Tice's Meadow: Sunday October 18th to Sunday October 25th

Sunday October 18th

Richard Horton reported that Bearded Tit numbers were up to 4 today - a new site record count.

John Hunt reported 81 Wigeon, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (adults), 100+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Kingfisher, a Kestrel, 4 Skylark, 2 Stonechat and a Swallow this morning.

In addition, Tony Cummins reported a Green Sandpiper, a Snipe, 16 Gadwall, 14 Teal, a Little Grebe and a Peregrine today.

In addition, Kevin Duncan reported 14 Shoveler and a Buzzard today.

In addition, Andy Little reported 12 Swallow and a Coal Tit today.

Monday October 19th

Richard Horton built and erected three grit trays and millet feeding stations for the Bearded Tits in the reedbed today, proving once again why he is a true "local hero".

The Bearded Tits were reported as being seen again today.

Tuesday October 20th

Richard Horton reported 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Bearded Tit and 3 Yellow-legged Gull today.

In addition, Jon Jordan reported a Kingfisher in the Silt Pond.

Grim Styles found a new species for the site: Russian Vine (Fallopia baldschuanica). This is the 950th species to be recorded at Tice's Meadow.

Wednesday October 21st

Dave Baker reported a Coal Tit (in Lisa's Wood) and a Yellow-legged Gull (adult) this afternoon.

In addition, Jeremy Gates reported a Goosander (female) today.

This is only the 7th recorded sighting of Goosander on site. Goosander is the 140th species of bird recorded on site this year.

Richard Horton met with Gibby (the farmer) and representatives from Hansons on site today to try and speed-up the introduction of Gibby's cattle into the Meadow.

Thursday October 22nd

No reports.

Friday October 23rd

Mark Elsoffer spent 10 hours on site today and reported 3 Green Sandpiper, 98 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, a Little Grebe, 2 Egyptian Goose, 17 Gadwall, 35 Teal, 70 Wigeon, a Tufted Duck, 18 Shoveler, 273 Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Great Black-backed Gull, a Common Gull, a Kingfisher, 5 Stonechat, 9 Reed Bunting, 2 Redwing (over), a Kestrel and a Peregrine.

In addition, John Hunt reported a Lesser Redpoll and a Yellow-legged Gull (adult) this morning.

John Hunt spotted 2 large bats flying around the site in broad daylight this morning. The bats were present throughout the day, with Mark Elsoffer reporting them still present at dusk. They have been tentatively identified as Noctule Bats (Nyctalus noctula).

Saturday October 24th

Mark Elvin reported two flocks of Golden Plover on site this morning. A flock of 26 flew off at 09:45, heading towards Farnham. A second flock of 48 later circled the site without landing, and then flew north along the Blackwater Valley.

This is the first reported sighting of Golden Plover this Autumn/Winter.

Mark Elvin also reported 50 Lapwing, 5 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 2 Egyptian Goose, a Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Stonechat, a Rook and a Sparrowhawk this morning.

This is only the 3rd reported sighting of Rook this year - a locally scarce species for the site.

An unconfirmed report of a Merlin was received today from an unknown source.

Sunday October 25th

John Hunt reported 18 Golden Plover (in the Workings), a Green Sandpiper, 59 Wigeon and a Kingfisher this morning.

In addition, Richard Horton reported a Common Gull and 2 Stonechat this morning.

Richard Horton reported a Short-eared Owl in the Meadow this evening.

This is only the 4th record of Short-eared Owl on site, but the 2nd record in 9 days. This could possibly be the same bird as seen on the 16th & 17th, although there has been a reported movement of Short-eared Owls through the local area over the past fortnight.

Grim Styles found a new species for the site: Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinqefolia).