Birds

Herons can be spotted all year round, anywhere near water. They eat fish, small mammals like voles and amphibians. Herons can even be spotted during harvest time in fields, looking to catch any rodents to feast on. 

Little Egrets are small herons. They arrived in significant numbers on the South Coast in 1989 from the continent. Now a common sight around water they can be spotted all year round and increase in numbers in the autumn and winter migrating from the Mediterranean. They eat small fish and crustaceans.

Avocets can be spotted by lagoons, feeding on aquatic insects and their larvae, crustaceans and worms. Avocets were nearly extinct in the UK by 1940s, but thanks to conservation areas like RSPB Medmerry their numbers are increasing and they are now resident here in Selsey.

Oystercatchers can be spotted all year round and increase in numbers in Winter when many migrate from Norway. They feed on mussels and cockles. It is very rare for they to eat  oysters in the UK!

Smaller than the Herring Gull, it can only be found in Europe and the UK is home to 40% of its population. It resides on the south coast all year round. It is an omnivore, meaning it eats a variety of plant and animal based materials. Known as a scavenger, it is best kept off human food and trash in landfill sites as scientists have found their poop from eating trash is polluting our sea, rivers and lakes.