How's your 2004 year list going?

[Dave B Smith]

Band-backed Wren brought me to
16 Mar (193) YTD.
I had a flock of about 1,000 Blue-winged Teal and as hard as I looked I couldn't find another bloody duck in the flock. I was really hoping for something new there!

[Denis J]

1 to add this week
124: Chiffchaff
congratulations to steve on his engagement I hope his marrage is a succesfull as mine has been... 27 years and still birding together:@)

[Larry Lade]

It was windy here in Missouri also. Our local club had a field trip to a conservation area about 1/2 hour's drive north of Saint Joseph, Missouri. We had three geese species and fifteen duck species at this wetland site. I also picked up four shorebirds ("waders") for the year.

106 Greater Yellowlegs
107 Lesser Yellowlegs
108 Wilson's Snipe
109 Pectoral Sandpiper

109 (11 for March)

[Andrew]

Congratulations Steve on being engaged.

I am starting to think of not bothering with the BF list thread. A bit ticked off at being "told" how to run my list now.

[Jasonbirder]

Ooops....hope thats not me "ticking" you off Andrew! Just do whatever you feel comfy with, its your list at the end of the day!
The BOURC can be wrong about plenty of things ;)

[Reader]

Hi Andrew

As Jason has stated, it's your list and you do it your way. I know I do it my way and no one can tell me that I am doing it wrong as I get the benefits out of doing it my way.

I tell you what though, having this list here seems to have helped to spur you on to keep on adding to it so it has had some effect on you.

Keep on adding to it Andrew. I, for one, am interested to see how big your list does grow. Now there's a challenge for you.

I just wish I wasn't out of work at the moment as I might have been challenging that impressive list of yours.

[tom mckinney]

Reader & Jason are spot on.

It's your list. Count whatever you like.

I have White Headed Duck & Ruddy Shelduck on mine, but one hugely popular twitched bird in the 90's is most definitely NOT going on my list even though it is on the BOU list.

[Bluetail]

one hugely popular twitched bird in the 90's is most definitely NOT going on my list even though it is on the BOU list.Go on, Tom: do tell us. Black-faced Bunting?

Jason

[tom mckinney]

All I will say is Jason, you are one hell of a mind reader!

[Bluetail]

Andrew, I don't think anyone's telling you what you can and can't count. There are no list police here! Stevie asked for advice on whether he could count certain geese subspecies and the replies reflected the general thinking on these things (the only other possible reply was "who cares"!) But your lists are for your own use, so you define what you count.

Of course, it means that you can't compare two people's lists unless you know that they both adhere strictly to either the BOURC species list or the UK400 Club rules on which birds you can tick. But hey, does that matter?

Jason

[kingfisher]

For my year list, added Sand Martin and Ring-billed Gull at Radipole Lake with Andrew (Saturday 20 March), which takes my total for the year to 160. Sadly as Andrew has said we missed out on the Franklins Gull.

[StevieEvans]

176 singing Ring Ousel back on its upland territory in Weardale, along with vocal Male Wheatears & a female Wheatear too.
154 Co.Dham '04.
Nice morning with a strong cold wind blowing over the snowy hilltops, Seemed like an excellent way to try to make a hangover disappear........(NB. Note the use of 'try') but i think our judgement on that, was impaired.
Makes you think why do these birds come back when the weather is still bad.
SE.

[Andrew]

Here is how I am playing it to make things clearer to you all. Mind you I am not laying down rules for all, just showing where I stand. It is based on personal judgement after discussions with friends and people I have met as well as literature. I simply allow myself what is on the B.O.U. lists and as well as both Bean Geese races and both the White-fronts. I do not have any Bean Geese this year anyway (yet!). As for the dubious escapes I pretty much include the standard ones such as Ross's Goose, Ruddy Shelduck and Ring-necked Parakeet because I feel it fair to do so with many others doing so too. I have not been convinced enough to inluce the three races of Brent Geese but I would try to see Pale-bellied if one was easy enough to get to so that I have it ticked in case anything happens. We must remember that not all year listers are BFers so any influences on anyone's decisions on the content will come from outside BF meaning no one will be harmoniously identical in what they do with their lists on BF (unless they are strictly B.O.U. orientated). There it is.

[Denis J]

125: Little owl
and about time!
as to lists ..tick what you feel comfortable with. I for one feel the powers to be are sometimes just a bit conservative for example I have chestnut bunting on my life list not a chance of it being accepted but when I saw it several other species had turned up in the country and it was at a time of year when you would expect something unusual to turn up so its my list and i'm counting it!!

[Darren Oakley-Martin]

Hi all,

Just thought I would remind everyone that Simon's intention with this thread was for people to be able to report how their list for the year is going.

What you tick, and for what reason, is for you to decide.

Charles has very kindly offered to collate everyone's records in a different thread.

I think that if we have to discuss the viability of splits being added to individual lists, then another thread is necessary.

It's YOUR LIST AFTER ALL!! And I thought that this wasn't a competition.

You're not awarding prizes are you Simon?

[SimonC]

Hi all,

Just thought I would remind everyone that Simon's intention with this thread was for people to be able to report how their list for the year is going.

What you tick, and for what reason, is for you to decide.

Charles has very kindly offered to collate everyone's records in a different thread.

I think that if we have to discuss the viability of splits being added to individual lists, then another thread is necessary.

It's YOUR LIST AFTER ALL!! And I thought that this wasn't a competition.

You're not awarding prizes are you Simon?
LOL!!
not unless you think I should?

[Darren Oakley-Martin]

LOL!!
not unless you think I should?
your call mate, your thread after all.

[Harry Hussey]

Hi Andrew,
Had the worst day's birding for as long as I can remember. Went to Weymouth with Kingfisher after the Franklin's Gull. We were there from early morning until late afternoon and decided to leave on the 3pm train. It showed well in front of Radipole visitor centre not long after we left! We should have got the 17:55 train!! I was really pi**ed off about it! Only consolation was a flock of Sand Martins, which is more of an insult really!

187 - Sand Martin

That puts me on 8(187).

As for ticking ALL subspecies. No I don't, just the Beans and White Fronts with conviction! Why wait for armchair ticks, have it now!
I'm sorry to hear that!Have yet to see a Franklin's Gull myself:it was the only full species of gull on the Irish list that I needed,but the IRBC is treating Thayer's Gull as a full species following acceptance of all but one of the pending records,and I dipped on one last year,so now there's two,not to mention Caspian(just in case),and any firsts(Audouin's and Slender-billed must be possible).
Must tot up my year list soon:a few friends of mine have a competition going,and I was unable to tell them my year list yesterday.
Only got two birds for the year yesterday:still,one of those was a Red-rumped Swallow!;)
Harry

[Andrew]

Hi Andrew,

I'm sorry to hear that!Have yet to see a Franklin's Gull myself:it was the only full species of gull on the Irish list that I needed,but the IRBC is treating Thayer's Gull as a full species following acceptance of all but one of the pending records,and I dipped on one last year,so now there's two,not to mention Caspian(just in case),and any firsts(Audouin's and Slender-billed must be possible).
Must tot up my year list soon:a few friends of mine have a competition going,and I was unable to tell them my year list yesterday.
Only got two birds for the year yesterday:still,one of those was a Red-rumped Swallow!;)
Harry
While waiting for the Franklin's we discussed Alpine Swift and Red-rumped Swallows and agreed that they must be birds that you know when you see one. Unmistakable?

By the way, like a nutter I am back down to Weymouth soon for another crack at it!

[Charles Harper]

Everybody-- just keep listing and posting!

Third try finally did it, but where 65 Oystercatchers could hide for two months is beyond me. En route, added two curlew, Eurasian and Far Eastern, to bring me to a still-miserable (for March) 5 (131).

One more weekend in March, and then I`ll be collecting your updated numbers on April Fool`s Day.

Don`t say I never give you any straight lines...

[Dave B Smith]

Worked very hard today to end up with just two new year birds! I was out 9 hours, covered a few miles of highway and lots of little trails. Got 47 birds for the day but only 2 were year ticks; Jabiru, and Plain-breasted Ground-Dove. That brings me to 18 for March, (195) YTD.

I'll have one new lifer if I can get a hummingbird ID worked out. Got good notes, good views in the scope, but the one it looks exactly like in my guide isn't supposed to be here 8-( I'll be checking some other references to see if I can convince myself.

[Charles Harper]

... well, come on, Dave-- start an I.D. thread!

