We are urgently looking for a couple of surveyors to carry out turtle dove surveys in Sussex. The 1km squares we still need to cover are: TQ1717, TQ1719 and TQ1921 (Adur Valley, north-west of Henfield)

Survey details:

• Surveyors need to undertake two surveys during the breeding season (early May – late July), with a minimum of four weeks between visits. A habitat survey is also required but can optionally be done at the time of the first bird survey.
• Visits should be conducted during the first two hours after sunrise, as after this time turtle dove activity will reduce.
• Methodology is similar to the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS).
• Surveyors would need to sign up as a RSPB volunteer if they haven’t already.
• Be able to identify turtle doves and other common farmland birds by sight and sound (a list of birds to be recorded will be provided).

If you are interested and would like to know more please email Caroline French, Conservation Monitoring Officer, at caroline.french@rspb.org.uk.