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

The communities of Farnham, Badshot Lea and Aldershot have six months to save Tice’s Meadow Nature Reserve. The multi-award winning wildlife haven is under threat, and the volunteers of the Tice’s Meadow Bird Group are warning that the clock is ticking, with an unknown potential buyer in final negotiations to buy the 150 acre site in Badshot Lea.

Landowners Hanson, operators of the former Farnham Quarry, formally notified Waverley Borough Council of their intention to sell the site on Tuesday 3rd November. Due to the site’s status as an Asset of Community Value (under the Localism Act 2011), community interest … Read more

The field meetings programme has been suspended in the light of the stricter coronavirus rules coming into force on 5 November 2020. 

The position will be reviewed in the light of what rules are put in place after 2 December 2020.

Photo of Great Egret by D Harris

The 2017 Surrey Bird Report is available now and has been posted to all members. Non-members can purchase a copy for £10 plus £1.50 p&p.

The report includes accounts of the 207 species seen in the county, a summary of ringing activity and an article detailing the irruption of Hawfinches in 2017.

The full content list and details of how to order are here.

The Committee has decided that, unfortunately, it is not practical to hold the AGM At East Horsley Village Hall on Friday 25th September.  Instead of holding a virtual one, the Committee has decided to deal with the AGM by way of online voting (or paper forms for those members without an email address)m with members being asked to raise any issues by 12 pm on Friday 9th September with the Membership Secretary (via ). 

If any member has not received a link to an online voting form or a postal voting form by 20th August 2020, please contact the … Read more

2020 has been another successful year for the Woking Peregrines.  The Woking Peregrines Project (WPP) has been running for 5 years and is hoping to raise sufficient interest/funds to enable the publication of a WPP book, documenting the first five years of the project.  If you are interested in supporting the publication of the book (or indeed buying the book if published), please visit the WPP website: www.wokingperegrines.com/book/