Records Committee Decisions

9 January 2025 update

2024 was a remarkable year for rare birds in Surrey, with some true county megas recorded. The two standout birds were Surrey’s first-ever Franklin’s Gull, found by Dave Harris at Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir on 18 July, and the second Little Crake for the county (and first since 1860), found by Ed Sames at Papercourt Water Meadows on 22 April. Both these birds, which are to be assessed by the British Birds Rarities Committee in due course, were fleeting and not twitchable – something of a theme for rarities in Surrey in 2024.

For the Surrey Bird Club Records Committee, no fewer than 87 records of county rarities were accepted at a meeting on 6 January 2024. Of these, 58 were photographed or sound recorded, which is always welcome and makes decisions easier for the committee to make.

Among these records were further Surrey megas, including the county’s third-ever Common Rosefinch at Pyrford (seen only by two observers), the first Woodchat Shrike for nearly 20 years and the fourth-ever Long-tailed Skua (both at Beddington Farmlands) and the ninth-ever Roseate Tern (at Richmond Park).

Other highlights included Little Bunting, two each of Hoopoe and Red-backed Shrike, three Wrynecks and one of the best showings of Bearded Tit and Common Redpoll on record.

It was also agreed that Cattle Egret, a species which has undergone a meteoric rise in southern England during the last decade, will be downgraded from a county rarity to an outer Surrey-only rarity.

The Surrey list is anticipated to change in the coming months as part of global taxonomic changes, though any species expected to be lumped and downgraded to subspecies status (such as Common Redpoll and Green-winged Teal) will remain description rarities.

The full list of assessed records is below:

