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

AGM update

Mallard, London Wetland Centre, Barnes 30/07/20 (J Drewett)

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

Woking Peregrine Project book

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/

July 2020

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

Friday 31st

Great Egret, Tice's Meadow (J Hunt).
Great Egret, Tice’s Meadow (J Hunt).

Capel: 2+ Crossbills flew over (W Attridge).

Chelsea & Lambeth Reservoirs: 14 Green Sandpipers (C Turner).

Thursley Common: 16 Crossbills flew over (D Brassington).

Tice’s Meadow: Great Egret still; also Greenshank, Dunlin, 8 Green Sandpipers and Common Sandpiper (K Britten/J Hunt).

Weyburn Meadows: 5 Crossbills flew over (E Stubbs).

Thursday 30th

Greenshank and Green Sandpiper, Tice's Meadow (S Ferguson).
Greenshank and Green Sandpiper, Tice’s Meadow (S Ferguson).

Leith Hill: 16 Crossbills over tower (M Davis/M Phelps).

Newchapel: 2 … Read more