Garden / Yard List 2023 (4 Viewers)

[KenM]

I hung this mirror slightly above a hanging basket of pansies in the garden, in front of the kitchen window, c10 years ago.
Basically to “double the visual aspect” for anyone partaking the washing up chore.

In the interim, I once had a party of Long-tail Tits that showed a brief interest at their images, also recently a Blue Tit, that was confounded by it’s “competitor” however, I’ve had to cover the mirror up due to a particularly aggressive Nuthatch that clearly didn’t like the “competition”……two for the price of one. 😮

 

[birdmeister]

Things have really gone quiet since the beginning of the month, with migration winding down. Yesterday only brought 5 migrants, but they were good ones. A beautiful "Red-shafted" Northern Flicker was chased higher and higher by its slightly smaller Gilded relative. The best bird came near the end of the watch, when I scanned the surrounding poles and was surprised to see a male

131. Merlin (new yard species #142)

staring back at me. I only got views in the scope for 10 seconds or so before the little beast took off and skimmed low through the neighbor's yard. Another "raptor" species down, the last of the expected falcons for the yard! I'm still missing both Bald and Golden Eagles, plus Crested Caracara.

The day before yesterday, a Loggerhead Shrike made a rare appearance. The resident Cactus Wren made it known that any future appearances should remain rare!

 

[KenM]

Things have really gone quiet since the beginning of the month, with migration winding down. Yesterday only brought 5 migrants, but they were good ones. A beautiful "Red-shafted" Northern Flicker was chased higher and higher by its slightly smaller Gilded relative. The best bird came near the end of the watch, when I scanned the surrounding poles and was surprised to see a male

131. Merlin (new yard species #142)

staring back at me. I only got views in the scope for 10 seconds or so before the little beast took off and skimmed low through the neighbor's yard. Another "raptor" species down, the last of the expected falcons for the yard! I'm still missing both Bald and Golden Eagles, plus Crested Caracara.

The day before yesterday, a Loggerhead Shrike made a rare appearance. The resident Cactus Wren made it known that any future appearances should remain rare!

Y’er Cactus Wren looking a bit prickly BM, a nice pairing shot.👍

 

[Richard Prior]

I know things are always bigger in the US of A, but a Wren that's bigger than a Shrike, I never knew!
Really cold with snow flurries this morning so I'm trying out my new toy/Christmas/Birthday present for the next five years from the warmth of the kitchen.
Yes, I've finally joined the 'Bridge Club'
All the birds around the feeders scattered when this handsome chap arrived, 20 minutes later he's waiting still for an over bold passerine to make a move...

 

[Euan Buchan]

Mistle Thrush was back

 

[KenM]

My first for perhaps 3 years?….a leisurely bouncing HAWFINCH…East over tree tops and ride, out of a wall to wall blue. no.85.😮

 

[KenM]

The purple patch continues!….would’ve been no 86, however I found that I’ve double counted Pied Wagtail thus I’m still at 85,😩 9 Lesser Redpolls around the pond briefly this am managed a less than perfect shot before they “winged it” up over the ride and into the forest.😊

 

[Euan Buchan]

Just saw 4 Long Tailed Tits

 

[KenM]

Have made a right “Kybosh” of my garden list,
I seemed to be going backwards with double counting and not entering my diary ticks on occasion.
Thus now fully resolved and after “treble checking” am now confidently on 86! (forgot my GCGrebe) 😮 finally now on 87!
Now desperately combing the skies for Egyptian Geese and Shoveller with 5 and 21 respectively “next door” 1.4 miles to the North on Connaught Waters.
Surely one of these species will commute to Highams Park lake 1.4 miles to the South in the other direction.🙏

 

[dantheman]

Flock of 50 or so Fieldfare passing by, chaking away, up at the field in the rain this morning.

 

[KenM]

Flock of 50 or so Fieldfare passing by, chaking away, up at the field in the rain this morning.

Spose they would indeed be…for any passing Peregrine.😮

 

[dantheman]

Spose they would indeed be…for any passing Peregrine.😮

Because ... ?

EDIT: You've lost me there Ken!

 

[Jos Stratford]

Winter comes early - snow deep on the ground, minus 5 C and below.



Feeders absolutely heaving with birds - Great Tits at around 350 at present, plus lots of Marsh Tits and Willow Tits, quite an influx of Blue Tits in the last days. Also three Grey-headed Woodpeckers on the feeders today. Grain feeder also attracting in Yellowhammers, just under 30 today, hopefully will increase rapidly in the next days.

One new bird for the year - Rough-legged Buzzard passing through early morning.

144. Rough-legged Buzzard

 

[KenM]

Because ... ?

EDIT: You've lost me there Ken!

Fieldfayre……😉

 

[dantheman]

Fieldfayre……😉

Groan ...

Why did I ask? ;-)

 

[KenM]

Groan ...

Why did I ask? ;-)

A senior moment….I’ve had a few.😩

 

[dantheman]

A senior moment….I’ve had a few.😩

I was going to say ... there's dad jokes ... and then there's grandad jokes? lol

 

[snowyegret24]

I had a Bald Eagle fly very low over me yesterday which brought my yard year list up to 96! I would love to get up to 100 by the end of the year but that would be difficult as I’ve already got most of the birds I can expect this year.

 

[KenM]

I had a Bald Eagle fly very low over me yesterday which brought my yard year list up to 96! I would love to get up to 100 by the end of the year but that would be difficult as I’ve already got most of the birds I can expect this year.

Do a recount!…you might find you’ve missed one or two.👍

 

[KenM]

Oh the joys of Boots (hearing aids), opening the bed window further this am…heard once (disbelieving) then twice more….now believing…the soft piping of Bullfinch!…no.88…albeit not seen 😩
Not unlike Hawfinch, must be 3 years since last seen at home indeed, only saw one bird last year and that was a mile away.😊