The South Downs farmland bird monitoring project started in 2014 as part the South Downs Farmland Bird Initiative. The project is a collaboration between the RSPB, Natural England, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA), the BTO, the South Downs Land Management Group and the Sussex and Hampshire […]

The British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC) is planning a review this year of all past British records of Subalpine Warblers, following recent taxonomic changes. This will include the 2019 record from Beachy Head and also a 1988 record from the same location that has recently been resubmitted to BBRC. There have been many other Sussex […]

As you know, when the UK Government instigated a “lockdown” we, like many similar organisations operating outings for members, suspended our 2020 Outings programme. The UK Government eased some restrictions and as a consequence we are trying a partial reopening of the Outings Programme. I had planned to lead walks at Arlington Reservoir (Sunday 6th […]

Government restrictions meant that most BBS volunteers this year were unable to complete their early-season visits which would normally be made between the beginning of April and the middle of May. Fortunately, the easing of restrictions on May 13th allowed many volunteers to complete their late-season visits, and results have been submitted for 125 squares […]

The new WeBS season starts in September and there are sites across Sussex that need new volunteers; now is a really good time to get started with this survey. WeBS is the principal monitoring scheme for non-breeding waterbirds in the UK which aims to provide data for the conservation of their populations and wetland habitats. […]

A pair of Leica Trinovid 8 x 32 BA binoculars are offered  for sale.  They are virtually new, but due to personal circumstances are no longer required.   Suggested price is £400. Please contact Peter Britton on peterbritton@live.com or phone 01293 885378  

Great to see SOS Council Member Mya’s blog featured by the BTO.  Not often do we see the world of birding from the perspective of those who are female, and young!  

In the Summer edition of the SOS Newsletter I wondered what members’ favourite Sussex birds were. I suggested that members may like to let me know their three favourite Sussex birds by e-mailing their selection to favouritebirds@sos.org.uk. I defined ‘Sussex birds’ as species which breed regularly in Sussex. Sorry, but historic records of nesting by […]

Sussex Ornithological Society Sussex Bird Photographer of the Year 2020 The SOS is thrilled to announce our new bird photography competition – we are looking for beautiful photographs capturing Sussex’s wonderful birds, taken during the year 2020. This competition is open to everyone who lives in Sussex, not just members of SOS. For full details […]

Having tried to remain optimistic over the summer, we have reluctantly decided to cancel the SOS Fieldworkers Meeting due to take place on October 3rd. We held back the decision on whether to go ahead in the hope that Covid restrictions would be relaxed sufficiently for indoor gatherings of largish groups of people to be […]