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

[RJSeargent]

4 Ringed Plover on site yesterday along with a lone Dunlin. Wader numbers are increasing with upwards of 4 Dunlin over the weekend and 2 Common Sandpipers. A Lesser Whitethroat has been noted on site and yesterday the Nightingale was out in the open and singing its heart out.

Some lucky observers on Sunday from the Guildford RSPB group managed to see a Spoonbill flying up the River Blackwater towards Tice's. It wasn't relocated and was probably the bird that roosted at Fleet Pond on Sunday evening.

 

[JonJordan]

The four Ringed plovers were still present this morning first thing along with a single LRP and Common Sandpiper. A Garden Warbler in the woods together with the normal Blackcaps, Whitethroat and Chiff Chaff and Reed Warbler singing in the reed bed. Still trying to catch up with the Nightingale though.

 

[JohnnyH]

Not much to add to Jon's tally from my visit this morning, except that I had five Ringed Plover all together in the Western corner of the meadow near the sunken tyre. Raptors seen included Kestrel, two Buzzard, and Sparrowhawk, mammals noted two Roe Deer & Red Fox out on the meadow.

John.

 

[bbsbirder]

This morning I paid my first visit to Tices this year, I'm in awe of the magnificent work that you guys have done, the place is looking great. It was nice to meet up with Rich H who gave the full lowdown on all that's been occurring & also very kindly furnished me with a copy of the Tices report fot 2013. My compliments to Sean & anyone else involved in putting this together, a very comprehensive piece of work very professionally compiled & presented. Anyway on to birds, after Rich left, I continued scanning the meadow & was amazed to see a stunning drake Garganey swim into view. I phoned Rich who hurried back to also enjoy this little beauty. Also present this morning the Greenshank, 2 summer plumaged Dunlin, & 2 Common Sandpipers in addition to the usual suspects. Hopefully I will be back soon......

John.

Hi John,

Good to see you back. As you know I like your records. The Garganey is the second record. The first was seen on 23rd May 2009, as far as I know by a single observer.

See you soon.
Kevin

 

[RJSeargent]

The five Ringled Plovers were still present late afternoon as was the Redshank from the day before. I located the Redshank flying over the workings but lost in on the bank closest to the Kiln. Rich H and I couldn't located thereafter.

 

[RTHORTON]

Good to see Kev D and Sean F on the mound this morning. Kev got Oystercatcher and Yellow Wagtail am . This afternoon with Rich S and Andy L Red Kite being mobbed by Raven, 2 Pochard ,1 Shovler, Nightingale and Garden Warbler in hedge row. Work party installed Radar gate for disabled access opposite car sales Lowerfarnham Road .Will try to improve parths for access as the place evolves. Water levels reducing through volunteers digging existing ditch out . Hope we see islands soon!

 

[RJSeargent]

An adult Black Tern was present during the afternoon and early evening yesterday often perching on the fence line near the reed-bed. A stunning bird and a great patch year tick.

 

[RJSeargent]

Spoonbill over the workings at 1215hrs today (via David Blinkman).

 

[RJSeargent]

2 Ringed Plover in the workings yesterday (via Dave Baker).

 

[JohnnyH]

Brief visit this morning before rain stopped play yielded 4 Dunlin,2 Common Sandpipers, & 2 Lapwing all on the meadow.

John.

 

[bbsbirder]

Hoping for more waders during an evening visit, but none. But there has been an influx of Great Crested Grebes. Counted from one position 14 adults and a juvenile (assumed bred elsewhere). This beats the previous highest total of 13 last year.

Kevin

 

[RTHORTON]

Good to see BH Gull chicks hatching on the raft today.5 Pochard males, 1 Shovler .

 

[bbsbirder]

There are 24 pairs of BHG's nesting (21 pairs in the 'works' and 3 pairs on the 'Tern Raft'). The first pair of BHG's have hatched 2 chicks on the 'Tern Raft.
A pair of Common Tern's are sitting tight on the 'Tern Raft with a second pair that may have abandoned their attempt or have not laid the full clutch yet. A third pair are displaying in the 'works'

Also keep an eye out for 2 BHG's fitted with white colour rings (one is an adult and the other is a first summer with a washed out hood. I've so far been unable to read the codes so if anyone can read the codes please let me know.

Kevin

 

[RJSeargent]

Wood Sandpiper present yesterday and still today. Brief views in half light this morning and seen again after 8 this morning along with a fly through Kittiwake. Not sure who saw the latter.

 

[bbsbirder]

Three more pairs of BHG's have hatched 5 more chicks between them.

Kevin

 

[RJSeargent]

A Grey Plover and female Common Scoter present yestreday; both birds patch lifers for me. The Grey Plover proved problematic to ID - it was distant and didn't act like a Grey Plover (more upright and appeared lanky) - we did try to turn it into American Golden Plover with no success and it was only when Kev say it fly was it confirmed as a Grey. Just goes to show that birds often don't act as you expect.

Things are still turning up which is comforting. Migration is not over yet.

 

[RJSeargent]

Common Scoter still present yesterday and a Turnstone briefly dropped in before flying north.

 

[JohnnyH]

Common Scoter still present this morning on the main lake, also a calling Cuckoo when I arrived at 6am. Apart from a single LRP, no waders seen.

John.

 

[RJSeargent]

Common Scoter still present yesterday. If it is there this afternoon then it would have been present on site for a whole week; it appears to be feeding well so could be here from some time.

The Nightingale still present and singing a sub-song occasionally.

Rich

 

[DaveBaker]

Common Scoter still present today also the usual Little Egret in the new stream. Nice to see 2 Med Gulls fly through the workings then returned later behind the mound when Rich S was present. Pretty sure I saw Tice's first ever Nightingale fledgling today! An adult with a beak full of food was alarm calling in the vicinity at the time so looks likely. The new stream is coming alive with creatures now. Crayfish,Leeches,Tadpoles and Fish all seen in the last couple of days. It's looking good for return migration with the water level dropping all the time.