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

September 2022

Friday 30th

Addlestone GPs: Green Sandpiper (J Snell).

Beddington Farmlands: Ruff flew south-mid morning; also Brambling south, Water Pipit, Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Pintail on North Lake, 7 Green Sandpipers and Common Sandpiper (A Dutta).

Box Hill: Redstart (S Gale).

Frensham Outlet Pond: Great Egret mid-morning then flew south-west at 09:58; 6th Frensham record (S Peters).

Holmethorpe SP: Common Sandpiper at Spyne’s Mere (G Hay).

Island Barn Reservoir: 180 Barnacle Geese and 2 Wheatears (T Quinn).

Wimbledon Common: Wheatear (Jon Reeves).

Thursday 29th

Cranleigh: Curlew flew over Vachery Lane at 11:25 (D McKenzie).… 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 2022

Wednesday 31st

Osprey, Cobham (J Snell).
Osprey, Cobham (J Snell).

Brockwell Park: Yellow Wagtail (S Patmore).

Cobham: Osprey flew north-west over Downside Walk at 10:04; also 2 Yellow Wagtails (J Snell).

Eashing Fields: Osprey flew west at 10:45; also 2 Yellow Wagtails (E Stubbs).

Holmethorpe SP: Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper at Spyne’s Mere (G Hay).

London Wetland Centre: 2 Spotted Flycatchers, Redshank, Wheatear, 3 Common Sandpipers and 4 Green Sandpipers (M Andrews/W Newnham/M Parker/S Parr).

Richmond Park: 6 Whinchats (I Rowe).

Whitmoor Common: Wheatear (M Fincham).

Wimbledon Common: Whinchat (J Reeves).

Tuesday 30th

Whinchat, Fetcham (J Snell).
Whinchat, Fetcham (J
… 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

July 2022

Sunday 31st

Island Barn Reservoir: 2 Common Sandpipers (J Snell).

London Wetland Centre: 2 Garganey on Main Lake (W Newnham/M Parker).

Tice’s Meadow: Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers and 2 Common Sandpipers (K Britten/K Duncan).

Saturday 30th

Oystercatcher, Island Barn Reservoir (J Snell).
Oystercatcher, Island Barn Reservoir (J Snell).

Beddington Farmlands: juvenile Garganey on North Lake; also 11 Green Sandpipers (R Dennis/N Gardner).

Island Barn Reservoir: Oystercatcher and 2 Common Sandpipers (J Snell).

London Wetland Centre: female Garganey on Main Lake (A Salmon).

Newchapel: Green Sandpiper at British Wildlife Centre (K Noble).

South Norwood CP: Oystercatcher flew north-east … Read more

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

June 2022

Thursday 30th

Beddington Farmlands: 2 Green Sandpipers (Z Pannifer).

Glebe Lake: 2 Little Ringed Plovers flew south (G Hay).

London Wetland Centre: Common Sandpiper (C Dewhurst/S Englund).

Tadworth: Quail singing in poppy field by Round Wood (BirdGuides).

Thursley Common: Redshank flew east (E Stubbs).

Wednesday 29th

Hog’s Back: Curlew flew south between Seale and Puttenham at 07:25 (J Gates).

London Wetland Centre: 3 Black-tailed Godwits on Main Lake; also Common Sandpiper and 2 Green Sandpipers (W Newnham/M Parker/M Wheeler).

Tadworth: Quail singing in poppy field by Round Wood (C Albanese/E Sames).

Tuesday

… Read more