No.126

Winter 2019

Photograph Gallery

Fig 1. Black Tern, Lambeth Res., 1 Aug 2019 (Dave Harris)

Fig 2. Black-tailed Godwit, Chelsea Res., 3 Sep 2019 (Dave Harris)

1No 126: Winter 2019

Birding SurreyThe Newsletter of the Surrey Bird Club

Birding Surrey is published by the Surrey Bird Club. Registered Charity No 248285

Opinions expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Club.The Club accepts no liability for the services provided by advertisers, and makes noendorsement of the services of any organisation providing donations to the Club.Copyright. Please note that submissions are accepted on the basis that the copyrightholder grants Surrey Bird Club an irrevocable, royalty free licence to publish andrepublish the copyright material in printed, digital or electronic form in perpetuity.

© Surrey Bird Club 2019

Front Cover: Caspian Gull, Dave Harris.

ContentsFrom the Chairman..........................................................2Bird News - Spring 2019 .................................................4Woking Peregrine Project Update - 2019......................13BTO Matters Autumn 2019...........................................19Surrey Sites No.3: Papercourt, Send ...........................22New Webmaster.............................................................27Notes..............................................................................28Field Trip Reports..........................................................29From your Membership Secretary..................................29Field Meetings Officer vacancy.....................................29Future Field Meetings....................................................31President and General Committee..................................32

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From the ChairmanAn uncertain time for Tice'sMeadowAs most of you will be aware by now,there is uncertainty over the future ofTice's Meadow following the decisionby Hanson, the gravel extractioncompany, to put the site up for sale. Iunderstand that Hanson have now soldthe site, but the buyer has not yet beennamed.

Tice's is largely managed by the Tice'sMeadow Bird Group (TMBG), whohave worked with Hanson to producea first class reserve with public accessand ever-improving facilities. Thelatest development is the installation ofa new hide on the edge of theWorkings, a task accomplished byTMBG, Hanson and the BlackwaterValley Countryside working together.This history makes the recentdevelopment all the more surprising.Hanson told TMBG that they wouldmake no assessment of the prospectivepurchaser's ability to manage areserve; there would be no certaintythat TMBG or the public would beallowed access to the site; and there isa risk that all the facilities that havebeen installed (which the Club hashelped finance) could be removed.

TMBG has led a campaign to retain thestatus quo, with great success. Supporthas come from, amongst others,Jeremy Hunt MP, local authorities andconservation organisations, including

SBC. TMBG also organised a petitionwith an initial target of 700 signatures,but as I write this letter in earlyDecember, the total was approachingan impressive 4,700. If, perchance,you haven't yet signed the petition, Iurge you to do so now. While the sitehas been sold, the petition willhopefully send a strong message to thepurchaser. It can be accessed via theTice's Meadow website.

Subscription ratesYour General Committee is planningto put a motion to the next AGM inJune for an increase in subscriptionrates. The Club has been - and still is- in a healthy financial position, so wehave been able to keep subscriptionrates at a very low level. Sincesubscriptions form the main source ofincome for the Club, this has howevermeant that our income has remainedconstant over the last few years whilecosts have increased, in some casessignificantly. We also have to bear inmind that any increase agreed at thenext AGM won't come into effect untilthe 2021/22 financial year.

We think that even with increasedrates, membership will represent goodvalue for money since the benefitsinclude a copy of the Surrey BirdReport and four excellent newsletterseach year. Subscriptions also fund theClub's website, and we now have avery good one. To give you some idea

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of costs, the annual Surrey BirdReport currently costs about £3,000 toproduce while the cost of the fourquarterly newsletters is similar.Postage is another major item,currently running at about £1,500 perannum. The new website costs about£400 per annum to maintain and keepsecure, and we also have a number ofadministrative costs such as insurance.This expenditure has to be borne bywhat is by county bird club standardsa fairly small membership of justunder 400.

It might of course be possible to keepincreases in subscriptions to aminimum if we could find othersources of income and if we canreduce costs. We would like toexplore the possibility of income fromsponsorship and advertising, but itwould help greatly if we had apublicity officer who could take thisforward. If you would like to helpthe Club in this way please get intouch.

On costs, and since postage is a majorsource of expenditure it would help ifyou elected to receive the newslettersas pdf files. To receive the newsletterelectronically as a pdf just emailmembership@surreybirdclub.orgsaying "newsletter can be pdf".

Before putting a proposal to the AGMwe plan to consult members over thecoming months. We will be seekingyour views, for example, on how westructure subscriptions in future, and

how we might reduce costs.

Field meetings officerThe position of field meetings officerstill remains vacant, so we would verymuch like to hear from anyone whomight be interested in taking on thetask. Taking on the role does not haveto involve leading any of the field trips.

The 2020 AGMHere's a date for your 2020 diary. TheClub's AGM will be on Friday 26 Juneat East Horsley Village Hall. It willbe at the usual time - 7.45pm for an8.00pm start - and it will follow theusual format, with the (hopefullybrief) formalities being followed bytime for coffee, biscuits and theopportunity to meet other members.We then have a talk lasting about anhour. Please come along. It's free andI think I can speak for all of theGeneral Committee when I say thatwe welcome the opportunity to talk tomembers and get your views.

Eric Soden

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Brent Goose One was at Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea) from Apr16th-May 12th.

Shelduck Birds were seen atBeddington SF, Burpham CourtFarm, Capel, Holmethorpe SP, IslandBarn Res, the London WetlandCentre, Morden Hall Park, QE2 Res,Richmond Park, Thorpe Water Park,Tice's Meadow (Badshot Lea),Walton Res and Worplesdon, with thelargest number 12 at Beddington SFon Apr 10th.

Pintail There were two males atWalton Res on Apr 13th which werejoined by a third the next day.

Garganey A poor spring withfive birds recorded. At the LondonWetland Centre a pair was presentfrom Mar 25th-28th with another pairpresent from Apr 16th-30th. A malewas at Beddington SF on Apr 25th.

Ring-necked Duck A female atFrensham Great Pond on Mar 23rd-

24th then moved to Frensham LittlePond, where she remained until Apr29th.

Common Scoter A male was at QE2Res on Mar 22nd, a pair were atHolmethorpe SP on Mar 28th and twopairs were at Walton Res on Apr 9th.In addition a number of birds weresound recorded flying overThorncombe Street on the night ofMar 18th/19th, with at least two at2059hrs, at least six at 2336hrs and atleast two at 0434hrs.

Red-breasted Merganser A femalewas at Walton Res on Apr 28th.

Red-throated Diver One at QE2Res from Mar 18th-21st then movedto Island Barn Res, where it remaineduntil Mar 23rd.

Storm Petrel One was at BeareFishery, near Newchapel, on Apr 27th.

Gannet An adult flew NE overUnstead Water Meadows on Mar 26th.

Bird News - Spring 2019 Shaun Peters

♦ Highlights of the quarter

These included a Ring-necked Duck, a Red-throated Diver, a Storm Petrel,a Gannet, a Cattle Egret, two or three Great White Egrets, two WhiteStorks, a Black Kite, a Spotted Crake, two Cranes, a Stone-curlew, twoGolden Orioles and a Rosy Starling. In addition, unseasonably warm

weather in late February produced several very early summer migrant arrivals,with the county's earliest ever Little Ringed Plover, Sand Martin and

Swallow recorded.

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Cattle Egret One was at Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea) on Apr 1st.

Little Egret Around 25 werereported from 15 sites. The onlyreport involving more than three birdswas of four at Tice's Meadow(Badshot Lea) on Apr 5th.

Great White Egret Single birdswere at Beddington SF on Apr 6th and12th and Walton Res on May 6th.

White Stork Single birds flewover Addlestone on Apr 15th andRedhill Station on Apr 18th.

Honey Buzzard One flew NE overRichmond Park on May 20th andanother flew west over Allden's Hill(Thorncombe Street) on May 23rd.

Black Kite One flew north overCapel on Apr 10th.

Marsh Harrier A poor spring withjust four seen. A male flew north overQE2 Res on Apr 2nd, a female flewENE over Capel on Apr 3rd, a femaleflew over Beddington SF on Apr 11thand a female was at the LondonWetland Centre on Apr 28th.

Hen Harrier A ringtail flew overThundry Meadows on May 13th.

Osprey An average spring with sixseen between Mar 31st and May 20th.They were at Leith Hill and ShalfordWater Meadows on Mar 31st,Addington on Apr 5th, Bramley on

Apr 6th, Thursley and HankleyCommons on Apr 22nd and BookhamCommon on May 20th.

Merlin A female flew north overFrensham Great Pond on Mar 25th.

Hobby The first were early birds atHolmethorpe SP on Apr 2nd, Capelthe next day and Tice's Meadow(Badshot Lea) on Apr 6th. The nextwas not until Apr 15th, when one wasat Banstead.

