RJSeargent
Birding at the taxpayer's expense. Head down, bin
A rather late Common Sandpiper still doing the rounds in the workings - last seen yesterday by Rich H.
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Tice's Meadow and Tongham GP, Surrey (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter RJSeargent
- Start date
RJSeargent
Birding at the taxpayer's expense. Head down, bin
Apologies for not using the page over Chrtistmas. Over the last couple of weeks there has been upwards of 8 Green Sandpipers, 1 Common Sandpiper, half a dozen Snipe and yesterday a Jack Snipe. Wildfowl numbers are increasing and there has now been up to 22 Mute Swans present at any one time.
A female Blackcap was reporetd today by Murray Nurse.
A female Blackcap was reporetd today by Murray Nurse.
Mark Elsoffer
Well-known member
We've now got a Flickr Group for photos taken at Tice's Meadow: www.flickr.com/groups/tices
If you use Fickr, please join and share any photos you've taken at Tice's.
If you use Fickr, please join and share any photos you've taken at Tice's.
Mark Elsoffer
Well-known member
RJSeargent
Birding at the taxpayer's expense. Head down, bin
I am aware that I have not used this post for sometime. It's been a quiet month at Tice's but we have been pleased to see that the over-wintering Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Egret, 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Kingfisher present most days. Wildfowl numbers remain consistent with Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Wigeon all in good numbers. Lapwing numbers hover around 100 individuals and the Peregrine is making a daily appearance.
Mark Elsoffer
Well-known member
The Tice's Meadow blog has been updated with all the news from the past 3 weeks (been a bit busy writing the Annual Report!). Thanks to all who report sightings and share photos.
http://www.ticesmeadow.org/
http://www.ticesmeadow.org/
RJSeargent
Birding at the taxpayer's expense. Head down, bin
An improved weekend of birds with 1 ad Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher and 8 Lesser Redpoll. Wildfowl numbers continue to grow. A pair of Mistle Thrush appear to be setting up a territory up near Pea Bridge.
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RJSeargent
Birding at the taxpayer's expense. Head down, bin
Am I the only one using this forum now?
Not much has changed since last week. The Common Sandpiper was present again yesterday along with 2 Green Sandpipers in the Plant Yard. The Little Egret was in the workings and appears to commute between there and the River Blackwater (it's preferred location when not disturbed by visitors).
There appears to have been an increase in both Redwing and Siskin near Pea Bridge.
Not much has changed since last week. The Common Sandpiper was present again yesterday along with 2 Green Sandpipers in the Plant Yard. The Little Egret was in the workings and appears to commute between there and the River Blackwater (it's preferred location when not disturbed by visitors).
There appears to have been an increase in both Redwing and Siskin near Pea Bridge.
Mark Elsoffer
Well-known member
On January 4th 2016 a planning application was submitted to Guildford Borough Council to build a new petrol station on the area of scrub-land known as the Bike Field at Tice's Meadow.
This development has been on the cards for over 10 years and originally included a hotel as well as petrol station.
Planning applications can be emotive subjects, especially when on a nature reserve. This post is for information only and does not represent the views of the Tice's Meadow Bird Group, who are formulating an official response.
All the associate documents can be found at:
http://www2.guildford.gov.uk/public...ctiveTab=documents&keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_167402
I've attached a few of the images from the planning application so you can get an idea of what the proposed development will look like.
The most pertinent document, with regards to our interests as birders and conservationists, is the Ecological Assessment, which interestingly makes continued references to the Tice's Meadow Bird Group's website and Annual Reports:
http://www2.guildford.gov.uk/public...f/16_P_00106-ECOLOGICAL_ASSESSMENT-892162.pdf
The proposed development is wholly within the Tongham Ponds and Tice's Meadow SNCI and covers 3.64 hectares, 0.84 hectares of which would be the development and the rest landscaped to provide a corridor between Tice's Meadow and Tongham Ponds. The developers estimate it will lead to a loss of 1.6% of the total area of the SNCI.
As of February 16th, all statutory bodies corresponded with by the developers have raised no issues with the proposed development, apart from the County Archaeological Officer who has said no work should go ahead as the developers have not conducted a survey into the effects on buried archaeology (an oversight on their behalf).
We'd like to hear your feedback on the proposed development. If you would like to officially comment on the planning application, you can do so on the Guildford Borough Council website. The consultation period ends of Tuesday March 1st 2016.
This development has been on the cards for over 10 years and originally included a hotel as well as petrol station.
Planning applications can be emotive subjects, especially when on a nature reserve. This post is for information only and does not represent the views of the Tice's Meadow Bird Group, who are formulating an official response.
All the associate documents can be found at:
http://www2.guildford.gov.uk/public...ctiveTab=documents&keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_167402
I've attached a few of the images from the planning application so you can get an idea of what the proposed development will look like.
The most pertinent document, with regards to our interests as birders and conservationists, is the Ecological Assessment, which interestingly makes continued references to the Tice's Meadow Bird Group's website and Annual Reports:
http://www2.guildford.gov.uk/public...f/16_P_00106-ECOLOGICAL_ASSESSMENT-892162.pdf
The proposed development is wholly within the Tongham Ponds and Tice's Meadow SNCI and covers 3.64 hectares, 0.84 hectares of which would be the development and the rest landscaped to provide a corridor between Tice's Meadow and Tongham Ponds. The developers estimate it will lead to a loss of 1.6% of the total area of the SNCI.
As of February 16th, all statutory bodies corresponded with by the developers have raised no issues with the proposed development, apart from the County Archaeological Officer who has said no work should go ahead as the developers have not conducted a survey into the effects on buried archaeology (an oversight on their behalf).
