Another eagle and more gardens
#BWKM0 ND&B garden challenge
DAY 12
Eleven days ago I had the bright idea to persuade a few fellow bloggers to come together and, under the imminent threat of lockdown, bird our back gardens together. It was a clumsy way to try and foster a bit of camaraderie at this difficult time, and a way to show a joint appreciation of our gardens and to celebrate the birds that appear in and fly over them. Today we - our 'garden collective' - numbers 40. Throughout the day I try and take note of who is seeing what and how many. I check Twitter, email, Instagram, blogs, WhatsApp and Messenger, and it really is a joy to find out what everybody is recording. Vicarious birding! I intend to post an update each day, as there is so much material being produced - but there might just be the chance that I miss something. If you have contacted me and it doesn't appear please remind me - it isn't that your sightings are not wanted. They are!
OUR COMBINED TOTAL IS 107 SPECIES We still seem to be missing Pheasant, Little Owl, Kingfisher, Firecrest, Treecreeper, Brambling and Crossbill.
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New entries
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Garden firsts
Stewart S (Howick, Northumberland) - WHITE-TAILED EAGLE
Sam B (Enniskeane, Cork) - Teal
Reuben B (Tufnell Park, London) - Stock Dove and Linnet
Dave P (Shoreham, West Sussex) - Greylag Goose
Mark D (Dorking, Surrey) - Shoveler
Arjun D (Wallington, London) - Water Rail and Moorhen
Paul D (London) - Common Snipe
There have now been 27 garden firsts across the competition.
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Garden focus
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Other news from around the gardens
Chris P (Romney Marsh, Kent) is still smiling after yesterday's White-tailed Eagle. Mediterranean Gull and Yellowhammer have now taken him along to an impressive 60 species.
Mark D (Dorking, Surrey) has reached 42 species so far.
Robin S (Cranleigh, Surrey) has reached 36 species, including Grey Wagtail, a species that has not been recorded from many of our gardens as it stands.
Reuben B (Tufnell Park, London) can thank a Peregrine for taking him on to 36 species.
Paul D (London) is up to 35 species, having recorded a good number of raptors, including Red Kite and Peregrine.
Seth G (Uig, Skye) has been taking advantage of those wonderful views and has now reached 26 species.
Bernard B (Ruckinge, Kent) up to 38 species today, courtesy of Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier and Long-tailed Tit.
Tony B (Woodford Green, Essex) recorded a Peregrine, his sixth species of raptor that takes him up to 36.
Michael R (Battle, East Sussex) is now up to 37 species. He's threatening to noc-mig!!
Michael D (Craster, Northumberland) may be stuck on 40, but he has added handsomely to the combined list with Shag, Eider, Turnstone and Guillemot.
DAY 12
Eleven days ago I had the bright idea to persuade a few fellow bloggers to come together and, under the imminent threat of lockdown, bird our back gardens together. It was a clumsy way to try and foster a bit of camaraderie at this difficult time, and a way to show a joint appreciation of our gardens and to celebrate the birds that appear in and fly over them. Today we - our 'garden collective' - numbers 40. Throughout the day I try and take note of who is seeing what and how many. I check Twitter, email, Instagram, blogs, WhatsApp and Messenger, and it really is a joy to find out what everybody is recording. Vicarious birding! I intend to post an update each day, as there is so much material being produced - but there might just be the chance that I miss something. If you have contacted me and it doesn't appear please remind me - it isn't that your sightings are not wanted. They are!
OUR COMBINED TOTAL IS 107 SPECIES We still seem to be missing Pheasant, Little Owl, Kingfisher, Firecrest, Treecreeper, Brambling and Crossbill.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
New entries
Debbie S (Portland, Dorset)
Garden list of 155 species.
A garden that is known, nationally, for its tremendous pulling power - scarce birds and migrants are specialities!
Matt P (Pulborough, West Sussex)
Garden list of 126 species.
Who wouldn't want a property that backs onto an RSPB reserve? Matt does and has the list to prove it, including Spoonbill, Bewick’s Swan and White-fronted Goose.
Justin T (Charmouth, Dorset)
Garden list of 59 species.
Highlights include Osprey and Spoonbill. Our second garden from this charming seaside town.
Paul D (London)
Garden list of 84 species.
Highlights include an Osprey.
Bernard B (Ruckinge, Kent)
Garden list of 107 species.
Highlights include Osprey, White Stork, Short-eared Owl and Kingfisher.
This brings our 'garden collective' up to 40.
Garden list of 155 species.
A garden that is known, nationally, for its tremendous pulling power - scarce birds and migrants are specialities!
Matt P (Pulborough, West Sussex)
Garden list of 126 species.
Who wouldn't want a property that backs onto an RSPB reserve? Matt does and has the list to prove it, including Spoonbill, Bewick’s Swan and White-fronted Goose.
Justin T (Charmouth, Dorset)
Garden list of 59 species.
Highlights include Osprey and Spoonbill. Our second garden from this charming seaside town.
Paul D (London)
Garden list of 84 species.
Highlights include an Osprey.
Bernard B (Ruckinge, Kent)
Garden list of 107 species.
Highlights include Osprey, White Stork, Short-eared Owl and Kingfisher.
This brings our 'garden collective' up to 40.
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Garden firsts
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| Stewart kindly allowed me to use this image of his White-tailed Eagle. More at his superb blog here. |
Stewart S (Howick, Northumberland) - WHITE-TAILED EAGLE
Sam B (Enniskeane, Cork) - Teal
Reuben B (Tufnell Park, London) - Stock Dove and Linnet
Dave P (Shoreham, West Sussex) - Greylag Goose
Mark D (Dorking, Surrey) - Shoveler
Arjun D (Wallington, London) - Water Rail and Moorhen
Paul D (London) - Common Snipe
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| Sam B's 'garden tick Teal', trapped for the purposes of ringing (photo courtesy of Sam) |
There have now been 27 garden firsts across the competition.
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Garden focus
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| Steve C (Guildford, Surrey) has a window of opportunity to the left of his bungalow - a gap looking through to the Wey valley, which is something of a flight line. Can he sit up on the roof? |
Other news from around the gardens
Chris P (Romney Marsh, Kent) is still smiling after yesterday's White-tailed Eagle. Mediterranean Gull and Yellowhammer have now taken him along to an impressive 60 species.
Mark D (Dorking, Surrey) has reached 42 species so far.
Robin S (Cranleigh, Surrey) has reached 36 species, including Grey Wagtail, a species that has not been recorded from many of our gardens as it stands.
Reuben B (Tufnell Park, London) can thank a Peregrine for taking him on to 36 species.
Paul D (London) is up to 35 species, having recorded a good number of raptors, including Red Kite and Peregrine.
Seth G (Uig, Skye) has been taking advantage of those wonderful views and has now reached 26 species.
Bernard B (Ruckinge, Kent) up to 38 species today, courtesy of Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier and Long-tailed Tit.
Tony B (Woodford Green, Essex) recorded a Peregrine, his sixth species of raptor that takes him up to 36.
Michael R (Battle, East Sussex) is now up to 37 species. He's threatening to noc-mig!!
Michael D (Craster, Northumberland) may be stuck on 40, but he has added handsomely to the combined list with Shag, Eider, Turnstone and Guillemot.
Comments
A modest beginning here at Worcester Park- 21 species. Highlight was a Red Kite north.
Also Sparrow Hawk and 5 Stock Doves over
Thanks Bob, will make a note.
#BWKMO
Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Feral Rock Dove, Cuckoo, Tawny Owl, Swift, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Swallow, House Martin, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Redwing, Fieldfare, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Wren, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long-Tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin…
Historical Total 62
Current Total 35
Richard Francis
Two other additions (sort of), Rose-Ringed Parakeet & one winters night two or three years back, I was awoken in the early hours by the sound of approaching wild geese.
Well, they weren't Canada or Greylag, they were way better, and loud and many. The sound of this flock as it passed low over the rooftops I'll never forget.
I'm guessing they may have been White-fronts...but a guess misses by a mile. Shame.