Breeding Bird Survey (BBS)

This national monitoring scheme is administered by the BTO and jointly funded by the BTO, JNCC and RSPB. It has been running since 1994 and its primary aim is to provide population trends for common and widespread bird species in the UK.

Survey plots are randomly-selected 1-km squares of the National Grid, and the same squares are surveyed each year. Volunteers visit their squares three times each year during the breeding season, once to record simple habitat data, and twice to walk a fixed route, recording birds seen and heard. There are more than 150 BBS squares across Sussex, covering every type of habitat, and new volunteers are always needed.

Volunteers must be able to recognise common and widespread birds, but previous experience of survey work is not necessary. Help and support from experienced volunteers can be arranged if required.

The BBS squares in Sussex which currently need volunteers for the 2014 breeding season are (updated 10/5/13):

SU9216 Graffham Down
TQ1337 Oakwood Hill (Surrey)
TQ4136 Ashurstwood nr East Grinstead
TQ4800 Seaford
TQ5128 Stone Cross nr Crowborough
TQ5220 Blackboys
TQ5639 Tunbridge Wells
TQ6927 nr Etchingham
TQ8326 Northiam Station

For further information, please contact:

Helen Crabtree
Phone: 01444 441687
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