Spotted Crake One was at ShalfordWater Meadows on Apr 10th.

Crane Two flew over Tice'sMeadows on May 4th.

Oystercatcher A total of 17 wasreported from eight sites between Mar24th and May 26th. There were two atThorpe Water Park on Mar 24th. Atthe London Wetland Centre therewere single birds on Mar 27th, Apr15th and May 1st, with two on May18th. Single birds were at Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea) on Apr 6thand May 24th-26th, Stoke Lake onApr 22nd, Richmond Park on Apr30th, the Thames at Rotherhithe onMay 16th and Frensham Great Pondon May 21st. There were two atBeddington SF on May 19th and 22nd.

Avocet One was at Beddington SFfrom Apr 23rd-25th and another flewwest over South Norwood CP on Apr29th.

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Stone-curlew One was atBeddington SF on Mar 31st.

Little Ringed Plover The first wasat the London Wetland Centre on Feb16th. This constitutes the earliest everarrival in the county by nearly threeweeks! The next were on more typicaldates with birds at Tice's Meadow(Badshot Lea) on Mar 13th,Beddington SF on Mar 17th,Holmethorpe SP on Mar 23rd andUnstead SF on Mar 25th.

Ringed Plover Birds were reportedfrom Beddington SF, HolmethorpeSP, the London Wetland Centre, QE2Res, Tice's Meadow (Badshot Lea)and Walton Res, with the largestnumber four at Beddington SF onMay 10th.

Grey Plover Single birds were atMorden Hall Park on Mar 17th andBeddington SF on Apr 10th and May16th, whilst there were four at QE2Res on May 8th and three there onMay 13th, and three at Walton Res onMay 8th.

Knot On May 8th there were four atQE2 Res and one at Walton Res,whilst another was at Tice's Meadow(Badshot Lea) from May 12th-14th.

Sanderling A very poor springwith just four recorded. Single birdswere at QE2 Res on Apr 9th and May5th, and two were at Walton Res onMay 22nd.

Dunlin Birds were reported fromBeddington SF, Holmethorpe SP,Island Barn Res, the London WetlandCentre, QE2 Res, Tice's Meadow(Badshot Lea) and Walton Res, withthe largest numbers four at Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea) on Mar 17thand five at QE2 Res on Apr 9th.

Ruff One was at Tice's Meadow(Badshot Lea) on Apr 4th, whilst atWalton Res there were five on Apr21st and single birds on May 17th and19th.

Black-tailed Godwit An excellentspring with 32 recorded between Mar18th and May 13th. At Walton Resthere were three on Mar 18th, two onMar 27th, one on Apr 1st-2nd andfour on Apr 8th. At the LondonWetland Centre there were two onMar 21st, one on Mar 23rd, one onApr 14th and one from May 2nd-13th.At Beddington SF there were eight onMar 31st, one from Apr 3rd-9th andfour on Apr 10th. At Tice's Meadow(Badshot Lea) there was one from Apr27th-May 9th and three on May 10th.

Bar-tailed Godwit At Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea) there weretwo from Apr 23rd-24th and singlebirds on Apr 25th and 29th. Furthersingle birds were at QE2 Res on May6th, Walton Res on May 8th andBeddington SF on May 8th.

Whimbrel An average springwith 38 recorded between Apr 14thand May 16th. Birds were reported

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from Beddington SF, CrooksburyCommon, Frensham Great Pond,Island Barn Res, the London WetlandCentre, QE2 Res, Richmond Park,Thorncombe Street, Tice's Meadow(Badshot Lea) and Walton Res. Mostrecords involved one or two birds,with the only larger numbers five atBeddington SF on Apr 27th and threeat QE2 Res on Apr 27th.

Curlew Single birds were atBeddington SF on Mar 20th, WaltonRes on Mar 23rd, Island Barn Res onMar 23rd, Chobham Common on Mar25th, the London Wetland Centre onMar 27th and Apr 26th and Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea) on May 31st.

Greenshank An average springwith 21 recorded between Mar 13thand May 21st. Birds were reportedfrom Beddington SF, HolmethorpeSP, Island Barn Res, the LondonWetland Centre, QE2 Res, Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea) and WaltonRes, with the only records involvingmore than one bird two at Walton Reson Apr 23rd, two at Holmethorpe SPon May 8th and two at Beddington SFon May 18th.

Green Sandpiper Birds werereported from Beddington SF, Capel,Cudworth Lakes (near Newdigate),Holmethorpe SP, the London WetlandCentre, Morden Hall Park, RichmondPark, Shalford Water Meadows,Tice's Meadow (Badshot Lea) andWalton Res, with the largest numberscoming on Apr 19th when there were

nine at Beddington SF and four at theLondon Wetland Centre. The last ofthe spring was at Capel on May 1st.

Wood Sandpiper Three of thefour birds recorded were seen on Apr30th and they were at Beddington SF,the London Wetland Centre and Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea). The otherwas at the London Wetland Centre onMay 12th-13th.

Common Sandpiper The first ofthe spring was at the London WetlandCentre on Apr 11th. Birds werereported from 21 sites with the largestnumbers (and only counts above five)coming on May 16th when there wereten at QE2 Res and eight at RichmondPark. The last of the spring was atRichmond Park on Jun 6th.

Turnstone Two were at WaltonRes on May 8th and single birds wereat the London Wetland Centre on May16th and Beddington SF the next day.

Mediterranean Gull High numberswere at Tice's Meadow (Badshot Lea)in late March and early April, peakingat 16 on Apr 1st. There was also anotable passage during mid-April,particularly from Apr 19th-21st. OnApr 19th there were 12 at FrenshamGreat Pond, five at Tice's Meadow(Badshot Lea), four at Beddington SFand four at Walton Res. Then, on Apr20th there were six over FrenshamCommon, four at Beddington SF, fourover Millbridge and two at theLondon Wetland Centre, whilst on

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Apr 21st there were seven at Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea), two atWalton Res and two over Weybourne.

Little Gull A good spring with at least47 recorded between Mar 10th andApr 19th. As usual, the majority wereseen at Island Barn/Walton Res wherethere were one on Mar 10th, four onMar 12th, one on Apr 5th and 7th,nine on Apr 8th and 20 on Apr 9th (14at Walton Res and six at Island BarnRes). Elsewhere, single birds were atBeddington SF on Apr 2nd and 19th,the London Wetland Centre on Apr8th, Tice's Meadow (Badshot Lea) onApr 9th and Pen Ponds on Apr 17th,whilst at Frensham Great Pond two onApr 15th had risen to 12 the next day.

Iceland Gull A second calendaryear bird was at the London WetlandCentre on Apr 11th, 14th, 17th and19th. Presumably the same bird was atBeddington SF on Apr 13th.

Glaucous Gull A second calendaryear bird was at Beddington SF onApr 6th.

Kittiwake Single adults were atIsland Barn Res on Mar 10th, WaltonRes on Mar 25th and May 24th, theLondon Wetland Centre on Apr 4thand Beddington SF on Apr 20th.

Sandwich Tern One was atBeddington SF on Apr 4th, two atIsland Barn Res on May 19th, three atPen Ponds on May 20th and one atQE2 Res on Jun 1st.

Common Tern The first was atIsland Barn Res on Apr 1st, followedby others over Thursley Common thenext day, Frensham Great Pond onApr 5th and Beddington SF and Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea) on Apr 9th..

Arctic Tern A poor spring withjust eight recorded between Apr 10thand May 23rd. Single birds were atTice's Meadow (Badshot Lea) on Apr10th, Apr 18th and May 8th andBeddington SF on May 8th and May23rd. An unusually long stayer atWalton Res from Apr 27th-May 8thwas joined by a second individual onApr 28th and May 4th.

Little Tern One was at Walton Reson Apr 30th.

Black Tern A good spring with 45recorded between Apr 25th and May18th, with May 8th the peak day(producing 26 birds). At Walton Resthere were one on Apr 25th, 15 onMay 8th, six on May 9th, one on May10th, five on May 15th, one on May17th and three on May 18th, whilstanother was nearby at Island Barn Reson May 8th. At Tice's Meadow(Badshot Lea) there were one on May4th and two on May 8th, whilst atFrensham Great Pond there were eighton May 8th and one on May 17th.

Turtle Dove One was at ThursleyCommon on May 1st.

Cuckoo The first was atDuke's Warren (Leith Hill) on Apr

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8th, followed by others at ThursleyCommon and Worcester Park on Apr10th, Crooksbury Common on Apr14th, Capel on Apr 16th and Canon'sFarm (Banstead), Frensham Commonand Leigh on Apr 17th.

Swift The first was an early bird atSouth Norwood Lake on Apr 2nd.There were no further reports untilApr 24th when birds were atBeddington SF, Frensham GreatPond, the London Wetland Centre andWalton Res. These were followed byothers at Tice's Meadow (BadshotLea) on Apr 26th and HolmethorpeSP and Wimbledon Common on Apr28th.