YearSpeciesCountLocationDate foundFinder(s)Decision
2024
White-fronted Goose5Newchapel17/11/2024K NobleOK
Bewick’s Swan2Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir1/12/2024D HarrisOK
Long-tailed Duck1Enton Lakes8/12/2024D BrassingtonOK
Red-breasted Merganser1Island Barn Reservoir6/3/2024D HarrisOK
Red-breasted Merganser1Island Barn Reservoir16/10/2024D HarrisOK
Red-breasted Merganser1Island Barn Reservoir13/11/2024T QuinnOK
Quail1Beddington Farmlands5/6/2024D BullingOK
Slavonian Grebe1Walton Reservoirs13/1/2024D HarrisOK
Slavonian Grebe1Tice’s Meadow23/4/2024D BurfordOK
Black-necked Grebe2Frensham Great Pond20/3/2024E StubbsOK
Black-necked Grebe2Tice’s Meadow24/4/2024K DuncanOK
Black-necked Grebe1Hedgecourt Lake27/4/2024D DackOK
Black-necked Grebe1Mercers CP22/6/2024G Hay/I KehlOK
Black-necked Grebe1Frensham Great Pond17/8/2024S PetersOK
Knot1Richmond Park6/9/2024P PentekOK
Knot1Beddington Farmlands28/12/2024G JonesOK
Sanderling1Richmond Park12/5/2024D BrasierOK
Sanderling2Milford26/5/2024E StubbsOK
Sanderling1Milford15/6/2024E StubbsOK
Little Stint1Beddington Farmlands22/5/2024I JonesOK
Little Stint1Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir29/9/2024D HarrisOK
Spotted Redshank1Tice’s Meadow4/9/2024A GoddardOK
Little Tern3Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir27/4/2024D HarrisOK
Roseate Tern1Richmond Park14/8/2024P PentekOK
Arctic Skua1Tice’s Meadow2/9/2024J JordanOK
Arctic Skua1Richmond Park28/9/2024R Kaye/P PentekOK
Long-tailed Skua1Beddington Farmlands18/9/2024J PettitOK
Red-throated Diver1Barn Elms1/11/2024O DewhurstOK
Red-throated Diver1New Malden2/11/2024T InnsOK
Red-throated Diver1Frensham Great Pond15/12/2024S PetersOK
Gannet5Richmond Park28/9/2024P Pentek/J WilczurOK
Spoonbill1Tate Modern12/9/2024R BraddockOK
Spoonbill8Beddington Farmlands16/10/2024A DuttaOK
Cattle Egret1Beddington Farmlands23/3/2024G JonesOK
Cattle Egret3Island Barn Reservoir27/3/2024D HarrisOK
Cattle Egret2Papercourt Water Meadows14/7/2024E SamesOK
Cattle Egret1Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir27/7/2024D HarrisOK
Cattle Egret1London Wetland Centre1/8/2024D PriceOK
Cattle Egret1Richmond Park2/9/2024D BrasierOK
Cattle Egret1Tice’s Meadow16/9/2024R HortonOK
Cattle Egret9Tice’s Meadow22/9/2024J SnellOK
Cattle Egret2Beddington Farmlands15/10/2024N GardnerOK
Cattle Egret1London Wetland Centre16/10/2024R DunneOK
Honey Buzzard1Capel18/5/2024W AttridgeOK
Honey Buzzard1Whitmoor Common20/5/2024M JonesOK
Honey Buzzard1Capel24/9/2024W AttridgeOK
Hen Harrier1Thursley Common21/4/2024R JoliffeOK
Hen Harrier1Pewley Down27/10/2024K Britten/M KettellOK
Hen Harrier1Thursley Common20/11/2024P HowseOK
Hoopoe1Elstead8/4/2024D DavidsenOK
Hoopoe1Farncombe9/6/2024A Anderson/J WoodOK
Wryneck1Lakeside NR, Ash3/9/2024N TroutOK
Wryneck1Beddington Farmlands14/9/2024G JonesOK
Wryneck1London Wetland Centre10/10/2024K PatonOK
Merlin1Richmond Park21/10/2024P PentekOK
Merlin 1Headley Heath26/10/2024G HayOK
Woodchat Shrike1Beddington Farmlands12/4/2024M BraveryOK
Red-backed Shrike1Thursley Common25/5/2024H MacbeanOK
Red-backed Shrike1Thursley Common1/6/2024E HunterOK
Bearded Tit2Mayflower Park Wetlands27/10/2024B & J ReidOK
Bearded Tit2Hogsmill NR, Ewell27/10/2024S FergusonOK
Bearded Tit2Beddington Farmlands1/11/2024A HardingOK
Bearded Tit1Shalford Water Meadows2/11/2024D BrassingtonOK
Bearded Tit2London Wetland Centre10/12/2024C DewhurstOK
Wood Warbler3Leith Hill24/5/2024P GoodmanOK
Yellow-browed Warbler1Papercourt Water Meadows22/9/2024E SamesOK
Yellow-browed Warbler1Papercourt GPs10/10/2024E SamesOK
Yellow-browed Warbler1Reigate19/10/2024N HaddenOK
Yellow-browed Warbler1Beddington Farmlands30/10/2024S ThomasOK
Water Pipit1Papercourt Water Meadows19/1/2024A GoddardOK
Water Pipit1Holmethorpe SP18/11/2024N HaddenOK
Rock Pipit1Milford16/10/2024E StubbsOK
Common Rosefinch1Pyrford23/10/2024T CollettOK
Common Redpoll2Chiddingfold Forest6/1/2024E StubbsOK
Common Redpoll1Crooksbury Common13/1/2024J GatesOK
Common Redpoll1The Hurtwood13/1/2024E StubbsOK
Common Redpoll2Chobham Common27/1/2024S MusievskiOK
Common Redpoll1Crooksbury Common25/2/2024J GatesOK
Common Redpoll1Farnham Heath27/2/2024D GosnellOK
Common Redpoll1Thursley Common8/3/2024E StubbsOK
Common Redpoll1Witley Common16/3/2024E StubbsOK
Snow Bunting1Newlands Corner15/10/2024B GoodgeOK
Corn Bunting1Charlwood17/1/2024J MiddletonOK
Corn Bunting1Shackleford4/5/2024E StubbsOK
Little Bunting1Tice’s Meadow22/11/2024R DickeyOK
Alpine SwiftHolmethorpe SP11/5/2024Not proven
Pomarine SkuaRichmond Park30/10/2024Not proven
SpoonbillLondon Wetland Centre17/10/2024Not proven
Night HeronCobham14/5/2024Not proven
Cattle EgretTice’s Meadow2/7/2024Not proven
Honey BuzzardThursley Common21/5/2024Not proven
Honey BuzzardRichmond Park29/8/2024Not proven
Hen HarrierThursley Common14/4/2024Not proven
HoopoeThursley Common12/6/2024Not proven
MerlinCranleigh10/1/2024Not proven
MerlinBletchingley2/4/2024Not proven
MerlinUnstead SF28/9/2024Not proven
MerlinTice’s Meadow18/12/2024Not proven
Great Grey ShrikeWishmoor Bottom12/10/2024Not proven
Woodchat ShrikeLong Ditton8/6/2024Not proven
Golden OrioleHam Common22/4/2024Not proven
Wood WarblerCroydon14/5/2024Not proven
Yellow-browed WarblerWandle Trail6/1/2024Not proven
Siberian ChiffchaffPewley Down4/4/2024Not proven
Common RedpollEffingham Forest13/1/2024Not proven
Cirl BuntingBanstead Heath16/6/2024Not proven
Little BuntingWallington19/9/2024Not proven
Little BuntingRichmond Park5/10/2024Not proven
2023
Guillemot1Thames at Richmond16/9/2023H BradshawOK
RazorbillThames at Kew15/5/2023Not proven

17 June 2024 update

The latest records committee meeting took place on 5 June 2024. The aim was to get through all 2023 records and a single remaining 2022 record. In total, nearly 100 records were assessed – more than 75% of these were accepted. The majority came with photographs, which certainly makes the committee’s job easier!

Among the standout birds were the vice county’s second-ever record of Citrine Wagtail, with a fantastic summer male at the London Wetland Centre found by Wendy Newnham on 14 June. Surrey’s 17th Marsh Warbler – and the first twitchable one since 2001 – was another memorable bird, found by Mark Bravery in Wandle Park on 26 May. Also of note were two Red-backed Shrikes and two Fulmars and, in 2022, the vice-county’s first Razorbill for nearly 40 years.

An unringed White Stork found at Holmethorpe SP on 17 July 2023 was placed in Category E. The committee was split on how to treat this bird, with some members feeling that the possibility of unringed White Storks from the White Stork Project in West Sussex make it difficult to be sure whether an unringed stork is truly wild or not. The last White Stork accepted as wild in the vice-county was in 2016.

The committee also voted to make some minor changes to the description species list (which can be accessed on the How to Submit page). Caspian Gull is now only a description species in outer Surrey, where it remains rare, while Red-breasted Merganser, Knot, Little Tern, Great Grey Shrike and Tree Sparrow now require a description anywhere in the vice-county.

