Welcome to the Sussex Ornithological Society's new website.

The Society was formed in 1962 by a group of keen young people including, amongst others B.A.E (Tony) Marr, Richard Porter, Chris Mead, Michael Shrubb and Tony Sheldon. Before that birding in Sussex had been uncoordinated, the only county focal point being an annual 'Sussex Bird Report', a privately produced paper edited by Grahame des Forges and Denzil Harber.

The objectives of the Society have always been:

• To record and study wild birds in Sussex
• To assist in the preservation of wild birds in Great Britain
• To encourage by the use of meetings, books, outings and other ways:
  

  1.	the study of birds in the field and ornithological science in general
  2.	the education of its members and the general public in ornithological science and the need  for the protection of wild birds and their habitats

With over 1500 members we are one of the largest county bird clubs in Great Britain.  Membership entitles you to a free quarterly newsletter and a free copy of the award winning Sussex Bird Report. You also get a chance to attend our Annual Conference in January as well as our AGM in April, where you will enjoy talks by national and local speakers. As a member you can take part in over 30 outings a year to various parts of East and West Sussex, plus nearby counties.  Our outings are led by expert birders and are designed to help both beginners and experts improve their bird watching skills. We also have a programme of conservation working parties providing practical help to improve important bird habitats in Sussex.

A key role for the Society is to collect and hold the records of birds recorded in Sussex.  Our database holds nearly one million records and the data from it is used widely by conservation organisations, local government bodies, academics and commercial consultants. As a member you have the opportunity to participate in the Sussex elements of national bird surveys, and to have your own bird records incorporated into our annual Sussex Bird Report.

For details on how to become a member of the Society please visit the Join the Society page. It is the many and varied birding interests of the membership that gives the Society its strength and continuity, so everyone, beginner or expert, is welcome to join us.