soaring in circles at altitude.
barn-owl-1Looking out for owls
Owls are also birds of prey, but look quite different to other raptors with their flat faces and large eyes. Your best chance of seeing an owl in flight is close to dawn or dusk. There are five owl species that call Sussex home:
- Little Owl
- Barn Owl
- Tawny Owl
- Short-eared Owl
- Long-eared Owl
The Phantom of the Forest
Nicknamed ‘Phantom of the Forest’, Goshawks are extremely secretive, flying under the radar and shrouded in mysterious woodland wonder. It’s said their name was bestowed upon them by medieval falconers; Goose-hawk, for their apparent ability to take down geese.
goshawks-c-adam-huttly
