I got a Somerset "life" tick today

[devon.birder]

I went up to Chew Valley Lake today and saw the 3 Velvet Scoters that turned up there last week when I was still on Scilly. This was a "Somerset" life tick for me after I have been birding in "Somerset" for over 30 years. Of course Chew Valley Lake is not in "Somerset" I hear you say. Well it is in "North Somerset" now but that is not officially part of "Somerset". Some Birders count birds seen at Chew Valley Lake on their "Avon" list but "Avon" no longer exists either. There is no Bird Recorder for "North Somerset" and for some unknown reason "Somerset" does not want Chew Valley Lake back although in the distant past I believe it was regarded as "the jewell in the crown". There is still a Bird Recorder for "Avon" to whom records for Chew Valley Lake are submitted even though Chew Valley Lake is in "North Somerset" and "Avon" no longer exists as a County. I hope that is all clear.
Roger :flyaway: :t: :cool: