Greensand Way & River Mole Bird Survey
Paul Ritchie

​In February 2026, I decided to start surveying local bird populations in a more consistent way. I wanted an approach that was sustainable in the context of my other commitments. A daily dog walk takes me through two different but linked habitats, farmland along the Greensand Way from our garden to the graveyard at Betchworth and small spinney next to the barns. Regular trips from our house to the Spar and Reading Room Café on Brockham Green offered a third, riparian habitat to include in surveys.

During these daily walking surveys, my visual observations are enhanced by using the Merlin app created by Cornell University, to record birds by songs and calls. This information complements daily sitting surveys in my garden which backs onto the River Mole/Greensand Way, primarily at dawn and dusk. All in all this amounts to a substantial data base.

I collate the bird sightings on a spreadsheet recording presence or absence for each week. My intention is to continue this survey for a complete annual cycle. I am slowly learning bird songs and calls and I find the activity very relaxing as well as intellectually stimulating.

Over the coming year I am sharing some of my survey results through regular blog posts on the website’s blog.

BLOG POSTS
Summer Visitors   www.biodiversitypark.uk/blog/summer-visitors-paul-ritchie
April without the showers   https://www.biodiversitypark.uk/blog/april-showers​
New birds from my garden greensand way bird survey https://www.biodiversitypark.uk/blog/new-birds-for-my-garden-greensand-way-bird-survey-paul-ritchie​
Mad March https://www.biodiversitypark.uk/blog/mad-march​


Presentation of results on May 7th

Cumulative Record