Sunday October 18th to Sunday October 25th

Sunday October 18th

Richard Horton reported that Bearded Tit numbers were up to 4 today - a new site record count.

John Hunt reported 81 Wigeon, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (adults), 100+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Kingfisher, a Kestrel, 4 Skylark, 2 Stonechat and a Swallow this morning.

In addition, Tony Cummins reported a Green Sandpiper, a Snipe, 16 Gadwall, 14 Teal, a Little Grebe and a Peregrine today.

In addition, Kevin Duncan reported 14 Shoveler and a Buzzard today.

In addition, Andy Little reported 12 Swallow and a Coal Tit today.

(c) John Hunt - Stonechat

(c) John Hunt - Stonechat

(c) John Hunt - Stonechat

Monday October 19th

Richard Horton built and erected three grit trays and millet feeding stations for the Bearded Tits in the reedbed today, proving once again why he is a true "local hero".

The Bearded Tits were reported as being seen again today.

(c) Mark Elsoffer - Horton's Tit Table

Tuesday October 20th

Richard Horton reported 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Bearded Tit and 3 Yellow-legged Gull today.

In addition, Jon Jordan reported a Kingfisher in the Silt Pond.

Grim Styles found a new species for the site: Russian Vine (Fallopia baldschuanica). This is the 950th species to be recorded at Tice's Meadow.

(c) Grim Styles - Russian Vine

(c) Dave Carlsson - Buzzard

(c) Dave Carlsson - Buzzard

(c) Dave Carlsson - Buzzard

Wednesday October 21st

Dave Baker reported a Coal Tit (in Lisa's Wood) and a Yellow-legged Gull (adult) this afternoon.

In addition, Jeremy Gates reported a Goosander (female) today.

This is only the 7th recorded sighting of Goosander on site. Goosander is the 140th species of bird recorded on site this year.

Richard Horton met with Gibby (the farmer) and representatives from Hansons on site today to try and speed-up the introduction of Gibby's cattle into the Meadow.

(c) Dave Baker - Not a Scene from Emmerdale!

Thursday October 22nd

No reports.

Friday October 23rd

Mark Elsoffer spent 10 hours on site today and reported 3 Green Sandpiper, 98 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, a Little Grebe, 2 Egyptian Goose, 17 Gadwall, 35 Teal, 70 Wigeon, a Tufted Duck, 18 Shoveler, 273 Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Great Black-backed Gull, a Common Gull,  a Kingfisher, 5 Stonechat, 9 Reed Bunting, 2 Redwing (over), a Kestrel and a Peregrine.

In addition, John Hunt reported a Lesser Redpoll and a Yellow-legged Gull (adult) this morning.

John Hunt spotted 2 large bats flying around the site in broad daylight this morning. The bats were present throughout the day, with Mark Elsoffer reporting them still present at dusk. They have been tentatively identified as Noctule Bats (Nyctalus noctula).

(c) John Hunt - Probable Noctule Bat

(c) John Hunt - Lesser Redpoll

(c) Mark Elsoffer - Stonechat

(c) Mark Elsoffer - Peregrine

(c) Mark Elsoffer - Roe Deer

Saturday October 24th

Mark Elvin reported two flocks of Golden Plover on site this morning. A flock of 26 flew off at 09:45, heading towards Farnham. A second flock of 48 later circled the site without landing, and then flew north along the Blackwater Valley.

This is the first reported sighting of Golden Plover this Autumn/Winter.

Mark Elvin also reported 50 Lapwing, 5 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 2 Egyptian Goose, a Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Stonechat, a Rook and a Sparrowhawk this morning.

This is only the 3rd reported sighting of Rook this year - a locally scarce species for the site.

An unconfirmed report of a Merlin was received today from an unknown source.

Sunday October 25th

John Hunt reported 18 Golden Plover (in the Workings), a Green Sandpiper, 59 Wigeon and a Kingfisher this morning.

In addition, Richard Horton reported a Common Gull and 2 Stonechat this morning.

Richard Horton reported a Short-eared Owl in the Meadow this evening.

This is only the 4th record of Short-eared Owl on site, but the 2nd record in 9 days. This could possibly be the same bird as seen on the 16th & 17th, although there has been a reported movement of Short-eared Owls through the local area over the past fortnight.

Grim Styles found a new species for the site: Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinqefolia).

(c) John Hunt - Golden Plover

(c) John Hunt - Grey Wagtail

(c) John Hunt - Meadow Pipit

Tuesday October 6th - Saturday October 17th

Late News

A brief report of the NW Surrey RSPB Local Group walk from September 27th is now online.

Kevin Duncan reported a new species for Tice's Meadow seen in mid-September: Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera).

