Can’t believe that it is only 26 more sleeps until New Year’s Day and the start of the SOS New Year Bird Race.  Hope that you will soon start getting your teams and routes organised!  In 2025 16 different teams took part; they clocked up 147 different species, one more than in 2024, and raised over £1800 (including Gift aid) for SOS conservation projects. The winners, with 98 species, were The North Wallcreepers.

Regular racers will know the Rules, and there will be further details in the winter newsletter, but the main ones are

• it must be carried out on a single day in the first two weeks of January
• you must confine yourself to within the county boundary
• teams should consist of at least 2 people
• all members of the team should see or hear the species claimed (though doesn’t have to be the same individual bird), unless the team consists of 4 or more, in which case 3 must record the species

Very good luck to all those planning to Race!

Contact Val Bentley on chetsford@talk21.com for the 2026 Race Pack

Swifts in Sussex: A Community Success Story in Time for Swift Awareness Week – 29th June to 6th July

As summer approaches, so too does one of the most exciting events in the birdwatching calendar — Swift Awareness Week, running this year from 29th June to 6th July. Across the UK, communities are celebrating these remarkable aerial acrobats, and here in Sussex, we have plenty to be proud of.

The Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) has long supported efforts to protect and encourage Swifts, having contributed an impressive £12,000 to local projects over the years. These funds have gone toward everything from installing nesting boxes to public engagement and awareness campaigns.

One particularly heartening success story comes from Clymping, where a community-led initiative has brought Swifts a much-needed helping hand. A total of 28 Swift nest boxes have been installed around the village, thanks to a collaborative effort between local residents, Clymping Parish Council, and a generous grant from SOS.

As one local resident shared:

“I just wanted to keep you informed that I have a pair of breeding Swifts in my Swift box. I have a camera in it, which Paul Stevens installed earlier this year. My first Swift arrived on 3rd May, and the pair were reunited on the 12th May — though they may have met sooner, as I was away for a few days. They’ve laid two eggs. They were always together in the box, but now seem to be taking turns incubating the eggs…”

Stories like this show the real impact of conservation at the local level — not just in terms of habitat protection, but also the joy and connection it brings to those involved.

In Clymping, residents funded 50% of the project costs, with additional support from the parish council and SOS. It’s a brilliant example of community spirit meeting conservation success.

As Swift Awareness Week approaches, take a moment to look up at the skies — and if you’re lucky, you might just spot one of these incredible birds, darting and swooping through the Sussex summer air.

Interested in helping Swifts in your area? Visit https://sos.org.uk/archives/category/swifts to learn more about how you can get involved.

We will continue to update SOS members on how our funds are being used to help birds and nature in and around Sussex.

(Adam Huttly)

Find us on social channels, share our news and tag us in your posts.

https://x.com/SussexOrnitholo

https://bsky.app/profile/sussexornitholo.bsky.social

https://www.facebook.com/ornitholosussex

Don’t forget to book your place! A reminder of what’s in store is in the forthcoming newsletter, and if you’ve mislaid your booking form and need another, please email me on chetsford@talk21.com

Yes, it will be running again so get geared up!  Full details will be in the forthcoming newsletter, and the Race Pack is available from me on chetsford@talk21.com

The newly published Sussex Bird Report was reviewed by Birdguides, who were pretty impressed!

https://www.birdguides.com/reviews/sussex-bird-report-2023/

Current members will hopefully be leafing excitedly through their newly arrived Sussex Bird Report – those who joined after 29 September will receive theirs shortly, as I have to post them off individually!

Anyone joining now will receive the double benefits of membership until 31st December 2025 and not only the newly published Report, but that for 2022 (while stocks last) and the 2024 Report when it comes out towards the end of 2025. )Sorry, have sent the final 2022 Report out now, but it’s still a great offer!) Click on the “Join us” tab at the top of the page to sign up.

All teams have now submitted their lists and congratulations are due to the Hot Shot Harriers (Matt Eade & Tim Squire) on finding 115 species on 1st January.  Not quite a record – that still stands with The Splash Pointers’ 123 back in 2018 – Matt was part of that team too!

In 2nd place were The Dynamic Duo (Elliot Chandler & John Thorogood) with 96 and Mike’s Mergansers (Mike Russell, Lesley Milward, Mike English & Charles Waters) were 3rd with 91.  Joint 4th with 90 were The Martlets and Whelpley Waders.

Many thanks to all teams who took part – the highest ever number of teams and participants.

There will be a more detailed report in the Spring newsletter.

At the Annual Conference on 27th January there were four inspiring talks highlighting the efforts being undertaken to restore vital habitat and protect and help many different species.  For members and others who missed them on the day you can now catch up with all the presentations:

Rye Harbour https://youtu.be/wZBLUEG7vmA

Barry Yates talk on his 30 years at Rye Harbour Nature reserve detailed the ups (and downs) of species, land acquisition and conservation efforts during that time – though his personal highlight must still be the discovery of “Squeaker” the only British Least Tern which returned every year from 1983-1992!

Lewes Swifts https://youtu.be/MkbVpEcTvlU

The difficulties faced by Swifts are well known, and Mike Ramsey showed how local initiatives undertaken in Lewes by forming a Swift Group, raising awareness and taking practical action to monitor nest sites and install boxes, can really benefit the breeding population of this iconic summer visitor.

Perching Manor Farm https://youtu.be/Zg8zaJm0Djo

During the afternoon session David Ellin explained how a working commercial farm is improving habitat for farmland birds by sensitive farming, reducing pesticide use, using no drill methods and taking advantage of agri-environment schemes. The farm has seen numbers of farmland birds increase – including the return of breeding Lapwings. This family-owned farm won the FWAG National Silver Lapwing award in 2015 for its efforts.

Broadwater Warren https://youtu.be/6XWOEicfYOo

Finally one of the RSPB’s newest reserves, Broadwater Warren, has received much support from SOS, and Alan Loweth showed that the transformation of this previous conifer forest into a mosaic of heathland and wet woodland has led to breeding success for species such as Nightjars, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler. Many thanks to our Conference Organiser David Porter for arranging the event, and to all those who helped both before and during the day.

Many thanks to Jonathan (Jonno) Cook for recording and uploading these. Enjoy !

There are still places available at the Conference at Oathall Community College, Haywards Heath, on Saturday 27th January.  It’s a great chance to meet together with other members, enjoy the four very varied presentations arranged by Conference Organiser David, browse the natural history bookstall plus many other displays.  If you have mislaid your booking form, please contact Val on chetsford@talk21.com or ring 01273 494723

You should soon be receiving your winter newsletter, with a reminder about getting your team together for a 2024 SOS New Year Bird Race.  If you’re old hats at this, or if you want to give it a try for the first time, please contact Val Bentley on chetsford@talk21.com or ring 01273 494723 for further information and the Race Pack. That reminds me – must get the Fab Four team sorted!