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 more than 250 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 (asterisks indicate priority squares that have been surveyed before) in Sussex which currently need volunteers for the 2026 breeding season are (updated 4/11/2025):

SU7800 West Itchenor*
SU8605 central Chichester*
SU8615 Westdean Woods*
SU9113 near East Dean*
SU9923 near Petworth*
SZ7996 East Wittering*
SZ8199 near Birdham
SZ8698 Sidlesham*
TQ0124 near Kirdford*
TQ0322 near Codmore Hill*
TQ0324 near Wisborough Green
TQ0826 Billingshurst
TQ0918 West Chiltington*
TQ1031 near Slinfold*
TQ1038 near Ewhurst (Surrey)*
TQ1114 Washington Common*
TQ1323 Dragon’s Green*
TQ1531 Broadbridge Heath*
TQ1606 near Sompting*
TQ1636 Kingsfold*
TQ2536 Gossops Green
TQ2638 Langley Green*
TQ3922 near North Chailey*
TQ4938 near Blackham*
TQ5026 High Hurstwood
TQ5128 near Crowborough*
TQ5211 near Golden Cross*
TQ5220 Blackboys*
TQ5228 near Crowborough*
TQ5435 near Eridge Station*
TQ5514 near Chiddingly*
TQ5639 Tunbridge Wells*
TQ6817 near Penhurst
TQ7811 Hollington*
TQ8413 near Three Oaks*
TQ8414 near Three Oaks*

For further information, please contact Helen Crabtree at bbs@sos.org.uk.