Biking Birder 2015 - A cycle ride to every RSPB and WWT reserve. (1 Viewer)

[Phil Andrews]

So British record is 251 and European record is 305? Is that right?

All the best

251 is the British Green record; 304 is the European Green record.

 

[Paul Chapman]

251 is the British Green record; 304 is the European Green record.

Many thanks

 

[Phil Andrews]

251 is the British Green record; 304 is the European Green record.

British green birding record equalled at 251 species with Capercaille at an undisclosed location near Grantown-on-Spey :t:B

 

[Farnboro John]

Very much looking forward to the next species being announced!

I would like (if its not too much trouble) to have some stats on how many reserves visited and how many still to go, as well.

Power to the pedals!

John

 

[Phil Andrews]

Very much looking forward to the next species being announced!

I would like (if its not too much trouble) to have some stats on how many reserves visited and how many still to go, as well.

Power to the pedals!

John

I'm sure Gary will be all too happy to provide the above answers next time he drops into BF, together with details of number of miles cycled to date.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Gary has just broken the British Green Birding record with his 252nd species of the year, a Greenish Warbler on North Ronaldsay

 

[Jonny721]

Gary has just broken the British Green Birding record with his 252nd species of the year, a Greenish Warbler on North Ronaldsay

It was found within half an hour of him arriving on the island! A very showy bird and a very happy Gary

 

[Phil Andrews]

After a further few days on North Ron, adding Barred Warbler, Sooty Shear, Storm Petrel and Green Sand, Gary finished visiting the reserves on Orkney and moved further north to Shetland. He is currently at the start of at least a week's stay on Fair Isle where he has already added Citrine Wagtail and Arctic Warbler to move on to 258 with the promise of much more to come

 

[Phil Andrews]

Two more today for Gary on Fair Isle with Common Rosefinch and Yellow-browed Warbler ticked to take him to 260.

 

[DiDi]

Great to hear this years green list is going so well! Hosted Gary for a cold winters night during the 2010 attempt and was most impressed by the effort and the stories!

 

[Phil Andrews]

Great to hear this years green list is going so well! Hosted Gary for a cold winters night during the 2010 attempt and was most impressed by the effort and the stories!

Gary is always good for a story or two (or three or four or ... 8-P)

Just as a quick update, Gary remains on Fair Isle until Thurday when he will start birding up through Shetland, hopefully to coincide with the main wave of birders arriving on the island. The list now stands at 264 with recent additions being Pallid Harrier, Lapland Bunting, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Blyth's Reed Warbler.

 

[Periwinkle]

I predict 280 for end of year.

 

[Phil Andrews]

After slow-going on Shetland Gary is back over on Fair Isle for a new days. Recent events include:

- Removal of Glaucous Gull following the emergence of photos showing the bird seen in Essex was probably a hybrid
- Taking the above into account, the promotion of the list to 270 with the inclusion of (amongst others) Olive-backed Pipit, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Brambling, Bluethroat and today Richard's Pipit
- Missing the Grutness Dusky Warbler by no more than 20 minutes
- Camping just short of the Loch of Norby Pechora Pipit only to find the bird had gone the following morning

 

[Phil Andrews]

A productive few days has seen Gary add Lanceolated Warbler, Long-eared Owl and Red-flanked Bluetail to take the list to 273; his target of 300 species remains a possibility. Gary is remaining on Fair Isle until next Tuesday after which he will be taking the ferry to Aberdeen before heading up to Loch of Strathbeg.

 

[Phil Andrews]

On probably his last full day on Fair Isle Gary has just added PG Tips to take the year list up to 276; the other two additions since the last update were Ortolan Bunting and Radde's Warbler.

Edit: Gary has taken the controversial last minute decision to now stay on Fair Isle another week in light of the approaching weather system - will be boom or bust!

 

[markspirito]

just added PG Tips

Please enlighten Me ??
Mark

 

[Phil Andrews]

just added PG Tips

Please enlighten Me ??
Mark

Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler (informally referred to PG Tips in twitching circles) on Fair Isle this morning

 

[edenwatcher]

Well he should have scored nicely today - rubythroat!

Rob

 

[Richard Klim]

Maybe of related interest: Dorian Anderson's 2014 US bicycle Big Year...

• Anderson 2015. Biking for Birds. Birder's Guide to Listing & Taxonomy 27(3): 6–10.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Well he should have scored nicely today - rubythroat!

Rob

Yes - a nice Bruce Bonus to take him to 277; the dream of 300 is still potentially on.