Hants, Berks and Surrey Borders (1 Viewer)

[bbsbirder]

Hi Mark,
Would be great to hear any reports from Tice's Meadow.
I've visited Tice's Meadow alot since Nov 2004 but this year expect only to visit once a month. As far as I know over the past three years 99 species have been seen at Tice's Meadow. In 2007 there were firsts for the site with Avocet, Shelduck, Ruff, Oystercatcher, Spoonbill and Barn Owl.
Still plenty of species to see like both Godwits, Turnstone, Whimbrel and Wood Sandpiper etc
The habitat (workings) have changed over the winter so I expect sightings will depend on if last years workings is totally covered/landscaped but if it stays as it is and we have a wet spring some interesting sightings could be seen.
If you visit daily you could see some interesting birds.
Entering sightings on www.birders-online.co.uk also gives a chance for others to see the rarer species. Remember last year JohnnyH put his sighting of Shelduck on the website.
Had to 'twitch it' and managed to get to see afterwork.

Kevin (KPD)

 

[jort]

Morning Guys - Lived in Farnborough for 18 years and never done any real local birdwatching, except Fleet Pond. Is anyone up for taking me along to a couple of the places mentioned in this thread (Tongham, Tices Meadow)?? I'm happy to do the driving - just could do with the company! Email - [email protected] - am off work on annual leave for the whole of February - Thanks in advance, Jort

 

[Allan Hobbs]

Following on from Jorts suggestion yesterday I'd also be interested in a "guided tour" of the local hotspots, but can only make weekends. I live in Ash Green and I can also provide transport.
Anyone interested?

 

[JohnnyH]

Had a quick walk round Tongham GP this afternoon, Pochard now being the most numerous wildfowl present with 22 today along with 19 Wigeon, 14 Tufted Duck, & 20 Gadwall.

John.

 

[bbsbirder]

Following on from Jorts suggestion yesterday I'd also be interested in a "guided tour" of the local hotspots, but can only make weekends. I live in Ash Green and I can also provide transport.
Anyone interested?

Hi Allan & Jort,

I'm visiting Tongham GP and Tice's Meadow next Saturday 23rd February
If you want to join me I will be leaving Aldershot Park carpark at 9am. A warning the footpath around Tongham GP is very muddy so wellies or boots are advised.
Afterwards I will be visiting other local areas. e.g.Thursley for Great Grey Shrike and at the end of the day to check for the Brambling roost. You both are also welcome to come.

Kevin

 

[geordie121]

Moor green today for an hour or so produced, 20 goosanders,wigeon,lots of shovler,greenfinch,2 snipe, 14 barnacle geese,mallars canadas,1 jay,10+cormorants,chaffinches the new workings were quiet but there was 1 roe deer showing well

Geordie:t:

 

[bbsbirder]

Tonight (23/2) had excellent views of the Tice's Meadow Barn Owl. Appeared at 17:13 quartering the meadow and still present when I left at 18:00 perched on a post.. All viewed from the bank. These were my best views ever of a Barn Owl and at one stage flew past 3 metres away.

Kevin

 

[JohnnyH]

Great stuff Kevin, had limited time for birding over the last two weeks with family & footie commitments but must try to get down to Tices for the Barny soon. Do you know if it has been seen early morning as well as late afternoon/early evening?

Cheers,

John.

 

[jort]

Congrats on the Barn Owl Kevin!! And the R-L-P!

Thanks so much for showing me around today - really enjoyed myself!

Cheers, Jort

 

[bbsbirder]

Great stuff Kevin, had limited time for birding over the last two weeks with family & footie commitments but must try to get down to Tices for the Barny soon. Do you know if it has been seen early morning as well as late afternoon/early evening?

Cheers,

John.

Hi John,

I've not heard of it being seen in the mornings only in the evenings. Not every evening, I've tried 5 times since it was first seen in December before I saw it tonight! It's been seen Wed,Fri and now Sat this week between 17:15 and 18:00. As well as hunting in the meadow it hunts along the bank where we walk and sits on the fence posts. Worth a visit, it was amazing.

Kevin

 

[bbsbirder]

Congrats on the Barn Owl Kevin!! And the R-L-P!

Thanks so much for showing me around today - really enjoyed myself!

Cheers, Jort

Thanks,it was a good day with 62 species seen in the area.. Hopefully you will visit Tice's Meadow often and will be great to here any reports.

Kevin

 

[JohnnyH]

Ok cheers Kevin, might give it a go tomorrow, anything else of note about locally today?

John.

 

[bbsbirder]

The best other birds for me today were 2 Red legged Partridge at Totford Lane on the edge of Puttenham Common, the first I've seen on the patch I watch. And the 30+ Brambling at the Crooksbury Common roost. They mostly flew in around 16:11 to roost. We tried for the Thursley Great Grey Shrike and to see Crossbills at Hankley Common but no luck. Other than that the usual species.

Kevin

 

[JohnnyH]

Ok thanks.

John.

 

[JohnnyH]

Arrived at Tices at 7:30 this morning to find the meadow bathed in sunshine but no sign of the Barn Owl. Great time to be out though & found 11 Teal on the floods, a hunting Kestrel, the wintering Stonechat pair, & 5 Skylark which were putting on a great show displaying over the meadow. Good numbers of Lapwing on the new workings with the Gull flock, I counted 86 this morning, 122 Black Headed Gull, 21 Lesser Blacks, 2 Herring, & 6 Common.

John.

 

[Allan Hobbs]

Thanks Kevin for a great day yesterday, and also to Jort and Richard. It was really good to be out and about with such a knowledgable and friendly group of enthusiasts.
When's the next time :king:
Allan

 

[AusJen]

Meant to post after our walk on the 10th Feb. What a great day's walking in the Hannington area, we saw 5 buzzards overhead, a kestral, one 98% sure goshawk, and a fantastic display from a Red Kite directly overhead...circled for 3 or 4 minutes and gave us a perfect view of his markings....and that was only the birds - the rest of the wildlife was out in force too.

 

[bbsbirder]

Thanks Kevin for a great day yesterday, and also to Jort and Richard. It was really good to be out and about with such a knowledgable and friendly group of enthusiasts.
When's the next time :king:
Allan

Hi Allen,

I reckon the next time should be the 10th/11th May. Plenty to see before then but on that date is during peak migation with many summer resident species arrivied and singing. Possble waders at Tice's Meadow along with Wheatear. Elsewhere Redstart (a stunning bird), Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat. Also possible at the right place to see Woodcock between 20:30 and 20:38 and then Nightjar around 21:00.

In the next few weeks if you get a chance to go to Tice's Meadow on the bank overlooking the meadow between 17:00 and 18:00 for a chance to see
the Barn Owl I would recommend it. You will not get better views ever!!

Kevin

 

[JohnnyH]

No sign of the Barn Owl at Tices this evening, the Teal flock still present on the floods & Female Kestrel hunting over the meadow, try again on Wednesday!

John.

 

[jort]

Collected replacement scope late this afternoon, so a quick visit to Tices Meadow to try it out....

Barn Owl arrived just before 6 (I think). Also present 6 Canada Geese, 5 Teal, 3 Herons and a few Carrion Crows. A few Mallard flew over.

Views of the Owl were amazing!