[SimonC]

Been laid low with a bug since Christmas so been restricted to the birds in the garden and what's been flying over the house! Hence my List so far being really low...less than 20!!! Do I get a prize? Or a dunce's cap LOL. But feeling ok now so when I finish work tomorrow at 2pm I'm going to nip out for a couple of hours to see what I can find!
My first bird of the year...and a first for my garden...was a female Chaffinch 'pinking' away in the tree at the bottom of the garden on January 1st as I checked the feeders and birdbath. Was really pleased with her!
My Life List is currently on 166 and for 2004 I'm going to try REALLY hard to reach 200......I'll bet those will be the hardest 34 birds I'll ever try for!!! But, fingers crossed, come December 31st I will have done it!!!

GILL XXXX
Is it time for an update Gill? ;)
I've already got 9 of the 24 I needed at the start of the year (& that's probably all thanks to the friendly "competition" introduced by this thread!!)

[Andrew]

By the way, like a nutter I am back down to Weymouth soon for another crack at it!
Unfortunately after some serious thought and looking at my readies (lack of them) I have made the unwanted decision not to go back for another shot at the Franklin's. I will pray it turns out to be a long stayer and I see it in April on a two dayer to Portland. (Touch wood)

[Harry Hussey]

Hi Andrew,
While waiting for the Franklin's we discussed Alpine Swift and Red-rumped Swallows and agreed that they must be birds that you know when you see one. Unmistakable?
While these are two distinctive species(indeed,I saw my first Alpine Swift from a moving minibus in Bulgaria and ID'd it having seen it for a few seconds before it disappeared behind a tower block:it later showed again allowing the ID to be confirmed),I would hesitate to call them unmistakable.
Partial albino Common Swift can show a pattern similar to that of Alpine,and size may not be readily apparent on a lone bird.Careful assessment of the exact extent of white,upperparts colour(grey-brown,paler than Common) and structure/flight style should rule this out.
Hybrid Barn Swallow x House Martin can resemble Red-rumped Swallow,showing a peach-red rump and a pale face,but such a bird would never have the black undertail coverts of a true Red-rumped(making the tail look as if it were 'stuck on'),nor the rusty collar on the nape or diffuse breast streaking.Such hybrids can be(and have been) mistaken for vagrant Cliff Swallows as well.
Harry

[Bluetail]

Partial albino Common Swift can show a pattern similar to that of Alpine,and size may not be readily apparent on a lone bird.Absolutely - especially since a lot of our Alpine Swifts turn up as early migrants and are likely to be the first swift of the year that a twitcher sees (look at the current bunch). My one and only UK Alpine was such a bird and I'm ashamed to say that, despite close views, the larger size didn't strike me at all, even though I watch Common Swifts a lot when they're in season. In the south of France last summer it was a different matter and the differences (not only in size, but shape too) were obvious - but by that time of year my eyes were well "in".

Jason

[Harry Hussey]

Hi Jason,
Absolutely - especially since a lot of our Alpine Swifts turn up as early migrants and are likely to be the first swift of the year that a twitcher sees (look at the current bunch). My one and only UK Alpine was such a bird and I'm ashamed to say that, despite close views, the larger size didn't strike me at all, even though I watch Common Swifts a lot when they're in season. In the south of France last summer it was a different matter and the differences (not only in size, but shape too) were obvious - but by that time of year my eyes were well "in"
My first swifts in 2002 were Alpine-five of them-and they looked HUGE!Mind you,I did think that a distant swift that evening was one of them,but it was a Common/Pallid type,and this was obvious when it was later joined by an Alpine!;)
The slower wingbeats and greater incidence of gliding struck me on these birds alright,as did the different wing shape and shallower tail fork.
Harry

[Steve Lister]

A local patch Swallow took me up to 150 this morning, but seconds later I found a RED-RUMPED SWALLOW for 151, and a county-tick thrown-in.

Steve

[gthang]

My 42nd tick, Hairy Woodpecker

[Jasonbirder]

Well thank you Steve ;) Seeing that Red-rumped at lunch has taken me to 173!!!

[Andrew]

Hi Andrew,

While these are two distinctive species(indeed,I saw my first Alpine Swift from a moving minibus in Bulgaria and ID'd it having seen it for a few seconds before it disappeared behind a tower block:it later showed again allowing the ID to be confirmed),I would hesitate to call them unmistakable.
Partial albino Common Swift can show a pattern similar to that of Alpine,and size may not be readily apparent on a lone bird.Careful assessment of the exact extent of white,upperparts colour(grey-brown,paler than Common) and structure/flight style should rule this out.
Hybrid Barn Swallow x House Martin can resemble Red-rumped Swallow,showing a peach-red rump and a pale face,but such a bird would never have the black undertail coverts of a true Red-rumped(making the tail look as if it were 'stuck on'),nor the rusty collar on the nape or diffuse breast streaking.Such hybrids can be(and have been) mistaken for vagrant Cliff Swallows as well.
Harry
Why can't any high ranking birds have clear cut identification requirements! It is a minefield but as I know, experience is the most valuable teacher.

[Andrew]

Well thank you Steve ;) Seeing that Red-rumped at lunch has taken me to 173!!!
Ah, so you got it after all! Well done mate! (Same to you Steve)

[Harry Hussey]

Hi Andrew,
Why can't any high ranking birds have clear cut identification requirements! It is a minefield but as I know, experience is the most valuable teacher.
Please don't misread my posting:I only wished to point out the need for caution even with such obvious species as these two!When seen any bit well,both are straightforward,though,as long as one keeps a level head(which can be hard!).
Harry

[Tero]

No 2004 list, as my life list is small enough. But three new entries this year. Finally got the second Kinglet.

[Andrew]

Hi Andrew,

Please don't misread my posting:I only wished to point out the need for caution even with such obvious species as these two!When seen any bit well,both are straightforward,though,as long as one keeps a level head(which can be hard!).
Harry
Understood and thanks for the warning. I am so cautious in my identification that recently I spent ten minutes deciding on a Ring-billed Gull!!! Hate it when that happens. Actually no I don't, I like that.

[Harry Hussey]

Hi Andrew,
Understood and thanks for the warning. I am so cautious in my identification that recently I spent ten minutes deciding on a Ring-billed Gull!!! Hate it when that happens. Actually no I don't, I like that.
No problem!Sometimes spend longer than is necessary deliberating over a bird myself,like last year's Semi-palmated Sandpiper at White's Marsh!
Keep up the good work!
Harry

[jada dulo]

Got 2 more , Wheatear and Mediterranean Gull ( L ) , that's 8 for March !! ... and year list now at 117 ! ... with a few easier bird's being seen locally now ie: Sand Martin , Swallow and Willow Warbler ... some nice year ticks still to get !

[Larry Lade]

Added two more species for 2004 in Missouri:

110 Tree Swallow
111 Sandhill Crane

Both were seen at Squaw Creek NWR, Mound City, Missouri.

[gthang]

Being a new birder, my list is quite small, but still 44 birds is great. Jada Dulo had mentioned a month list. My month total for March (so far!) is 12 birds, including 3 woodpeckers, Pine Siskin, 4 sparrows, and a wren.

[Dave B Smith]

Last night I had too much spare time on my hands so I reviewed a few stats for my birding. My normal area for birdwatching consists of a semi circle (I live on the coast) with a 4 hour radius. I printed out my life list for this area and found that I had 250 birds. This year, I have found 196 of them to date. I'm only missing three fairly common birds so far. Then I thumbed through my field guide range maps and picked out all the additional (interesting looking and resident) ones I've never found. That gave me another 85 birds to target! So now I have a plan for the coming weekend to try to increase both my year list and life list for the area. Hopefully next Monday I'll have some new birds to report here.

[jada dulo]

... and 2 more , Barn Owl and Sand Martin ! that's 119 for the year and 10 for March !

[gthang]

same for me! got 1 totally new bird plus 2 bird that we've seen, but I was never able to photograph.

[CJW]

Just got Sand Martin, Short-eared Owl and Wheatear in the last couple of days. That makes 110 for the year.

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Andrew,

While these are two distinctive species(indeed,I saw my first Alpine Swift from a moving minibus in Bulgaria and ID'd it having seen it for a few seconds before it disappeared behind a tower block:it later showed again allowing the ID to be confirmed),I would hesitate to call them unmistakable.
Harry
Hi Harry,

My one-and-only UK Alpine Swift, over the garden at home here, when I first picked it up in the distance, my first thought was Hobby. Fortunately, it came right over only just above rooftop height so I got a good view even tho' I didn't have my bins with me (no time to run into the house to grab them!)

Michael

[peteh]

Sand martin for me as well today
so thats
104 (5)

Hopefully I will get to see the Short eared owl tomorrow too. :)

edit - count on here has gone wrong somewhere I have got to 104 according to my mapmate database. Whoops.

