The BTO/RSPB/NE Heathland Birds Survey includes Tree Pipit as one of the species for which records are requested in addition to the three focal species (Nightjar, Dartford Warbler and Woodlark). To obtain a fuller picture of the breeding distribution and population of Tree Pipits in Sussex, the SOS would also very much welcome all records of Tree Pipits in non-heathland breeding habitat in the county in 2025. Small numbers of Tree Pipits breed on non-heathland sites (e.g. scarp downland and young forestry plantations).

The first Tree Pipits will be arriving back on territory any day now, so we are asking you, especially if you know of such sites occupied by breeding Tree Pipits in recent years, to look for the species up to mid-July and enter records (other than any collected in the course of Heathlands Birds Survey work, including Woodlark surveys on farmland, for which there are separate data entry procedures) on Birdtrack, eBird etc. Please add breeding evidence and a note of the habitat. Thank you.

Pete Hughes, SOS Surveys & Projects Officer