Tice's Meadow and Tongham GP, Surrey (6 Viewers)

[JonJordan]

Visit first thing this morning, duck numbers good with 30 Shoveler counted on the open water before they dispersed, 50 wigeon plus similar number of teal. The two pairs of Pintail still present and a lone Egyptian Goose flew off site about 6.45. Otherwise Black Tailed Godwit being the only wader I could find plus Water Rail seen in the reed bed, the regular Little Egret in the stream and a flock of 55 Redwing in the woods.

Jon

 

[RJSeargent]

Thanks Kev. Very interesting.

A few things missing from that list though. For example Treecreeper, Cuckoo, Little Stint, and Raven. I assume all those are on the proper list (I know Raven is!). So I make that a list of 148 (excluding the escapes), which is a lot less than I thought it would be.

So guys, some very gettable species still to fall. e.g. Marsh Harrier, Knot, Firecrest, Tree Pipit, Crossbill, Cetti's Warbler, any other Tern.

Agreed that Little Stint is missing (we've had a few). Raven is on the list but I have never seen a Treecreeper there. Given what we have seen in the last couple of weeks I suspect that there will be a number of new species this year. I left Pectoral Sandpiper on as at least 4 independent witnesses saw the bird despite what Surrey Bird Club say. If this had been a single observer sighting I would have deleted but a number of observers confirmed the bird.

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

Agreed that Little Stint is missing (we've had a few). Raven is on the list but I have never seen a Treecreeper there. Given what we have seen in the last couple of weeks I suspect that there will be a number of new species this year. I left Pectoral Sandpiper on as at least 4 independent witnesses saw the bird despite what Surrey Bird Club say. If this had been a single observer sighting I would have deleted but a number of observers confirmed the bird.

Sorry Rich, didn't realise you were behind the list.

A few others I've noticed missing too (taken from Birdguides):

Rock Pipit, Arctic Tern, and Dartford Warbler. Also poss White-fronted Goose and Ruddy Shelduck, not sure they are worth adding or not.

I've not seen Treecreeper either as it happens, but I can't believe they are not regular in the wood between Tongham GP and the service station land (i.e. at extreme edge of recording area).

 

[RJSeargent]

Sorry Rich, didn't realise you were behind the list.

A few others I've noticed missing too (taken from Birdguides):

Rock Pipit, Arctic Tern, and Dartford Warbler. Also poss White-fronted Goose and Ruddy Shelduck, not sure they are worth adding or not.

I've not seen Treecreeper either as it happens, but I can't believe they are not regular in the wood between Tongham GP and the service station land (i.e. at extreme edge of recording area).

Sean,

I am not - I think we all have the ability to upgrade and I delve in there occasionally if I see a new species. We have definately had Arctic Tern and Dartford Warbler.

I will add. Watch this space.

 

[johnclark50]

A rare visit for me today from 10-11 and good to bump into Rich Horton.

At least 350 BHGs and at least ten Common Gulls, masses of wildfowl as previously reported including 2 pairs of Pintail, 6 Gadwall, at least 40 Shoveler, 50 Teal and 50 Wigeon. Looks good for Garganey! Two Black-tailed Godwits found separately and then seen together. Also ten Cormorants and one Great Crested Grebe.

John

 

[JonJordan]

Visit from 6.45 to 9.00 produced 2 LR Plovers and a Dunlin, couldn't locate the BT Godwit though. Both pairs of Pintail still present also 2 Chiffchaff by the stream and two Water Rail in the reed bed. Duck numbers on a par with earlier in the week.

Jon

 

[RTHORTON]

First the Times now Rich S article in Birdwatch mag its a must read, well done Rich . Nice to see Neil {factor] with that smiling face of his on the mound yesterday and John Clark . Dunlin still about this evening that Jon got this morning with LRP around small pools left of bike pool . Dave B has just got Med Gull in th e workings 18 15 this evening.Rich.

 

[RJSeargent]

A MA Walker reported Little Gull at Tice's today on Surrey Birders. Article on Tice's in Birdwatch good to see even if they took the apostrophe out of Tices.