Sand Martin The first was an earlybird at the London Wetland Centre onFeb 25th (the earliest ever arrival inthe county by four days), which wasjoined by a second on Feb 27th. Thesewere followed by other early birds atCanon's Farm (Banstead), RichmondPark and Tice's Meadow (BadshotLea) on Mar 1st. There were nofurther reports for a fortnight whenanother was at Richmond Park on Mar15th. This was followed by others atFrensham Little Pond on Mar 17thand Beddington SF on Mar 20th

Swallow The first were two earlybirds at Richmond Park on Mar 1st(the earliest ever arrival in the countyby two days). No more were seen untilMar 11th when two were at QE2 Resand then Mar 17th when one was atthe London Wetland Centre. These

were followed by others at SouthNorwood Lake and Tice's Meadow(Badshot Lea) on Mar 20th andCrooksbury Common on Mar 26th.There was a widespread arrival fromMar 29th-31st with 'firsts' reportedfrom a further 11 sites.

House Martin The first was at Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea) on Mar 30th,followed by others at Frensham GreatPond the next day, Stoke WaterMeadows on Apr 1st, Beddington SF,Holmethorpe SP and the LondonWetland Centre on Apr 2nd andCanon's Farm (Banstead), HedgecourtLake and Newdigate on Apr 3rd.

Tree Pipit The first was atCrooksbury Common on Apr 6th,followed by others at FrenshamCommon the next day and ThursleyCommon on Apr 15th. Migrantsreported away from breeding areasinvolved single birds over Seale onApr 21st, Beddington SF on Apr 26thand May 3rd and Richmond Park onApr 30th.

Rock Pipit Single birds were atBeddington SF on Mar 17th andWalton Res on Mar 20th.

Yellow Wagtail The first was at theLondon Wetland Centre on Apr 4th.Passage was light with mainly onesand twos recorded and no gatheringsin to double-figures. Only May 3rdproduced a small fall with seven atBeddington SF and six at both theLondon Wetland Centre and Tice's

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Meadow (Badshot Lea). The last ofthe spring was at the London WetlandCentre on May 30th.

Blue-headed Wagtail Single birdswere at Beddington SF on May 3rdand the London Wetland Centre onMay 3rd and 19th.

White Wagtail An average springwith 17 reported. At Beddington SFthere were single birds on Mar 19thand 31st, Apr 9th and 27th, and May11th and 18th, with three on May 9th.There were two at Fairoaks Airfieldon Mar 24th. At the London WetlandCentre there were single birds on Apr4th and May 8th and two on Apr 7th.Further single birds were atHolmethorpe SP on Apr 9th andRichmond Park on Apr 10th.

Nightingale The first was an earlybird at Capel on Apr 5th. There wereno further reports until mid-April witha second bird at Capel on Apr 16thand others at Oaken Wood(Chiddingfold) on Apr 18th andCrowhurst Brickworks and Holman'sGrove on Apr 19th.

Black Redstart A very poor springwith just two recorded, which were atFrensham Little Pond on Mar 24thand Riddlesdown Quarry on Mar 27th.

Redstart The first was at MordenHall Park on Apr 3rd, followed byothers at Thursley Common on Apr5th and Crooksbury Common andWitley Common on Apr 10th.

Migrants were recorded at four non-breeding sites between Apr 10th andMay 7th, with single birds atBeddington SF on Apr 10th and 26th,Shirley Park GC (Croydon) on Apr20th, Sanderstead Cemetery on Apr27th and Richmond Park on May 7th.

Whinchat It was a poor springwith just 21 birds recorded at 11 sites,The first were two at WimbledonCommon on Apr 19th. Further Aprilbirds were at South Norwood CP on22nd, Canon's Farm (Banstead) on23rd (two), Beddington SF on 26th,the London Wetland Centre on 28thand Beddington SF on 30th. In earlyMay just the 2nd, 5th and 7thproduced birds, with two at RichmondPark and Tice's Meadow (BadshotLea) and one at Hollow Farm(Worplesdon) on May 2nd, one atTice's Meadow on May 5th and singlebirds at Brockwell Park, ClandonWood, the London Wetland Centreand Richmond Park along with two atThursley Common on May 7th.

Wheatear The first were atRichmond Park and Worcester Parkon Mar 19th. Passage was fairly lightduring the rest of the month with afurther 46 birds reported from 16 sitesand eight at Beddington SF on the25th the largest count. During Apriland May birds were reported from 26sites with a small fall on Apr 18thwhich produced 23 birds at nine sites,including seven at Richmond Parkand five at Weybridge. The onlysignificant count, though, was of 15 at

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Beddington SF on Apr 9th. The last ofthe spring were at the LondonWetland Centre and Richmond Parkon May 14th.

Ring Ouzel An average springwith ten recorded between Mar 30thand Apr 21st. Single males were atRichmond Park on Mar 30th,Beddington SF and Island Barn Reson Apr 6th, Dover House PlayingFields (West Putney) from Apr 12th-14th, Tice's Meadow (Badshot Lea)on Apr 17th, the London WetlandCentre and Woldingham on Apr 19thand South Norwood CP on Apr 21st,whilst there were two males atBurpham Court Farm on Apr 15th.

Grasshopper Warbler What nowamounts to an average spring withfour birds recorded, which were atUnstead SF on Apr 4th, BroadfordBridge on Apr 19th, the LondonWetland Centre on Apr 21st andDungeon Hill (Woodmansterne) onMay 3rd.

Sedge Warbler The first was at theLondon Wetland Centre on Apr 1st,followed by others at Holmethorpe SPthe next day, Beddington SF andSouth Norwood CP on Apr 9th andFrensham Great Pond on Apr 14th.

Reed Warbler The first was atFrensham Little Pond on Apr 2nd,followed by others at the LondonWetland Centre on Apr 6th,Holmethorpe SP on Apr 7th,Papercourt Marshes on Apr 8th,

Beddington SF on Apr 9th and Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea) on Apr 13th.

Lesser Whitethroat The first wasat Chobham Common on Apr 13th,followed by others at Capel, MordenHall Park and Tice's Meadow(Badshot Lea) on Apr 16th, Priest Hill(Ewell) on Apr 18th, South NorwoodCP on Apr 19th and Beddington SFon Apr 20th.

Whitethroat The first was atOckham Common on Apr 3rd,followed by others at Capel on Apr8th, Beddington SF and Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea) on Apr 11th,Canon's Farm (Banstead) and Capelon Apr 16th and Bankside and SouthNorwood CP on Apr 18th.

Garden Warbler The first was atTice's Meadow (Badshot Lea) on Apr13th, followed by others atHolmethorpe SP on Apr 17th,Beddington SF and Palmer's Cross onApr 18th, the British Wildlife Centre(Newchapel), Capel, Richmond Parkand Witley Common on Apr 19th andthe London Wetland Centre on Apr20th.

Wood Warbler Single birds were atTooting Common on Apr 15th,Ranmore Common on Apr 21st andRichmond Park on Apr 24th.

Willow Warbler The first was atDulwich Park on Mar 21st. Therewere no further reports until the end ofthe month when birds were at the

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London Wetland Centre and Tice'sMeadow (Badshot Lea) on Mar 31st.These were followed by others atBeddington SF, Rotherhithe,Shackleford and Worcester Park onApr 1st, Fetcham on Apr 2nd,Holmethorpe SP on Apr 3rd andStoke Park on Apr 4th.

Spotted Flycatcher The first wasat Beddington SF on May 7th,followed by others at the LondonWetland Centre the next day,Frensham Little Pond on May 11thand Frensham Common on May 12th.

Golden Oriole Singing males wereat Richmond Park on May 20th andThursley Common on May 26th.

Rosy Starling One was at MitchamCommon on May 18th.

Crossbill Numbers were generallylow throughout the period. Reportscame from six sites in April with 11 atWinterfold on Apr 2nd, one east atHascombe on Apr 13th, six atHurtwood on Apr 14th, 16 at

Crooksbury Common on Apr 16th,one at Witley Common on Apr 19thand six at Thursley Common on Apr30th. In May birds were reported fromjust three sites with 20 at FarnhamHeath RSPB on May 11th, 23 atCrooksbury Common on May 20thand one over Rushett Farm (MaldenRushett) on May 24th. Then, in Junebirds were reported from four siteswith ten at West Horsley on Jun 4thand single birds at Blackheath on Jun2nd, Clandon Wood on May 19th andHascombe on Jun 20th.

• Some records are subject to finalcheck by the county or nationalrecords committees.

Note: July to October 2019 news to Shaun Peters ASAP please at:‘Glendeven’, School Rd, Rowledge, Farnham, GU10 4EJ.