[Andrew]

Dipped out on a Hoopoe today. It showed when I had left to a different part of the reserve then roosted in a tree after I gave up and came home!!!

[Jasonbirder]

Thats very hard luck ANdrew - I was wondering if you`d managed to get it - better luck next time (not much consolation I know)

[Reader]

A bit of luck today. wasn't out birdwatching but on my way home the pager went off alerting me to the fact that there were 3 Wheatears by Baginton (Coventry) airport. Where was I, 2 miles away, so I dropped by and there they were. Thankfully I didn't even need binoculars to see them (good job really as I hadn't got any optics with me). My total now is:

151. Wheatear & 16 for March.

Not too bad as I am hardly doing any birding lately.

[Andrew]

Thats very hard luck ANdrew - I was wondering if you`d managed to get it - better luck next time (not much consolation I know)
Going back tomorrow and I have hindsight in my favour. I am not even going to bother getting there until 4pm either.

[StevieEvans]

County '04 155 drake Long tailed duck.

Roosting on the open sea with nothing about for a size comparison.
It was asleep with its head tucked into its back. I initially could only see it 'front on' & was confused on ident. (At first thought it may have even been a Male smew.) untill i moved a few hundred metres down the coast.
The bird had no long tail & was showing smudges of brown as it moults out of winter plumage. It never lifted its head but on a side on view it was then (obviously) identifiable.

SE

[StevieEvans]

Finally got A armchair tick... but not a goose (i know! - 'an')

Recount of birds via a BOU list & i previously missed off Rose-ringed Parakeet from (January).

177 - 2004 Yearlist.BOU.
156 - 2004 County Yearlist.BOU.

StevieEvans. ;)

[Charles Harper]

OK now Stevie, a couple of things--

remind me will you when you post final March numbers to add one to your January;

and is that an "armchair" tick (which is actually a relatively new and unclear term for me), because you got up and out and saw it, didn`t you? My interpretation of armchair tick is pretty much limited to splits and announcements of 20 years of successful breeding;

and I`d really like to get my hands on your signature-- you`re doing it on purpose, aren`t you?--

and, belated congratulations on your engagement. How big was the diamond and when`s the reception?

(add appropriate smilies to designate flippant portions of posting)

[jada dulo]

I know it's a sub-species but it's also a tick ... White Wagtail today !! 120 for the year , 11th for March and 106th for the county !( this year ) .

[gthang]

This morning, had to go to college for a job fair. in the parking lot was a black bird that i think was a European Starling, since it had white spots on its back, and also a yellow bill. Then on the way home, doing 70mph, i spotted an American Robin (first time this year!) sitting by the side of the road, almost camouflaged by the dead leaves surrounding it...

[peteh]

I saw the Short eared owl today
so thats
105 (6) for my manx year list.

[Andrew]

The return trip paid off, a long bus ride back to Colyford got me the Hoopoe! A wonderful lifer for me too!

(9)188 - Hoopoe

[Jasonbirder]

Great news Andrew! I thought you`d got it when I saw it on the pager this evening. Might warrant a trip south next week if it lingers....

[gthang]

where else do hoopoe's live? i'm looking to see one!

[Michael Frankis]

where else do hoopoe's live? i'm looking to see one!
Hi Gthang,

You'll have to cross over the Pond - they're in southern Europe, Africa and southern Asia.

Michael

[Andrew]

Great news Andrew! I thought you`d got it when I saw it on the pager this evening. Might warrant a trip south next week if it lingers....
About fifteen saw it and someone else put the news out. Will give you the info if you go for it.

[Tero]

A good view of Brown Thrasher yesterday. I had seen it running around among leaves, but yesterday it was singing away on a branch. When I first just heard it, I thought it was a mocking bird.

[gthang]

yesterday, i was hiking along some swampy ponds, and saw a gray bird picking food off the mosses. The bird looked passerine (the passerines look entirely different from all the non-passers.), and had visible white edging along the Primaries (eg, see American goldfinch, with white borders on wings when wings are folded) when i looked through the binoculars. I can't tell size, because I'm so idiotic in that area. I can't even tell you how far I was from it. but the most possible ID was a Northern Mockingbird. BTW, what birds eat (or break apart for the insides of) skunk cabbage???

[peteh]

I had a day off work today so had a drive about and added Black Throated Diver
Red legged Partridge and Stock Dove to my 2004 manx list.
So thats 108 (9).

[StevieEvans]

Goshawks, Crossbills & Green Sand today.

179 BOU 2004 Year List
160 2004 BOU County Yearlist.

Still waiting for LRP.
SE.

[alibenn]

I'm not going to make any friends here!!!

I live in Malaysia, and have been to India, China and Indonesia with work, and by the 18th March was on 348!! 151 photographed..

I'll get my coat :))

Ali B

[Reader]

Hi alibenn

Obviously there will be a few a tad envious (me included) but you must post some of your photos on the gallery.

You will have to give us an idea of the birds seen (the rarer the better) on your various trips.

[Charles Harper]

Everybody welcome, Ali-- just let us know what area you are working, and if you`ll give me your Jan, Feb, March, and Total numbers, I`ll happily add you to the group come April 1st.

PS: where in Malaysia? Can I come visit you?

[StevieEvans]

Ali, welcome.
Thats a Real Cool Total so far.
How many species do you expect to see/photograph by the end of the year?
StevieEvans.

[Andrew]

What a staggering list you have so far Ali!

Failed to see the Great White Egret. Went to look for it at Powderham twice and reckon it has moved on. Tried to get Garganey and failed too but my hunch was right as they are showing all over the south today. Managed to find a new one though.

189 - Green Sandpiper 10(189)

[Jasonbirder]

Hard luck Andrew :(

[Larry Lade]

Added Eastern Phoebe, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Fox Sparrow. Now at 115 for Missouri, USA.

[alibenn]

Hi folks,

The year list thing for me depends on if I go to any new countries, or whether I actually go on a vacation birding trip, rather than just travelling with work and taking the opportunity to get a day or two out in the field.

Over the last 3 years, I average in the 800-950/year area, but now I've started putting time into the photography side of things, I will see less, as I spend more time trying to catch a shot of something new (yes I've started my birds photographed year list, life list, coutry list etc.

Oh yes, I need help!! ;>))

I only joined BF this week, but I expect to be a pretty regular poster:

My small gallery so far is at:

http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/7317

I also have a homepage of mostly bird pics at:

www.birdart.net

and I regularly post to Oriental Bird Images Database at:

http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/photographers.php?action=birder&Birder_ID=236

Good to be a member, cheers,

Ali B

[Dave B Smith]

Alibenn,
Welcome from one list addict to another! You've got some very nice shots in your gallery. Hopefully you'll spend a LOT more time photographing birds this year (and give us a chance to catch up a little ;)). I dare say with your numbers you are going to make us work a lot harder!

[peteh]

Picked up Ruddy Duck today (not literally!) :)

so thats 109 (9) for the manx list.

[tom mckinney]

191.

Best birds so far: Harlequin, American Coot (sad I know), Balti Oriole, American Robin, Alpine Swift, Red Rumped Swallow Dusky & Hume's Warbler.

Fave moment so far: Being drunk on the Aberdeen-Lerwick Ferry.

Worst moment so far: Waking up on the Aberdeen-Lerwick ferry.

[andy]

Green Winged Teal today 156 all Devon

[Steve Lister]

Went north yesterday, up to South Yorks/Derbyshire and added

154 Red Grouse
155 Wheatear
156 Goshawk
157 Ring Ouzel
158 Dipper

So that's (18)158.

Steve

[Reader]

I had a bit of a magic day out today complete with a magical moment. If you want to read all about it go to:
http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=132953#post132953

Anyway I added 6 new birds to this years list.

152. Sand Martin
153. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
154. Willow Warbler
155. Mandarin Duck
156. White Stork
157. Red Rumped Swallow (also a British 1st)


That is also 22 for March.

[Tero]

Saw first Martins. There were Martin houses in a park, and these had Martins as well as Sparrows.

[Dave B Smith]

Went to one of my local patches today looking for the Pygmy Kingfisher. Only place I've ever found it. Found lots of Green Kingfishers (up to three at a time) but didn't find my Pygmy. The first young Boat-billed Herons have fledged and I saw about 30 of these young ones.

Did get one lifer and year tick, Magnolia Warbler.
20 for March and (197) YTD.

Tomorrow I'm planning on heading up into the swamps to see if I can come up with some Rails, Crakes, or even new Ducks, as well as some raptors.

[pduxon]

Avocet
Great Grey Shrike (L)

so 8 (114)

[Andrew]

Went out on the bus for the Exminster Marshes Garganey. Had the luxury of having a Lesser Scaup as a throw away bird! A Greater Scaup was a Devon first though, pity I could not find the Green-winged Teal for my Devon list which is close to 200.