Finally, one of the three Surrey records of Melodious Warbler – one at Papercourt GPs from 13-15 October 1991 – was removed after the observer requested to withdraw their sighting.

The full list of assessed records is below:

YearSpeciesCountLocationDate foundFinder(s)Decision
2022Razorbill1South Bank11/9/2022B SiviourOK
2023Pink-footed Goose1Richmond3/3/2023C AldridgeOK
Pink-footed Goose4Leith Hill27/3/2023W Attridge/M Davis/R StrideOK
White-fronted Goose1Thursley Common18/3/2023D BrassingtonOK
White-fronted Goose2London Wetland Centre14/12/2023A WilkinsonOK
Greater Scaup1Thorpe Park5/2/2023J SnellOK
Greater Scaup1Island Barn Reservoir3/1/2023D HarrisOK
Greater Scaup1Milford28/11/2023E StubbsOK
Common Crane1Walton Reservoirs7/4/2023D HarrisOK
Common Crane1Richmond Park7/4/2023R Kaye/P PentekOK; same as Walton Reservoirs
Common Crane2Beddington Farmlands24/4/2023G JonesOK
Black-necked Grebe2Tice’s Meadow5/12/2023R HortonOK
Stone Curlew1Beddington Farmlands15/3/2023G JonesOK
Spotted Redshank1Beddington Farmlands27/4/2023G JonesOK
Sanderling1Milford28/4/2023E StubbsOK
Sanderling1Milford4/8/2023E StubbsOK
Knot1Milford27/8/2023E StubbsOK
Little Stint1Beddington Farmlands17/9/2023N GardnerOK
Grey Phalarope1Island Barn Reservoir9/11/2023D HarrisOK
Caspian Gull1Kingston recycling centreJan & Feb 2023T InnsOK
Caspian Gull1Kingston recycling centre28 + 31/12/2023T InnsOK
Caspian Gull1Kingston recycling centre31/12/2023T InnsOK
Caspian Gull1Holmethorpe SPJan & Feb 2023G HayOK
Caspian Gull1Unstead SF29/10/2023S Jones/K Lightfoot/E StubbsOK
Caspian Gull1Westminster31/12/2023S LevyOK
Caspian Gull1Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir5/8/2023D HarrisOK
Caspian Gull1Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir31/12/2023D HarrisOK
Glaucous Gull1Walton Reservoirs2/1/2023D HarrisOK
Iceland Gull1London Wetland Centre26/2/2023J Davison/R DunneOK
Iceland Gull1Island Barn Reservoir1/3/2023D HarrisOK; same as London Wetland Centre
Arctic Skua1Battersea Park18/10/2023S ShimwellOK
Great Northern Diver2Island Barn Reservoir15/11/2023D HarrisOK
Fulmar1Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir31/8/2023D HarrisOK
Fulmar1Southwark8/3/2023P RedmondOK
Gannet1Haslemere30/10/2023D BanksOK
Spoonbill1London Wetland Centre18/3/2023C MooreOK
Spoonbill1Beddington Farmlands4/4/2023Z PanniferOK
Cattle Egret4London Wetland Centre10/8/2023J ReevesOK
Honey Buzzard1Banstead Downs12/5/2023D CulleyOK
Honey Buzzard1Dorking12/5/2023S LavenderOK; likely same as Banstead Downs
Honey Buzzard1Whitmoor Common22/8/2023M FinchamOK
Honey Buzzard1Cranleigh1/9/2023R StrideOK
Honey Buzzard1Frensham Common3/5/2023J HodgeOK
Hen Harrier1Churt27/2/2023R DouglasOK
Hen Harrier1Leith Hill27/3/2023W Attridge/M Davis/R StrideOK
Hen Harrier1Brook22/10/2023D BrassingtonOK
Hen Harrier1Thursley Common6/11/2023D BanksOK
Hen Harrier1Old Woking SF24/11/2023N WyattOK
Hoopoe1Frensham Little Pond9/5/2023P DixieOK
Wryneck1Mayford22/9/2023A LewisOK
Merlin1Shackleford15/3/2023A BarkerOK
Merlin1Capel25/3/2023W AttridgeOK
Merlin1Buckland Park Lake2/4/2023W AttridgeOK
Merlin1Shackleford14/10/2023E StubbsOK
Red-backed Shrike1Thursley Common8/6/2023D BrassingtonOK
Red-backed Shrike1Walton Reservoirs3/6/2023D HarrisOK
Golden Oriole1Wimbledon Common24/5/2023J DeeOK
Bearded Tit2London Wetland Centre1/12/2023A SalmonOK
Bearded Tit2Walton Reservoirs29/10/2023D HarrisOK
Marsh Warbler1Wandle Park26/5/2023M BraveryOK
Siberian Chiffchaff1Sutton22/3/2023D BennetOK
Wood Warbler1Frensham Little Pond23/4/2023S PetersOK
Wood Warbler1Sanderstead26/4/2023J Birkett/G FlinnOK
Yellow-browed Warbler1Richmond Park13/10/2023S ReadOK
Citrine Wagtail1London Wetland Centre14/6/2023W NewnhamOK
Water Pipit1Thursley Common17/10/2023E StubbsOK
Mealy Redpoll1Witley Common28/11/2023E StubbsOK
Mealy Redpoll1Banstead Woods29/11/2023I WardOK
Mealy Redpoll2Richmond Park9/11/2023R Kaye/P PentekOK
Mealy Redpoll1Richmond Park24/11/2023J Norris/P PentekOK
Little Bunting1Eashing Fields16/10/2023E StubbsOK
Corn Bunting3Shackleford19/1/2023E StubbsOK
White Stork1Holmethorpe SP19/7/2023Category E
Scaup1Addlestone2/3/2023Not proven
Scaup1London Wetland Centre12/3/2023Not proven
Alpine Swift1London Bridge21/3/2023Not proven
Common Crane1Coulsdon1/4/2023Not proven
Common Crane1Ashtead24/4/2023Not proven
Slavonian Grebe1River Thames at Barnes21/11/2023Not proven
Dotterel1Sanderstead30/09/2023Not proven
Guillemot1Kew Bridge16/9/2023Not proven
Razorbill1Wandsworth Bridge10/5/2023Not proven
Gannet1London Wetland Centre18/3/2023Not proven
Cattle Egret1Old Woking SF18/2/2023Not proven
Cattle Egret1London Wetland Centre28/5/2023Not proven
Corncrake1Botley Hill16/5/2023Not proven
Hoopoe1Purley28/4/2023Not proven
Merlin1Headley Heath1/4/2023Not proven
Merlin1Tice’s Meadow13/10/2023Not proven
Golden Oriole1Bookham Common16/5/2023Not proven
Bearded Tit1London Wetland Centre23/1/2023Not proven
Siberian Chiffchaff1Poulter Park21/1/2023Not proven
Rock Pipit1Kingston upon Thames14/10/2023Not proven
Water Pipit1Kingston upon Thames23/10/2023Not proven
Lapland Bunting1Beddington Farmlands2/12/2023Not proven
Corn Bunting1Beddington Farmlands27/4/2023Not proven