(c) Kevin Duncan - Himalayan Balsam

Tuesday October 6th

No reports.

Wednesday October 7th

No reports.

Thursday October 8th

No reports.

Friday October 9th

John Hunt reported a Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 70+ Wigeon, a Kingfisher, a Yellow-legged Gull (adult), 2 Goldcrest, 4 Stonechat, 10+ Meadow Pipit and a Skylark this morning.

Saturday October 10th

The Tice's Meadow Volunteers met for the monthly work party on site this morning. Invasive willow was cleared from the reed-bed and burnt.

Richard Seargent reported 5 Snipe, 10 Egyptian Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 49 Wigeon, 9 Gadwall, a Yellow-legged Gull (adult) and 2 Stonechat this morning.

In addition, Dave Baker reported a Green Sandpiper, 2 Raven (outside site boundary), a Mediterranean Gull (1st winter), a Coal Tit, 2 Swallow, 2 Redwing (over), 2+ Lesser Redpoll and 2+ Siskin this morning.

This is the first recorded sighting of Redwing this Autumn. 

In addition, Mark Elvin reported a Kingfisher and a Kestrel today.

Dave Baker reported a new species for Tice's Meadow: Brick (Agrochola circellaris).

Andy Little reported 2 or 3 Bearded Tit dropping into the reed-bed and pinging this afternoon.

Bearded Tit is a new species for Tice's Meadow - the 186th species of bird recorded on site and the 137th species of bird recorded on site this year.

(c) Dave Baker - Brick

Sunday October 11th

Richard Seargent reported 27 Wigeon, 287 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gull (adults), a Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 5 Goldcrest, a Blackcap and 12 Redwing (over) this morning.

This is the first recorded sighting of Water Rail this Autumn.

Richard also reported a few Common Darter and Migrant Hawker dragonflies along the eastern path.

In addition, John Hunt reported 3 Green Sandpiper, 12 Gadwall, 10 Shoveler, 20+ Teal, 2 Stonechat, 2 Reed Bunting, a Lesser Redpoll, a Meadow Pipit and a Skylark this morning.

John also reported 4 Roe Deer in the Meadow.

(c) John Hunt - Grey Squirrel

(c) John Hunt - Roe Deer

Monday October 12th

No reports.

Tuesday October 13th

No reports.

Wednesday October 14th

Richard Horton reported 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 12 Shoveler, 70 Wigeon,3 Yellow-legged Gull and 3 Common Gull today.

This is the first reported sighting of Common Gull this Autumn.

Thursday October 15th

John Hunt reported 2 Green Sandpiper, 40 Wigeon, 20+ Teal, 10 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, a Pochard, 3 Little Grebe, a Skylark, a Meadow Pipit, 20+ Linnet, a Kestrel and a Red Kite this morning.

In addition, Richard Horton reported 3 Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Gull today.

Friday October 16th

Richard Horton reported a Stonechat and 3 Yellow-legged Gull this morning.

Richard also managed to relocate the 3 Bearded Tit, flying over the path between the reed-beds, first reported by Andy Little last Saturday and not seen since.

In addition, a visiting birder reported a Kingfisher and a number of Redwing (over) this morning.

Mark Elsoffer and Steve Minhinnick spent the afternoon and evening on site and reported 2 Green Sandpiper, 40 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 12 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 40+ Teal, 34 Wigeon, a Pochard, 2 Egyptian Goose, 2 Common Gull, 3 Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Bunting, a Grey Wagtail, 3 Pheasant, 40+ Linnet, 2 Lesser Redpoll, a Stonechat, 40+ Fieldfare (over), 3 Mistle Thrush, 2 Buzzard, a Kestrel and 2 Peregrine.

This is the first recorded sighting of Fieldfare this Autumn.

Around 15:00 Richard, Mark and Steve then watched in awe as a Short-eared Owl dropped into Tice's airspace from a great height, mobbed by Corvids, flew briefly around the Meadow and disappeared into the undergrowth. Later that evening the owl put on a spectacular performance hunting throughout the meadow, passing within feet of the observers on Horton's Mound in the fading light.

This is only the 3rd record of Short-eared Owl on site, and the 138th species of bird recorded on site this year.

Mark Elsoffer shot this video of the Short-eared Owl.

(c) Mark Elsoffer - Short-eared Owl

(c) Mark Elsoffer - Short-eared Owl

(c) Mark Elsoffer - Short-eared Owl

(c) Mark Elsoffer - Short-eared Owl

(c) Mark Elsoffer - Short-eared Owl

(c) Mark Elsoffer - Short-eared Owl

(c) Mark Elsoffer - Short-eared Owl

(c) Mark Elsoffer - Short-eared Owl

Saturday October 17th

Richard Seargent reported 50 Wigeon, a Water Rail, 30+ Redwing, 8 Fieldfare, 8 Reed Bunting and 3 Bearded Tit (1 male, 2 female) this morning.