190 - Garganey (11)190

[StevieEvans]

180 Alpine Swift (very close, it passed within 10' of us)
A new bird for our British List 303.

[IMG]

StevieEvans

[Larry Lade]

Hi alibenn, enjoyed looking at your photos. Lots of neat shots! 800-950 birds a year is sort of "mind-boggling". Looking forward to hearing and seeing more from you.

[SimonC]

A trip to Cley today netted me three more, including one Lifer. (would've been four & two lifers if the Cetti's Warbler at Walsey Hills had been seen and not just heard! - serves me right for having self imposed rules for Lifers!!)

They were:

Ruff
Water Pipit (L)
Northern Wheatear

So the tally for March stands at 20 (126)

(Charles, this tally is highly likely to be the final one for March as I've not got anything planned for next week!)

[jada dulo]

Got Blackcap at last yesterday , so that's now 12 for March ... 121 for year !

[Charles Harper]

Sunday was a gorgeous, warm and sunny spring day, the cherry blossoms in full regalia, and I had the luck of the Irish, in the person of Michael Noonan, a pleasant and knowledgeable Birdingpal over from Dublin, to give me a hand. Gave me a lot of pointers on differences between Irish and Japanese turtle doves, jays, greenfinches, etc. and found me some siskins high in the Cryptomeria. Those and the First Definite Signs of Spring-- Barn Swallows!-- brought me to 7 (133). Also my last for March, in all likelihood.

[Jasonbirder]

2004 Year list 187 March +30 so far

Just returned from a trip to Scotland - missed a few of our targets but picked up King Eider, Black Grouse, Capercaillie and Crested Tit. Ended up with a trip list of 104

Would have got more if we hadn`t filled our hired Diesel people carrier with petrol - ouch! Cost us four hours being drained and £150. Will post a trip report as soon as poss.

[birdman]

I'll be sorting out my March figures soon, but just popped in to say a quick "Hello and Welcome" to alibenn.

You seem to have snuck in without any of the Mods noticing, so we haven't have a chance to give you an official Welcome.

With all your sightings you'll soon find you have plenty of friends here ;)

Glad to hear you'll be posting regularly.

Enjoy your time here.

:t:

[gthang]

Hey alibenn, welcome to the forums!

Anyway, just added Eastern Phoebe to the growing list of new birds, both for the year and for the month.

16 birds for the month!
a total of approximately 50 or so birds since I started the hobby.

[Dave B Smith]

A trip into Centla (Usamacinta Marches) helped me out a little with one lifer (*) and two year birds. I also stopped en route to one of my favorite areas (another marshy area) and picked up another lifer. Then returning home right at sundown I got a flock of Lesser Nighthawks! Last lifer of the day.

Anhinga
Glossy Ibis *
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture *
Lesser Nighthawk *

And then I missed one off Saturday's report, Northern Waterthrush. This brings me to:
25 for Mar and (202) YTD.

Charles, these will probably be my month end numbers as I won't have much chance to get out any more this month.

Confirmed. No changes for March. Thanks

[Denis J]

Had a nice day out in Northumberland on Saturday we picked up 70 Species on the day but only 2 new year ticks
126: Wheatear
127: Short eared owl
only 6 new ticks in March the joys of birding by public transport if the weather is bad we tend not to go. Standing for an hour in the rain waiting for a 3 hour bus trip home is not my idea of a good time!
Gruesome sight on saturday though we saw a Crow eating a herring gull on the edge of a lake and when I scoped it I realised the gull was still alive! another crow turned up and went for its eyes and it died shortly afterwards ...not a pretty sight!

[gthang]

Ooh, man, sucks to be that gull! Of course, the gull could have been sick or injured, or even dying, and the crows put it out of its misery. Thus the cycle of life continues...

[Denis J]

Yes I think you are right . The Gull did not look well It was flat to the ground with its wings partly spread and as the Crow pulled at its flank it was weakly lifting its head but was no threat to the crow . As you say its all part of natures rich pagentry

[birdman]

Had cause to amend my list due to spelling mistakes, so to review...

Jan 70 (70)
Feb 10 (80)

and I am pleased to add

81 Brambling
82 Linnet
83 Oystercatcher
84 Red-breasted Merganser
85 Stock Dove
86 Grey Partridge
87 Pink-footed Goose
88 Red Kite
89 Pintail
90 Hooded Crow
91 Common Gull
92 Turnstone
93 Eider
94 Barnacle Goose
95 Rock Pipit
97 Black-throated Diver
98 Whooper Swan
99 Stonechat
100 Razorbill
101 Siskin
102 Fulmar
103 Shag
104 Red-throated Diver
105 Peregrine
106 Raven
107 Snow Bunting
108 Great Northern Diver
109 Guillemot
110 Slavonian Grebe

making

Mar 30 (110)

[birdman]

... erm... oops

111 Chiffchaff

Mar 31 (111)

Highly unlikely to add more tomorrow.

[kingfisher]

Just returned from a short break in Devon, which added the following birds to my year list.

165 Great Grey Shrike
166 Wheatear
167 Greater Scaup
168 Osprey

168 equals my year list total for 2003, so my dream of 200 for 2004 is well on course now.

[Larry Lade]

Today I added:

117 Lincoln's Sparrow
118 Vesper Sparrow

[StevieEvans]

181 Fine Drake Garganey
&
Fine Drake White Headed Duck (provenance ?)
both in home county
SE.

[Jasonbirder]

Absolutely glorious day today - earm sunshine blue skies perhaps spring has really arrived!
A few more to round out the month makes

191 2004 March +34

[Nezvanova]

Well, I have 34 for the year here.......(my life list is only 50 so far!)

[Glen Tepke]

First post to this thread -- hope its not too late. Recently returned from a brief visit with the in-laws in California, where I picked up quite a few year birds and one lifer (Gull-billed Tern, something of a nemesis bird for my wife and me). That brings the year list as of the end of March to 343. The number was boosted considerably by a trip to Panama in January, where we saw 218 species. Glen

[gthang]

just a quick question: what's a lifer compared to a year bird?

[SimonC]

First post to this thread -- hope its not too late. Recently returned from a brief visit with the in-laws in California, where I picked up quite a few year birds and one lifer (Gull-billed Tern, something of a nemesis bird for my wife and me). That brings the year list as of the end of March to 343. The number was boosted considerably by a trip to Panama in January, where we saw 218 species. GlenHi Glen,

The more the merrier! :t:
Charles Harper has kindly been collecting all the info from this thread and has posted monthly summaries for everyone that has been posting their totals.
I'm sure he'll pick up on this and let you know what he'll need if you want to join the fun:D

BTW, "Nemesis bird"? is that the same as we Brits would call a "bogey bird"?

[SimonC]

just a quick question: what's a lifer compared to a year bird?A "lifer" is a bird you've never previously seen, alternatively known as a "Life tick"

I guess in your case, it would be a bird previously not photographed? or are you listing birds you see as well now?

[Reader]

Just a thought within this thread. Are we counting year ticks outside the country we live. i.e I am going to Spain in April so would definitely be adding some ticks to my list.

I ask because I assumed that these ticks were being collated in your own country to see just how many birds could be achieved.

Doing it this way might act as a spur to see if you can increase your year total from previous years (as this seems to have happened to Andrew). I know when I first went twitching it was from a direct challenge from someone in a now defunct bird forum. We matched each other through the year and I was finally beaten by 3 birds. It was exciting while it lasted but even though there wasn't a challenge the next year I couldn't resist the personal challenge of trying to increase the previous years tally.

Personally I think it best to keep the list to your country but I will bow to everyone elses opinion.

[gthang]

A "lifer" is a bird you've never previously seen, alternatively known as a "Life tick"

I guess in your case, it would be a bird previously not photographed? or are you listing birds you see as well now?
Yeah, I do list birds that I have not photographed, e.g. a Northern Mockingbird that I saw down at the pond (the Great Blue Heron's residency) but I didn't have my camera with me. Also, I photographed an Eastern Phoebe early last week, and the picture didn't come out too good. I mainly take photographs as ID helpers as well as proof of the sighting. This way, if I saw an Ivory-Billed Woodpecker in my backyard (highly unlikely, BTW), and took a picture, people skeptical of me will ask to see proof, and I would show the picture. If they think it's a real photo, I could be world renowned!

Just a quick story. Carry on with the thread.

