SBCRC decisions
The latest batch of decisions from the Surrey Bird Club Records Committee can be read here.
Tice’s Meadow handover
Last week saw the official handover of Tice’s Meadow Nature Reserve to Surrey County Council. This wildlife haven on the outskirts of Farnham saw its long-term future safeguarded when a partnership of six councils came together in December 2021 to purchase the site and protect it as a natural space.
Surrey County Council acquired the site from Hanson UK with funding support from Hampshire County Council, Guildford Borough Council, Waverley Borough Council, Rushmoor Borough Council and Farnham Town Council. The 55 hectare former quarry site which is fully restored as a nature reserve now forms part of the Surrey County … Read more
BBRC decisions: Oct 2022
The remaining 2021 BBRC decisions for Surrey have been published.
The Thorpe Park Ferruginous Duck, found by J Snell on 25 November 2021 and present until 31 January 2022, has been accepted. This marks the 38th record for the vice-county.
The other two accepted 2021 records were published earlier this year, namely the Crooksbury Common Two-barred Crossbill and Thursley Common Black Stork (see here).
The remaining three 2021 BBRC records were deemed non-proven.
October 2022
Monday 31st
Holmethorpe SP: 2 Green Sandpipers at Spyne’s Mere (G Hay).
Tice’s Meadow: 2 Dartford Warblers in meadow (BirdGuides).
Wimbledon Common: Dartford Warbler (J Reeves).
Sunday 30th
Beddington Farmlands: 1st-winter Ring Ouzel in south-east corner of North Lake; also 4 Water Pipits, Pintail and 7 Green Sandpipers (N Gardner/J Pettit).
Hook: Swallow over (G Barter).
London Wetland Centre: 6 Black-tailed Godwits over; also Jack Snipe, Dartford Warbler and Pintail (M Fowles).
Thursley Common: 4 Crossbills (J Hobden).
Tice’s Meadow: 2 Great Egrets and Green Sandpiper (J Cooper/M Fincham/R … Read more
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
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
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
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