In addition, Dave Baker reported 4 Green Sandpiper, a Dartford Warbler (male), 2 Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Swallow, 2 Lesser Redpoll, "lots" of Reed Bunting and 20+ Fieldfare this morning.

This is only the 2nd record of Dartford Warbler on site, and the 139th species of bird recorded on site this year.

Shaun Ferguson photographed a Dunnock with a metal ring on its leg. Only a partial number was read "484".

Andy Little reported a Coal Tit on his garden feeders today (his garden borders Tice's Meadow and the bird was seen flying in from the site) that from the description sounded like a continental bird - there has recently been a well documented nationwide influx of continental Coal Tits.

Phil Hughes and Dave Baker reported that the Short-eared Owl was showing well in the Meadow this evening.

Shaun Ferguson took this short video of the Bearded Tits.

(c) Richard Seargent - Bearded Tit

(c) Richard Seargent - Bearded Tit

(c) Richard Seargent - Bearded Tit

(c) Richard Seargent - Bearded Tit

(c) Richard Seargent - Wigeon

(c) Shaun Ferguson - Dunnock (ringed)

(c) Shaun Ferguson - Bearded Tit

(c) Shaun Ferguson - Bearded Tits

(c) Shaun Ferguson - Meadow Panorama

Sunday September 13th to Monday October 5th

Sunday September 13th

John Hunt reported 6 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover, 20+ Lapwing, 4 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 20+ Teal, 9 Greylag Geese, a Pintail, a Kestrel and 300+ Hirundines (Swallows and House Martins) this morning.

In addition, Kevin Duncan reported 7 Green Sandpiper, 37 Lapwing, 2 Little Grebe, a Pochard, 7 Shoveler, a Canada X Greylag Goose Hybrid and a Wheatear.

(c) John Hunt - Common Sandpiper

(c) John Hunt - Green Sandpiper

(c) John Hunt - Kestrel

(c) John Hunt - Pintail

Monday September 14th

Graham King reported a Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Pintail, 5 Kestrel and c100 House Martin.

Tuesday September 15th

Richard Horton reported 4 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3+ Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 100+ Sand Martin and 60+ House Martin this afternoon.

Wednesday September 16th

Richard Horton reported 12 Greylag Geese, a Kingfisher, a Whinchat, 3 Kestrel and 3 Yellow Wagtail this afternoon.

Thursday September 17th

Dave Baker reported 4 Whinchat, a Stonechat, a Wheatear, 4 Siskin, a Lesser Redpoll, 30+ Meadow Pipits and at least 4 Yellow-legged Gull this morning.

Lesser Redpoll is the 135th species of bird recorded on site this year.

In addition, Richard Horton reported 2 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Wheatear, a Kingfisher and 2 Buzzard this morning.

Friday September 18th

John Hunt reported 4 Common Sandpiper, 5 Green Sandpiper, a Ringed Plover, 12 Lapwing, 2 Kingfisher, 6 Shoveler, 20+ Teal, 3 Little Grebe, a Wheatear, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard this morning

In addition Graham King reported 2 Whinchat.

In addition Richard Horton reported 2 Snipe and 2 Firecrest (in a tit flock in Lisa's Wood) this afternoon.

This is only the 2nd recorded sighting of Firecrest for the site, a site record count for the species, and the 136th species of bird recorded on site this year.

(c) John Hunt - Kestrel

(c) John Hunt - Kestrel

(c) John Hunt - Kestrel

(c) John Hunt - Kestrel

Saturday September 19th

Dave Baker reported a Ringed Plover, a Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, a Stonechat, lots of Siskins (fly-over) and at least 20 Chiffchaff (in a mixed tit flock) this morning.

In addition, Richard Horton reported 2 Yellow Wagtail.

Sunday September 20th

Kevin Duncan led a walk with the Surrey Bird Club on site this morning.

Kevin Duncan reported 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper, a Dunlin, a Snipe, 2 Canada X Greylag Goose Hybrid, 12 Greylag Goose, 4 Little Grebe, a Bullfinch, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Kingfisher, 3 Kestrel, a Red Kite and a Peregrine this morning.

In addition, Dave Baker reported 2 Wheatear and a Hobby this afternoon.

Grim Styles found Water Figwort (Scrophularia auriculata) growing on site - a new species for the site.

