The RSPB is six years into a programme of monitoring farmland birds across over thirty farms on the South Downs to see how populations respond on a landscape scale to habitat management advice.

We are looking for two additional bird surveyors with good identification skills and preferably some experience of territory mapping to undertake four early morning surveys during the breeding season. The farms in question are both at the western end of West Sussex, one near West Marden and the other near South Harting.

The surveys are carried out between mid-April and the end of June, with a minimum of two weeks between each visit. Each survey should take around four hours. You would need to map presence of up to ten target farmland bird species and list all the species observed during the surveys. A preliminary visit to meet the farmer is also required.

Training in territory mapping can be provided but the ability to identify all common birds, and especially farmland birds, by sight and sound is essential. You will also need to be able to walk several kilometres over ground which might be rough or steep in places.

If you are interested in helping the RSPB with this project and would like to know more, please contact Caroline French, Conservation Monitoring Officer, at caroline.french@rspb.org.uk or 07736 722208.