Is it Day 6 already?

#BWKM0 ND&B garden challenge
DAY 6

Firstly, a big 'laid-back birding' welcome to our newest garden entry:

Martin C (Lydd, Kent)
I haven't had an historical species total yet, but having sampled the delights of 'Plodland' before, can confirm that the list will not only be large, but stuffed with great birds. See below for a sample of yesterday's haul.

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Garden firsts

Steve T (Ewell, Surrey) - Raven
(the fifth garden first across the competition)

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Garden focus

 Three snapshots from 'our garden collective'. If you want to send any images in to me, please do. It would be good to see where we are all plying our lockdown trade.

Mathew B at Wrotham in Kent - I'd be scoping that conifer for crests if I were him.
Dave P at Shoreham in West Sussex - the sea not too far away for him to record skeins of Brent Geese passing.
Wes A at Capel, Surrey, looks more than adequately set up, and is so far playing a blinder.
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News from around the gardens

 Martin C (Lydd, Kent) was able to record such delights as Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Ruff and Cetti's Warbler on his first day of competition, recording 52 species.

Wes A (Capel, Surrey) has added Hawfinch and Marsh Tit to his already impressive list.

Dylan W (Thanet, Kent) has recorded 29 species including his second ever Raven for the garden.

In Battle, East Sussex, Mike R has reached 34 species with Peregrine and Red Kite being highlights.

Steve C (Guildford, Surrey) has now reached 29 and, like many birders, has seen Red Kite drift through.

Steve T (Ewell, Surrey) has a list of 21 that includes the Raven, mentioned above.

A Canada Goose brought up Mathew B's list, at Wrotham, Kent to 32 species.

Ed S (Farncombe, Surrey) added Reed Bunting and Barn Owl via the 'dark art' of noc-migging.

Sean M (Pinner, London) has shared his frustration in still not having recorded a Chaffinch! Patience Sean... he is up to 25 species.

Up to 40 now for Ian S (Sidcup, Kent) via a missed-off-the-list Wren.

And Stephen R (Harrogate, Yorks) has recorded 26, including his second ever garden Jay.

I'm not getting too hung-up on recording everyone's cumulative list at this early stage. At the moment it is all about recording those 'to be expected' species. Within a fortnight it should all get a bit more difficult and those incoming additions may be cause for celebration, especially those spring and passage migrants. But, to be honest, being in good enough health to be able to birdwatch is cause for celebration in itself in these most troubling of times.

Comments

Stephen Root said…
Hi Steve, I am now up to 26 species. Pleased to record tawny owl last night and my second ever garden record of jay today. Some consolation for having to work from home!
26 March 2020 at 18:37
Steve Gale said…
Thank you Stephen, I've added you to the post.
26 March 2020 at 18:43
Michael Drage said…
Do you have room for another northern contender?
I am 2 miles north of Stewart S on the same rocky coast but with a sea view and less woodland. Garden list of 106 in 3 years here, with regular willow tit, tree sparrows etc, and rarer sightings including black redstart, storm petrel, osprey, velvet scoter.

Michael Drage
27 March 2020 at 13:02
Steve Gale said…
Hi Michael, of course I do! Welcome aboard!
27 March 2020 at 13:16
Michael Drage said…
Thanks Steve. I forgot to say my location is Craster.
Michael Drage
27 March 2020 at 13:45
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