Tel. 01252 793887 Email: recbirds@yahoo.co.uk

♦ Contributors

Barn Elms Bird Group/WWT,Beddington Farm BirdGroup,Doug Boyd,Croydonbirders website,

Jeremy Gates,Dave Harris,Haslemere Natural HistorySociety,Gordon Hay,

David Knight,Londonbirders website,Tice's Meadow Bird Groupand the 'twittersphere'.

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Woking Peregrine Project Update - 2019We're lucky to have had another successful breeding season with five eggs laidand five fledged juveniles. Since the current nest box was installed in January2016, the total number of fledged Woking juvenile peregrines totals 16; 2016 =2, 2017 = 5, 2018 = 4, 2019 = 5. The adult pair that were first recognised in 2015have remained very loyal to the nest site on Export House and, at the time ofwriting (November/December 2019), can be seen most days near the nest boxor on different window ledges of the building.

There has been on going building construction during 2019, very close to thesouth end of Export House. This hasn't deterred the peregrines and has offeredmany new perching sites for the always inquisitive juveniles. One adventurousjuvenile was found in Tower 2 / level 26 by a Sir Robert McAlpine team andGetjar Striking crew on the 5th June. An escape plan was quickly implementedby Helen Denham (Site Sustainability Manager / Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd); anexit route was made for the juvenile and an exclusion area was set up. Shortlyafter 11.45, the young peregrine made a bid for freedom and was seen to flyback towards Export House. The construction company (Sir Robert McAlpineLtd) has made considerable efforts to ensure the on going success of the WPPand this was highlighted by a Peregrine Falcon Site Action Plan which wasdisplayed on hoardings near the building site.

I've been receiving updates from Cedric Robert (Hospital & CollectionManager), Louise Cox (Marketing & Communications Manager) and HannahShaw (Conservation & Research Liaison) who work for the The HawkConservancy Trust in Andover. The Woking juvenile falcon that was injuredlast year (2018) at Export House was sent to the Trust for expert care andrehabilitation training. Cedric has done excellent work with our juvenile and itwas hoped she would be released during 2019. It's worth looking at;https://www.hawk-conservancy.org/2019/07/10/ rehabilitation-of-a-female-peregrine-falcon-in-our-national-bird-of-prey-hospital/

Craig Denford (WPP webmaster) has kindly provided some interesting GoogleAnalytics for the Woking Peregrine Project website 01/02/2019 to 31/07/2019;Visitors to the website;Users = 27,436 / new users = 27,158 / viewing sessions = 174,446Viewing behaviour;Page views = 334,532 / unique page views = 236,523 / average time on a page= 3 minutes (The nest cam had 250,176 views, north end cam 23,783 views and

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the overhead cam 21,091 views).The number of WPP website views from (top 10);UK-25,267, USA-723, Poland-337, Germany-169, Spain-163, Netherlands-110, Belgium-108, France-104, India-91, Finland-81

Craig has managed and replied to many email enquiries made via the Contactpage on the website. An interesting request was received in October from aPostdoctoral Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behaviour inGermany. The researcher is currently working on a project which is looking atperegrine hunting behaviour using webcam streams of peregrine nests. He's inthe process of collecting more data and requested if we could supply recordingsof the WPP website streams to help his on going peregrine behaviour research.The Institute will provide acknowledgement of the WPP as a data source in anyof their future publications. Watch this space....

For the fourth year, Surrey Bird Club had a stand in Jubilee Square andCharlotte Gray did another excellent job at recruiting Club members who werekeen to show our local peregrines to many interested members of the public.Engagement dates were arranged for; Saturday 18th May, Tuesday 28th May,Saturday 8th June and Saturday 15th June. Two shifts were required; 10.00 amto 1.00pm and 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm. At least three volunteers were needed for

North End Webcam, 28 May 2019 (WPP / Woking Borough Council)

Birding Surrey

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each shift. I find this a very rewarding experience made even more special whenyou're able to give outstanding views of adult / juvenile peregrines, via atelescope, to an unsuspecting visitor to Woking. There were many youngerpeople (and a few older ones...) totally amazed at seeing the world's fastestknown bird from Jubilee Square! There was a keen interest shown in SurreyBird Club's conservation work and two new members were recruited. On behalfof the WPP Group, I'd like to thank the following Surrey Bird Club volunteers;Charlotte Gray, Penny Williams, Eric Soden, Simon Stacey, Marylin Frame,Carolyn Prior, Debbie Hodges, Richard Denyer, Carey Lodge, Steve Chastell,Brian Scammel, Clare Harrington, Margo Scott, Phil Delamont,TonyCummings, Ken Anckorn and Peter Hambrook.

It would be very helpful if we could receive more sightings / records ofinteresting behaviour seen of the Woking peregrines. This can be submitted via;https://www.wokingperegrines.com/contact/ I try to keep an on going record asI'm able to see the local peregrines during the week. The main high lights canbe seen via; https://www.wokingperegrines.com/timeline/ - my diary notes alsoinclude;03/01/2019 - First web cam screen grab of the year sent by Craig showing the

resident tiercel making a depression in the nest box substrate.17/01/2019 - Both resident adults seen (from the Peacocks car park) going into

the nest box together.11/02/2019 - Both resident adults seen on the north end stairwell ledge when a

third peregrine observed flying in from the S/West - circled overE/House then dropped to roof level. The resident falcon took off,gave chase and made numerous stoops at the interloper. Bothperegrines were last seen locking talons and descending rapidlynear the WWF Living Planet Centre!

12/02/2019 - Both resident adults seen again near the nest box - original falconseems in good shape!

07/03/2019 - The Bath peregrine site reported their first laid egg - will ours besoon?? (See Timeline...)

20/03/2019 - 14:00 another peregrine interloper seen off by both of the residentWoking peregrines - 5th egg laid at 21:59!

08/04/2019 - Another (same??) peregrine interloper seen circling over ExportHouse (from the car park) before making several stoops at theresident falcon who was perched on the north end stairwell ledge.The intruder then landed on a top floor/west side window ledge-head markings were notably different to 'our' resident falcon.(Unable to see any leg ring/s) Resident falcon then chased off thirdperegrine.

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21/04/2019 - Still 5 'whole' eggs but definite chirping heard via the nest camaudio. Falcon very restless - constantly repositioning 5 eggs.

20/05/2019 - 2 juveniles seen perched outside nest box.24/05/2019 - 16:00 all 5 juveniles & both adults seen via webcam on the ledge

outside the nest box.08/06/2019 - Helped with the SBC stand in Jubilee Square - all 5 juveniles seen

on the north end stairwell ledge with both adults. 1 juv. seen inflight. 16:30 to 19:00 - photos taken of juv.s perched on the newbuildings being constructed at the south end of Export House!

14/06/2019 - Racing pigeon seen in nest box (via nest cam) on numerousoccasions during the afternoon! All of the peregrines were outsidethe nest box....

15/06/2019 - Helped with the SBC stand in Jubilee Square - food pass seen &shown to visitors! 13:30 to 17:00 - managed to photograph twofood passes from the top floor of the Peacocks car park.

02/07/2019 - Took WWF colleagues to Peacocks car park - all 5 juv’s seen inflight and perched on Export House.

19/07/2019 - 3 juv.s and adult falcon seen from car park.05/08/2019 - 2 juv.s seen from car park.19/08/2019 - Possible last remaining juv. seen trying to harass pigeons on a

nearby car park roof!23/08/2019 - Good views of the remaining juv. seen from car park - very vocal!12/10/2019 - Met Nick Dixon (https://urbanperegrines.co.uk/) on Peacocks car

park - mission to collect the peregrines' prey remains from the nestbox ventilation room, roof / base of Export House. I tried tophotograph the adult tiercel from inside the north end stairwell-very close view but not quick enough with my DSLR!

08/11/2019 - Good views of sparrowhawk seen flying near Export House. Bothadult peregrines appeared to see it but let it pass....

19/11/2019 - Great views of adult tiercel seen flying above car park thenretrieving cashed prey from a top floor window ledge on ExportHouse.

26/11/2019 - Craig Denford reported another food pass between both adults -seen from his office in Export House.

06/12/2019 - Good views of both resident peregrines on the north end stairwellledge.

If you're in Woking town, it's always worth looking up at Export House!

James SellenWoking Peregrine Project

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An opportunity to contribute to themanagement of an importantwoodland site.

In spring 2020 the Club is planning towork with Sussex OrnithologicalSociety (SOS) and the ForestryCommission on a survey of keyspecies in Chiddingfold Forest, butwe will need volunteers to assist in thesurvey. This article describes how theproposal for a survey came about,why it is needed and what is likely tobe involved.

