The BTO Winter Bird Survey (WINBS) this autumn and winter will involve survey visits to randomly-selected squares most of which are current BTO Breeding Bird Survey (BBS squares). The survey period will run from the 15th September 2025 until the end of February 2026 and between two and four visits are required during this period to count birds and mammals.

Existing BBS volunteers are able to sign up to take part in this survey in their own BBS squares, but there are plenty of available squares for other new volunteers (see below). Taking part in this survey this winter does not commit you to the BBS or to any breeding season surveys. Please contact me at hcrabtree@gmail.com if you are interested in taking part in this survey or would like more information, or register your interest using the availability map at https://app.bto.org/bbs/public/request-square.jsp?s=WINBS. The only requirements are that you can recognise common birds by sight and sound, can record habitat details including crop types, and can commit to the required number of surveys this winter.

Please note that this survey will be running alongside the long-term Sussex Winter Bird Survey for this winter.

The available squares for this autumn and winter include (updated 4/11/2025):

SU7800 near West Itchenor*
SU8102 near Bosham Hoe*
SU8605 central Chichester*
SU8615 Westdean Woods*
SU9113 near East Dean*
SU9923 near Petworth*
SZ7996 East Wittering*
SZ8199 near Birdham
SZ8698 Sidlesham*
TQ0109 Arundel Park*
TQ0124 near Kirdford*
TQ0322 near Codmore Hill*
TQ0324 near Wisborough Green
TQ0826 Billingshurst
TQ0918 West Chiltington*
TQ1031 near Slinfold*
TQ1114 Washington Common*
TQ1323 Dragon’s Green*
TQ1531 Broadbridge Heath*
TQ1606 near Steep Down*
TQ2536 Gossops Green
TQ2638 Langley Green*
TQ3922 near North Chailey*
TQ4938 near Blackham*
TQ5026 High Hurstwood
TQ5128 near Crowborough*
TQ5212 Golden Cross
TQ5220 Blackboys*
TQ5228 near Crowborough*
TQ5435 near Eridge Station*
TQ5619 near Heathfield
TQ5639 Tunbridge Wells*
TQ6000 Eastbourne Upperton*
TQ6817 near Penhurst
TQ7811 Hollington*
TQ8023 near Northiam
TQ8413 near Three Oaks*
TQ8414 near Three Oaks*

Helen Crabtree (BTO Representative for Sussex)