Jane Turner
Well-known member
136: Pink-footed Goose. (7 in off the sea)
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Garden List 2011 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter halftwo
- Start date
An eerie silence at the feeders, barely a bird stirring, the food sitting untouched. Six Nutcrackers dangerously close though, scoffing nuts in the hazel groves maturing in clearings created by beavers. Ten years and more I have tried to attract Nutcrackers to my feeders, ten years and more they have teased, regularly venturing near, even on occasion perching in the trees above the feeders. As per usual, I slunk out extra rations, a healthy dose of peanuts on the bird table, grain scattered around. I don't hold my breathe!
Other welcome returnees in my forest, two Black Woodpeckers back on their winter territories and, yodelling most content, a male Grey-headed Woodpecker atop a dead tree just behind the feeding station. For new birds however, the honours went to humble corvids - largely thanks to a neighbouring farmer ploughing his fields, a flock of some 150 Rooks came tumbling down to scoff grubs in the furrows, the trees on my boundary a convenient resting point between sorties. Species number 108 for the year on my land. One hour later, the Rooks still revelling, in dropped two Jackdaws to join the party, species number 110!
And that was that, I though, turning to leave. An abrupt stop for a raptor passing over - one female Hen Harrier, my second record here this year, bu an excelent bird no less. As harrier turned to a speck on the southern horizon, two more specks appeared fromthe north. Fluid flight, shape materialised, clearly falcons - I had a hope for Red-footed Falcons, small numbers inthe country at present, but as they neared and started to hunt my meadows, the identity fell to Kestrels. Still, a good record - second in three weeks, but only the sixth record ever.
109. Rook
110. Jackdaw
Other welcome returnees in my forest, two Black Woodpeckers back on their winter territories and, yodelling most content, a male Grey-headed Woodpecker atop a dead tree just behind the feeding station. For new birds however, the honours went to humble corvids - largely thanks to a neighbouring farmer ploughing his fields, a flock of some 150 Rooks came tumbling down to scoff grubs in the furrows, the trees on my boundary a convenient resting point between sorties. Species number 108 for the year on my land. One hour later, the Rooks still revelling, in dropped two Jackdaws to join the party, species number 110!
And that was that, I though, turning to leave. An abrupt stop for a raptor passing over - one female Hen Harrier, my second record here this year, bu an excelent bird no less. As harrier turned to a speck on the southern horizon, two more specks appeared fromthe north. Fluid flight, shape materialised, clearly falcons - I had a hope for Red-footed Falcons, small numbers inthe country at present, but as they neared and started to hunt my meadows, the identity fell to Kestrels. Still, a good record - second in three weeks, but only the sixth record ever.
109. Rook
110. Jackdaw
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Cheshire Birder
Well-known member
Species 63 - Meadow Pipit. Surprisingly rare given my location
CB
CB
edenwatcher
Well-known member
120. velvet scoter
Also, failing to trouble the scorers, our first record of black swan - where's that vomiting smiley when you need one!
Rob
Also, failing to trouble the scorers, our first record of black swan - where's that vomiting smiley when you need one!
Rob
Jane Turner
Well-known member
I can't help thinking that a combined garden list might be fun!
Jane Turner
Well-known member
137 Grey Phalarope (3-5 today)
138 Black-tailed Godwit
and I fluffed a Golden Plover spp (any would be new)
138 Black-tailed Godwit
and I fluffed a Golden Plover spp (any would be new)
Cheshire Birder
Well-known member
Species 64 - Raven (new garden tick!!)
CB
CB
Larry Lade
Moderator
Might be a good idea, Jane. Do you want to initiate a new thread? Would it be "world wide", specific countries, birds seen/heard, flyovers, etc. ??
It might prove quite enlightening & interesting!
chris butterworth
aka The Person Named Above
It's got to be worldwide and in / from / over. If you're going to do something then do it to excess.
Chris
Chris
Cheshire Birder
Well-known member
Between Jane and Eden we have most of the british list covered! 
CB
CB
chowchilla
Well-known member
I was thinking of contributing too but could not hope to compete with the top listers. My new place is nowhere near as good as my old CBD balcony!
I wonder if I might get away with posting a 'work' list...
I was thinking of contributing too but could not hope to compete with the top listers. My new place is nowhere near as good as my old CBD balcony!
I wonder if I might get away with posting a 'work' list...
I know what you mean re not being able to post as large a list as others, but it would be good to see other Aust posters. I have found that I am enjoying popping outside hoping to spot something new, and I don't think of it as a competition - more a way of letting others know about my local birds. How about scoping from your balcony?
edenwatcher
Well-known member
121. grey wagtail (become tricky in the last couple of years - needed one on vis mig).
Rob
Rob
chowchilla
Well-known member
All I can see from my current balcony is closed canopy rainforest. Great you might say, but it does mean that you can't see any fly overs. For those, I have to look out of my study window at the small patch of sky visible. I'm getting better at the calls, but I still hear things I can't recognise.I know what you mean re not being able to post as large a list as others, but it would be good to see other Aust posters. I have found that I am enjoying popping outside hoping to spot something new, and I don't think of it as a competition - more a way of letting others know about my local birds. How about scoping from your balcony?
I considered posting a work list because the hospital I work in is on the Esplanade. I've recorded some pretty good stuff whilst at work lately.
You're right though that an Aussie perspective to this thread might add something a bit different even if it's only us who might be interested. You've already posted stuff I never see up here!
halftwo
Wird Batcher
Lots of us would be interested in a Cairns Esplanade list, Chowie - you could possibly compete with Jane. Would be a great comparison.
Well given that you technically don't have a garden, and for purely selfish reasons (so I can start familiarising myself with the birds of FNQ), I think it would be ok for you to post your 'work' birds here. I'm sure others would also be interested.