[gthang]

Well, I have 34 for the year here.......(my life list is only 50 so far!)
Same here, although I have not actually seen some of them. My dad has been constantly seeing Bald Eagles on the Hudson River, where we have a boat. He took me to the marina where the boat's docked so I could see the eagles. But there weren't any around at the time. The only time I think I saw a bald eagle was when the family took a trip to Yellowstone Nat'l Park. In one of the rivers, there was a pillar of stone in the middle of the river, and I saw a big bird on the pillar. I looked through the binoculars and saw it was a bald eagle. Seconds later, I saw some white stuff being squirted out by the eagle...

BTW, my life-list is now at 52 birds, with 18 of them discovered this month alone. (From the beginning to the end of March). W00t!

[Charles Harper]

Reader, you can list whatever area you like; it would be nice to let us know, though, so we don't get the idea you saw 350 species in the UK in March. I'm going to tack on a rough area indication to each lister's numbers when I get March together.

PS: If you want to post a couple of lists, I can handle that too (winking smilie).

[Glen Tepke]

My 343 was for the world, if that was not clear. If you want smaller areas, my year numbers through March:

US - 140
Massachusetts (home state) - 67
Boston Public Garden (local patch) - 26

Glen

[Larry Lade]

I watched a Louisiana Waterthrush picking morsels of food items from a small stream in a wooded conservation area just south of Saint Joseph today. Although it is now officially spring, it was a little cool. But scene was very idyllic as the moss and grass on the banks of the little stream were very green and the "spring beauties" and "Dutchman's breeches" were blooming there also.

2004 birds for northwest Missouri, USA
Jan Feb Mar
90+ 4+ 25 = 119

[Andrew Whitehouse]

A trip down south to north east England produced four more year ticks:

126. Chiffchaff
127. Jay (!)
128. Black-necked Grebe
129. Tawny Owl

And a 'lifer' in the form of Mr Michael F!

[Charles Harper]

Totals through March are now posted in the BF Members' 2004 Year Lists (Monthly Summaries) thread in the Lists Forum. Read 'em and weep.

I may be early-- is it April where you are yet?-- and I am probably inaccurate, so please PM me or post your corrections here.

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I seem to have slipped off the list Charles. Does this mean I've been relegated to the second division of year listers?

[SimonC]

Totals through March are now posted in the BF Members' 2004 Year Lists (Monthly Summaries) thread in the Lists Forum. Read 'em and weep.

I may be early-- is it April where you are yet?-- and I am probably inaccurate, so please PM me or post your corrections here.
I'm not gonna weep Charles. We're only a 1/4 of the way into the year and I only need 7 more species to equal my previous best (set in 1995 - the year I rediscovered birding!)

Long live this thread

[Charles Harper]

... just means too much chianti, Andrew. Dunno how you disappeared, but I put you back on....

[Dave B Smith]

While waiting for the March update, I poked my head out my bedroom window this morning and got my first year tick for April! A male Scarlet Tanager. Absolutely stunning bird.
1 Apr (203) YTD

[Andrew]

Got three more birds from Wales.

191 - Northern Goshawk
192 - Northern Wheatear
193 - Red Kite (L)

That makes it 14(193) for March.

I failed to start April off with Maely Redpoll despite finding the garden for it in Salem.

(I was told in many places by graffitti that the English are not welcome there!)

[StevieEvans]

182 :- in the form of a very early Yellow Wagtail from the cab of the Ford Transit on the way home today.
162 BOU CoDurham 2004.

(Would very Much like to Add White Headed Duck...!!! apparently the Tees Drake is un-ringed)

SE.

[kingfisher]

Got my first Swallows of the Spring here in Taunton yesterday (Thursday) thats now 169 for the year.

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Sort of went twitching today, albeit only 3 or 4 miles down the road. The result was:

130. Avocet (4 on the Eden Estuary)

They were also a Fife tick, Scottish tick and the first Avocets I've seen anywhere for about 7 years! And on the way back home:

131. Jack Snipe

[Larry Lade]

This morning I added two birds to my 2004 Missouri List:

120. Eastern Towhee (Bluff Woods Conservation Area)
121. Greater Scaup (Mud Lake, Saint Joseph, Missouri)

[Harry Hussey]

Hi all,
Today I was reminded yet again of why I really should stop trying to keep a year list,even a local one!
I was stuck in Cork city all week from last Sunday until today,and hadn't had a year tick since a Ruff two weeks ago(on the day that I ticked the Red-rumped Swallow).Went down to Knockadoon,where I only managed a female type Black Redstart and 3 Chiffchaffs,but at least a stream of distant Manxies were new for the year.
I then got a phone call to say that a Yellow-browed Warbler had been seen in...Cork city!!It stayed around the UCC campus for hours too,and showed well apparently.Wasn't in a position to get back before dark,and will now have to hope that it's there tomorrow.
I've seen over 15 of them,and have found the species myself,so why does it feel so bad...?
Of course,I'll bet that the 'big one' will be found at Knockadoon while I'm having no luck in Cork!
Harry

[gthang]

Got a Brown-Headed Cowbird today, I'm afraid...

[peteh]

2 more in the p***ing rain this morning.

Sandwich Tern
Knot

so thats 111 (2) on the Manx list.

[Harry Hussey]

Hi all,
The Yellow-browed Warbler was still present in the UCC campus and showed well,was also very vocal at times.
Harry

[peteh]

Not as exciting as a Yellow browed warbler but a
Willow warbler this afternoon moved me to
112 (3). :)

[StevieEvans]

184 2004 Swallow & Willow Warbler
164 County. " " "
185/165 2004 Pencil only list (WHDuck) d;-}

The Swallow was later seen checking out 'its' farmstead.
Stevie.

[Andrew]

Popped into Bowling Green for one more after an excellent nature walk.

194 - Barn Swallow (1)194

Hope to finally see a Crossbill tomorrow. Should see a Great Grey Shrike but that won't even be a year tick!! Not fair!

[Reader]

I got back this afternoon from a frustrating day & half in Norfolk. Every year I make my way there around the first weekend in April to go after the Stone Curlew, usually at Weeting Heath. This year I decided to try a site I had heard about last year and it worked a treat as I saw 3 beauties only about 50 yards away from the car. It was just after that when it all changed when the heavens opened up and it carried on for the rest of the morning until early afternoon. That effectively stopped me going for Goshawk at Mayday Farm plus it was raining far too hard to go to Lynford Arboretum (although I did park up there for over an hour in the vain hope that the rain would stop)

I ended up at the end of the day attempting to sleep in the car near to Waxham Sands Holiday Park where 3 Ring Ouzels and 3 Black Redstarts had been reported. I had a terrible night and got up at 06:00 totally knackered. For the next 3 & half hours I was fruitlessly chasing the Ring Ouzels, and at one point narrowly missing them by 2 minutes plus also missing a S E owl by 30 seconds. At least I did find a Black Redstart.

This was a follow on from yesterday when I missed quite a few other birds. I retraced part of my steps on the way home and tried, for the 2nd time, to find the R T Diver at Nar fisheries and the B N Grebe at Tottenhill but failed again on both counts. Still I did manage to add 8 to my year list.

Totals so far are 165 (8)

158. Stone Curlew
159. Red crested Pochard
160. Swallow
161. Woodlark
162. Jack Snipe
163. Merlin
164. Black Redstart
165. Barnacle Goose

Never quite sure about Barnacle Geese but I came across 5 of them on their own in a field near Tottenhill.

[StevieEvans]

Been looking for this species for over 2 weeks now.
Finally managed to see at least 5 though!
185/165 LRPlovers.
Stevie.

[Larry Lade]

I added two more birds this morning by visiting Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Mound City, Missouri, USA.

122. Cattle Egret
123. Cinnamon Teal (very stunning adult male). I have only seen this specie ten times or so in Missouri.

[Reader]

3 more for the pot today. I went out for three hours today and picked up 3 new year ticks. They were:

Common sandpiper, House Martin & Garganey..

That puts me onto 168 (11)

[SimonC]

Just 1 new bird so far:

Barnacle Goose

1 (127)

[deboo]

Catching me up Si!!!!!

I'm on 137 i think......not checked recently....
But I'm gonna add some French sightings to catch up with those big hitters!!!
hhahahahahaa!!!

Got a Siskin on the feeders....Made my day!!!!

Dave.

[kingfisher]

After a mornings birding at Bowling Green Marsh, and the Recreation Ground yesterday (Saturday) added the following to my year list.

170 Whimbrel
171 Green Sandpiper

[gthang]

This morning, got my first Purple Finch, and ended up seeing three of them at the feeders. All males.

[StevieEvans]

186 ManxShearwater.

SE

[peteh]

A House Martin flew past my office window this morning

so thats 113 (4)

[Steve Lister]

163 Little Gull

137, including this one, in Leics/Rutland. 434 if I can count India as well.

