Tice’s Meadow nature reserve in Badshot Lea starred on BBC Springwatch on Monday.

The primetime BBC nature programme visited to highlight the work of Tice’s Meadow Bird Group volunteers at the meadow, and their new project aimed at restoring habitats for migratory bird the sandmartin.

Between 1998 and 2010, Tice’s Meadow was a 140 acre quarry operated by Hanson Aggregates, after which it was transformed into a haven for birds and other wildlife by volunteers.

However, in 2018 the meadow was put up for sale and looked likely to be sold to a housing developer, putting the wildlife and new habitat at risk.

Thanks to a petition that attracted more than 10,000 signatures, Surrey County Council – along with five other supporting local councils – bought the site, allowing the members of ‘Tice’s Meadow Bird Group’ – a friendly, tight-knit group of volunteers – to continue to protect and preserve the area and its wildlife.

Recent projects that the group have undertaken include a ‘sandmartin bank’ – a new nesting area for sandmartins returning from Africa.

Because of housing developments and quarrying, the territories in which these birds can inhabit have dwindled.

During the five minute segment on Tice’s Meadow featured in Springwatch, there is also talk about reed beds.

These are a “nationally important habitat” which were managed in the past as a resource, such as for roof thatching, but also provide habitats for wildlife and birds – including reed warblers who return to the nature reserve year on year thanks to the work of the volunteers.

Each member of the Tice’s Meadow Bird Group interviewed during the clip spoke enthusiastically about being part of the “friendliest bird watching group”.

The sense of satisfaction, community and social opportunity keeps the group from bringing in paid contractors to do the work on the meadow and “every day there are members of the bird group working onsite”, the programme heard.

The team always have “a good laugh” while working on projects together and describe spring as a crucial time for preparing for the new breeding season. They were “delighted” to feature on BBC Springwatch.

Watch Tice’s Meadow BBC Springwatch appearance in full here.

Article by Beatrice Vickery, a Year 12 student at HSDC Alton College