Chiddingfold Forest is an area ofwoodland straddling the Surrey/WestSussex border about 840 hectares(2075 acres) in extent. At a roughestimate, about 60% of the Forest lieswithin Surrey, with the remainderlying in West Sussex. Some parts areowned by the Forestry Commission,while others are privately owned butleased and managed by theCommission. There is open access tothe parts of the Forest owned by theCommission, but public access to theprivately owned areas is limited topublic footpaths. The Forest has longbeen known as a good area forNightingales and was formerly a goodplace to find Turtle Doves, but bothspecies are under threat, and recordsof Turtle Dove in Surrey are now fewand far between.

If the Forestry Commission wasknown in the past for planting largeareas of uniform conifer woods, thatis no longer true. They have drawn upa plan for Chiddingfold Forest withthe stated aim of maintaining andincreasing the area of ancient semi-natural woodland, as well as initiatingthe restoration of ancient woodlandsites. The intention is to increase theamount of broadleaf woodland from65% in 2016 to 97% in 2026. Anotheraim is to 'Maintain and enhance thefavourable conservation status of anationally important wildlife site'.The plan can be viewed on line - justsearch on Chiddingfold Forest.

As part of the planning process theCommission is consulting withinterested bodies, and invited the Cluband SOS to a meeting in late July.The Commission sent a strong andenthusiastic team and the meetingproved very productive. SteveChastell and Eric Soden attended onbehalf of the Club.

The main focus of the meeting washow the Forest might best be managedto provide suitable habitat for keyspecies, notably Nightingale andTurtle Dove. Surprisingly, theForestry Commission said that'several' Turtle Doves had been heardin one part of the Forest, in WestSussex. It quickly emerged, however,that both the SOS and ourselves have

A Survey of Chiddingfold Forest

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only casual records from the area, andthese give no clear idea of the currentsize and distribution of key species.There is a pressing need for better dataas a baseline against which to measureprogress with the ForestryCommission's plan.

The proposal that emerged from themeeting was that in spring 2020 theSOS and SBC would conduct surveysof our respective parts of the Forest.The Commission would assist byproviding maps and by arrangingaccess to the privately owned parts ofthe Forest.

This is a welcome opportunity for theClub to contribute to the managementof what is arguably the most importantarea of woodland in Surrey and,hopefully, to encourage the return ofkey species that are in decline. But wewill need volunteers to carry out thesurvey work so it may be helpful to setout what we think is likely to beinvolved.

The survey will pay particularattention to the key species wediscussed with the Commission -Nightingale and Turtle Dove - but wemay well decide to include some otherspecies of interest. The methodologywill have to be agreed with SOS but itwill probably be based on theNightingale survey carried out by theBTO in 2012, which many memberswill no doubt recall. This askedsurveyors to make at least two earlymorning visits to their survey area

during the early spring, with optionaladditional visits at night. We mayneed to look at the pairing ofsurveyors for those who are willing toventure out at night. The BTO surveywas based on tetrads, but if sufficientvolunteers come forward it may provepossible to base our survey on smallerareas.

Members may be aware that the Clubwas planning a Sand Martin survey inspring 2020. We don't have theresources to run two surveys at thesame time and the Club's GeneralCommittee has concluded that theSand Martin survey should bepostponed because the ChiddingfoldForest Survey is targeted at specieswhich are under greater threat.However, members are asked tosubmit any records of confirmed orpossible breeding of Sand Martinsagain this spring.

We hope that a sufficient number ofvolunteers will come forward toenable a comprehensive survey ofChiddingfold Forest to be carried out.If you think you may want toparticipate, pending furtherinformation, please contact SteveChastell (surrey.recorder @btinternet.com) or Eric Soden(ericsoden@aol.co.uk).

Eric Soden

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BTO Matters Autumn 2019English Winter Bird Survey 2018/19Although the focus of the survey wason England, the BTO was keen toallow all volunteers to take part. Thesurvey was based on existing BBSsquares especially those withinfarmland. The BTO have decided thatthe survey in any form, nor indeeddata entry into the software created forthe survey, will be possible over the2019/2020 survey period. Howeverthe BTO realises the importance ofhaving such a survey in order toprovide information about terrestrialbirds in winter as this remains a majorgap in knowledge. Accordingly theBTO will use the data collected fromthe English Winter Bird Survey toinform future roll-out, and will plan toseek funding for a properly resourcedproject in the future.However the BTO have had a numberof enquiries to ask if there is anythingvolunteers can do to help collect dataover the winter so here are twosuggestions if you would like to getinvolved:1. Submit records to BirdTrack(www.birdtrack.net). Ideally thisshould be a 'complete list' recordingall the species you see and hear onyour site. Lists from all habitats willhelp build up a better picture ofdistribution in winter, and 'completelists' will contribute to the reportingrate graphs, and of course will providevaluable data for Surrey bird club.2. Make up to four visits to a BBSsquare (see below) between

December and March to record birdsonly, and enter the data intoBirdTrack. If you do this it isimportant that you follow the BBStransects and record the combinedtotal for each species seen from them.Create a site in BirdTrack that is a1-km square and carry out your visitas you would for BBS. When youenter your total counts in BirdTrack,in the comments box for EACHSPECIES, enter WINBS. If yourecord additional species in the walkbetween your transects then do notadd WINBS in the comments box asthe BTO does not count these in BBSmethods.The BTO cannot commit to analysingthese records, but welcomesadditional information and the clubwill, of course, get the records as theCounty Recorder receives allBirdTrack records.So far as visiting a BBS square isconcerned, you do not have to be thesummer surveyor to visit the square(indeed more than one person could,in theory cover a square). If youwould like to get involved but are notthe surveyor allocated the square forthe BBS survey then contact me and Ican let you have the map showing theroute. Here is a list of all theaccessible BBS squares. I haveshown which squares were coveredfor last year's Winter Bird survey (asyou can see only about 50% of BBSsquares were covered) in case thatinformation is helpful.

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BBS Name BBS Grid Ref EWBS 10 kmPowderham Castle SU8046 yes SU84N E Farnham SU8447 yes SU84Tongham SU8949 yes SU84SE of Haslemere SU9231 no SU93SE of Haslemere SU9430 no SU93Ramsnest Common SU9533 no SU93South of Chiddingfold SU9534 no SU93Pot Common (S of Elstead) SU9042 yes SU94Elstead SU9043 yes SU94Elstead SU9143 no SU94A3 SW of Milford SU9240 no SU94Norney (W of A3) SU9344 yes SU94South of Wanborough Common SU9446 yes SU94S Godalming SU9742 yes SU94South of Bramley SU9842 yes SU94Guildford College of Law SU9848 yes SU94Frimley Ridge SU9059 no SU95Fairlands (W of Guildford) SU9651 yes SU95Knaphill SU9658 no SU95North-east of Fox Corner SU9755 yes SU95Jacobs Well SU9853 yes SU95Goldsworth Park SU9958 no SU95South Ascot SU9267 no SU96Ascot Racecourse SU9269 no SU96North of Windlesham SU9365 no SU96N of Sunninghill SU9368 yes SU96SE of Windlesham SU9463 yes SU96Chobham Common SU9665 no SU96Chobham SU9761 yes SU96Longcross/Wentworth SU9866 no SU96Oxoncroft Copse (on Sussex Border path) TQ0232 no TQ03Cranleigh TQ0539 no TQ03Massers Wood (S of Cranleigh) TQ0735 yes TQ03SE of Cranleigh TQ0837 no TQ03The Windbreak (S of Ewhurst) TQ0937 no TQ03East of Winkworth Arboretum TQ0041 no TQ04Shalford (central) TQ0047 yes TQ04Chantry Wood (SE of Guildford) TQ0048 yes TQ04Shalford (east ) TQ0146 no TQ04SE of Guildford TQ0148 yes TQ04Palmers Cross (S of Wonersh) TQ0240 yes TQ04Rooks Hill (SW of Shamley Green) TQ0242 yes TQ04East Guildford TQ0249 no TQ04Albury Downs TQ0549 no TQ04Fowls Copse (N of Cranleigh) TQ0641 no TQ04Shere - Albury TQ0647 yes TQ04Gomshall TQ0848 no TQ04Coverwood (SE of Peaslake) TQ0943 yes TQ04N of Holmbury St Mary TQ0945 yes TQ04East of Jacobs Well TQ0053 no TQ05Woking TQ0059 no TQ05SE of Woking TQ0258 yes TQ05

