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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Northern123" data-source="post: 3232865" data-attributes="member: 47549">I didn’t post on here at the beginning of the year but did make some targets:•    See as many species as possible in 1 year (previous record is 206)•    Break 300 on my British Life List (I was on 293 at the beginning of the year)•    Fill in the gaps on my list for the remaining non-BBRC raritiesI live in central London and don’t own a car so rely on public transport or hiring a car for a weekend.  Also I am not big on twitching (unless something appears close to where I am or it is a long-stayer and I organise a mini-break to the area involving other birding) so some of these targets are a bit challenging.However, at nearly the half way point in the year I have to say this is the best year of birdwatching ever.I have already recorded 244 species (2 heard only) this year (my previous record was 206 so smashed that).I’ve seen 14 lifers so my life list now stands at 307 and I have made inroads into the non-BBRC birds including Corncrake and Lady Amherst’s pheasant and finally conquered my two biggest bogeys: Montagu’s harrier and Honey buzzard.Of the remaining non-BBRC rarities I have a list of 18 scarce passage migrants and winter visitors, 6 seabirds (Cory’s and Great shearwater, Wilson’s and Leach’s petrel, Sabine’s gull and Grey phalarope) and Quail.I have a weekend of Scilly pelagics booked for the middle of August, so hoping that and a trip to Merseyside in September/October for Leach’s will put a dent in the seabird list but it would appear I have now been left with the ultimate bogey bird – Quail.I have made 8 visits to 4 locations this year to see this bird and have heard 4 birds but not seen any, although I’m not in the slightest bit surprised and anticipate it will probably be years (if ever) before I get a brief flight view.  But I believe (or is that hope) patience, persistence and perseverance will eventually pay off (fingers crossed).Anyway, if the second half of the year is half as good as the first half then I will be an extremely happy birder.How is everyone else getting on?Ian</blockquote>

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