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 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 2012 breeding season are (updated 20/1/12):

TQ4800 Seaford
TQ5231 Crowborough
TQ5639 Tunbridge Wells
TQ6419 Earl's Down
TQ6706 Hooe Level
TQ6927 nr Etchingham

For further information, please contact:

Helen Crabtree
Phone: 01444 441687
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