RSPB campaign

RSPB England has issued a Twitter thread in order to highlight the dangers of the proposals to relax the controls which protects UK wildlife. It says:

“This Government has today launched an attack on nature. We don’t use the words that follow lightly. We are entering uncharted territory.

What the Government has proposed in today’s mini-budget on top of yesterday’s announcements potentially tears up the most fundamental legal protections our remaining wildlife has.

“The government has agreement in principle with 38 areas to establish tax-cutting Investment Zones which will drive growth & unlock housing development.” says the Treasury.

And it … Read more

2019 Surrey Bird Report

SBR 2019 front cover

The 2019 Surrey Bird Report is now available. The report contains accounts of the 209 species recorded in the county in 2019. This is in the form of a monthly summary of the weather conditions and brief bird highlights; followed by an analysis for each species  by month, location and number. There were two new county longevity records but no new county records. Also included is a summary of the ringing activity for the 20,000 birds ringed, and an article on the breeding of blackcaps in Surrey and Co. Armagh in 2019.

This is an invaluable resource to all in … Read more

Young birders walk

A walk for young birders, organised by the BTO, is taking place at Beddington Farmlands on Wednesday 24 August – and there are still spaces available.

Arjun Dutta will lead the walk which starts 9.30 am, finishing at 3 pm. The event is open to under 25-year-olds only, with a focus on 11–24-year-olds. Participants under 18 will need to fill in a consent form with their parent(s)/carer(s) and send this to BTO before the event.

Come prepared for any weather in appropriate clothing (no shorts – it’s tick season!) and footwear, and bring some water and lunch. Don’t forget a … Read more

August photo challenge

We’ve launched an informal photography challenge for the month of August. There are no rules and it’s open to all; as many entries as you like and the subject is How swift they fly. Please send your entries to and a selection will be displayed on the club website at the end of the month. Best of luck.

(Photo: Swallow – James Sellen)

24 July 2022

2022 AGM

Nutfield Marshes (Photo: Screengrab from Surrey Wildlife Trust)

The 2022 Annual General Meeting will take place on Friday 1 July at East Horsley village hall.

The Club is pleased to present a talk from Simon Elson entitled ‘Helping Surrey’s birds – a Wetland Perspective’.

Simon is the  Principal Environmental Enhancement Officer with Surrey County Council and is the focus for planning, restoration and enhancement schemes on mineral sites within Surrey. The talk will commence after the AGM.

The meeting time is 7.45 pm, with the AGM starting from 8 pm. The full address is East Horsley village hall, Kingston Avenue, East Horsley, Surrey KT24 6QT.

(Photo: Nutfield Marshes, … Read more

Wild About Woking event

Woking Peregrines (James Sellen)

Surrey Bird Club is supporting the ‘Wild about Woking’ event this coming weekend by having a stand in Jubilee Square and showing shoppers and other passers-by the Woking peregrines (www.wokingperegrines.com). It is also an opportunity to encourage people to take an interest in their local birds and to talk to people about the Bird Club.

Additional volunteers are needed to join the team on Saturday (morning or afternoon) and on Sunday morning. Please do get in touch with Penny at if you can offer some time. Three sessions are planned:

Saturday 21st May: 9.45 am to 1.00 … Read more

5km bird race challenge

On Saturday [7 May] a Surrey 5 km bird race challenge took place. The idea of the challenge was for teams of birders to see how many species they could record within a 5 km radius of their home or patch. Emphasis was on going as green as possible (i.e. car sharing, using a bike etc) and a finish time of 18:00 was agreed.

In total 19 teams or individuals entered, with the combined species total across the county an impressive 121. The winning team scored 98, with two teams finishing joint-second with 91. A variety of excellent birds were … Read more

Birds of prey webcams

Wokiing Peregrine

It’s the lull before the storm for many of the “public” Surrey birds. Pairings have been established, nests furnished and eggs laid. Soon it will be time for the hard work of feeding a hungry and demanding family.

In the seventh year of the project, the new pairing of Woking Peregrines produced their first egg on 21 March and their fourth egg one week later. Perhaps another week of peace left before the first chick emerges. Thanks to support from Woking Borough Council, their progress can be followed on the webcam:

The Woking Peregrine Project | Live Web Feed of … Read more

BBRC decisions: 1/4/2022

Two Surrey records of national rarities have been accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee in the latest batch of decisions.

The Black Stork at Thursley Common on 27 May 2021, found by J Mullin, has been accepted. This record represents the fourth for the vice-county and first in 13 years. Also accepted was a first-winter female Two-barred Crossbill, trapped and ringed by J Gates at Crooksbury Common on 17 March 2021. This bird constitutes the fifth Surrey record and first since 2014.

A further three vice-county records are still in circulation, while two 2021 submissions were deemed not proven.