14 days and counting...

#BWKM0 ND&B garden challenge
DAY 35
Dylan W kindly provided this image of a Chiffchaff from his Thanet, Kent garden
There was a mini-landmark here in Banstead today, as I chalked up my 70th species for this challenge when a group of four Common Swifts scooted through. Back on March 20th I estimated that I should reach 60, possibly 65 species, but considered 70 to be too ambitious a target. I have now used up all of my 'banker' species however. Of the possibles still to come there is an outside chance of a late Fieldfare or Brambling; a Lesser Redpoll in what has been a dire winter for them locally; or a drop-by Willow Warbler or Lesser Whitethroat, neither annual in the garden. I have been aware of reports of flocks of Mediterranean Gulls flying over gardens to the south, west, north and east of me and scan the skies in hope. I still haven't given up on a Marsh Harrier or Osprey paying me a fleeting visit - and have a quiet confidence that there must be some more waders to come - especially if I carry on sitting outside in the dark. Two weeks to go. There is still much to play for.

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OUR COMBINED TOTAL (BRITISH ISLES GARDENS) IS 175 SPECIES   Still to be recorded are: Pochard, Common Sandpiper, any skua, Arctic Tern, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Whinchat.

Our oversea's gardens (New Zealand and Albania) add an additional 22 SPECIES 

Todays additions are: Glossy Ibis (Martin C) and Lesser Whitethroat (Matt P)

You can find the combined #BWKM0 list by clicking on the right-hand tab above.

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ENTRIES
Our 'garden collective' stands at 59

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Garden firsts
Bernard B (Ruckinge, Kent) - Ring Ouzel
Sam B (Enniskeane, Cork) - Coot
Mark N (Stutton, Suffolk) - Mediterranean Gull

There have been 174 garden firsts across the competition.

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Visual interlude - #14 Ramsdean Down and Rake Bottom, Hampshire
Whisper it, but I find the South Downs to be a more majestic and wild place than my beloved North Downs. Here before you is the haunt of Duke of Burgundy Fritillaries, but you will spend as much time gawping at the spectacular scenery as the butterflies.
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How are we getting on?
Alphabetical order by first name. The first figure is the garden score as on March 20th. The second is since then (as up to date as I am aware).

Arjun D (Wallington, Surrey) - 74/66; Bene A (Tirana, Albania) xx/30;
Benno W (Goodnestone, Kent) xx/37; Bernard B (Ruckinge, Kent) 107/62; 
Bob S (Worcester Park, Surrey) 86/35; Callum M (Hemel Hempstead, Herts) 64/61;
Cheech A (Langley Vale, Surrey) xx/38; Chris P (Claygate, Surrey) - 43/40; 
Dave B (Chatham Islands, Pacific Ocean) 30/29; Dave P (Shoreham, West Sussex) - 55/43; 
David S (West Raynham, Norfolk) - 87/59; Debbie S (Portland, Dorset) 155/50; 
Dylan W (Thanet, Kent) 111/54; Ed S (Farncombe, Surrey) - 79/77;  
Gavin H (Bridport, Dorset) xx/46;  Geoff B (Chessington, Surrey) 69/28; 
Gill H (Tenterden, Kent) 60/31; Gordon H (Redhill, Surrey) 80/46; 
Ian K (Leigh, Surrey) 62/37; Ian S (Sidcup, Kent) - 113/48; 
Ian W (Merton Park, London) 86/47; Isaiah R (New Malden, London) 76/52; 
John P (Banstead, Surrey) xx/xx; Jono L (Wanstead, London) 83/67; 
Josephine S (Leatherhead, Surrey) 40/40; Justin T (Charmouth, Dorset) 59/32;
Mark D (Dorking, Surrey) 59/54; Mark H (Littlestone, Kent) 135/61:
Mark N (Stutton, Suffolk) - 77/61; Martin C (Lydd, Kent) 140/89;
Mathew B (Wrotham, Kent) - 33/51; Matt P (Pulborough, West Sussex) 126/106;   
Michael D (Craster, Northumberland) 106/62; Mike P (Malling, Kent) 70/62; 
Mike R (Battle, East Sussex) 97/51;  Oscar D (Chiswick, London) - 67/64;
Paul D (London) 84/44; Pete B (Shadoxhurst, Kent) 101/48;
Phil B (Ramsgate, Kent) 54/30; Rebecca G (Balham, London) xx/15;
Reuben B (Tufnell Park, London) - 45/44; Richard F (Pinner, London) 63/35;
Richard P (Charmouth, Dorset) - 101/75;  Robin S (Cranleigh, Surrey) - 101/53; 
Sam B (Enniskeane, Cork) - 67/65; Seamus E (Thornton Cleveleys, Lancs) - 67/40; 
Sean M (Pinner, London) - 50/39; Seth G (Uig, Skye) 64/50;  
Stephen R (Harrogate, Yorks) 66/43; Steve C (Guildford, Surrey) 66/37; 
Steve G (Banstead, Surrey) - 92/70; Steve T (Ewell, Surrey) 59/36;
Steve W (Hawes, N Yorks) - 91/59; Stewart S (Howick, Northumberland) 131/74;
Stuart C (Walkern, Herts) - xx/63;  Sye W (Aston Clinton, Bucks) - xx/40;
Tony B (Woodford, London) 69/52; Wes A (Capel, Surrey) - 96/87

THE CHALLENGE WILL END AT 18.00hrs ON THURSDAY MAY 7th

Comments

Steven W said…
Redstart & Red-legged Partridge to put me on 61 please Steve
23 April 2020 at 21:41
Chris P said…
Hi Steve, I creep ever on with Cormorant to add to mine please.
24 April 2020 at 07:17
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