Pyrford Court TQ0358 yes TQ05

North of West Clandon TQ0453 yes TQ05

Norcott Wood (N of E Clandon) TQ0552 no TQ05

Ripley TQ0556 no TQ05

North of Ripley TQ0557 yes TQ05

North of West Horsley TQ0655 yes TQ05

East Clandon TQ0751 no TQ05

North of Gomshall TQ0850 no TQ05

BBS Name BBS Grid Ref EWBS 10 kmOckham TQ0857 yes TQ05

E of West Horsley TQ0952 no TQ05

Stroude TQ0069 yes TQ06

North of Lyne TQ0167 no TQ06

Chertsey Meads TQ0566 no TQ06

North Weybridge TQ0765 no TQ06

E of Ewhurst TQ1040 yes TQ14

Sutton Abinger TQ1046 yes TQ14

North east of Gomshall TQ1049 yes TQ14

Leith Hill TQ1343 yes TQ14

Coldharbour TQ1344 no TQ14

South of Leith Hill TQ1441 yes TQ14

South of Westcott TQ1547 no TQ14

South west of Brockham TQ1848 no TQ14

Highbridge Wood (SE of Dorking) TQ1947 yes TQ14

South of Brockham TQ1948 no TQ14

M25 south of Cobham TQ1157 yes TQ15

South of Effingham TQ1252 yes TQ15

West of Great Bookham TQ1353 yes TQ15

Westhumble TQ1451 yes TQ15

South Bookham TQ1453 yes TQ15

East of Dorking TQ1750 no TQ15

M25 south of Ashtead TQ1856 yes TQ15

Walton on Thames TQ1066 no TQ16

Hampton TQ1369 no TQ16

NE of Claygate TQ1664 yes TQ16

Long Ditton TQ1666 yes TQ16

Epsom TQ1961 no TQ16

Surbiton TQ1967 yes TQ16

Leigh TQ2246 yes TQ24

NW of Horley TQ2344 yes TQ24

W of Reigate TQ2449 yes TQ24

Reigate TQ2649 no TQ24

Gatwick Airport TQ2741 no TQ24

St Johns (Reigate) TQ2749 no TQ24

Betchworth TQ2050 yes TQ25

Betchworth TQ2150 yes TQ25

Banstead Heath TQ2354 yes TQ25

Se of Kingswood TQ2555 no TQ25

Gatton TQ2753 no TQ25

N of M25 & N of Merstham TQ2854 no TQ25

Woodmansterne TQ2858 no TQ25

South Merstham TQ2952 no TQ25

M23 SE of Chaldon TQ2954 no TQ25

South of Coulsdon TQ2957 yes TQ25

East of South Nutfield TQ3048 no TQ34

Smallfield TQ3343 yes TQ34

Lower South Park (SW of Godstone) TQ3447 yes TQ34

South of Godstone TQ3647 no TQ34

Netherne on the Hill TQ3156 no TQ35

Paddock Barn - SE of Caterham TQ3554 yes TQ35

North west of Oxted (access impossible) TQ3752 no TQ35

Barrow Green Court TQ3753 yes TQ35

S of Woldingham TQ3755 no TQ35

Table: List of all the accessible Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) squares

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HeronsI also need someone to cover theheronry at Newdigate Grid RefTQ20573 42483. If you can helpplease get in contact. This surveyinvolves 2-3 visits if possible, torepeat the count and get the best, mostaccurate, estimate for the year. Visitsshould ideally be made betweenMarch and May. Nests should becounted in the second half of April,with this count being supplemented (ifpossible) by an earlier and a later visit.You can visit a heronry at any time ofday, although the birds may be moreactive in the morning.

Swan CensusOn 11th/12th January 2020 theInternational Swan Census will takeplace counting both Whooper andBewick Swans. I know it is unlikelywe will have either of these species inthe county over that weekend but, ifby chance you do see either species,please can you let me know.

JNCC Seabird Count 2015/19This year volunteers in some areashave been making visits to 1-kmsquares to look for rooftop nestinggulls, as part of the JNCC SeabirdCount project. Fieldwork has alsobeen undertaken by volunteers andprofessionals on all seabird speciesover the last few years. If you areinterested in helping out with seabirdcounts in 2020, please contact DaisyBurnell at JNCC (Email:seabirdscountcoordinator@jncc.gov.uk) or find out more onlinehttp://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-7413

Woodcock SurveyThe last national Woodcock survey in2013 showed a marked decline in thenumber of sites occupied byWoodcock, so the BTO is trying to getannual coverage of a number of keysites. I have taken over responsibilityfor this survey now from GregConway at the BTO so please contactme if you are interested in taking part.Here is a map showing theapproximate location of squaresneeding coverage:

I know that the survey will not bestarting until May next year but youcould go and carry out the first visitnow in order to work out the locationand habitat of the count point. Thesurvey methodology is as follows:Between 1st May and 30th June threevisits to the count point at dusk, atleast one week apart. The countperiod is 75 minutes compared to 60minutes from earlier surveys. Countscommence 15 minutes before sunsetand finish 60 minutes after sunset,giving total survey duration of 75minutes. Times of individualWoodcock passes will be recorded sothat data for 60 minute and 75 minute

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Here are some circular walks aroundthe Papercourt area which can becombined to make into a longer walk.Papercourt is an enjoyable place towalk at any time of year but can beparticularly good in the winter monthsfor seeing owls. In the summer thewater meadows are good for Reed andSedge Warblers and GrasshopperWarbler is occasionally found. Inwinter Snipe are usually present in thewetter areas, but difficult to spot.Apart from crossing the bridges over

water and a couple of stiles the walksare also entirely flat. However, as thewalks are on floodplain, in the winterit is likely to be muddy so Wellingtonboots may be needed.Walks 1 and 2 are about 2 km longand probably will take about an hour(assuming no long stops). Walk 2 isabout 4 km and will take a couple ofhours.References to Points refer to pointsmarked on the map.

Surrey Sites No.3: Papercourt, Send

counts can be compared at theanalysis stage. Some basicinformation on Habitat and Deerpresence will also be collectedbetween mid-May and mid-June.

Wader SurveyI have just had news that, next spring,BTO and RSPB plan to run a repeatsurvey for Breeding Waders of WetMeadows in England, includingcoverage of existing sites in Wales.The 2020 survey will include:1. Re-visits of the sites covered in the

last full survey in 2002 (thepreliminary list I have receivedshows 22 sites in Surrey)

2. New sites covered in the RSPBsurvey during 2009/10.

3. A sample of new sites, where wetgrassland breeding wader habitathas been created/improvedthrough agri-environmentschemes.

4. A sample of farms with Lapwingplots.

I do not have details yet of themethodology but the proposedtimetable is as follows:Mid-Feb 2020 - online site allocationavailable for all volunteers to sign up15th Apr 2020 - fieldwork starts.30th June 2020 -fieldwork ends.As the next newsletter will not be sentto you until near the start date for thissurvey, if you might be interested inhelping, please do let me know.

TrainingNext spring I will run another BBSPractice Course at Sheepleas naturereserve in East Horsley. It is going totake place at 9.30 am on Saturday 21stMarch. You not only get a chance toget some tips on this survey but meetup with like-minded people. Placesare limited so, if you would like tocome along, please book a place withme by e-mailing me or give me a ring.

Penny Williams

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Papercourt Route MapWalk 1 (from Point A via Points Band C)At the junction of the B382 and theA247 is a free car park (Grid RefTQ019569). Cross the road, afterparking, and walk south down theA247 past the signpost for Send. Aftercrossing the River Wey, and passingthree houses on the left, turn left andjoin a public footpath at Point A. Atthe time of writing there is no publicfootpath sign. After about 75 metres abarbed wire fence appears. Take thepath that leaves the barbed wire fenceto the left. This is a good place to lookfor Stonechat (present in summer andwinter). Although, on the OS map thefootpath is straight, the footpath bendsslightly past some willows and smalloak trees as it follows the curves of

the River Wey (listen here forwarblers in the phragmites in thesummer). At this point another publicfootpath goes off to the left followingthe River Wey but remain on themain, wide track (walking in thedirection of office buildings). Lookout here for Kestrel (which oftenperches on the high tension cables)and occasionally one of the WokingPeregrines may be seen hunting here.In winter you can usually see flocks ofMeadow Pipit and Linnet.

At a junction of paths (Point K) bearright and cross the river/canal calledthe Broadmead Cut using thefootbridge. Here there is the option ofcontinuing straight on and crossingthe River Wey Navigation Canal too

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and joining Tannery Lane at Point Din order to combine Walk 1 with Walk2. To remain on Walk 1 turn right atPoint B and follow the River WeyNavigation towpath. This is a goodplace to look for Kingfishers. When afootbridge crosses the River WeyNavigation Canal, turn left down ashort steep slope and follow a paththat winds through a small area ofwoodland. Then cross a very smallwooden footbridge and then a muchlarger footbridge across theBroadwater Cut. Check the fields tothe left on crossing this footbridgebecause this area gets very wet in thewinter and may hold a wader or ducks.After crossing the footbridge thepublic footpath sign points off to theleft. Follow this public footpath toreturn back to point A.

