There are still squares available in the following areas–

• Northiam
• Wadhurst
• Frant
• Mayfield
• Arundel
• Singleton
• Chichester
• Midhurst
• Billinghurst

You still have time to take up a square as the first survey needs to be completed by the 20th of June.

“The national survey hopes to mobilise volunteers, farmers, study groups, county bird clubs and other organisations to record turtle dove across their UK range.

The results of the survey will give us a comprehensive overview of the current size and distribution of the UK’s breeding turtle dove population. This will allow us to assess the progress of conservation work to date and help ensure that future conservation efforts are targeted to where they will have the greatest impact.

The national survey runs between mid-May and the end of July 2021.”

There are squares still available across the whole of Sussex so if you would like to sign up for the survey please follow the link below. Any records outside of the squares would also be welcome, so please do record on birdtrack or irecord.

https://national-turtle-dove-survey-rspb.hub.arcgis.com/

Turtle Doves in Sussex

Turtle doves were last surveyed in 2019. The following from the report shows the extent of Turtle doves from that survey.

“Sussex is still thought to hold significant and nationally important numbers. In the 2008-11 breeding atlas there was evidence of breeding (proved, probable and possible) in 195 tetrads in Sussex with the county population estimated as around 300 pairs (Thomas et al. 2014). Since then there have been between 200-300 records submitted each year to the County Recorder although a large fraction of these are from one site – the Knepp Estate.

The numbers and distribution of Turtle Doves in Sussex have declined markedly since the 2008-11 atlas with the numbers of occupied tetrads down by an estimated 77%. We estimate the county population at around 80 territories with a range of 50-100.”

“The national survey hopes to mobilise volunteers, farmers, study groups, county bird clubs and other organisations to record turtle dove across their UK range.

The results of the survey will give us a comprehensive overview of the current size and distribution of the UK’s breeding turtle dove population. This will allow us to assess the progress of conservation work to date and help ensure that future conservation efforts are targeted to where they will have the greatest impact.

The national survey runs between mid-May and the end of July 2021.”

There are squares still available across the whole of Sussex so if you would like to sign up for the survey please follow the link below. Any records outside of the squares would also be welcome, so please do record on birdtrack or irecord.

https://national-turtle-dove-survey-rspb.hub.arcgis.com/

Turtle Doves in Sussex

Turtle doves were last surveyed in 2019. The following from the report shows the extent of Turtle doves from that survey.

“Sussex is still thought to hold significant and nationally important numbers. In the 2008-11 breeding atlas there was evidence of breeding (proved, probable and possible) in 195 tetrads in Sussex with the county population estimated as around 300 pairs (Thomas et al. 2014). Since then there have been between 200-300 records submitted each year to the County Recorder although a large fraction of these are from one site – the Knepp Estate.

The numbers and distribution of Turtle Doves in Sussex have declined markedly since the 2008-11 atlas with the numbers of occupied tetrads down by an estimated 77%. We estimate the county population at around 80 territories with a range of 50-100.”

This is a repeat request. I am keen to have further notes and photos of the Subalpine Warbler at Pagham Hbr on 9-16 October 1993, but also details of any other records please (apart from the 1988 Beachy Head record that has been resubmitted to BBRC and the 2019 Beachy Head record that has already been assessed by BBRC). See below for list of other records.

The British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC) is planning a review of all past British records of Subalpine Warblers, following recent taxonomic changes. There have been several Sussex records of this species group since the first in 1961, so if you were one of the finders or observers and would like the record reassessed please let me know, ideally attaching a copy of the documentation prepared at the time. This will only be worth doing if a very good description with sketches or photos is available, with transcriptions or recordings of calls and/or song. If the description is in manuscript, please include a typed version to aid assessment by BBRC.

The current taxonomic position is:

Western Subalpine Warbler Curruca iberiae. North Africa (Tunisia to Morocco), Iberia, southern France, and north-west Italy.

Eastern Subalpine Warbler Curruca cantillans cantillans. Southern Italy and Sicily; and C. c. albistriata (north-east Italy, the Balkans, Greece, and western Turkey).

There is also a third species, previously considered to be a subspecies of Subalpine Warbler:

Moltoni’s Warbler Curruca subalpina (north-central Italy, Sardinia, Corsica and Balearic Islands).

Thanks.

Mark Mallalieu, County Recorder
recorder@sos.org.uk
23 April 2021

The Rare Breeding Birds Panel has updated the guidance on its website regarding the reporting of sensitive rare breeding birds during the breeding season – see here – and there is a blog here.

Please familiarise yourself with this advice. For Sussex, Marsh Harrier, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler should be treated in the same way. Although some breeding sites for the latter two species are quite well known, there could still be risks from drawing attention to breeding locations as a result of disturbance. Please report sightings of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the breeding season to Dr Ken Smith, see http://woodpecker-network.org.uk/.

Mark Mallalieu
County Recorder
18 April 2021

Please read the attached leaflet about this year’s Urban Nesting Gull Survey to see if you might be able to help.

The 2020 Marsh Tit survey had to be abandoned mid-way through 2020 due to the first Covid-19 lockdown. Nevertheless 29 squares were surveyed, although in some of these only one of the two planned visits were made. The survey has now been cautiously restarted in a manner consistent with government rules and BTO guidance. All volunteers for this survey will be expected to observe all government restrictions and guidelines.

In addition to the survey of random 1km squares we are encouraging observers to make a special effort this year to submit any Marsh Tit records from elsewhere in the county. If you see any Marsh tit on your local walks, then please record them on BirdTrack or iRecord.

Background
Both Marsh Tit and Willow Tit, the two Poecile species in Sussex, have declined nationally. The latter species is the second fastest declining species in the UK, after Turtle Dove, having declined by 93% since the 1960s. A Sussex survey for Willow Tit in 2019 failed to find a single bird and the species is, in all probability, now extinct in Sussex.
Marsh Tit declines have been slightly less severe but, nevertheless, numbers have fallen by 80% since the 1960s and the species was added to the red list in 2002. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the species might be doing better in Sussex than some other areas, but we need better data if we are to properly understand its status and trends.

We are, therefore, asking for help to carry on the Marsh Tit survey this year to obtain statistically robust evidence. A maximum of two visits is required per 1km survey square by mid-April.

Objective
The objective is to establish a base line population estimate for Sussex so that we establish the current status of the species. This survey will become part of our repeating cycle of SOS species surveys so we will be able to track the population trend in the county over time. This will give us warning if the species continues to decline.

Volunteers who were registered to take part in 2020 have agreed to resurvey the squares allocated to them last year. We have restricted the distance to travel for surveying to a maximum of 15km from your address. There are some squares left with no surveyor, please see below the squares that are still available. The survey can be carried out until the 15th of April.

If they are local to you and you are interested in taking part in this survey please contact the SOS Surveys Officer (email below). Please have a look at the list of randomly selected 1km squares and indicate which one(s) you can cover. We will organise the maps and recording forms to be sent to you for the 2021 season.

TQ4112 – Hamsey River Ouse
TQ4427 – Nutley
TQ4513 – Ringmer
TQ5510 – Upper Dicker
TQ7029 – Etchingham Pashley
TQ0429 – Loxwood Roundstreet Commn
TQ7031 – Bewl Water

Matt Twydell (SOS Surveys Officer) Email: surveys@sos.org.uk