13 September 2023 update

The latest meeting took place on 27 August 2023. The aim was to get through all outstanding 2021 and 2022 records, and thus no 2023 records were assessed. The decisions can be seen in the table below.

Highlights include the 10th county record of Little Bunting, 15th county record of Rosy Starling, two Guillemots, two Wrynecks and a flock of seven Red-breasted Merganser.

The committee plans to have another meeting in early 2024 to complete all records from 2023.

SpeciesFinder(s)Date foundLocationDecision
Arctic SkuaS Gale14 November 2022Epsom DownsAccepted
Arctic Terns (2)S Peters10 May 2022Frensham Great PondAccepted
Caspian GullG Hay24 February 2022Mercers CPAccepted
Cattle EgretW Attridge14 December 2022CapelAccepted
Cattle EgretG Jones1 October 2022Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
Cattle EgretK Duncan8 August 2022Tice’s MeadowAccepted
Glossy IbisM Stanley4 September 2022Gatton Park LakeAccepted
GuillemotG Robin3 September 2022River Thames at Millennium BridgeAccepted
GuillemotR Braddock14 September 2022BanksideAccepted
Hen HarrierJ Snell27 October 2022Hankley CommonAccepted
Hen HarrierE Soden29 March 2022Hankley CommonAccepted
Hen HarrierD Brassington29 October 2022Thursley CommonAccepted
Hen HarrierR Mist13 November 2022Thursley CommonAccepted
Honey BuzzardB Thomas13 September 2022Nore HillAccepted
Iceland GullO Dewhurst17 April 2022London Wetland CentreAccepted
Little BuntingC Northwood30 November 2022Worcester ParkAccepted
Little StintG Hay1 October 2022Holmethorpe SPAccepted
MerlinJ Gates14 November 2022WorplesdonAccepted
QuailI Magness20 June 2022Canons FarmAccepted
QuailS Gale28 June 2022TadworthAccepted
Red-breasted Merganser (7)R Kaye/P Pentek4 November 2022Richmond ParkAccepted
Rock PipitK Feathers9 March 2022Tice’s MeadowAccepted
Rock PipitE Stubbs3 October 2022Thursley CommonAccepted
Rosy StarlingS Dorman7 September 2022DorkingAccepted
Siberian ChiffchaffE Sames15 December 2022Papercourt MarshesAccepted
Siberian ChiffchaffZ Pannifer19 November 2022Beddington SFAccepted
‘Siberian-type’ Lesser WhitethroatL Offer13 November 2022CroydonAccepted
Stone-curlewG Jones/C Owens29 April 2022Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
Water PipitD Carlsson8 April 2022Tice’s MeadowAccepted
White-fronted GooseW Attridge29 March 2022Buckland Park LakeAccepted
WryneckE Sames10 September 2022Chobham CommonAccepted
WryneckE Stubbs24 August 2022Thursley CommonAccepted
Yellow-browed WarblerA Salmon/A Wilkinson5 October 2022London Wetland CentreAccepted
Yellow-browed WarblerD Baker11 October 2022TandridgeAccepted
Red-footed Falcon22 May 2022Chobham CommonMore information requested
Arctic Tern12 August 2022Tice’s MeadowNot proven
Cattle Egret18 October 2022Brockwell ParkNot proven
Honey Buzzard4 May 2022Tice’s MeadowNot proven
Knot8 March 2022EwellNot proven
Mealy Redpoll24 February 2022London Wetland CentreNot proven
Merlin12 October 2022London Wetland CentreNot proven
Rosy Starling17 June 2022WokingNot proven
Water Pipit30 November 2022Papercourt Water MeadowsNot proven
Wood Warbler23 August 2022Wisley CommonNot proven
Wood Warbler7 August 2022Richmond ParkNot proven
White-fronted Goose2 January 2022WestfieldNot proven
Cattle EgretA Cuthew21 October 2021HershamAccepted
Caspian GullG Hay21 December 2021Holmethorpe SPAccepted
Caspian GullD Harris25 November 2021Island Barn ReservoirAccepted
Great Northern DiverD Harris9 December 2021Island Barn ReservoirAccepted
Hen HarrierD & P Boyd21 November 2021Thursley CommonAccepted
Hen HarrierD Smith6 October 2021Thursley CommonAccepted
Hen HarrierD Brassington4 December 2021Thursley CommonAccepted
Hen HarrierM Bravery17 November 2021London Wetland CentreAccepted
Honey BuzzardK Britten15 August 2021ShalfordAccepted
ScaupJ Snell21 November 2021Thorpe ParkAccepted
Snow BuntingG Jones30 October 2021Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
Spotted RedshankO Dewhurst23 October 2021London Wetland CentreAccepted

