Wild Birds on the Nature Trail

Merlin App Survey

The baseline survey was undertaken during April and May 2026. Each part of the nature trail was assigned a letter code and visited at least 3 times. Birds were observed by eye with the Merlin App open and listening to the soundscape. As the app matched a song in the database of recorded British Birds, the species present were identified. Table 1 compiles all the data from the survey and an interim report is provided below. Our intention is to build on this initial survey. We welcome contributions to our baseline survey from users of the trail. Please send screen shots of merlin app identifications via whatsapp together with the location on the trail where they were recorded to 07810462403.

Download Interim Wild Bird Survey Report 06/05/26

Species identified in survey

Table 1 Bird species identified by the Merlin App at 12 locations on the Betchworth & Buckland Nature Trail and three green corridors – A25, railway (R) and Betchworth Gardens along Station Rd & The Street

Column Letter Codes: A St Michaels Church & adjacent woodland, B Path by Common Field, C Path by post-office, D Farmland below the North Downs, E Woodland on the North Downs, F Lime Kilns scrub & woodland below Betchworth Quarry, G Betchworth Station & woodland to west, H Railway path, I Poors' Field Rectory Lane, J Rectory Lane south of level crossing, K Old Road Buckland L Tranquil Wood. N – number of species identified in the 12 locations. Additional locations A25 – trees, hedges and shrubs bordering A25 RM – Railway Margins BV- Betchworth Village The Street/Station Rd.

Dawn Chorus on the Nature Trail

The dawn chorus is the collective sound made by birds at sunrise, around 5am am in late April early May when it reaches its climax, as birds try to attract mates, establish and claim territories, and announce their presence to other birds. The Merlin app was used to identify the birds in each of the sound recordings helping us appreciate the diversity of bird species that perform this celebration of life. A summary of all the birds recorded is provided below together with a short descriptive account.

Sound Recordings

To listen to the recordings and see which birds were involved in the symphony, click on the links below. Use headphones for best quality sound.

A Woodland near St Michael's Church
B Path by Common Field
C Path near Betchworth
Post-office
D Farmland below North Downs
E Woodland
F Lime Kilns
G Betchworth Station
H Railway path
I Poors' Field Buckland
J Rectory Lane
K Old Rd Buckland
L Tranquil Wood

Contact

Questions or stories? Reach out anytime.

Email

Phone

4bnaturegroup@gmail.com