Walk 2 (from Point D via Points E,G and H or J)Park in Tannery Lane (Grid RefTQ030563). Some of the area isoffice parking but there is space forvehicles where Tannery Lane runsEast (by the P on the map). At the endof the parking area (away from theoffices) a public footpath runsalongside Tannery Lane (about 3metres in). Either follow this publicfootpath or walk along the road. At theleft hand bend, if walking along theroad, turn right onto the publicfootpath. Walk along a publicfootpath with a brook to the left and acultivated field to the right (usuallymaize). This can be a good field forwintering Thrushes. Just before acopse ahead of you the path splits in

two. Take the left hand path whichgoes into the copse and past a smallishlake, which usually has a few duckson it. Just before the end of the laketake the path (not the public footpath)which goes off to the left crossing thebrook. Cross the brook and follow thetrack for about 30 metres through asmall plantation. At a junction with amuch wider track turn left onto thewider track (again not a publicfootpath) which passes alongside thepart of the Papercourt Reservemanaged by Surrey Wildlife Trustwhich is entry by permit only. Thiswide track has hedges on both sidesand is good for mixed flocks andwintering Thrushes. In the winterthere can be a few gaps in the hedgesleading to restricted views into theponds in the Papercourt Reserve. Bewarned that ringing takes placesometimes on the Reserve so you mayhear a lot of birdsong if the ringers areplaying a tape to attract the birds in!Check the fields too for winteringGeese sometimes there are goodnumbers of Pied Wagtail. At the endof the track, just after it has becometarmac, re-join Tannery Lane. Turnright and, after 15 metres, at a roadT-junction, turn left and walk another50 metres to the entrance of thePapercourt Sailing Club. Walkthrough the first set of gates of thesailing club and walk down the drive,as though going into the sailing club,to Point E.

Here is the option of turning right andwalking around both the PapercourtLakes in order to combine Walk 2

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with Walk 3 but, for Walk 2, turn leftat Point E and follow the track whichruns alongside the sailing lake. Thereare some good views of this lake. Theclub is usually sailing on a Sundaybut, even when sailing is taking place,the lake is usually good for both GreatCrested Grebe, Little Grebe,Cormorant and Mute Swan plus lotsof Coots. Occasionally, in winter, ararer diving bird might be presentsuch as Red-breasted Merganser orGreat Northern Diver. These days thewintering ducks are generally on thesailing pit, unless a lot of sailing istaking place, and whilst theGoosander flock has diminished tozero there are usually a few Gadwall,Pochard, Tufted Duck and gulls andoften Wigeon as well as the Coots andGrebes and increasing numbers ofEgyptian Geese. Common Tern areregular in summer.

After approximately 300 metres, justbefore reaching a parking area, turnleft down a track, for 10 metres, to theroad (Point G). Cross the road andjoin a public footpath (although againthere is no public footpath sign)however there is a sign on the gatesaying "No parking 24 accessrequired". After approximately 100metres bear left onto a narrow path asthe right-hand track is a private track.The public footpath has woodland onthe left and brambles on the right andcan be good for Goldcrest andBullfinch. After approximately 500metres the footpath meets a road. Turnleft and walk 25 metres on the road,passing a red brick building on your

right. At the end of this building, turnright into the yard, then bear left downa track (there will be a blue containeron your left) between a wooden hutand an old brick cottage and gothrough a gate. Check the old oaktrees to the right carefully as they havehad Little Owls present. Keep an eyeout for Little Egret, Grey Heron andwintering thrushes. At the end of thetrack, cross a stile and head across thefield towards the river and PapercourtLock.

Shortly afterwards cross another stile(or open the gate and walk through it)and enter National Trust property.Cross the River Wey NavigationCanal and there is a choice of pathsnow. Whichever path you choose,check the trees running along thewater for wintering flocks of Siskinand Redpoll. The drier path (but lesslikely to give views of owls) runsalongside the River Wey NavigationCanal, starting in front of the lock-keeper's cottage, and is sign-posted"tow path". Alternatively continuestraight on across the Broadmead Cut,then go through a gate (with a SurreyWildlife Reserve sign beside it), turnleft and follow the track which runsalongside Broadmead Cut (andparallel to the River Wey NavigationCanal tow path). There is one gate togo through on this track, which, whenit is wet, has a very large puddle in themiddle of it hence needing Wellingtonboots alternatively climb over thefence. Continue walking for about750 metres until a T junction of paths(Point K on the map). Turn right and

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cross the 2 footbridges to return to thecar parking area in Tannery Lane.

Walk 3 (from Point E via Points F,X and G)There is space for about four cars topark at the end of Tannery Lane at itsjunction with Polesden Lane (Grid refTQ037562).

At the road T-junction, turn left andwalk 50 metres to the entrance of thePapercourt Sailing Club. Walkthrough the first set of gates of thesailing club and walk down the drive,as though you were going into thesailing club, to Point E.

At the second set of gates (Point E)turn right and walk approximately100 metres with a hedge on the left.When the hedge does a 90 degree leftturn do the same and continue tofollow the hedge. When someshipping containers (in the sailingclub car park) appear on the left turnright onto a track leaving the smallPapercourt lake to the left. Within afew metres the view of the lake opensup and there is a small seat to sit andenjoy the birds. On this lake, if sailingis taking place on the main lake, therecould be good numbers of ducksincluding Gadwall, Mallard andTufted. Occasionally there may beShoveler and Pochard. Kingfishersare sometimes seen too.

For the walk, continue along the smalllake (at the moment there is a fallentree which is a slight obstruction on

this path) and, at the end of the lake,turn left to join a public footpath.After approximately 100 metres thereis an oak tree and a public footpathsign. Turn left and there is a choice ofpaths. The public footpath goes off tothe right through the woodland.Alternatively there is a track going tothe left (in the direction of the boatmasts) going between the lake and thewoodland therefore giving a betterview of the birds on the larger of thetwo Papercourt Lakes. These twoalternative paths meet up again about1/3 of the way down this largerPapercourt lake.

After the two paths have met up againthe public footpath continues forapproximately 800 metres around theend of this larger lake. However thepublic footpath leaves the lake justafter leaving three houses on the right.Do not turn right and follow thepublic footpath but continue straighton along the track, which continuesrunning parallel to the lake. Afterreaching a Brownie hut, walk througha car parking area, rejoin the track andwalk for a further 10 metres to reachpoint G on Walk 2. Either turn rightand join Walk 2 or, alternatively,continue straight along the trackrunning parallel to the lake. This trackwill bring you back to the gates toPapercourt sailing club (Point E)where you can return to your vehiclein Tannery Lane.

Penny Williams

27No 126: Winter 2019

Birding Surrey

New WebmasterI'm Julie Drewett and I was elected onto the committee as Webmaster at theAGM in June. It's the perfect role forme as in my working life I'vemanaged websites and I've been a birdwatcher for many years.

My interest started at an early agewatching the birds in the garden,especially the antics of the starlingsthat nested in our roof. I enjoy tryingto identify any birds I see, as well asbeing interested in other areas ofnatural history, especiallyinvertebrates.

I prefer to get to know the wildlife inmy local area and living in SouthWest London, I'm lucky to have manyplaces that I can visit regularly wherethere is a good variety of birds andother wildlife. This includes having alittle egret spending the winter abouthalf a mile from my house. I can stillremember my excitement when I sawmy first little egret about 20 years agoand the first sighting of the winteralways makes me smile. My favouritesites include Morden Hall Park, theLondon Wetland Centre and theHogsmill River Local Nature Reserve.

I think it's important to record mysightings whether they are of a

common species or a rarity. For thelast few years, I've regularly recordedthe birds at the lake in a local park aspart of the British Trust forOrnithology's Wetland Bird Survey.It's a good way to really get to knowan area and to contribute informationto assist with conservation. It's also agreat way to spend a Sunday morningonce a month and gets me out birding,come rain or shine.

My other hobbies includephotography, gardening and botanicalart.

Julie Drewett

Julie Drewett (Penny Williams)

28 No 126: Winter 2019

Birding Surrey

● Welcome to rejoining members -John & Alison Daniels - Dunsfold,and new member -Alan Stoney - Yateley

● Surrey Bird Atlas 2007-12 -Available from Penny Williams, price£20 or £25 including postage andpacking. Great value for an A4 size,hardback book with 400 full colourpages!

● Birds of Surrey - Our countyavifauna and good backgroundreading to complement the Bird Atlas.Available from Penny Williams.Great value at £25.

● New Club Website - If you haveany comments or suggestionsregarding the website please emailwebmaster@surreybirdclub.org.uk

● New Committee Email addresses.Please note the new email addresseslisted on the back page should youwish to contact a member of thecommittee. These have beenintroduced to reduce spam issues thatwe were having.

● Notes, Articles, Photographs -Anything that you think may be ofinterest to the members of the Clubwould be gratefully received forpublication in Birding Surrey, theSurrey Bird Report or on our website.