30 October 2022 update

This year’s meeting took place on 10 September. There were a lot of records for the committee to get through, and the vast majority (64) gained acceptance. It was also decided that Goshawk would be taken off the list of description species in the vice-county.

The decisions can be seen in the table below. Highlights included the second vice-county records of Lesser Yellowlegs and Penduline Tit, the first Icterine Warbler for 35 years, Purple Heron, Spotted Crake, Black-winged Stilt and Pectoral Sandpiper. The accepted BBRC records can be found here and here.

At the time of writing, there are 30 outstanding records from 2022 that will be voted on at the next meeting.

SpeciesFinder(s)Date foundLocationDecision
Black-winged StiltZ Pannifer/A Ramesh3 May 2022Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
Caspian GullM Kettell14 November 2021SlyfieldAccepted
Caspian Gull G Hay21 December 2021Mercers CPAccepted
Caspian GullD Harris21 November 2021Island Barn ReservoirAccepted
Cattle Egret (3)A Cuthew21 October 2021EsherAccepted
Cattle EgretS Barry/J Norris5 October 2021London Wetland CentreAccepted
Cattle EgretD Williams7 July 2022London Wetland CentreAccepted
Cattle EgretK Duncan8 August 2022Tice’s MeadowAccepted
Common CraneJ Gates9 February 2021WorplesdonAccepted
Common CraneZ Pannifer23 March 2021Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
Common RedpollJ Gates5 April 2021Crooksbury CommonAccepted
Corn BuntingC Owens17 September 2021Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
Corn BuntingA Ramesh23 October 2021Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
GannetG Hay22 June 2022Glebe LakeAccepted
Glossy IbisM Phelps11 October 2021Clandon Wood NBRAccepted
Glossy IbisA Salmon5 May 2022London Wetland CentreAccepted
Glossy Ibis (same as above)G Jones/A Ramesh7 May 2022Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
Glossy IbisG Hay/A Kundrotas26 January 2022Holmethorpe SPAccepted
Great Northern DiverD Harris9 December 2021Island Barn ReservoirAccepted
Hen HarrierD Smith6 October 2021Thursley CommonAccepted
Hen HarrierD Brassington4 December 2021Thursley CommonAccepted
Hen HarrierE Stubbs14 November 2021MilfordAccepted
Hen HarrierM Phelps7 October 2021Clandon Wood NBRAccepted
Hen HarrierM Wayland22 March 2022Chobham CommonAccepted
HoopoeL Pryke1 November 2021SurbitonAccepted
Honey BuzzardK Britten15 August 2021ShalfordAccepted
Iceland GullG Hay17 November 2021Holmethorpe SPAccepted
Icterine WarblerW Attridge/P Stevenson3 June 2022Leith HillAccepted
Little StintE Stubbs14 September 2021MilfordAccepted
Little StintC Varndell14 September 2021Tice’s MeadowAccepted
Long-eared OwlF Grant8 January 2022UndisclosedAccepted
Lesser YellowlegsC Turner2 June 2022QE2 ReservoirAccepted
MerlinS Gale17 September 2021MogadorAccepted
MerlinM Phelps23 November 2021Abinger HammerAccepted
Pectoral SandpiperJ Anderson12 September 2021London Wetland CentreAccepted
Penduline TitR Browne/Z Pannifer17 October 2021Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
Purple HeronZ Pannifer5 June 2022Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
Ring-necked Duck (Holmethorpe bird)M Davis/R Morton22 January 2021Bury Hill FisheriesAccepted
Ring-necked Duck (same as above)W Attridge29 January 2021NewdigateAccepted
Ring-necked Duck (same as above)G Hay21 October 2021ReigateAccepted
Sanderling (34)E Stubbs7 August 2021MilfordAccepted
ScaupJ Snell11 November 2021Thorpe ParkAccepted
ScaupD Harris21 November 2021Island Barn ReservoirAccepted
Spotted RedshankO Dewhurst21 October 2021London Wetland CentreAccepted
Spotted Redshank (2)M Elsoffer4 September 2021Tice’s MeadowAccepted
Spotted CrakeN Gardner5 September 2021Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
Snow BuntingG Jones30 October 2021Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
Siberian ChiffchaffA Dutta7 January 2022MitchamAccepted
Siberian ChiffchaffE Stubbs15 December 2020Unstead SFAccepted
Siberian ChiffchaffE Stubbs17 December 2021Cranleigh SFAccepted
SpoonbillZ Pannifer2 October 2021Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
SpoonbillS Kelsey8 October 2021Lammas LandsAccepted
SpoonbillR Perry9 October 2021Holmethorpe SPAccepted
SpoonbillA Wasley11 April 2022Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
SpoonbillR Horton29 May 2022Tice’s MeadowAccepted
White-fronted GooseT Walker14 April 2021Burstow Park FarmAccepted
White-fronted GooseE Stubbs29 December 2021LoseleyAccepted
White-fronted Goose (same as above)M Fincham29 December 2021Unstead SFAccepted
White-fronted GooseM Davis3 January 2022DorkingAccepted
White-fronted GooseE Sames8 December 2021Papercourt Water MeadowsAccepted
White-fronted GooseE Sames10 April 2022Papercourt Water MeadowsAccepted
Wood WarblerM Bravery25 April 2022WimbledonAccepted
WryneckT Edie/A Groves30 August 2021Chobham CommonAccepted
Yellow-browed WarblerR Jolliffe10 October 2021Thursley CommonAccepted
Black Kite18 April 2022West MoleseyNot proven
Cattle Egret2 May 2022Wandsworth CommonNot proven
Common Redpoll (2)26 February 2022NewchapelNot proven
Curlew Sandpiper4 September 2022Tice’s MeadowNot proven
Gannet6 October 2021Little WoodcoteNot proven
Glossy Ibis10 March 2022Molesey HeathNot proven
Hen Harrier17 November 2021London Wetland CentreNot proven
Hen Harrier21 November 2021Thursley CommonNot proven
Hen Harrier10 November 2021Chobham CommonNot proven
Hen Harrier9 December 2021ReigateNot proven
Honey Buzzard5 September 2021Beddington FarmlandsNot proven
Honey Buzzard21 August 2021SandersteadNot proven
Iceland Gull24 March 2022ChessingtonNot proven
Rosy Starling16 June 2022WokingNot proven
Tree Sparrow (2)8 May 2022Beddington FarmlandsNot proven
White-tailed Eagle21 May 2022Mid-HolmwoodNot proven
Whooper Swan (3)25 October 2022ClaremontAccepted as Bewick’s/Whooper
Wood Warbler28 May 2022Ash RangesNot proven
Wryneck5 September 2021Priest HillNot proven
Yellow-browed Warbler17 October 2021Crystal PalaceNot proven
Yellow-browed Warbler9 November 2021Beddington FarmlandsNot proven

