Hi folks,
I should explain that I count as a 'garden tick' anything that lands in the garden or on the things in the garden (trees, shed, electricity supply pole and cables). As far as the cables are concerned only that bit directly above the garden counts, while the pole is just our side of the garden fence. Thus the Pied Flycatcher that stood on the wires just the other side of the pole a few years ago didn't count, despite my pleading with it to move across a bit.
I haven't had anything new to tick for months, then it was a Tawny Owl on the pole in the dark (sound and a good torch) and before that the last one goes back to late 2003 (Lesser Black-Backed Gull, believe it or not, the only Gull on the list).
This time I looked out of the kitchen window and everything looked normal, which is what fooled me because the smaller birds were still going about their business undisturbed. But when I looked up, there on the pole was a Buzzard! Dashed for the camera (all right Sue, I know) but it didn't wait for me, missed it by seconds, bah! I suppose with the recent increase in Buzzard numbers in the area I should have expected one sooner or later.
Anyway, that takes the garden list to 45.
Bill
I should explain that I count as a 'garden tick' anything that lands in the garden or on the things in the garden (trees, shed, electricity supply pole and cables). As far as the cables are concerned only that bit directly above the garden counts, while the pole is just our side of the garden fence. Thus the Pied Flycatcher that stood on the wires just the other side of the pole a few years ago didn't count, despite my pleading with it to move across a bit.
I haven't had anything new to tick for months, then it was a Tawny Owl on the pole in the dark (sound and a good torch) and before that the last one goes back to late 2003 (Lesser Black-Backed Gull, believe it or not, the only Gull on the list).
This time I looked out of the kitchen window and everything looked normal, which is what fooled me because the smaller birds were still going about their business undisturbed. But when I looked up, there on the pole was a Buzzard! Dashed for the camera (all right Sue, I know) but it didn't wait for me, missed it by seconds, bah! I suppose with the recent increase in Buzzard numbers in the area I should have expected one sooner or later.
Anyway, that takes the garden list to 45.
Bill