Tice's Meadow and Tongham GP, Surrey (1 Viewer)

[RJSeargent]

What a cracking morning during the Surrey Bird Club visit to Tice's Meadow; so good to see so many on the mound. Migration much in evidence with overflying Mipits and Yellow Wagtails (4) and at least 3 Tree Pipits; one which was calling from the reed bed. A single Whinchat put on a show from the west side of the meadow. Highlight of the morning though was 2 Spotted Redshanks, a site first for me, feeding amongst Canada Geese on the southern end of the workings.

Pintail (1) and Wigeon (2) still present along with the single feral Barnacle Goose and Greylag Goose (14). Apparently over 800 Canada's mid afternoon.

My Tice's Meadow list has now increased to 141 - reasonable total for an inland Surrey site. Anyone wish to send description of the Spot Reds? I have had enough of reading 'Not Proven' for my submissions. ;-)

 

[RTHORTON]

After meeting with Alii plant manager David Brittain and Steve Bailey today . Except Hanson s to close path ways while they dig new stream and including veiwing mound formation, ie making it bigger. Top soil to be spread along line with A31 for tree planting . Want to get local schools and play groups ect involved in planting any idears would be welcome on how we could. Rich.

 

[RTHORTON]

As the paths are closed to the mound decided to veiw from the Kiln . Hope they dont mind me parking there it is private . Scanning right past dog training feild found 3 Windchat all juv . In the meadow Meadow Pipit , Hobby s hawking over lake. Loads of Swallow, House and Sand Martins , 800 + Canada Geese 13 Greylag 5 Snipe . Yellow, Grey and Pied Wagtail draw in by the earth works.

 

[RTHORTON]

This morning right hand side of bike pool 1st Wheatear of the Autumn ,with Kev and Bob. On a side note a visit to the New Forest to day got me a large flock of Fieldfare 30+ flying over . Where the 20 + Thrushes i saw at Kiln far distance on Thur Fieldfare? Think they could of been.

 

[RJSeargent]

This morning right hand side of bike pool 1st Wheatear of the Autumn ,with Kev and Bob. On a side note a visit to the New Forest to day got me a large flock of Fieldfare 30+ flying over . Where the 20 + Thrushes i saw at Kiln far distance on Thur Fieldfare? Think they could of been.

Wow, that is an early record although I have seen singeltons in Portland at this time of the year.

 

[RJSeargent]

Tice's 24 update. Now brought forward to 21/22 Sep although some are interested in also sureveying on 28/29 Sep as well.

Details.

RV at 1200hrs on the mound on 21 Sep. There may be access issues due to the work being completed but we should be able to cover these easily. Finish 1200hrs, 22 Sep 13.

Bring (if you are staying for the night):

Some form of shelter (I'm bringing a tarp)
Sleeping Bag
Snack for daylight hours
Chair (8 hours on the mound is a long time).
Beer
Spare clothing (just in case)
Money for Fish and Chips.

The last 24 hour survey noted 81 bird species and it would be interesting to see how many we find this weekend.

 

[RTHORTON]

Today of note Peregrine high over. Dunlin ,Curlew few in at 18 15 .1 Bar Headed Goose with the 700 + Canada and 11 Greylag pm.

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

I'm now looking to reschedule my Guildford RSPB walk - Sat Oct 19th looks a goer.

Just received some excellent photos of Tice's birds from Kev Campbell for the report. Any more would be appreciated (Dave B, I know you've got plenty of record shots!).

Sean

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

Guys,

I'm currently in conversation with Mark Elvin of Surrey Birders, and it looks like a new recording system will be sorted out for Tice's on the site.

Mark's hoping to set up a system whereby you can specify which part of the site your sighting refers to (workings, meadow etc.), and I've sent him my map for him to set that up.

This will certainly improve accuracy for future bird reports.

Sean

 

[RTHORTON]

Guys,

I'm currently in conversation with Mark Elvin of Surrey Birders, and it looks like a new recording system will be sorted out for Tice's on the site.

Mark's hoping to set up a system whereby you can specify which part of the site your sighting refers to (workings, meadow etc.), and I've sent him my map for him to set that up.

This will certainly improve accuracy for future bird reports.

Sean

Excellent Sean. There will be other areas opened up once Hansons remove plant yard to.

 

[bbsbirder]

During the Tice's 24 did you see the very small Canada Goose amongst the standard Canada Geese?

This afternoon during the Tices WeBs count one was seen (found by Steve)
About the size of a Barnacle with a short stubby beak and a slight thin half white collar beneath the black neck. It did not appear to show any signs of being a Canada x Barnacle Hybrid.

Looking at pictures on the net

Could it be a Ricardson's Goose??

One to look out for

Kevin

 

[RJSeargent]

The list as far as I can see from the weekend. Any additions or deletions?