10 November 2021 update

This year’s meeting took place on 15 August.  The current line-up consists of myself (Dave Harris), Steve Chastell, Jeremy Gates, Shaun Peters, John Clark, Ed Stubbs and Wes Attridge. Sadly, Wes was unable to attend. A large number of records had already been circulated electronically (see 6 February 2021 update below), but there were still many to trawl through, the vast majority of which gained acceptance.  

The results can be seen in the table below. Highlights included an exceptional influx of White-fronted Geese, the county’s first Alpine Swift since 2005, groups of three Tundra Bean Geese and Roseate Terns and two Hoopoes. Accepted BBRC records included Surrey’s first Bonaparte’s Gull and the Thursley Common Rustic Bunting.

SpeciesFinder(s)Date foundLocationDecision
Alpine SwiftHelena Finden-Brown / Wildlife Aid22 June 2021North CheamAccepted
Great Northern DiverSteve Spooner21 November 2020Island Barn ReservoirAccepted
HoopoeJohn Clark16 May 2021FarnhamAccepted
MerlinJoe Hobden23 September 2020Papercourt Water MeadowsAccepted
MerlinArjun Dutta15 August 2020Little WoodcoteAccepted
MerlinRobin Stride5 October 2020RowlyAccepted
MerlinSteve Gale28 March 2020BansteadAccepted
QuailSophie Dorman26 May 2020DorkingAccepted
Roseate Terns (3)Dave Harris6 June 2021Chelsea & Lambeth ReservoirsAccepted
Tundra Bean Geese (3)Kevin Duncan22 December 2020ThorpeAccepted
White-fronted Geese (45)Mark Davis30 November 2020BetchworthAccepted
White-fronted Geese (19)TJ Forster1 January 2021Millmore Common / Sutton Place / WestfieldAccepted
White-fronted Geese (2)Phil Pentek4 December 2020Richmond ParkAccepted
White-fronted Goose Mark Davis9 March 2021Bury Hill LakesAccepted
White-fronted GoosePhil Pentek17 March 2021Richmond ParkAccepted
White-fronted Geese (3)Ed Stubbs19 December 2020Unstead SF / Unstead Water MeadowsAccepted
White-fronted Geese (2)Dave Brassington12 December 2020Thursley CommonAccepted
White-fronted Geese (11)Joe Hobden12 December 2020Papercourt Water MeadowsAccepted
White-fronted GooseTrevor Walker30 November 2020HorleyAccepted
White-fronted GooseGordon Hay / Ian Kehl5 December 2020Holmethorpe SPAccepted
White-fronted GooseSam Jones1 January 2021Broadwater LakeAccepted
White-fronted GooseEd Stubbs7 January 2021Shalford Water MeadowsAccepted
White-fronted GooseDina Burford13 January 2021Tice’s MeadowAccepted
White-fronted Geese (19)Carey Lodge19 January 2021Papercourt GPAccepted
White-fronted Geese (2)Ed Stubbs24 December 2021Snowdenham Mill PondAccepted
Whooper SwanMark Stanley26 January 2021Banstead WoodsAccepted as wild swan species
Wood WarblerJoe Hobden15 August 2020Effingham ForestAccepted
Wood WarblerJon Bryant18 April 2021Newlands CornerAccepted
Wood WarblerSam Jones25 April 2021Puttenham CommonAccepted
WryneckPhil Pentek10 September 2020Richmond ParkAccepted
Yellow-browed WarblerNick Gardner31 October 2020Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
HoopoeJeremy Gates15 May 2020The SandsAccepted
Common RedpollDon Tyzack6 March 2019East HorsleyAccepted
Great EgretJames Court6 December 2018Frensham Great PondAccepted
Black Kite8 May 2020Richmond ParkNot proven
Hen Harrier2 May 2021Frensham CommonNot proven
Little Bunting5 October 2020Tice’s MeadowNot proven
Olive-backed Pipit29 September 2020Chobham CommonNot proven
Richard’s Pipit13 October 2020Richmond ParkNot proven
Scaup29 November 2020Holmethorpe SPNot proven
Red-footed Falcon28 September 2018ReigateNot proven
Long-eared Owl31 October 2020Tice’s MeadowPending more details
BBRC decisions
Rustic BuntingDave Brassington27 November 2020Thursley CommonAccepted
Bonaparte’s GullDave Harris16 June 2020Queen Elizabeth II ReservoirAccepted