We'd like to hear your feedback on the proposed development. If you would like to officially comment on the planning application, you can do so on the Guildford Borough Council website. The consultation period ends of Tuesday March 1st 2016.
Attachments
Mark Elsoffer
Well-known member
The Tice's Meadow 2015 Annual Report is now available to download from this link:
http://1drv.ms/1PQaY4T
We are selling premium, full-colour, glossy, A4 hard copies for £14.
All profits will go towards improvements of the nature reserve.
Please email us on [email protected] for details.
Please place your orders soon as we quickly sold out last year.
http://1drv.ms/1PQaY4T
We are selling premium, full-colour, glossy, A4 hard copies for £14.
All profits will go towards improvements of the nature reserve.
Please email us on [email protected] for details.
Please place your orders soon as we quickly sold out last year.
Attachments
Mark Elsoffer
Well-known member
All the week's news from Tice's Meadow is now on the website:
http://www.ticesmeadow.org/
Thanks to all who report sightings and take photos.
http://www.ticesmeadow.org/
Thanks to all who report sightings and take photos.
RJSeargent
Birding at the taxpayer's expense. Head down, bin
Pretty much the usual fair over the weekend with 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egrets and the normal wildfowl species present. A total of 57 species for me there over the weekend and I am sure numbers will start to increase over the next few weeks. Expect Sand Martin to turn up soon.
Mark Elsoffer
Well-known member
The past fortnight's news from Tices Meadow is now on the blog: www.ticesmeadow.org
Thanks to all who report sightings and take pics.
Thanks to all who report sightings and take pics.
RJSeargent
Birding at the taxpayer's expense. Head down, bin
A great few hours at Tice's Meadow yesterday with 51 species seen by me (and another 4 additional species seen by others).
Wildfowl number are decreasing but we still have Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Pochard in good numbers.
Additional birds included:
2 Green Sandpipers
1 Common Sandpiper
2 Stonechats
2 Water Rails
19 Snipe
2 Grey Wagtails
2 Chiffchaffs
The first Sand Martins, Wheatear and LRPs can only be days off.
Wildfowl number are decreasing but we still have Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Pochard in good numbers.
Additional birds included:
2 Green Sandpipers
1 Common Sandpiper
2 Stonechats
2 Water Rails
19 Snipe
2 Grey Wagtails
2 Chiffchaffs
The first Sand Martins, Wheatear and LRPs can only be days off.
RJSeargent
Birding at the taxpayer's expense. Head down, bin
I flushed a Little-ringed Plover from the Wheatear Field yesterday whilst walking across with Andy Duncan from Hansons. Slightly late this year (last year was the 18th of March) but it was only a matter of time. Also seen was an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Green Sandpiper, several Snipe, 1 Little Egret and the now 2 resident Egyptian Geese.
As a side issue the travellers have been instructed to move their horses this week and make good the damage by the 15th April. I will not hold my breath.
Rich
As a side issue the travellers have been instructed to move their horses this week and make good the damage by the 15th April. I will not hold my breath.
Rich
Mark Elsoffer
Well-known member
The past 11 day's news from Tice's Meadow is now on the blog, including news of a site first - Common Crane: www.ticesmeadow.org
Thanks to all who report sightings and take pics.
Thanks to all who report sightings and take pics.
RJSeargent
Birding at the taxpayer's expense. Head down, bin
A red letter day yesterday with Andy Little finding Tice's Meadows first Common Crane, an over-flying bird just beyond the A331, a Sand Martin and confirmation that the LRP I found the day before had remained in place. In addition 2 Med Gulls were found by Carey Lodge.
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RJSeargent
Birding at the taxpayer's expense. Head down, bin
A very credible 63 species on site over the weekend and migration hasn't started yet; bodes well for the BioBlitz. Chiffchaffs are singing, Sand Martins and Swallows are hawking over the workings and the local Goshawks and Ravens are now displaying. The Common and Green Sandpipers and Snipe have now been joined by 2 LRPs. A Water Pipit was present in the reed bed yesterday. Strangely no Blackcaps yet even though 'Magic Lens' has improbably reported Sedge Warbler
RJSeargent
Birding at the taxpayer's expense. Head down, bin
A 3 CY Caspian Gull was found by Dave Baker on Saturday, seen again by Graham King on Saturday, re-found by me on Sunday and again seen by John Hunt on Monday. This was an excellent find by Dave and a long overdue 'long' stayer - the previous ones only being seen once.
Another red-letter day yesterday though with 2 Avocets being found by John Hunt and these remained on site all day.
The weekend tally of migrants increased with LRPs, Sand Martin, Swallow and the first House Martin of the year found by me on Monday. Still no Blackcaps which is rather strange. Spring is here!
Another red-letter day yesterday though with 2 Avocets being found by John Hunt and these remained on site all day.
The weekend tally of migrants increased with LRPs, Sand Martin, Swallow and the first House Martin of the year found by me on Monday. Still no Blackcaps which is rather strange. Spring is here!
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Mark Elsoffer
Well-known member
Read all about a busy week at Tice's Meadow on the blog: www.ticesmeadow.org
8 new year birds: Goshawk, Swallow, Raven, Water Pipit, Redshank, House Martin, Avocet and Wheatear. Plus a 2nd Caspian Gull for 2016.
Thanks to everyone who reports sightings and takes photos.
8 new year birds: Goshawk, Swallow, Raven, Water Pipit, Redshank, House Martin, Avocet and Wheatear. Plus a 2nd Caspian Gull for 2016.
Thanks to everyone who reports sightings and takes photos.
