The eagle hasn't landed for all of us

#BWKM0 ND&B garden challenge
DAY 11 

Today saw deep joy for two members of the 'garden collective', when a WHITE-TAILED EAGLE decided to go on a tour of south-east Kent this afternoon, happily taking in their gardens on its way. Marvellous stuff.

I was asked earlier today how many species that our gardens have recorded so far since lockdown, so I've collated them. OUR COMBINED TOTAL IS 91 SPECIES. This does not include, as far as I am aware,  such 'common' birds as Little Owl, Kingfisher, Brambling, Redpoll, Crossbill and Yellowhammer; if any of our gardens that overlook the sea are recording sea-duck, waders or auks then please let me have a species list. Many thanks.

If you want to join our merry band, you would be very welcome. No hassle back garden birding if you prefer, or full-on and all-out competition - both just as valid. You can back-date your list to 20th March as well. Win, win.

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New entries

Bob S (Worcester Park, Greater London)
Garden list of 86 species.
Highlights include Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit and Short-eared Owl.

Gordon H (Redhill, Surrey)
Garden list of 80 species.
Highlights include Hen Harrier, Kingfisher, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Firecrest.

Gill H (Tenterden, Kent)
Garden list of 60 species.

Oscar D (Chiswick, London)
Garden list of 67 species.
Highlights include Gannet, Little Egret and Wheatear.

Robin S (Cranleigh, Surrey)
Garden list of 101 species.
Highlights include Little Egret, Goosander, Goshawk, Oystercatcher, Common Tern, Turtle Dove.

This brings our 'garden collective' up to 35.

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Garden firsts

Chris P (Walland Marsh, Kent) - WHITE-TAILED EAGLE
Martin C (Lydd, Kent) - WHITE-TAILED EAGLE
Dave P (Shoreham, West Sussex) - Gannet
Geoff B (Chessington, Surrey) - Egyptian Goose

There have now been 18 garden firsts across the competition.

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Garden focus

Ian K (Leigh, Surrey) backs onto farmland - a garden with plenty of  potential.
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Other news from around the gardens

Gordon H (Redhill, Surrey) Has reached 29 species so far, including Cormorant and Common Buzzard. Expect more to come...

Reuben B (Tufnell Park, London) can thank Long-tailed Tit and Lesser Black-backed Gull for him reaching 32 species so far.

Richard P (Charmouth, Dorset) is now on 47 species, courtesy of Rook and Green Woodpecker.

Seth G (Uig, Skye) is up to 22 species, but believe me, some class is amongst them.

Stewart S (Howick, Northumberland) has been suffering from bitterly northerlies, but a hardy pair of Mallard and a Grey heron have taken him up to 43.

Steve G (Banstead, Surrey) is up to 45 species, purely through a clerical error!

Gavin H (Bridport, Dorset) is reporting a slow few days, but has had a Jay.

Stephen R (Harrogate, Yorks) - is up to 29 thanks to a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Steve C (Guildford, Surrey) was celebrating the rare occurrence of a Stock Dove on the lawn - up to 33 species.

Martin C (Lydd, Kent) thought that Mediterranean Gull was going to be today's star turn - until that eagle came into view  - 57 species.

Comments

Paul Dodd said…
Garden total 84, highlight Osprey Over, April 2009
Lockdown total 35 including new sighting, snipe
Highlights, plenty of raptors, mostly buzzards but have had red kite and peregrine over along with the local kestrel and sparrowhawks
30 March 2020 at 20:39
Steve Gale said…
I’ll add you on Paul. Where are you based?
30 March 2020 at 20:45
Charmouth Birding said…
Sea Ducks recorded: Common Scoter
Waders: Nil Beach still too busy and little if any movement along the coast so far
Auks: None seen yet.
Richard P
30 March 2020 at 21:26
Steve Gale said…
Thanks Richard!
30 March 2020 at 21:29
Gibster said…
I have Redpoll, Steve! Seeing as it's (currently) a very short list, here it is in it's pitiful entirety: 27th - Herring Gull, GBB Gull, Iceland Gull, RB Merganser, Raven, House Sparrow, Robin, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Oystercatcher, Hooded Crow, Rock Dove, Pied Wagtail, Skylark, Buzzard. Additions today are Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Redpoll, Goldfinch, Curlew and Goldcrest. I'm still working as per usual, so not able to gaze skywards/seawards at any given moment, that's my excuse haha! White-tailed Eagles have been elusive since I began my lockdown listing, typically they were showing well last week.
30 March 2020 at 22:29
Bernard B said…
Hi Steve
Ruckinge garden list is 107 species, with Osprey, White Stork, Short-eared Owl and Kingfisher highlights.
New lockdown birds today were Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier and Long-tailed Tit, bringing total since last week to 38
regards, Bernard Boothroyd
31 March 2020 at 13:02
Gibster said…
More from Uig...Lapwing (garden 1st!),Coal and Great Tit and Collared Dove. Now on 26 woo-hoo!
31 March 2020 at 15:32
Michael Drage said…
Stuck on 40 here in a quiet Craster, it includes guillemot, eider, shag, turnstone if that helps the collective list
31 March 2020 at 17:45
Steve Gale said…
Thanks for all the wonderful news. Please keep it coming, most appreciated!
31 March 2020 at 18:18
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