My Outback 2004 / 1

[birdman]

OK, a New Year, and New List, and the first chance to get outback.

Had partnyorsha, daughter and dog in tow, so I had a few extra pairs of eyes, and a volunteer, in my daughter, to take over the writing when my fingers got cold.

Weather was grey and freezing cold (literally) with a biting wind. Brrrr...

Anyway, as promised, no longer simply a list, but a reasonable attempt to add some meaningful number to sightings.

(I should also point out that the Pheasant mentioned below was seen only by my daughter - who was a useful spotter today!)

So, first data of the year...

Black-headed Gull : 4
Starling : 2
Reed Bunting : 2 (perh. 4)
Woodpigeon : >300 (maybe twice as many)
Moorhen : 3
Robin : 1
Grey Heron : 1
Blackbird : 5
Magpie : 14
Kestrel : 1
Long-tailed Tit : 13 (+ many heard)
Mistle Thrush : 2
Green Woodpecker : 1
Blue Tit : 3
Great Tit : 1
Pheasant : 1
Carrion Crow : 13

[pauco]

Nice start Birdman. are the mistle thrushes regular
on your outback?
bert.

[birdman]

We seem to have them around.

I made an "early" sighting in the middle of the year last year, and then amongst the general winter thrush flocks towards the end of the year, so I hope this year I can confirm them as present all year.

[Andrew]

I am keeping an eye on you to cheer when you get the first Stock DOve. A good start with the Reed Buntings and Green Woody.

[birdman]

Thanks Andrew... I hope I don't keep you wating too long!

The Reed Buntings were less than 20 feet from our garden, but I don't know if they vertured in.

The Green Woodpecker we saw at quite a distance, as it flew just a couple of feet above the ground, before landing in the field.

My 13-y-o daughter managed to get a good look through the binoculars as well, which seemed to thrill her quite a bit!

[Andrew]

Start them off young and they might be lucky enough to go on the right road to getting a job they enjoy such as a warden or bird scientist.