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
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
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.