(c) Grim Styles - Foggy Morning

(c) Grim Styles - Water Figwort

(c) Grim Styles - Water Figwort

(c) Grim Styles - Black-lipped Snail

(c) Grim Styles - Black-lipped Snail

(c) Grim Styles - Black-lipped Snail

(c) Grim Styles - Black-lipped Snail

(c) Grim Styles - Four-spot Orb Weaver Spider

(c) Grim Styles - Wasp Spider

Monday September 21st

John Hunt reported 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 7 Shoveler, 15+ Teal, a Wheatear, 2+ Goldcrest, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, a Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrel this morning.

(c) John Hunt - Great Spotted Woodpecker

Tuesday September 22nd

Graham King reported a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel.

Wednesday September 23rd

No reports.

Thursday September 24th

No reports.

Friday September 25th

Andy Little reported 2 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Pintail, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Wheatear, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel.

Saturday September 26th

Dave Baker reported 2 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 16 Wigeon, a Wheatear, 4 Stonechat and 5 Lesser Redpoll (fly-over) this morning.

Grim Styles found Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) and Liberty Cap Mushrooms (Psilocybe semilanceata) growing on site today - both new species for the site.

(c) Dave Baker - Frosty Morning

(c) Dave Baker - Rush Veneer Moth

(c) Richard Seargent - Long-tailed Tit

(c) Richard Seargent - Long-tailed Tit

(c) Richard Seargent - Small Copper

(c) Grim Styles - Liberty Cap Mushrooms

(c) Grim Styles - Pampas Grass

Sunday September 27th

The North West Surrey RSPB Group visited the site this morning, lead by Neil Bew.

Richard Seargent reported 48 Lapwing, 9 Wigeon, a Kingfisher, a Stonechat, a Whinchat and a Wheatear this morning.

In addition, John Hunt reported a Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper and 8 Meadow Pipit this morning.

In addition, Richard Horton reported 7 Snipe, 18 Meadow Pipit, 5 Stonechat and 2 Red Kite.

Richard Seargent reported 3 Green Sandpiper (Plant Yard), 9 Wigeon, a Kingfisher, 6+ Stonechat, a Whinchat, 3 Lesser Redpoll, a Siskin and a Red Kite this afternoon.

(c) John Hunt - Stonechat

(c) John Hunt - Stonechat

(c) John Hunt - Stonechat

Monday September 28th

Richard Seargent reported 14 Wigeon, a Yellow-legged Gull (adult) and 6 Stonechat this afternoon.

In addition, Graham King reported a Common Sandpiper and a Snipe.

Tuesday September 29th

25 members of the Farnham U3A Birdwatching Group visited the site this morning, lead by David Allen. Their members kindly bought the last few copies of the 2014 Annual Report and also made a generous donation to the Tice's Meadow Bird Group.

John Hunt reported a Green Sandpiper, 48 Lapwing, 14 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler, 20+ Teal, a Meadow Pipit, a Grey Wagtail, a Kingfisher, 4 Stonechat, 2 Red Kite, a Buzzard and a Kestrel this morning.

In addition, Richard Horton reported a Snipe, 3 Skylark, 5 Stonechat and 9 Meadow Pipit this morning.

(c) John Hunt - Stonechat

(c) John Hunt - Stonechat

(c) John Hunt - Stonechat

(c) John Hunt - Stonechat

Wednesday September 30th

No reports.

Thursday October 1st

A group from Bells Piece (Leonard Cheshire Disability) Community Group visited the site today with Grim Styles to collect wildflower seeds that will be grown and turned into plugs for meadow planting next year. More photos are available on their Facebook page.

Richard Horton reported 3 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Stonechat and 2 Kestrel.

(c) Grim Styles - Wildflower Seed Hunt

(c) Grim Styles - Wildflower Seed Hunt

Friday October 2nd

Richard Horton reported 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Snipe, 5 Little Grebe, a Bullfinch, a Kingfisher and a Red Kite.

Saturday October 3rd

Dave Baker reported 10 Stonechat, 3 Skylark, 2+ Siskin and 2+ Lesser Redpoll (fly-over) this morning.

The count of 10 Stonechat is a new site record count.

Sunday October 4th

John Hunt reported 4 Green Sandpiper, 66 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 4 Little Grebe, 4 Shoveler, 20+ Teal, 9 Greylag Geese, a Kingfisher, 5 Skylark, 4+ Stonechat, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting and a juvenile Peregrine this morning.

In addition, Dave Baker reported 15 Wigeon this morning.

(c) John Hunt - Kingfisher

(c) John Hunt - Peregrine

Monday October 5th

Grim Styles identified the following new species for the site today: Ergot (Claviceps purpurea).