Little Grebe
Great Comorant
Grey Heron
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose (feral)
Bar-headed Goose (feral)
Canada Goose (feral)
Egyptian Goose (feral)
Common Shelduck
Eurasian Wigeon
Gadwall
Common Teal
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Common Pochard
Tufted Duck
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Common Buzzard
Common Kestrel
Eurasian Hobby
Common Pheasant (feral)
Common Moorhen
Common Coot
Northern Lapwing
Common Snipe
Common Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper
Black-headed Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull (both intermedius and graellsi)
Stock Dove
Common Wood Pigeon
Eurasian Collared Dove
Tawny Owl
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Green Woodpecker
Collared Sand Martin
Northern House Martin
European Swallow
Meadow Pipit
Pied Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
British Wren
Dunnock
Song Thrush
Blackbird
European Robin
Greenland Wheatear
Willow Warbler
Common Chiffchaff
Blackcap
Great Tit
Common Blue Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Eurasian Jay
Common Magpie
Eurasian Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Common Starling
House Sparrow
Common Chaffinch
European Greenfinch
European Goldfinch
Common Linnet
Reed Bunting

You will note than I have not included the Chinese invaders. Thanks to all who turned up; we had a cracking time and it would be great to see more regulars during April's survey; more eyes produce more birds. The Beer, Fish and Chips, fire, banter and company was great. Did not expect to see a naked man in the mud; I have dined on this story most of the morning. On top of that Man City thrashed Man Utd 4-1 just afterwards. A good weekend.

 

[RJSeargent]

During the Tice's 24 did you see the very small Canada Goose amongst the standard Canada Geese?

This afternoon during the Tices WeBs count one was seen (found by Steve)
About the size of a Barnacle with a short stubby beak and a slight thin half white collar beneath the black neck. It did not appear to show any signs of being a Canada x Barnacle Hybrid.

Looking at pictures on the net

Could it be a Ricardson's Goose??

One to look out for

Kevin

To be honest Kev all I have wanted to do is napalm the Canadas as I believe they are detering wader species landing on the islands. Now that you have mentioned this I'll keep a look out for smaller Canada Goose races. There are far too many roosting and using the workings at the moment; that said they have brought in both Barnacle and Bar-headed Geese. Who's Steve by the way?

 

[RTHORTON]

This morning 10 30 300 + Swallow 100 + House Martin with 30 + Sand Martin over lake for 30 mins not many Canada Goose , may be put off with machinery working.
Thanks to all for a great 24 hrs great company and to those who fed and watered us thanks .65 species i think was the count and 1 naked man we did of coase have a good laugh and named it accordingly perv pool.

 

[RJSeargent]

Spoke to Steve last night - his initial identification of the small goose was a Cackling Goose. This species is only slightly bigger than a Mallard and his description didn't really fit any of the Lesser Canadas. Would suggest the bird he saw was the Barnacle/Canada hybrid which has been seen occasionally.

 

[RJSeargent]

Oystercatcher present last night on Long Island with 2 or more of both Green and Common Sandpipers around the workings. No sign of the Wheatear around the now aptly named Perv Pool. Plently of Lesser Black-backs (30+) in, some at the back of islands so unable to count properly. 2 adult Yellow-legs present on the south side and I suspect there was perhaps more out of view.

Fortunatly the Canada Goose numbers were down (only about 200) and I could only find the odd Greylag and one Egyptian. The latter I suspect was additional to the family group.

 

[DaveBaker]

Can't see Rook on the list for the Tice's 24 Rich.

 

[mattytheduke]

Can't see Rook on the list for the Tice's 24 Rich.

Also Herring Gull?

Matt

 

[RJSeargent]

Final one?

Little Grebe
Great Comorant
Grey Heron
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose (feral)
Bar-headed Goose (feral)
Canada Goose (feral)
Egyptian Goose (feral)
Common Shelduck
Eurasian Wigeon
Gadwall
Common Teal
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Common Pochard
Tufted Duck
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Common Buzzard
Common Kestrel
Eurasian Hobby
Common Pheasant (feral)
Common Moorhen
Common Coot
Northern Lapwing
Common Snipe
Common Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull (both intermedius and graellsi)
Stock Dove
Common Wood Pigeon
Eurasian Collared Dove
Tawny Owl
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Green Woodpecker
Collared Sand Martin
Northern House Martin
European Swallow
Meadow Pipit
Pied Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
British Wren
Dunnock
Song Thrush
Blackbird
European Robin
Greenland Wheatear
Willow Warbler
Common Chiffchaff
Blackcap
Great Tit
Common Blue Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Eurasian Jay
Common Magpie
Eurasian Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Rook
Common Starling
House Sparrow
Common Chaffinch
European Greenfinch
European Goldfinch
Common Linnet
Reed Bunting

68 species if we include the Bar-headed Zoo Bird

 

[RTHORTON]

With Bob Warden who joined me this morning on the mound. Little Stint far east bank with 4 Snipe and Lapwing 2 Green and 1 Common Sandpiper 1 Dunlin 2 Egp Goose came in to join our 4. 1 Yellow Leg Gull with LBB Gulls.Gald that campers enjoyed there night out all be it for the rain. Still a good count at the end i understand. Still waiting to hear when S S Eletric clear the mess they have made. Rich.