The BTO are running a Winter Gull Survey (WinGS), with counts having taken place over last winter (2023-2024) and due to continue over this next winter (2024-2025), with the primary aim of obtaining new population estimates for the principal species that winter in the UK and assessing how populations have changed since the last survey in 2003/04–2005/06. The results of this survey will also help to assess the impact of the ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on gull populations. The survey involves coordinated visits to key roost sites and additional visits to sample stretches of coastline and sample squares inland, with visits to key sites having been prioritised for January 2024. Visits to sample sites and outstanding key sites will then be prioritised for January 2025.

Supplementary counts will also be taking place this autumn with the key survey date being 29th September 2024 and with surveys acceptable a few days either side of this date. Further information about taking part can be found at https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/winter-gull-survey/taking-part.

Key sites in Sussex for which volunteers are needed for the September count are listed below (updated 10/9/2024); please contact the organisers listed below for more information. Sites can also be selected online after registering at https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/winter-gull-survey.

Chichester Harbour: please contact Peter Hughes at peter.hughes@conservancy.co.uk.

Coastal Sussex: please contact Dave Boddington at davebodds@yahoo.co.uk.
Pagham Harbour
Aldwick
Climping
Littlehampton
Rustington
East Preston
Ferring
Goring-by-Sea
West Worthing
East Worthing
Lancing
Shoreham Beach
Southwick Beach
Hove
Brighton Marina
Newhaven Harbour
Newhaven Tidemills
Seven Sisters/Birling Gap
Pevensey Bay
Bexhill-on-Sea
St. Leonards

Inland Sussex: please contact Helen Crabtree at hcrabtree@gmail.com.
Darwell Reservoir