● Archive Appeal. As newslettereditor, I am custodian of a collectionof newsletters / Quarterly Bulletinsgoing back to the Club’s formation in1957. However there are a few issuesthat are missing, these being:Quarterly Bulletin numbers 3, 4, 5, 6,12 (all 1958/9), 22 & 23 (1962); and,Newsletter number 3 (1987).I would really like to complete theClub’s archive of it’s old newsletters.So may I ask that when you areputting the Christmas decorationsback in the loft, that you just checkwhat old Bird Club newsletters youmight have kept? Please contact theeditor if you do find any of themissing issues.

Notes

29No 126: Winter 2019

Birding Surrey

Papercourt Meadows, Saturday23rd November 2019

Despite an unfavourable weatherforecast fifteen of us met at theTannery Lane car park. Eleven were

members of SBC and we alsowelcomed four guests who hope tojoin. The main focus of the walk wasto view some of the owls that resideon the patch. It is sometimes possibleto see or hear four species of owl here

Field Trip Reports

From your Membership SecretaryMembership renewalRenewal forms (for those who havenot told me they have set up a standingorder) will be coming out with thenext newsletter. It is only a standingorder, not a direct debit, with the sumtaken out of your account set by youand so the club cannot increase theamount it takes. If you know you donot currently pay by standing orderplease do set one up (either throughonline banking) or by completing aform that I can let you have.

You may think cheques are simple butthey give me (and my husband whokindly takes them to the bank for me)a considerable amount of extra work.Anything you can do to reduce thatworkload would be much appreciatedby me. If you are not sure if you havea standing order in place you cancheck with your bank or with me.

Penny Williams

We are very keen to find a volunteerto join the committee and take onorganising Field Meetings for theclub, aiming at one per calendarmonth. It is not necessary to haveexpert bird knowledge; it is more of asales job, convincing skilled birdersto lead walks either on their localpatch or some other place that is goodfor birds. The meetings do not have tobe within Surrey, for example we do

go down to Pagham Harbour andFarlington marshes on the coast.Committee meetings are held on aweekday evening roughly every 3months at various committeemembers homes.If you would be interested in thisopportunity to help the Surrey BirdClub, please contact Penny Williamsin the first instance.

Field Meetings Officer vacancy

30 No 126: Winter 2019

Birding Surrey

in a visit with Tawny, Barn and LittleOwls being resident and Short-eared awelcomed winter visitor. One hasalready been recorded several timedthis autumn.

Our walk started by heading aroundthe maize-stubble field towardsSurrey Wildlife Trust's (SWT)Papercourt Marshes reserve and alight rain began almost immediately.The intention was to locate one of theChaffinch flocks feeding on the fieldshere and find the Brambling that areaccompanying them. Pied Wagtails,corvids and Egyptian Geese wereamongst the first birds seen.

Approaching the reserve, a flock ofsmall passerines were seen on theedge of the field opposite, with birdsdropping down to feed then goingback up into the hedge. After getting abit closer several 'scopes were set upallowing a closer view of the flockcontaining mostly Chaffinch withGoldfinch. Two Bramblings werequickly spotted and everyone had achance to get a view of them throughthe 'scopes. Fieldfares and Redwingwere in trees on the reserve andaround the field. We continued on ourwalk along the lane with finches beingpushed ahead of us. A Lesser Redpollwas briefly seen here before the flockmoved onto the reserve.

We followed Tannery Lane down toPapercourt Farm. Although no LittleOwl could be seen in the willowsthere was a small flock of Greylag

Geese and singles of GreenWoodpecker, Buzzard and LittleEgret. We continued across the bridgeand onto the meadows. Due to thevery wet and muddy conditions here afew people decided to head back totheir cars by the drier canal path. Therest of us took up station at the fence-line that borders the SWT PapercourtMeadows reserve to await the owlsand as we did so the rain becameheavier. Kestrel and Great spottedWoodpecker were observed here.Gulls were flying across the meadowson their way to roost, mostly Black-headed with a couple of Herring Gullsamongst them.

With the chance of seeing any owlsfading fast more of our group decidedto call it a day. The last hardy fourwere finally rewarded by a TawnyOwl calling by the canal behind us.The visibility was getting dark andmurky by this point and so weretreated back to our cars.

Despite the rather poor conditionsthirty-nine species were seen,Brambling being the most notable.My thanks to everyone who attended.

Carey Lodge

31No 126: Winter 2019

Birding Surrey

Future Field Meetings

The Surrey Bird Club hereby gives notice that all arrangements made by the Club for any persontaking part in any meeting, visit or other activity are made by the Club as agents for that personand that consequently the Club accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconveniencearising from his or her participation in Club activities.Passengers accept lifts in private cars at their own risk.

The copy date for the next issue of Birding Surrey is 31 January 2020

If you have a local patch you know well and would like to lead a field trip toshow others what is there please contact a member of the committee.

Saturday 11 January 2020 – Farlington Marshes Hampshire Wildlife Trustreserve. Meet at the main car park, halfway along the entrance road, at 09:30(Grid ref SU676043). Leader Dudley Cox. If you’re coming down the A3(M)take the left hand lane for Southsea just after you join the A27. Keep in the lefthand lane down the slip road and turn sharp left immediately after the trafficlights under a height barrier into the entrance road. Finish about 1pm.

Saturday 15 February 2020 – Tice’s Meadow Nature Reserve. Meet by thereserve entrance at the Pea Bridge on Badshot Lea Road (B3208), at 09:30, mapref SU86759 49018. Leader Tice’s Meadow Bird Group. Waterproof footwearrecommended.

Saturday 14th March 2020 – Horsell Common. Meet at Heather Farm Cafeat 09:30 (GU21 4XY, map ref TQ992606). Leader Tony Cummins.

All the walks are FREE (except for travel costs, car park or entrance fees).Everybody is welcome, from beginners to experts. However any children aged16 or under must be accompanied by an adult. Most sites visited are,unfortunately, not suitable for wheelchairs with rough, and often muddy,footpaths.

The latest trip details are on the website www.surreybirdclub.org.uk

Birding Surrey

32 No 126: Winter 2019

President: Stella Bignold38, Chaffers Mead, Ashtead, KT21 1NGTel: 01372 272933Email: president@surreybirdclub.org.uk

Chairman: Eric SodenCeres, Moushill Lane, Milford, GU8 5BQ.Tel: 01483 429799.E-mail: chairman@surreybirdclub.org.uk

General Secretary: VacantCorrespondence to the Chairman please.

Membership Secretary & BTO RegionalRep: Penny WilliamsBournbrook House, Sandpit Hall Road,Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8HA.Tel: 01276 857736Email for membership:membership@surreybirdclub.org.ukEmail for BTO queries:bto@surreybirdclub.org.uk

County Recorder / Records DatabaseManager: Steve Chastell, 8, Burnet Avenue,Guildford, GU1 1YD Tel: 01483 560122Email: surrey.recorder@btinternet.com

Treasurer: Ray PhillipsFlat 10, Abigail House, Hazelgrove Road,Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3URTel: 07976 578196E-mail: treasurer@surreybirdclub.org.uk

Bird Report Editor: Stella Bignold38, Chaffers Mead, Ashtead, KT21 1NGTel: 01372 272933Email: SBReditor@surreybirdclub.org.uk

Newsletter Editor: Tim Chinn11, Bishop Sumner Drive, Farnham, Surrey,GU9 0HQ.Email: birdingsurrey@surreybirdclub.org.uk

Webmaster: Julie Drewett13 Lincoln Road, Worcester Park, KT4 8ANTel: 0208 337 8846Email: webmaster@surreybirdclub.org.uk

Records Committee Chair: Dave Harris84, Dudley Road, Walton-on-Thames,KT12 2JX. Tel: 01932 700018Email: dharris@surreybirdclub.org.uk

Social Media: Matthew Phelps29 Carpenters Meadow, Pulborough,,West Sussex, RH20 2HQEmail:social@surreybirdclub.org.ukTel: 07809 870034

Ringing Secretary: Richard Denyer20, Crofton Close, Ottershaw, Chertsey,KT16 0LR Tel: 01932 872787Email: ringing@surreybirdclub.org.uk

Conservation: Sarah Bunce5 Bullswater Common Road, Pirbright,GU24 0LZ. Email:conservation@surreybirdclub.org.ukTel: 01483 322888 Mob: 07765 867383

Field Meetings: Vacant

Other members:David Griffin51a, Palace Road, East Molesey, KT8 9DN.Tel. 0208 979 0748

President and General Committee

www.facebook.com/surreybirdclub

@surreybirdnews www.surreybirdclub.org.uk

Figs 3,4,&5 Adult & Juvenile Peregrines, Woking, 15 Jun 2019 (James Sellen)

Fig 7. Hobby, Lambeth Res., 10 Sep 2019 (Dave Harris)

Fig 6. Juvenile Peregrine, Woking, 15 Jun 2019 (James Sellen)