Pevensey Levels National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Lying between Eastbourne and Bexhill-on-Sea, the Pevensey Levels NNR is a large area of wet meadows, scrub, willow carr, freshwater fen, pools and managed ditches, which is very popular with birdwatchers. Among the birds recorded at Pevensey are grey heron, cormorant, mute swan, Canada goose, mallard, coot, moorhen and more elusive species such as kingfisher and water rail. When sea conditions are rough, gull flocks build up on the marsh and flocks of crows, jackdaws and rooks are accompanied by magpies, while kestrels, barn owls and peregrine falcon can be seen hunting all year round. Waders and wildfowl include redshank, lapwing and snipe, while smaller wetland birds include reed bunting, yellow wagtail, reed and sedge warbler. New arrivals on the marsh in recent years include Cetti’s warbler, little egret and breeding marsh harrier. Twenty species of dragonfly and damselfly, including black-tailed skimmer and red-eyed damselfly, can be seen feeding and breeding over the water. Rare invertebrates include the fen raft spider and several species of water snail and water beetle.

Location

Pevensey Bay

About the area

East Sussex is a land of stately homes, castles and the South Downs, with miles of chalk cliffs overlooking the English Channel. For history buffs, there are a great many historic landmarks within Sussex, such as the battlefield where the Battle of Hastings took place, or visitors can enjoy pretty towns such as Lewes, Rye and Uckfield and the city of Brighton.