6 February 2021 update

The below batch of records were assessed digitally in early 2021 by each member of the Surrey Bird Club Records Committee (see here). Highlights include the vice-county’s second Short-toed Lark (and first since 1966), the seventh record of Black-winged Stilt, two Little Buntings, Ring-necked Duck, Lapland Bunting, Hoopoe and Arctic Skua.

For those with records still pending, the committee hopes to provide a new batch of decisions soon. Meanwhile, please submit details or photos of any rare birds found as soon as possible after the event, following the guidelines here.

SpeciesFinder(s)Date foundLocationDecision
White-fronted Geese (22)Guy Norman8 December 2020Burpham Water MeadowsAccepted
Whooper Swans (4)Dave Harris27 September 2020Walton Reservoirs (Chelsea and Lambeth)Accepted
Ring-necked DuckGordon Hay15 December 2020Priory Park, ReigateAccepted
Black-winged Stilts (2)Len Winchcombe9 June 2020Tice’s MeadowAccepted
Arctic SkuaPeter Alfrey2 October 2020Beddington FarmlandsAccepted

Spoonbill
Kevin Duncan10 October 2020Longside LakeAccepted

Spoonbill (same as above)
James Lowther / Sarah Weingarten10 October 2020London Wetland CentreAccepted
Cattle Egrets (4)Ed Sames5 October 2020Papercourt Water MeadowsAccepted
Honey Buzzards (2)Gerry Hinchon29 July 2019UndisclosedAccepted
Honey BuzzardEd Stubbs9 August 2020Unstead SFAccepted
GoshawkSteve Gale18 September 2020Beddington FarmlandsAccepted
GoshawkPatrick Venables7 November 2020Thursley CommonAccepted
Hen HarrierDave Brassington8 October 2020Thursley CommonAccepted
HoopoeMargo Scott7 May 2020WokingAccepted
WryneckRobin Stride21 September 2020WinterfoldAccepted
MerlinGareth James20 September 2020Lydling Farm, ShacklefordAccepted
Short-toed LarkEd Stubbs19 September 2020Lydling Farm, ShacklefordAccepted
Yellow-browed WarblerGraham Croney5 October 2020Hogsmill Open SpaceAccepted
Yellow-browed WarblerRichard Page-Jones10 October 2020RotherhitheAccepted
Lapland BuntingMatt Phelps12 October 2020Clandon WoodAccepted
Snow BuntingDave Harris28 November 2020Island Barn ReservoirAccepted
Little BuntingEd Stubbs19 October 2020Thursley CommonAccepted
Little BuntingMatt Hall / Graham Robson24 December 2020Thursley CommonAccepted

20 September 2020 update

The Surrey Bird Club Records Committee met on 20th September 2020 in Walton-on-Thames (in accordance with the COVID-19 rules in force on that date). Present were Dave Harris, David Campbell, Steve Chastell, John Clark and Shaun Peters. 

Notable birds included two Bee-eaters, Red-footed Falcon, Roseate Tern, Richard’s and Red-throated Pipits, a Rose-coloured Starling, and perhaps the most amazing of all the first wild White-tailed Eagle in the County since 1906!

All those considered appear in the table below.  An increasing number of submissions these days are backed up by photos, making the task for the committee far more straightforward. Please submit details of any rare birds found as soon as possible after the event, following the guidelines here.

