Some heronries in Sussex will be active already this year. Due to the difficult and unpredictable circumstances this year some heronries and egret and cormorant nesting colonies may not be counted as usual. All birdwatchers in Sussex are encouraged to report any signs that they see when out and about in their local areas that […]

This survey was planned for 2020 but cancelled due to government restrictions. The intention now is for this survey to run in 2021 dependent on restrictions. Planning and preparation are going ahead as normal. All volunteers for this survey will be expected to observe all government restrictions and guidelines. In 2021 the BTO and RSPB […]

Many thanks to everyone who submitted entries for the Sussex Photographer of the Year Competition 2020-2021. As to be expected, the standard of entries is extremely high, and it will be a very difficult task to choose the winners. We plan to announce the results at the SOS AGM, which is to be held on […]

We are delighted to launch this new service from the SOS. The first video is, very appropriately, about the SOS emblem, the Stonechat. To help you through lockdown, Clare Buckle, Secretary to the SOS Scientific Committee and an accomplished artist and teacher of art, has very generously created this video showing you how to draw […]

Planning and preparation for BTO surveys this breeding season is going ahead as normal. Volunteers participating in any BTO survey will be expected to act within any government restrictions and guidance in place at the time. The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a national monitoring scheme administered by the BTO and jointly funded by the […]

The Conference takes place via Zoom on the evenings of 30th and 31st January. Tim Squire has lined up four first class speakers for us. For more details and to register see here Closing date for the Photographic Competition is 31st January. For competition rules and how to submit your entries see here

New volunteers in Sussex are being sought to help to monitor national breeding woodcock numbers (subject to any travel or other restrictions in place at the time). Annual monitoring of roding woodcocks has taken place at a number of sites across the UK each year since 2003; a summary of the results can be found […]

Under the Covid restrictions which came into place on Boxing Day, the whole of Sussex is moved into Tier 4, with tight rules on travel and meeting, and though a review is due on 30th December, it looks unlikely that things will be relaxed then.  As I read the new guidance, we are meant to […]

Hot on the heels of the Bird Report, your winter newsletter should be with you very soon.  Slight delay due to the handover from Anthony to Martin, which did not go quite as smoothly as they would have liked – grateful thanks to both for persevering! There will be a article on how you can […]

The Sussex Bird Report for 2019 is available to purchase     Available now, it contains 272 pages packed with information, photographs and illustrations including: Review of 2019 Systematic List Breeding Bird and Winter Bird Survey results Wealden Heaths Breeding Bird Survey Finders’ accounts of Crag Martin, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Northern Treecreeper and Eastern Lesser Whitethroat […]