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

Hampshire Recorder Keith Betton has arranged a discount for SBC members for his new book, an updated version of the classic Where to Watch Birds in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The publication date is scheduled to be 28 October, but it is available for pre-orders now.

For 30% off Where to Watch Birds in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, use the discount code WTWB30 at www.bloomsbury.com.

We are sorry to announce the death of Jeff Wheatley, a Club Vice-President and huge contributor in so many respects. Jeff was not only County Recorder from 1983 to 2010, but was also the Surrey Bird Report Editor until 1994. In addition, Jeff prepared all of the maps for the Surrey Bird Atlas 2007-2012 and hosted and co-ordinated all Records Committee meetings for many years. As well as this, Jeff was also the author of the authoritative Birds of Surrey which was published by the Club in 2007. A full obituary will be published in the next issue of Birding Surrey. The Committee’s thoughts go … Read more

The BTO are kindly providing training on BirdTrack to the Surrey region via Zoom at 7pm on Tuesday 30th March.

The talk will cover a basic introduction to what BirdTrack is, how to add a record via the website and how to use the App. The talk will also cover looking at your own records and Recent Sightings to see what is in your area.

To register for this event, contact

Photo of Golden Plover by D Harris

Tice’s Meadow have applied for a grant from Surrey County Council’s Your Fund scheme.

If successful, the grant would be used to buy Tice’s Meadow Nature Reserve and place it in trust (or similar arrangements) for the benefit of the local community. The first stage of the scheme involves gathering public support. A detailed business case will then have to be submitted in February.

You can register your support by ‘liking’ their submission on the Your Fund Surrey map.

Photo of Cattle Egrets by C Varndell

Sussex Ornithological Society are putting on a series of virtual talks to which Surrey Bird Club members are invited.

These will:

• Comprise a 30-40 minute talk from the guest speaker, followed by a question and answer session.
• Be free to attend by all, including both SOS members and non-members.
• Be hosted on Zoom and bookings managed through Eventbrite, with joining instructions sent to those that have booked prior to the event.

The events will normally be on Wednesdays at 7pm, starting on 10th February.

You can find further details here

Photo of Black-tailed Godwits by D Harris