28/12/21

It may be of interest to Surrey Bird Club members that Natural England is conducting a formal boundary review for the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). There has been a desire locally for many years for a review to decide whether additional areas adjacent to the existing AONB boundary should also be designated. They are asking for public contributions to assist the decision-making process.

Since AONBs are designated solely for their outstanding natural beauty, any decision about an extension to the Surrey Hills AONB boundary will be based on assessments of factors that relate directly to … Read more

22/12/21

Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year to all members.

Photo: Robin, London Wetland Centre, 24/04/17 (J Drewett)

18/12/21

A partnership of six councils has come together to support the purchase of the nature reserve and protect it as open space for the community. Surrey County Council, supported by funding from Hampshire County Council, Guildford Borough Council, Waverley Borough Council, Rushmoor Borough Council and Farnham Town Council, has bought Tice’s Meadow near Badshot Lea – on the outskirts of Farnham.

The land is 55 hectares (137 acres) of former quarry which is now fully restored as a nature reserve. It has been acquired from Hanson UK, and will become part of the Surrey County Council countryside estate. The … Read more

The next SBC field trip at Holmethorpe SP is going ahead on Sunday [12 December] despite being omitted from the latest edition of Birding Surrey. Here are more details and we hope to see you there. At the last field trip at Holmethorpe, the long-staying Ring-necked Duck was present there. Will it be this time? It’s currently nearby in Reigate, so fingers crossed!

Photo of Ring-Necked Duck at Reigate by C Turner