Steve

[pduxon]

Water Pipit
Iceland Gull
Garganey
Swallow
Marsh Harrier
Dunlin
Cettis Warbler
Bearded Tit
Sand Martin
Sandwich Tern

so that is 10 (124) and 2 of the above were lifers

[Andrew]

Pete,

Let me guess, the Iceland Gull and the Marsh Harrier/Cetti's Warbler?

[pduxon]

uh no Water Pipit & Iceland. Saw Cettis at that place at Devon. Marsh ? Seen loads mate its Buzzards that do me, oh and flippin' Chaffinches :)

[Andrew]

uh no Water Pipit & Iceland. Saw Cettis at that place at Devon. Marsh ? Seen loads mate its Buzzards that do me, oh and flippin' Chaffinches :)
You might be referring to Slapton Ley, Exminster Marshes or Bowling Green Marsh?

[crispycreme]

134 through last Saturday. Two for the list including one lifer: Bronzed Cowbird (lifer), and Ash-throated Flycatcher.

[StevieEvans]

187 Firecrest in Nothumberland.

Seen as close as 6 feet.

Stevie.

[StevieEvans]

188 Sandwich Tern
&
167 Co.Durham (Manxy & S.Tern)
BOU
SE

[gthang]

No birds since last post. I'm beginning to think that I've seen every bird that will dine at my feeders.

Now thinking of doing some traveling once the weather gets warmer.

[Andrew]

Popped into BGM for ten minutes and added one more.

195 - House Martin (2)195

I am peeved as I was in Exeter while a Great White Egret was showing well at Powderham. I had not switched on Birdguides so knew nothing of it until I got home!

[Jasonbirder]

Thats hard luck Andrew - still it seems to be around the area so i`m sure you`ll catch up with it - try and get it pinned down for Good Friday and i`ll come and have a look at it

[Michael Frankis]

Forgot to enter Goshawk (15 March; 144th in Northumbs)

Seven more for me today, all in Northumberland:
145 Firecrest
146 Wheatear
147 Puffin
148 Sandwich Tern
149 Long-billed Dowitcher
150 Little Ringed Plover
151 Sand Martin

No numbers, as I've forgotten (without looking up) how many I'm on for the year just now!

Michael

Edit: checked up numbers. Total now 151 (NL) 153 (UK)

[StevieEvans]

Missed the L.B.Dowitcher by 12 mins..............hope its refound 2moro...?
SE.

[Denis J]

Picked up two over the weekend
128:House martin
129:Swallow
The earliest I have ever seen Swallow. I have all next week off work so if it ever stops raining I must get out somewhere!!

[Michael Frankis]

Missed the L.B.Dowitcher by 12 mins..............hope its refound 2moro...?
SE.
Hard luck Stevie, hope it's back for you t'moro'

Had to put up with my parents asking if I rescued the Long-nosed Dowager from the pond . . .

Michael

[Larry Lade]

This morning at Bluff Woods Conservation Area I was surprized to see the place inundated with Ruby-crowned Kinglets. I estimated that I saw twenty-five of them high in the trees, feeding, chasing one another and generally cavorting around. Usually I see one and two at a time!

New birds for the year:
124. Chipping Sparrow
125. Field Sparrow
126. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
127. Lark Sparrow
128. Purple Martin

[kingfisher]

And i will curse the pair of you as i am out of the area.....do me a favour and ask it nicely to hold out for another week......

[Andrew]

Will keep you both informed on Good Friday about the Egret.

[CJW]

116 - House Martin
117 - Swallow

[StevieEvans]

188UK
169 County.
2 County Year Ticks today.
Pair of Black Necked Grebes & a Water Pipit.
All 3 birds in Summer Plumage.
Stevie.

[Strix]

Well, the snow is mostly melted, and the ice is starting to melt. I've added about 25 in the last 2 weeks, up to 65 now. Nothing too exciting, a few Golden Eagles, Bohemian Waxwings, otherwise just mostly the common spring birds on their way back now.

[Grousemore]

I've never kept a year list,but having been reading this Thread,thought I'd have a go.
Got the year's notebooks out and so far have seen 87 species in UK and 148 in USA,although within those numbers,14 species have been seen in both Countries.
Shall PM Charles and see if he'll let me join in at this late stage.

[Darren Oakley-Martin]

Not much happens in the education industry at this time of year, so took a trip up to Norfolk. Experienced 4 seasons in one day, lots of fresh fish and Norfolk ale made it a most pleasurable experience. Oh, and saw some birds too!

Added:

98. Eider
99. Avocet
100. Black-tailed Godwit
101. Dunlin
102. Red-breasted Merganser
103. Ruddy Duck
104. Knot
105. Sammy the Black-winged Stilt
106. Fulmar

Then on to Paxton Pits. The fish wasn't so fresh and the ale certainly inferior, but added:

107. Swallow
108. Blackcap

On to the Lodge in Sandy for:

109. Lesser Redpoll
110. Brambling

So that's:

Jan 77
Feb 4
Mar 24
Apr 5

Rubbish compared to some of you, but it's my best year list already! Now in the Cotswolds for a few days so might add some more ale varieties and who knows, maybe even some birds too!

[Charles Harper]

Of course, Grousemore-- the more the merrier! (unlike some threads here, which seem to turn out to be the more the grouchier or the more the sillier...)

[Grousemore]

Of course, Grousemore-- the more the merrier! (unlike some threads here, which seem to turn out to be the more the grouchier or the more the sillier...)

Thanks,Charles and I'm now desperately trying to remember if I've been grouchy or silly lately!

[tom mckinney]

194.

New birds: Great Grey Shrike, Marsh Tit & Dipper.

[jada dulo]

8 so far for April ...
122: Osprey .
123: Swallow .
124: House Martin .
125: Whinchat .
126: Yellow Wagtail .
127: Willow Warbler .
128: Marsh Harrier .
129: Avocet .

Excellent month so far !!! ( hope it continues )

N.B. Congrats Andrew on breaking the double centuary !!! :D Very commendable .

[gthang]

Got a Red-Winged Blackbird yesterday! That makes 55 for life and 30 for the year!

[Stonechat2]

My list currently stands at 40, three up on last year and we still got the summer visitors to come. The birds i see are only from woods and farmland. With there being no rivers in walking distance or any sea in the midlands the birds that i am able to see is quite restricted, especially without being able to drive yet.

[Andrew]

Got a few more from a bonanza on Portland Obs. No mega rarities but good year ticks for me and a lifer. The Franklin's was reported as having been in Maiden Castle when we drove past!!!

196 - Little Ringed Plover
197 - Willow Warbler
198 - Arctic Skua
199 - Sandwich Tern
200 - Manx Shearwater
201 - Atlantic Puffin (L)
202 - Common Redstart

So that's (9)202.

Dashed back to Powderham for the Great White but it had not even been seen today. Will try again tomorrow morning if it is reported later on today.

The Puffin was a great lifer for as it was number 250 on my life list so the year list malarkey has acheived it's purpose of pushing me to 250. I am certainly not stopping here though, I want more!

Also learned how to pronounce Observer-tree properly as opposed to Oberv-ate-tory!

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Stonechat,

Good luck on building up on that list . . . tell your parents from me that they ought to be taking you out to bird reserves and lakes!

And get them to give you a subscription to the West Midlands Bird Club for your next birthday

Michael

[SimonC]

A wash-out trip to Norfolk today with my 7 yr old Son in tow netted just one new bird (though it was a lifer!!)
The bird in question being:

Stone Curlew

So I'm now at

2 (128)

[Reader]

Hi Michael

My friend & I have invited Stonechat (Stephen) to come out with us tomorrow. If he can make it he should enjoy it. Hopefully he will build on his list as well. One of the promises I have made is that he will hopefully end up with a Nuthatch on his hand.

Joining the West Mids Birding club is great if you have transport but virtually a waste of time if you haven't. None of their reserves are easy places to get to via public transport with the exception of the Harborne NR which is only a couple of miles from Birmingham city centre.

If he comes with us we will discuss what could be the best way forward for him. My friend doesn't live that far away from him so the chance of him coming out with us a few times is quite good.

Hopefully his list will grow soon and so will his experiences.

If he comes, look out for his report.

[Dave B Smith]

[QUOTE=Charles Harper]SUMMARY TOTALS FOR MARCH 2004

I’ve done a little addending. I have added a short note indicating the rough boundaries of each of our list areas, where I could find clear (?) mention of them on the thread. I am not a geographer, so please PM me and I will correct this entry. If you leave your nation, I have indicated “World” as your birding area.

