Hants, Berks and Surrey Borders (1 Viewer)

[bbsbirder]

Hi Kevin,

The water level is still looking good so hopefully we'll get a few more goodies on return. The Green Sand was seen again today by Richard, good luck for your visit, let us know if you find anything good.

Cheers,

John.

P.S - congrats on the Little Gull find at Dorney!

John,
This evening had a text from Richard saying 7 (seven) Redshank in the workings. As you know Redshank are rare at Tice's Meadow (only 3 birds seen in the past 3 years) I had to rush over. After a long detour avoiding the Royal Ascot traffic managed to get there at 20:30. The Green Sandpiper was still feeding in the meadow and found the 7 Redshank in the workings. Also in the workings 2 half grown BHGull downy chicks swimming in the workings. Expect there are more.
The water level in the meadow is not too bad and showing some muddy edges. It may just last to the end of the month. A couple of heavy downpours would help it last into July perfect for migrating Black-tailed Godwits.
Still have to make the visit in the mornings so hopefully some more migrants will turn up. with reports elsewhere birds are on the move.

ps It was luck with the 2 Little Gulls at Dorney Wetlands (Berks). Alot of events that morning put me in the right place at the right time. I see it/they have been reported again today (sat21st) on Birdguides.

Kevin

 

[JohnnyH]

16 Lapwing at Tices this afternoon mainly in the workings, no sign of any other returning waders. The meadow needs another downpour as the floods are drying up rapidly.

John

 

[bbsbirder]

John,

Only light showers forcasted by the MetOffice upto Sunday. I've seen on Birdguides that a few Black-tailed Godwits were reported today up north so they are on there way!

Kevin

 

[JohnnyH]

Common Sandpiper at Tices briefly this morning, no sign of any Godwits despite some being seen in London & Berks last night.

John.

 

[bbsbirder]

John,
How is the water level in the meadow?

BBC weather are predicting cooler temperatures and rain later in the week. Was expecting to be at Tice's Meadow today as daughter was being taken out for the day. But had to cancel trip to take boss to the airport in the afternoon. Lucky for me, as on a local walk this morning I was lucky enough to find a stunning male Red backed Shrike at Dorney Wetlands.
It was a good day just hope Godwits arrive next week!



Kevin

 

[JohnnyH]

Hi Kevin,

The meadow is almost bone dry now, the workings look to be the best bet for any passage waders at the moment. Nice find the Shrike, you're on a roll at the moment eh!

Cheers,

John.

 

[JohnnyH]

Picked up my daughter from canoeing at Hawley Lake this evening & had excellent views of a pair of Egyptian Geese.

John.

 

[bbsbirder]

Hi Kevin,

The meadow is almost bone dry now, the workings look to be the best bet for any passage waders at the moment. Nice find the Shrike, you're on a roll at the moment eh!

Cheers,

John.

At least the weeds will have 2 months less growth compared with last year.
Hopefully some heavy rain will fall before they are too high. Would be nice to see some visible/open water in Aug/Sept.

Looks like rain this week is for Scotland!!

Kevin

 

[JohnnyH]

Marked increase in the no of Lapwing at Tices - 50 today, the Common Sand still present distantly in the workings & a female Kestrel perched on a post in the meadow.

John.

 

[bbsbirder]

Forgot to mention, last week found out that the Crag Martin seen at Tice's Meadow in Oct 2006 has been accepted by the BBRC ( British Birds Rarities Committee).

Kevin

 

[JohnnyH]

Nice one Kevin, well done mate :clap::clap:

John.

 

[JohnnyH]

More returning migrants at Tices this morning - 1 Green Sandpiper & 2 Common Sandpipers in the gravel workings.

John.

 

[bbsbirder]

At Tice's Meadow today there was no sign of the Green Sandpiper but 2 Common Sandpiper still present. Highlight of the morning was seeing everything fly up in the workings and then finding the cause, an immature Peregrine Falcon sat on the ground in the workings.
Expect there is some more water in the meadow, I know I got wet in the rain. Hopefully give a more days for more migrants. I see from Birdguides there is again alot of reports of Black-tailed Godwits in the north.

Kevin

 

[JohnnyH]

No Godwits at Tices yet but did have 1 each of Common & Green Sands in the workings this morning. Also 2 juv Common Terns interacting with parents was nice to see.

John

 

[JohnnyH]

Same as Friday at Tices this morning - single Green & Common Sands in the workings along with a returning regular migrant in the form of Mr Duncan!

John.

 

[bbsbirder]

Same as Friday at Tices this morning - single Green & Common Sands in the workings along with a returning regular migrant in the form of Mr Duncan!

John.

Apologises John.

I still cant find that Green Sandpiper!! Did comfirm breeding success of Coot (first at Tice's Meadow?) and Sand Martin at least 4 occupied nest with 10 heads of chicks seen.
Alittle further afield, no luck with Turtle Dove at Crooksbury but did find a Spotted Flycatcher at Cutt Mill. In the wood off the dirt track between Littleworth Road and the Cuttmill Pond (Eastside). This pond is also good for Kingfisher.

Kevin

 

[JohnnyH]

Evening walk around Tongham GP produced Kingfisher, (first I've seen there!), 5 Reed Warbs, Common Tern, Great Crested Grebe, & single Drake Pochard.

John.

 

[JohnnyH]

Juv Green Sand still present in the workings at Tices this morning along with the regulars. A nice bonus was a Little Owl sunning itself on a post in the paddocks east of Tices viewed at long distance from the bank.

John.

 

[JohnnyH]

Nice walk round Thursley this afternoon was quite productive - multiple sightings of Redstart,Woodlark, & Tree Pipit, single Hobby hunting over the bog & best of all a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on Shrike Hill & a purring Turtle Dove in Pine Island.

John.

 

[bbsbirder]

A day off work so decided to have a birding day. On the way to Tice's Meadow there was time for a quick stop at Staines Reservoir for a Turnstone, Dunlin and 2 Redshank. Next stop Tice's Meadow. Almost the first bird seen was a Hobby 'hawking' over the meadow. Walking along the bank a Kestrel was hovering over the end of the bank. Viewing the workings I found 13 Grey Heron in/around the small triangular pool. Also feeding in the pool on the waters edge was a Common Snipe, my first since last winter. After Johns' report of seeing a Little Owl I checked the horse paddocks across the A31. Scanned the fields and quickly found the Little Owl perched on the roof of a horse shelter nearest the hedge. Left Tice's to look for Turtle Dove, but like many other visits had no luck.
Returned to Tice's Meadow late afternoon to see a small build-up of Gulls which included 2 Yellow-legged Gulls. Tice's first breeding pair of Coots have 4 chicks and a Common Sandpiper seen feeding in the workings.
A perfect end to the day was at Dorney Lake where two Sandwich Terns flew over my head.

Kevin