Tice's Meadow Nature Reserve: Wednesday March 23rd to Wednesday March 30th

Annual Report

Our 2015 Annual Report is now back from the printers. Please see the attached for how you can order a full colour, glossy, A4 hardcopy.

Wednesday March 23rd

Tony Cummins reported a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egret, a Lapwing, 22 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 35 Teal, 2 Redwing, 48 Fieldfare, a Chiffchaff, a Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and 2 Goshawk today.

Goshawk is the 87th species recorded on site this year.

Thursday March 24th

Kevin Duncan reported a Swallow and a Mediterranean Gull (adult s/p) this morning.

Swallow is the 88th species recorded on site this year. The first Swallow of 2016 was reported 10 days earlier than in 2015.

Mark Elsoffer reported a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 70 Wigeon, 14 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 3 Pochard, 30 Teal, 6 Shoveler, a Stonechat, 5 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 47 Magpie, a Raven, 4 Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrel this morning.

Raven is the 89th species recorded on site this year.

The count of 47 Magpie is a new site record count.

Kevin also managed to read the metal ring on a Blackbird in the Woods (with the help of a little bird seed). The Blackbird was rung at Tice's Meadow by Roger Dickey on 25th/26th April 2015. This is only the 2nd recorded recovery of a bird rung at Tice's Meadow.

Friday March 25th

John Hunt reported a Common Sandpiper, 27 Wigeon, 50+ Teal, 6 Shoveler, 2 Skylark and 3 Chiffchaff this morning.

In addition, Dave Baker reported 4 Little Egret, 7 Sand Martin and 3 Swallow this morning.

In addition, Richard Horton reported 3 Raven, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Red Kite, 8 Buzzard and 2 Goshawk this afternoon.

In addition, Richard Seargent reported 9 Snipe, a Water Rail and a Water Pipit this afternoon.

Water Pipit is the 90th species recorded on site this year. None were recorded in 2015.

In other news, farmer Gibby has sold 4 of the cattle grazing on site, reducing the herd to 6. He assures us new cows will be arriving soon.

On a slight tangent from our normal reports, Grim Styles found this fossil Echinoid (a Sea Urchin) (Micraster cortestudinariumon) on site today. This fossil is approximately 90 million years old, dating from just before when Richard Horton first visited Tice's Meadow!

Saturday March 26th

Richard Seargent reported 2 Little Ringed Plover and 30+ Sand Martin this morning.

In addition, Dave Baker reported a Common Sandpiper, a Caspian Gull (3rd cy) and a Swallow this afternoon.

This is only the fourth ever site record for Caspian Gull, but the second this year - both found by Dave Baker.

Kevin Duncan reported that the first toad spawn was seen today.

Three illegal off-road motorcyclists were removed by the police from the Plant Yard today following good work by Dave Baker, Richard Horton and Richard Seargent - the main gate had been left open by Hanson's planting contractors. If you see any motorcyclists on site, please call the police on 101.

Sunday March 27th

Graham King reported a Redshank, 4 Snipe and a Caspian Gull (3rd cy) today.

Redshank is the 91st species recorded on site this year.

Monday March 28th

Richard Seargent reported a Common Sandpiper, a Caspian Gull (3rd cy), 30+ Sand Martin and a House Martin this morning.

House Martin is the 92nd species recorded on site this year. This is the earliest recorded House Martin on site by 7 days.

Tuesday March 29th

John Hunt reported 2 Avocet, a Caspian Gull (3rd cy) and 10+ Sand Martin this morning.

Avocet is the 93rd species recorded on site this year. There have been only 4 previous records of Avocet on site (totalling 5 birds), the last being on December 7th 2014.

In addition, Richard Horton reported 9 Snipe, a Jack Snipe, a Mediterranean Gull and 3 Swallow today.

Kevin Duncan reported that thousands of frog tadpoles have now hatched and so far seem to be having a better breeding season than toads.