Comments? Criticisms? Kudos?
[UNQUOTE=Charles Harper]

Only Kudos! Makes it interesting. I like the idea of local (national) and World. I'm working on my World count at the moment at home in Florida for a little dental work but managing to get a few hours of birding in. I'll post at end of week.

Again, great job in compiling a list considering all the vagaries in our reporting.

[Harry Hussey]

Hi all,
Still no exact idea of my total for the year,but I got Willow Warbler today(heard only,but that counts as far as a year tick is concerned!Will see plenty anyway!)
Harry

[StevieEvans]

190
2 superb Red-rumped Swallows (1 with a missing tail streamer)
House Martins
seen in N.Yorkshire.
SE

[peteh]

upto 115 now. wooo flying. :)

Chiffchaff
and Common Scoter

[Motmot]

161 in Majorca so far. Today added Little Tern, cute bird!

[Andrew]

Finally unblocked one bird I have been struggling to see for a long time.

203 - Common Crossbill (L)
204 - Common Tern
205 - Little Gull

So now it's (12)205. Bring on the Swifts, Reed and Sedge Warblers. Need to pick up Ring Ouzel first though.

[Larry Lade]

I have added three more species in the last couple of days.

129. Least Sandpiper
130. Baird's Sandpiper
131. American Golden Plover

[Denis J]

A nice afternoon at Teesmouth today 12 Duck and 4 Grebe species as well as lots of waders
130:Little ringed plover
131:White headed duck
132:Black necked grebe
133:Grey plover
134:Spotted redshank

I know the White headed duck is a bit dodgy but I did not count the white stork as a lifer and I am not missing 2 lifers in 4 weeks ..its my list after all:@)

[StevieEvans]

191 left it late in the season but with a little help from 'conehead' managed to add
Red necked Grebe

Denis,
Sounds like another great day!
You know when you type something.........(yeah)...........and some clever person then goes One Better...............
Had 5 grebe species today!
SE

[Denis J]

Yea..but 4 by bus is better than 5 by car!

[Michael Frankis]

Two more yesterday (9th), pair of Garganey on Holy Island Lough, and Ring Ouzel in the Cheviot Hills, makes (9 April new) 153 Northumberland 155 UK & World

Michael

[Denis J]

135:Sandwich tern

[pduxon]

13(127)

Linnet, Blackcap & Willow Warbler

[Larry Lade]

I birded a couple of hours at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge today and added:

132. Northern Rough-winged Swallow
133. Northern Flicker, red-shafted (I think you refer to this as a "dodgy" bird, as it is not a "new species" for the year.) We generally have yellow-shafted in the eastern US and the red-shafted are normally in the western US. Maybe one day they will "split" and then "lump" and then "split" again. You "purists" can keep me at 132 for the year.

[StevieEvans]

193 UK 2004
171 County Durham 2004

A 'late' first Blackcap & a singing Tree Pipit back at breeding site today.
Stevie.

[Charles Harper]

Damn, everyone's still going strong into the fourth month!

Finally got my first April birds today: Asian House Martin, Red-cheeked Myna, and Zitting Cisticola. 136 (A 3).

[Denis J]

136:Barn owl
The first time I have ever seen all 5 owls in the same year!
and yes Stevie ..that owl:@)

[pduxon]

Mandarin Duck

14 (128)

[Harry Hussey]

Hi all,
A combination of northerly winds and lack of lifts have conspired to keep my year list at whatever it was for the last few weeks,except for the Willow Warbler that I had on Thursday.Not bothered going for such long-staying rarities as the Galway Forster's Tern either(would be hard to get up there by bus anyway).
Harry

[Reader]

Managed to add one today with a Sedge Warbler.

169 (12)

[peteh]

Picked up some easy ones today.
Blackcap
Swallow
Manx Shearwater
so thats now 118 (9) for the manx list.

[Dave B Smith]

Just back from a short visit home to Florida. My Mexico list hasn't changed from 1rst April but I did manage a few good half days birding in Florida and picked up 50 birds, of which 6 were lifers and 21 were year ticks.
More interesting year birds were:
Wood Duck
Hooded Merganser
Cooper's Hawk
Sandhill Crane
Great Horned Owl
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler

So now I'm at 203 Mexico and 224 World. This thread has really encouraged my birding efforts this year and I've surpassed last years count of 212! It has also helped me add 42 lifers for the year bringing my Life List total to 422.

[StevieEvans]

'Dipped' on another G.G.Shrike........
BUT
Found the passage OSPREY at the same site. Saw it again carrying off a decent size fish! 194
& drake R.C.Pochard at 20:15 this evening. 195
Stevie

PS Nice OWL Denis ;-)
Thats Great News !!!

[peteh]

Huray!
Some excitment on the Isle of man today.

I was checking my local patch and found an

Avocet (a Lifer me, also someone said this is the 2nd for the IOM)

and when CJW came down he found a

Spotted Redshank (also a Lifer for me)

and finally a

Black Tailed Godwit flew over low.

So a great morning.
Which takes me to 121 (12) on my manx year list.

[CJW]

5 year ticks today (including a Manx tick - Avocet as Pete mentioned above).
Avocet
Spotshank
Knot
Blackwit
Tree Pipit
Which makes 124, just keeping my nose ahead of Pete!

[Tero]

Just back from a short visit home to Florida. My Mexico list hasn't changed from 1rst April but I did manage a few good half days birding in Florida and picked up 50 birds, of which 6 were lifers and 21 were year ticks.

So now I'm at 203 Mexico and 224 World. This thread has really encouraged my birding efforts this year and I've surpassed last years count of 212! It has also helped me add 42 lifers for the year bringing my Life List total to 422.

All this talk in multiple HUNDREDS makes me wonder how much time I would have to spend racking up the same hundreds every year. I tend to get just the 1 hundred!

[pduxon]

well

Black Necked Grebe - lifer
Red Crested Pochard
Common Tern

so 17(131) and amazingly still not a single Kingfisher!!

[SimonC]

A couple of hours out this morning (before a visit to the in-laws!) paid off with 5 new birds for the year:

Common Tern
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
Cuckoo
Swallow

Which moves me up to 7 (133)

The more alert among you may remember me mentioning that 133 was my previous best year list (set in 1995!) so 2004 will be a record breaking year for me :D

[Denis J]

137:Blackcap
138:Jack snipe ..lifer!
Thats my life list up to 242:@)

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Sidled up to 132 this evening with 7 Sandwich Terns in St Andrews Bay.

[Bluetail]

144 so far, but I haven't really been trying. Lots of "easy" things missing like Fulmar, Eider, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker.

Jason

[Swift]

Easterlies in May and its oh arr Black Terns on the way.

[Karl J]

Forgot all about this listing business, only checked the end of March total today ... better check-in at the other thread as well i think.

Up to 113 now with 7 new this month ... inc. yesterday the bittern at Strumpshaw (at last !!)

[Andrew]

144 so far, but I haven't really been trying. Lots of "easy" things missing like Fulmar, Eider, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker.

Jason
If you get lost over Dawlish way check the sand bars on a receding tide. Eiders have been on there ever since Christmas!

[StevieEvans]

195 UK 2004 BOU includes 2 New UK ticks Golden Pheasant & Alpine Swift.
172 Co.Durham 2004 BOU

Saw the RCPochard again today, but this time on the 'right' side of the R.Tees, for a Co.Tick.

Well done on Self- Finding your Lifer Denis !

Stevie.

[kingfisher]

Just returned from a 4 day trip to Oxford and the Chilterns to see friends, but had a birding day on Saturday at Sandy and close to Milton Keynes.

Year birds for the day were.

172 Redstart
173 Firecrest
174 Red Kite
175 Redpoll
176 Yellow Wagtail

[jada dulo]

Added another one on the 11th ( my birthday too ! )...

130 - Common Sandpiper .

That's now 9 for April !

[Darren Oakley-Martin]

A trip to the Cotswolds produced:

112. Little Owl, (unblocked at last)
113. Raven, (a very tired, shabby looking individual).

And from the train between Discot and Oxford, a most unexpected

114. Red Kite, (my best train tick ever)!

So now:

Jan 77
Feb 4
Mar 24
Apr 9, my best year list ever. Sad, really.....

[Andrew]

One more for me today after a long mornign search failing to find a Ring Ouzel I pulled into a small car park and scanned a stone wall to find a stunning male at Bennett's Cross on Dartmoor. Phew!

206 - Ring Ouzel (13)206

Need to check on Tree pipit though.

[kingfisher]

Well done Andrew, lovely find.

177 House Martin
178 Swift

Both seen this morning on my walk into work in Taunton along the canal.

