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

[mattytheduke]

This weekend a year ago a number of migrants turned up a Tice's. Remember it like it was yesterday - Sand Martins over the workings, Swallow flying along the hedgerow behind the mound and a White Wagtail landing bedraggled on the barbed wire in front of it. Here's hoping for a productive weekend coming.

That was a great weekend, Rich. I remember it well. I am busy on Saturday but already looking forward to some Tice's action on Sunday.

Matt

 

[RJSeargent]

One for the diary. We are planning an invertebrate bio-blitz day in July with Simon Elson and Steve Bailey. On the same lines as the #tices24 surveys but with creatures with 6 and 8 legs. Date to be announced. Dragonflies, Moths, Butterflies and much, much more.

Dave B - bring your insect book.

Rich H - Bring you I-Spy book of creepy crawlies. 50 points at least for a Black-tailed Skimmer.

 

[RJSeargent]

A good couple of visits on Saturday fully expecting the first migrant of the year; sadly it wasn't to be. The Shelduck is still present though and wildfowl numbers are remaining in good numbers with at least 20 of both Wigeon and Teal and Tufted Ducks into the late 30s. 7 Great-crested Grebes were present today (via Dave B) and Little Grebes were trilling from the edge of the reed bed. A lone male Reed Bunting was singing as was perhaps one of the resident Chiffchaffs.

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

Tufted Ducks into the late 30s.

I counted 44 Tufted Duck yesterday morning. 8-P

 

[RTHORTON]

Of notes today Green Sand, Water Rail, Snipe and Chiffchaff singing a lovely sound of spring. For your diary, Volunteer work party set for this Friday 10 am at Pea Bridge . Clear up before spring. On the 19th and 20th with the BWVP , EA and Wild Trout Trust will show us how we can enhance and provide different habitat to new stream so volunteers can carry thier work on in future.Think it will be most intresting.
If any one would like to join us launch tern rafts at Frimley on Friday 21st do let me know.Rich H.

 

[RJSeargent]

First of the migrants over the last couple of days with Sand Martin on Sunday and a White Wagtail yesterday (both via Dave B). The Shelduck is still present and there has been a increase in visiting birders - all who appear after connecting with the Two-barred Crossbill at Farnham Heath.

 

[RTHORTON]

Of note today Red Kite with 5 Buzzard 2 Kestrel and Sparrow Hawk over, 17 Snipe on the SE bank 53 Tufted 86 BHGull 15 Common Gull min 66 Coot 5 Sky lark 9 M Pipits and 1 L Egret 6 calling Chiff Chaff 3 pair of Bull Finch and of coarse lot s more . River Work party starts tomorrow and Thursday with all the main people involved ie BWVT EA Wild Trout Trust SWT and Hansons. Do come down for a look. With work partys have managed to open existing stream bottom end of plant yard which look like it could reduce water levels for our breeding birds.

 

[RTHORTON]

At last 6 Sand Martins and 1 Swallow PM 1 Shelduck stilll with us, 1 White Wagtail . After opening Lower stream water levels reducing not much yet but with work party s with the help of BWV to dig ditch out could lower levels a fair bit.

 

[RTHORTON]

Two Shellduck .Male has come to join Female. 1 Little Egret along stream. After River Work Party have some dates to carry on there good work. Bit untidy at the moment untill it grows and Hansons remove spoil.

 

[RTHORTON]

The Tice,s Meadow Bird Report in hard back is in my hands from printers. Please make orderly queue out side my front door if you want a copy. Wonderfull to have a copy on the book shelf. Birds of note are 3 species of Greab 10 Pochard 50+ Tufted Duck 1 Shell Duck Sand Martin.

 

[RJSeargent]

The first Reed Warbler attempting to sing from the Reedbed yesterday afternoon. It sang what I presume was a sub-song for 3 or 4 times but then shut up as it clouded over and the temperature dropped. Sand Martins also present as was a singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

The water level is clearly dropping but not as much as I had hoped.

 

[RJSeargent]

The Tice,s Meadow Bird Report in hard back is in my hands from printers. Please make orderly queue out side my front door if you want a copy. Wonderfull to have a copy on the book shelf. Birds of note are 3 species of Greab 10 Pochard 50+ Tufted Duck 1 Shell Duck Sand Martin.

Rich,

thanks very much for providing this - an excellent job from all concerned.

 

[RTHORTON]

The first of our Little Ring Plover arrived at last Common Tern resting on fence posts 1 Shell Duck 3 Wigeon Malard with 9 new ducklings makeing it 4 sets so far 10 + Shovler 40 + Tufted Duck. Going to launch Tern Raft Saturday week from Kiln.10 am. With the help of BWVP going to clear lower ditch to enable levels to drop even further to expose islands in lake.

 

[RTHORTON]

Rich,

thanks very much for providing this - an excellent job from all concerned.

Sean s the man to thank .

 

[RJSeargent]

A good three trips over the weekend. As Rich H stated the LRPs are back and migrant numbers picking up. Sand martin numbers are increasing and there are now the odd Swallows passing through. A lone White Wagtail was present on the newly re-routed River Blackwater and the scrub was alive with singing Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs.

Rich H picked up a Willow Warbler in sub-song but it could not be relocated; pretty much like last weeks Reed Warbler; brief singing then off north.

The Shelduck is now present for its 7th week and Wigeon numbers had built back up to 10 on Friday. Still good numbers of Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal.

Whinchat and Wheatear to look forward to.

 

[RTHORTON]

Note s today 4 Snipe 1 Green Sandpiper 1 LRP not a lot else as tree planting started apart from Shell Duck and what you would expect. We have had to bring launch of tern raft to this Friday 11th at 10 am so we have Tony of BWVP with us and boat.H&S wise.

 

[RJSeargent]

A strange visit yesterday; discussion on the mound was the lack of Warblers, bar Blackcap and Chiffhcaff on site, when, on my departure I picked up a singing Garden Warbler in the scrub and a Willow Warbler near Pea Bridge. Rich H has subsequently re-found the Garden Warbler in addition to the first Whitethroat of the year.

The pair of LRPs was joined by an additional bird and the Little Egret was seen flying around the River. Locally, 2 House Martins were present over Badshot Lea Pond. The Shelduck is still present. Will it remain?

Finally, still good Grebe numbers with 5 Little Grebes together around the reedbed.

 

[RTHORTON]

Note of the day 1 Whitethroat 1 Garden Warbler 1 Tree Pipit over 1 Willow Warbler 3 House Martin 4 Snipe 8 GC Greab 4 Grey Lag 2 Egp Goose 3 Common Tern. Friday we set Tern Raft in place. Next Tus 15th work party are going to dig lower ditch in the hope we can reduce water levels further. Rich.

 

[RJSeargent]

The next Tices24 will be over the weekend 26-27 Apr. This survey will again include members of the Army Ornithological Society. Last year's spring survey produced over 80 species. All welcome to attend. The survey starts at 1000hrs and finishes 24 hours later.

If intending to stay for the full 24 hours please bring:

Sleeping bag
Tent, bivvi or tarp
Mug
Money for Fish and Chips
A couple of beers.
Chair

Please let me know if you would like to attend.

 

[RTHORTON]

High light of to day was 2 Wheatear late evening with Reed Warbler am .Meeting at the Kiln 10am to lunch HMS Tices tern raft.