SpeciesObserver(s)DateLocationDecision
Bee-eaterJohn Birkett31/05/2020SandersteadAccepted
Bee-eaterSteve Gale01/06/2020Howell Hill, EwellAccepted
Black KiteWes Attridge10/04/2019CapelAccepted
Cattle Egret (6)David Warren17/08/2020Beddington SFAccepted
Cattle Egret (2)Kevin Duncan07/07/2020Tice’s MeadowAccepted
Ferruginous DuckJeremy Gates et al11/11/2019Papercourt GPAccepted
GannetEd Stubbs26/03/2019Unstead SFAccepted
Glossy IbisAndy Little17/09/2020Tice’s MeadowAccepted
Golden OrioleP Marshall26/05/2019Thursley CommonAccepted
GoshawkSam Jones08/05/2020Frensham CommonAccepted
Great Grey ShrikeTrevor Synman21/09/2019Chobham CommonAccepted
Great Grey ShrikeTrevor Walker28/10/2019HorleyAccepted
Great Northern DiverDudley Cox01/12/2018Frensham Great PondAccepted
Great SkuaWes Attridge24/09/2018Leith HillAccepted
Great White EgretMartin Kettle01/11/2017Stoke LakeAccepted
Great White EgretMartin Kettle20/10/2018Stoke LakeAccepted
Great White EgretDave Harris 06/05/2019Walton Res (Chelsea/Lambeth)Accepted
Great White EgretSteve Spooner06/01/2019WokingAccepted
Great White EgretJohn Cadera24/08/2020SouthwarkAccepted
Great White EgretZach Pannifer29/08/2020Beddington SFAccepted
Hen HarrierGlenn Jones24/03/2019Beddington SFAccepted
Hen HarrierEd Stubbs19/11/2019Lydling Farm, ShacklefordAccepted
Hen Harrier (ringtail, juv male)Simon Hammond24/07/2020Canon’s FarmAccepted
Honey BuzzardShaun Ferguson01/09/2019Thursley CommonAccepted
Honey BuzzardWes Attridge09/05/2020CapelAccepted
Honey BuzzardShaun Ferguson29/07/2020Canon’s FarmAccepted
HoopoePete Alfrey15/04/2018Beddingon SFAccepted
HoopoeC & S Paine28/04/2020Epsom & Walton DownsAccepted
HoopoeKevin Guest30/04/2020Epsom & Walton DownsAccepted
HoopoeKeith Barton10/05/2020ChobhamAccepted
HoopoeN Allen04/09/2020ReigateAccepted
HoopoeWes Attridge03/05/2020CapelAccepted
Manx ShearwaterD Woodruff12/09/2020WokingAccepted
Ortolan BuntingEd Stubbs01/09/2018Alldens Hill, Thorncombe StreetAccepted
Ortolan BuntingEd Stubbs02/09/2018Alldens Hill, Thorncombe StreetAccepted
Ortolan BuntingEd Stubbs03/09/2018Alldens Hill, Thorncombe StreetAccepted
Ortolan BuntingEd Stubbs25/08/2019Alldens Hill, Thorncombe StreetAccepted
Ortolan BuntingEd Stubbs26/08/2019Alldens Hill, Thorncombe StreetAccepted
Ortolan BuntingArjun Dutta10/09/2020WallingtonAccepted
Pink-footed GooseSteve Chastell09/02/2019Burpham Water MeadowsAccepted
QuailEd Stubbs14/06/2020ShacklefordAccepted
Red-footed FalconJames Sellen18/05/2020Thursley CommonAccepted
Red-throated DiverDave Harris et al18/03/2019QE2 & Island Barn ResAccepted
Red-throated PipitEd Stubbs15/10/2019HascombeAccepted (also Accepted by BBRC)
Richards PipitPete Alfrey et al29/10/2018Beddington SFAccepted
Ring-necked DuckShaun Peters23/03/2019Frensham Great/Little PondsAccepted
Roseate TernDave Harris22/06/2020Queen Elizabeth II ResAccepted
Rose-coloured StarlingChristine Muir31/05/2020HorleyAccepted
ShagA Stotnicki06/09/2020Kingston BridgeAccepted
Siberian ChiffchaffEd Stubbs & Abel Barker04/12/2019Unstead SFAccepted
SpoonbillPete Alfrey16/04/2020Beddington SFAccepted
Spoonbill (2)Roger Browne01/10/2019Beddington SFAccepted
Spoonbill (2)Kevin Duncan22/05/2020Tice’s MeadowAccepted
Spoonbills (4)Dave Warren17/10/2019Beddington SFAccepted
Spotted CrakeKit Britten10/04/2019Shalford Water MeadowsAccepted
Stone CurlewNick Gardner 31/03/2019Beddington SFAccepted
Stone CurlewEd Stubbs04/08/2019Alldens Hill, Thorncombe StreetAccepted
Storm PetrelSteve White25/04/2019Beaver Farm Fishery, LingfieldAccepted
White StorkAlison Gilry31/08/2020Colley HillAccepted
White-tailed EagleIsaiah Rowe14/04/2020Worcester ParkAccepted
Whooper SwanSteve Read02/12/2019Richmond ParkAccepted
WryneckWWT05/09/2019LWCAccepted
WryneckGraham Harris15/09/2019Dungeon Hill, WoodmansternAccepted
WryneckP Pentek06/09/2020Richmond ParkAccepted
WryneckEd Stubbs02/09/2020ShacklefordAccepted
Yellow-browed WarblerRichard Page-Jones18/12/2019RotherhitheAccepted
Not Proven
Bee-eater02/08/2019South Nutfield
Black Kite08/04/2020Warlingham
Black Kite03/05/2020Stoneleigh Broadway, Epsom
Black Kite10/05/2020Addlestone
Cattle Egret (2)09/09/2019Tice’s Meadow
Common Crane19/11/2019Runnymede
Common Crane (2)24/09/2018Tice’s Meadow
Great White Egret04/06/2019Salfords
Little Stint01/08/2020Tice’s Meadow
Rose-coloured Starling18/05/2019Mitcham Common
Spoonbill (2)22/08/2019Beddington SF