a bit later with this than expected, but as its the quiet season for birds, now's as good a time as any.
I set out this year to have a 'good year', not a big year as such, with lots of chasing about the country twitching, but expanding my horizons, working on lifer ticks of ordinary species, immersing myself in birdlife, really, seeking the best of both worlds.
So far, i'd say that the year has been a roaring success. 11 lifers, plus a dozen or so unexpected year ticks (birds i'd seen before but had little or no hope of seeing again) My 'big days' out in far flung birding places (well, far flung for me...) have been quality birding experiences- either being out in the wild, or seeing proper birding spectacles.
The only downside has been my accidental neglect of some of my traditional haunts. Baron's Haugh visit have been few and far bwteen, Cathkin Marsh have been flying visits often, albeit very enjoyable ones, and I've barely been near the Ayrshire coast. Thats the price, I suppose, and i can't have it all.
so, whats in store for the last 4 months of the year? I reckon i have 3 more big days out, and maybe 4 or 5 'medium' days out (not local, but not far away sites) I still have a handful of species that i'd feel disappointed not to get as well. My year total is 3 short of last year's record, so there's a lot riding on it!
So, in true birder fashion, I'm doing my homework. Moulting season has left me with a lot of free time to identify where to go, what to expect, and when to go. Like most of my plans, they'll fail in spectacular and hilarious fashion, but you know, even the planning is exciting!!
Roll on the autumn!!!
I set out this year to have a 'good year', not a big year as such, with lots of chasing about the country twitching, but expanding my horizons, working on lifer ticks of ordinary species, immersing myself in birdlife, really, seeking the best of both worlds.
So far, i'd say that the year has been a roaring success. 11 lifers, plus a dozen or so unexpected year ticks (birds i'd seen before but had little or no hope of seeing again) My 'big days' out in far flung birding places (well, far flung for me...) have been quality birding experiences- either being out in the wild, or seeing proper birding spectacles.
The only downside has been my accidental neglect of some of my traditional haunts. Baron's Haugh visit have been few and far bwteen, Cathkin Marsh have been flying visits often, albeit very enjoyable ones, and I've barely been near the Ayrshire coast. Thats the price, I suppose, and i can't have it all.
so, whats in store for the last 4 months of the year? I reckon i have 3 more big days out, and maybe 4 or 5 'medium' days out (not local, but not far away sites) I still have a handful of species that i'd feel disappointed not to get as well. My year total is 3 short of last year's record, so there's a lot riding on it!
So, in true birder fashion, I'm doing my homework. Moulting season has left me with a lot of free time to identify where to go, what to expect, and when to go. Like most of my plans, they'll fail in spectacular and hilarious fashion, but you know, even the planning is exciting!!
Roll on the autumn!!!
