January 2021

COVID-19: please continue to follow the latest government guidelines on social distancing and exercising outdoors.

Sunday 31st

Iceland Gull, Beddington Farmlands (S Ferguson).
Iceland Gull, Beddington Farmlands (S Ferguson).

Barnes: adult White-fronted Goose on St Pauls School playing field early morning (K Betty).

Beddington Farmlands: juvenile Iceland Gull (presumed same as Holmethorpe SP on Wednesday) on Wet Grassland late morning then flew to incinerator; also adult Mediterranean Gull, 8 Water Pipits, 7 Jack Snipe, 6 Green Sandpipers and 2 Shelduck (R Browne/A Dutta/S Ferguson/N Gardner/G Jones/I Jones/Z Pannifer/A Ramesh).

Burgess Park: drake Goldeneye (G de Silva).

Hawfinch, Bury Hill Fisheries (M Davis).
Hawfinch, Bury Hill Fisheries (M Davis).

Bury … Read more

Changes to rarity list

Changes have been made to the list of species deemed vice-county rarities, with Great Egret removed and Wood Warbler added.

The changes mean that photos, sound recordings and / or a description are no longer required for Great Egret records, but they will now be needed for Wood Warbler. These changes are in effect for all records from 1 January 2020 onwards.

In keeping with the national trend, Great Egret is now a regular – if somewhat sporadic – visitor, usually between the months of June and December. By the end of 2010 there had been merely 11 vice-county records; … Read more

December 2020

COVID-19: please continue to follow the latest government guidelines on social distancing and exercising outdoors.

Thursday 31st

Dartford Warbler, Godalming (S Jones).
Dartford Warbler, Godalming (S Jones).

Beddington Farmlands: Yellow-browed Warbler along footpath south of hides; also White Stork (G Jones/G Morris-Hale).

Churt: 5 Goosander on Lowick’s Pond (R Douglas).

Godalming: Dartford Warbler on Lammas Lands (P Osborn).

Leatherhead: 4 Goosander on River Mole (R Nunns).

Molesey Heath: Yellow-browed Warbler by River Mole; also possible Siberian Chiffchaff (E Sames/N Spencer/A Westenberger).

Morden Hall Park: Siberian Chiffchaff along river at south-east end (BirdGuides).

Old Woking: 18 White-fronted Geese on … Read more

Tice’s Meadow under threat

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

November 2020

COVID-19: please continue to follow the latest government guidelines on social distancing and exercising outdoors.

Monday 30th

Russian White-fronted Geese, Betchworth (M Davis).
Russian White-fronted Geese, Betchworth (M Davis).

Beddington Farmlands: Shelduck and White Stork (I Jones).

Betchworth: 18 White-fronted Geese in fields by River Mole north of Gadbrook Farm (W Attridge/M Davis).

Chobham Common: 10 Crossbills (P Hughes).

Eashing: Great Egret flew over A3 near Eashing Bridges late afternoon (D Brassington/E Stubbs).

Rustic Bunting, Thursley Common (S Minhinnick).
Rustic Bunting, Thursley Common (S Minhinnick).

Frensham Great Pond: 4 Crossbills (S Jones).

Horley: White-fronted Goose in field at Littlelake Farm from 11:00-12:30 at least (T Walker).… Read more

Field meetings update

Great Egret, Molesey Heath (D Harris).

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

October 2020

COVID-19: please continue to follow the latest government guidelines on social distancing and exercising outdoors.

Saturday 31st

Green Sandpiper, London Wetland Centre (WWT).
Green Sandpiper, London Wetland Centre (WWT).

Beddington Farmlands: Yellow-browed Warbler heard-only; also 4 Water Pipits and White Stork (BirdGuides).

Godalming: House Martin (P Osborn).

Island Barn Reservoir (no access): Goldeneye (C Turner).

London Wetland Centre: 2 Crossbills flew west; also Pintail, Green Sandpiper and Shelduck (WWT).

Thursley Common: Little Bunting still by west end of Pudmore late afternoon though elusive and mobile; also 3 Crossbills (D Brassington/B Briggs).

Tice’s Meadow: Long-eared Owl flushed from path adjacent to … Read more

2017 Surrey Bird Club report out now

sbr 2017 front cover

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.

September 2020

COVID-19: please continue to follow the latest government guidelines on social distancing and exercising outdoors.

Wednesday 30th

Beddington Farmlands: Red-crested Pochard, Pintail, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper (A Dutta).

Chobham Common: no sign of Olive-backed Pipit though Spotted Flycatcher present (BirdGuides).

Leith Hill: 13,302 House Martins flew south-east between 06:30-11:00 (Surrey record count); also 3 Hawfinches and Brambling south ad 73 Crossbills about (W Attridge/R Stride).

London Wetland Centre: Bittern (J Klavins).

Priest Hill: 2,200 House Martins flew south (S Gale).

Richmond Park: Jack Snipe at Upper Pen Ponds (BirdGuides).

South Norwood CP: … Read more

August 2020

COVID-19: please continue to follow the latest government guidelines on social distancing and exercising outdoors.

Monday 31st

Yellow Wagtails, Island Barn Reservoir (C Turner).
Yellow Wagtails, Island Barn Reservoir (C Turner).

Badshot Lea: Great Egret at Badshot Lea Ponds (J Hunt).

Beddington Farmlands: Red-crested Pochard (I Jones).

Birtley Green: Whinchat at Bonhurst Farm (E Stubbs).

Cranleigh: 3 Whinchats at Holdhurst Farm; also 3 Spotted Flycatchers at Uttworth Manor and Redstart at Great Garson (R Stride).

Crooksbury Common: Spotted Flycatcher and 20+ Crossbills (P Bamford).

Dorking: Tree Pipit over Milton Court Farm (M Davis).

Holmethorpe SP: 2 Whinchats at The Moors; … Read more