The Tice's Meadow May 2026 blog is now available to read on our website. Compiled by the Tice's Meadow Bird Group from the many welcome contributions received from our wonderful community - many thanks. ticesmeadow.org Bullocks going for a paddle.

Want to help raise money for the TMBG? At the same time have the chance to win £2000 or plant 2000 trees? Why not enter the Rushmoor Lottery in time for their Super Draw at www.rushmoorlottery.co.uk/support/tice... Thank you for supporting both local wildlife and our community. Good luck!

Do come along and join in!

A reminder that Tice's Meadow Open Day is this Saturday from **10am**! 🌿 Enjoy bird ringing, bird & butterfly walks, bug hunting, river dipping, displays, and meet our friendly show sheep, Dibby & Lenny! 🐑 Fun for all the family – we hope to see you there!

First Greenshank on return migration was seen today in the Workings. The last one seen on Spring migration was on 30th April. They breed in the UK in Scotland. They migrate south to their wintering grounds in Africa with some staying in the UK along the south coast. Passage will peak during August.

Two Black-tailed Godwits were seen on 1 July, marking the start of their return passage from their Icelandic breeding grounds. The graph shows first arrival dates since 2010, with a trend towards earlier return passage over the past 16 years. @surreybirdnews.bsky.social ©Don Lemmon July 2025

The first Common Sandpiper on return migration was seen on 28/06 in the Workings. The last one seen on Spring migration was on 14th May. They breed in the UK in the uplands of Scotland, Northern England & Wales. Migrants will also include some birds from Scandinavia. @surreybirdnews.bsky.social

The Tice's Meadow Bird Group/Friends of Tice's Meadow are pleased to announce the date of our upcoming Welcome Day (formally known as the BioBlitz). Run in partnership with Surrey CC.

It would be great to see some new faces!

One of the ways the TMBG raises money to fund our activities is by being part of the Rushmoor Community Lottery. At the moment there is a Super Draw giving you even more chances to win. If you are already signed up why not refer a friend - for a bonus draw. www.rushmoorlottery.co.uk/support/tice...

While ringing Barn Owl owlets, this young Kestrel appeared at the nest box entrance. With the ladder already up, we checked for any remaining chicks and found this was the last one. Ringed and returned safely, it fledged a day or two later and has now left the box. @surreybirdnews.bsky.social ©TMBG

The first Green Sandpiper of the return passage was recorded in the Workings on 21 June, following the last spring sighting on 30 April. @surreybirdnews.bsky.social Green Sandpiper © Dan Powers , Sept 2025 Green Sandpipers in Flight © Jon Hawkins, Feb 2026 Graph of first day return

The video shows the five owlets sitting quietly together, waiting for night to fall and more food to arrive. The smallest fluffy Barn Owlet seems to have had a sudden growth spurt and towers above its siblings! However, this is simply a quirk of the camera lens. @barnowltrust.bsky.social ©TMBG

The five Barn Owl owlets are doing fine and are having prey items brought to them throughout the night by their parents. In the video, you can see a fox walking beneath the Barn Owl nest box just before the male Barn Owl arrives with a large rodent. @barnowltrust.bsky.social ©TMBG

The Barn Owl owlets are now large enough for ringing & measurements. 7 eggs were laid, 6 hatched; the smallest was taken by a sibling, leaving 5 owlets. From markings: 3 females, 1 male, and 1 too young to sex. All appear healthy and strong. @barnowltrust.bsky.social Photos show largest & smallest

With all the rain and sun we have had (mainly rain!), the vegetation along the paths and bridges has shot up. Thanks to a good turn out of our happy volunteers, we made great strides in clearing the walkways & keeping them accessible for everyone. A huge thank you all who gave their time and energy.

The Tice's Meadow April 2026 blog is now available to read on our website. Compiled by the Tice's Meadow Bird Group from the many welcome contributions received from our wonderful community - many thanks. ticesmeadow.org Bullock sleeping.

During April a Red-legged Partridge was reported in the Meadow. This is the 13th record for the site and was last recorded on 5th May 2024. @surreybirdnews.bsky.social Red-legged Partridge, stock photo

It would be great to see some new faces at our volunteer work parties. Check out the dates in the poster and come along.

We held our final children's activity for the half term on Friday. This time round the kids enjoyed themselves doing some hammer printing. @surreycc.gov.uk

A cuckoo was heard calling from beside the Workings this afternoon. @surreybirdnews.bsky.social Cuckoo, stock photo

Tuesday saw the first of this half term's children's events run by the Tice's Meadow Bird Group. The main activity was weaving and everyone had a great time under the guidance of Beverley. @surreycc.gov.uk

Today we revisited the two Tern rafts on the Workings to adjust the new ramps. While we were there, we also ringed 9 Black-headed Gull chicks! Another 7 were too small, with at least 18 eggs yet to hatch — possibly up to 25. @surreybirdnews.bsky.social

Grey Plover in the Meadow this morning. @surreybirdnews.bsky.social Grey Plover this morning © Kevin Duncan Grey Plover stock photo

A pleasant few hours today with the volunteers lifting the crowns of trees to enable more light to penetrate. This is for the benefit of wildlife and biodiversity. The area was checked for nesting birds first. Before and after. Some of the volunteers.

Three owlets and counting! As you can see, there are plenty of rodents to keep everyone fed. @surreybirdnews.bsky.social @barnowltrust.bsky.social Live webcams on our website ticesmeadow.org/p/blog-page_19.html © Tice's Meadow Bird Group

Tice's Meadow Nature Reserve's March 2026 blog is now available to read on our website. Thank you to everyone who contributes and submits their sightings. ticesmeadow.org Bullocks pointing.

A clear view of owlet number two as the female Barn Owl leaves to stretch her wings. Five eggs to go! @surreybirdnews.bsky.social @barnowltrust.bsky.social Live webcams on our website ticesmeadow.org/p/blog-page_19.html © Tice's Meadow Bird Group

Great News! The first Swift was seen returning to the Swift Tower today. This is the 6th year for the colony. @surreybirdnews.bsky.social © Alan David Taylor

This video shows the brief moment when the female Barn Owl left the new hatchling lying on the six remaining eggs. @surreybirdnews.bsky.social @barnowltrust.bsky.social Live webcams on our website ticesmeadow.org/p/blog-page_19.html © Tice's Meadow Bird Group