 

[RJSeargent]

Visit from 6.45 to 9.00 produced 2 LR Plovers and a Dunlin, couldn't locate the BT Godwit though. Both pairs of Pintail still present also 2 Chiffchaff by the stream and two Water Rail in the reed bed. Duck numbers on a par with earlier in the week.

Jon

Jon,

well done - most impressed on dedication - 0645 start!

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

Another fab day today. Despite the fact I was on my own much of the time, I was determined to continue the recent tradition of super saturdays!

The highlight was the spectacular Gull roost that included about 700 Black-headed (including 2 leucistic birds), 350 Common Gull, and best of all, 8 Mediterranean Gull. Earlier, 2 birds were present, but flew off (in the opposite direction to where the others came from), so that's 10 birds today. All the Gulls arrived from Wrecclesham direction.

The other highlights were a Wheatear on the far bank, 3 Little Egrets, the 4 Pintail, the immature male Peregrine again, a Buzzard with prey, and a count of 75 Wigeon. There were 25 present, when I spotted a flock of 50 flying in V formation in the distance, which eventually arrived. I was hoping they were going to be waders!

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

A nice sunny start this morning, but got a bit cloudier, and still chilly!

Best was a notable presence of large soaring birds, which included 2 displaying Raven, 3 Red Kite, 12+ Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, and 4+ Sparrowhawk.

The water was almost completely frozen first thing, which meant a good oppurtunity to do a full wildfowl count. 120 Teal, 75 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 12 Mallard, 8 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Pintail, and 4 Gadwall. Also a minimum of 25 Snipe. Two of the previous nights Mediterranean Gull were also still around. 2 Little Ringed Plover arrived later.

 

[bbsbirder]

Check out the Tices Meadow satellite shots on http://gridreferencefinder.com The 'Bird's Eye' view is taken about 2006 and the Aerial is Summer 2011.

Kevin

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

Unbelievable.

 

[JohnnyH]

0645 - 0830 this morning, fairly quiet with the usual wildfowl, no sign of a Garganey as yet, Little Egret on the meadow, 4 Pintail, 2 LRP, 5 Snipe, Skylark, Reed Bunting, dozen or so Meadow Pipit, Chiffchaff etc.

John.

 

[johnclark50]

popped in after the Shots match!

Lots of gulls but no Meds detected: 450 BHG, 75 Common Gulls, 3 LBBGs.
Wildfowl quite visible, 66 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 19 Shoveler, Gadwall 6, only a pair of Pintail seen, Coot 40 etc. These are amazing nos. for any Surrey site in April!

Little Egret 1

As I was leaving three young men walked out into the meadow from Low Lane and flushed all the wildfowl - but i didn't have time to go back and count them again.

 

[RTHORTON]

Of note today 3 Med Gulls flying out of workings with John H mid day. 4 Chiffchaff 3 Buzzard so many Gulls i need a clicker to count. A note for your diarys Tices Away Day to Lakenheath planned for 14th June book your places.
Rich.

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

A brief visit this afternoon produced a Wheatear (possibly of the greenland race) in front of the mound, a Swallow low over the workings, the 4 Pintail still present, and a Water Pipit (or possibly Rock) which flew over the end of the reedbed path calling, but could not be located. Also 2 Water Rail (one feeding along edge of reedbed path) 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, and 70 Wigeon.

 

[RTHORTON]

Wheatear top edge of Wheatear feild at mid day Pintail still around duck numbers the same 3 L Egrets in meadow and not as many Gulls . Hansons setting up pump to drain water from batching plant area. This will put pay to the pair of BHG nesting on top soil islands in their yard as well as 2 pair of Canada Goose. Do wish wish they would keep some one informed like Steve Bailey BWVP or Simon Elson SCC as to WHAT they are doing and when.
Rich.

 

[creedence]

Why is it Tices not Tice's or Tices' Meadow ?

 

[Tri-Counties Birder]

Why is it Tices not Tice's or Tices' Meadow ?

As you will see from the title of the thread, it is Tice's.

I would also like to know why it is so named. Who was Tice?