[Denis J]

139:RCPochard
A fruitless day looking for Ring ouzel saved at the eleventh hour by great views of a Red-crested pochard

[andy]

Crossbill today, now onto 169 for the year and all seen in Devon.

[Alan Hobson]

With my bumper Easter weekend sightings [I did a thread on this in Yr Birding Day ystdy], which included seven firsts for the year, I'm up to 156 for the year so far. This is easily my best ever start to a year. Let's see if it keeps up......

[Larry Lade]

I was out around one of my "local patches" this morning and added:

134. Barn Swallow
135. Bank Swallow (Sand Martin, Riparia riparia)
136. Semipalmated Plover
137. Great Egret
138. Broad-winged Hawk

[Jasonbirder]

Well i`m now up to 199 (tantalisingly close to 200) over the Easter weekend and the last couple of days have added Hoopoe and a bunch of migrants (Little-ringed Plover, Little Gull & Yellow Wagtail being the most interesting of them...)
Still have a couple of Dodgy ticks on the backburner too...White Stork (Inner Marsh Farm) & Bufflehead - i`ll wait and see what to do with them!!!

[robertfuge]

Reached 239 bou today with Jack Snipe..Firecrest..Sedge and Common Tern but for the life of me cannot connect with Lesser Spot which I still need for life despite hours at Holkham, Cassiobury etc..

[Strix]

The ice continues to melt.

66 Greater Yellowlegs
67 Merlin
68 Dark-eyed Junco
69 American Tree Sparrow
70 Bufflehead
71 Tree Swallow
72 Blue-winged Teal
73 Osprey
74 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

[Andrew]

Reached 239 bou today with Jack Snipe..Firecrest..Sedge and Common Tern but for the life of me cannot connect with Lesser Spot which I still need for life despite hours at Holkham, Cassiobury etc..
Wow, you have come in with a bang! Hope you get your Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers soon.

Are the Mary Hare lot still wreaking havoc on Newbury?

[Jasonbirder]

Hi Rob - and welcome to Birdforums - and thanks so much for reminding me how far behind you I am ;)
Still struggling with Lesser Spot myself - if only we`d managed to pin down that little blighter at Holkham eh?

[robertfuge]

I haven't posted to Bird Forum before but this seemed like a great thread and know a few people on it..

Lesser Spot I've decided is a mythical bird a la Pheonix.. LiverBird etc.. will keep trying but am running out of time with this one

Havent heard of Mary Hare group..sorry..

[Andrew]

Someone from Newbury not knowing about Mary Hare Grammar School! They must have banned excursions into town!

[robertfuge]

aah..i guess Mary Hare is a girl's school..bet there are a few lesser spots down there..

jason thanks for welcome..nice picture by the way !

[Jasonbirder]

Notice the nice receding hairline eh!

[Jane Turner]

So did you see the Meols Hoopoe... I guess I must have seen you if you also saw the IMF White Stork!

[Jasonbirder]

Came up early doors, looked for the Hoopoe - then decided i`d better make an early go for the IMF Stork in case it left when things warmed up - which proved a wise policy as it flew off about five minutes after I arrived! Came back later in the day when the Hoopoe was pinned down in the field behind the Sewage Farm...

[Jane Turner]

There was only one person at the Hoopoe when I arrived..just after dawn.... can't tell if it was you or not from your avatar... I wandered off to find the Hoopoe after about half an hour.

I was however the only person about in possesion of two x chromosomes early!

[Jasonbirder]

Now up to 201 having added Garganey & Common Sandpiper after work

[peteh]

Had a little look down my local patch after work today and picked up
Whimbrel
Tree pipit.

thats up to 123 (14) on the manx list.
(plus ahead of cjw now :P )

[Reader]

Hi Rob - and welcome to Birdforums - and thanks so much for reminding me how far behind you I am ;)
Still struggling with Lesser Spot myself - if only we`d managed to pin down that little blighter at Holkham eh?


Jason

I'm surprised that you didn't put a little time in at Swithlands as we were watching a Lesserpecker there and comments made by other birders it is a bird that has been seen a few times. It was at the woods on the sharp right hand bend where we saw it.

[Jasonbirder]

Didn`t realise it was a regular there - i`ll give it a go before work tomorrow ;)

[Reader]

Didn`t realise it was a regular there - i`ll give it a go before work tomorrow ;)

Scampo (Steve) also connected with the bird prior to us seeing it.

Good luck Jason.

[Denis J]

140:Willow warbler
Dipped on the Long billed dowitcher though :@(

[StevieEvans]

196 Mandarin.
SE

[Larry Lade]

April 15
139. Hermit Thrush - two in my yard today
140. Hudsonian Godwit - 53 of them at Lewis and Clark State Park (just a few miles south of Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA)
141. Chimney Swift

April 16
142. Wood Thrush - Bluff Woods Conservation Area, St.Joseph, Missouri
143. American Woodcock - Adult, with three chicks (same area as above)
144. Franklin's Gull - at Lake Contrary, St.Joseph, Missouri

[StevieEvans]

198UK & 174County
Common Sandpiper & Grasshopper Warbler, both early arrival dates here.
Maybe try for a few more this afternoon..........
SE

[tom mckinney]

Oh come on Stevie!

This aint fair. Am I going to be playing catchup ALL year now...?

[StevieEvans]

Tom
I'll tell you whats not fair :- getting to Morpeth for 06.30 to discover thick fog & 20metre visibility !
No Dowitcher Again !
Should be able to see Garden & Sedge Warblers, Redstart, Common Tern locally today, & hopefully N.Tees marshes will pull in a goodie or two ( No, not Bill Oddie).

Had an almost full black Spotshank yestday, but its moved after 1 day to be replaced by the CommSand.
This is a great time of year here with stuff coming in daily, aswell as Winter birds still being seen alongside their freshly arrived neighbours.

SE

[tom mckinney]

Right thats it Stevie. This is war.

As much as I really don't want to (you'll know why if you've been) I'm going to Audenshaw Reservoir tonight!:

Swift
Little Gull
Yellow Wag
Wheatear
Common Tern

And then tomorrow I'm going to Pennington Flash:

Common Sand
Gropper
Whitethroat (maybe)
Garden Warbler (maybe)
Sedge Warbler (maybe)

This time it's personal!

Tom.

[Dave B Smith]

Added two late yesterday after work. Lesser Yellowlegs and Short-billed Dowitcher (changing into summer plumage)
3 for April, (205) YTD in Mexico

[Jasonbirder]

Looks like its an early start for me tomorrow if i`m to keep up with you two (Stevie & Tom) !!

[Andrew]

Just one more for me today, I tried for a Black Tern at Chew but got a different kind, still a good one for me to have under my belt.

207 - Arctic Tern (14)207

[Denis J]

141:Grasshopper warbler
and at least 50 Wheatears! and suddenly willow warblers are dead common:@)

[Larry Lade]

I drove up to Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge for a "work day" which began at 9 AM. I went early in order to drive the auto tour loop before getting to the "work day". Arriving about 6:30 AM, I was met with a cacophony of sound. Almost drowning out all other calls were the ones being offered by the YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS. Still I was able to pick out SORA, SANDHILL CRANES, GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES and various ducks and geese. I did not see the Sora, but two Sandhill Cranes took flight and went deeper into the refuge. Maybe they will nest here!

New Missouri Year Birds:

145. Yellow-headed Blackbird
146. Sora
147. Semipalmated Sandpiper
148. Great Horned Owl (on nest with young)

[StevieEvans]

199 a Stunning Wood Sandpiper at North Gare.
Seen at close range, also in flight were it stooped down in a display flight, calling with tail fanned !!

176 County '04 WoodSand (175 was HouseMartin)

(Missed out today on Local :- Swift, Whitethroat, Firecrest & Corncrake & Cuckoo yesterday)

Going to try for the Red rumped Swallow in Weardale for a new county tick tomorrow & hopefully number 200 will be a Redstart...?

Tom....You also have the added advantage of being further south.........all these migrants have already past ya.... ;)
PS. Totals BOU List. NO radio controlled Storks OR plastic Ducks etc (lol)

Stevie

[Michael Frankis]

Tom....You also have the added advantage of being further south.........all these migrants have already past ya.... ;)
And a bit further north still, none of 'em in here yet

Did get Willow Warbler today, though: 152 Northumbs

Michael

[CJW]

125) Gt Crested Grebe
126) Wapit
127) Whimbrel

[deboo]

175...............VIVE LA FRANCE..........

Dave.

[Steve Lister]

Lots of migrants appearing locally, in Leics, now so

168 Common Tern
169 Arctic Tern
170 Avocet
171 Whimbrel
172 Garganey

Steve