Look out and look up in unison

The back garden pond here in Banstead - best bird to visit it? Grey Wagtail.

We have, so far, 16 participants in our laid-back self-isolation back garden challenge. The rules are simple - as from March 20th (or later if you subsequently join in), all competitors will keep a list of the species observed from their garden/window. When the government announce a lessening of the 'state of emergency' I will calculate what percentage of their historical garden lists each birder has recorded. Updates will be posted on this blog, with hopefully a few details from each garden such as movements, counts and highlights. It shouldn't really be seen as a fierce competition, more a celebration of what birdlife we can see from our humble homes. Regular observation from any location will provide surprises and useful data, so garden confinement shouldn’t be seen as a hardship, more like an opportunity. Good luck and, above all, enjoy!

Steve G (Banstead, Surrey)

Garden list of 92 species

Spoonbill, Honey Buzzard, Short-eared Owl, Woodlark, Black Redstart some of the highlights

Ian S (Sidcup, Greater London)

Garden list of 113 species
Two separate migratory calling Quail are stand-out records.

Dylan W (Thanet, Kent)
Garden list of 111 species.
Fulmar, Purple Heron, Montagu’s Harrier, Red-footed Falcon and Ortolan Bunting among his notable sightings.

Isaiah R (New Malden, Greater London)
Garden list of 76 species
One of those is a Gannet, photographed for posterity.

Gavin H (Bridport, Dorset)
No list, but a passive participant who will pass on his findings.

John P (Banstead, Surrey)
Details to come.

Geoff B (Chessington, Surrey)
Garden list of 69 species
Three Honey Buzzards, Mediterranean Gull and Crossbill are noteworthy.

Mathew B (Wrotham, Kent)
Garden list of 33 species
A birder who is just starting to give his garden some concentrated attention. What will he discover?

Sean M (Pinner, Greater London)
Garden list of 50 species
Another birder who is giving his garden its first concentrated bout of birding.

Tony B (Woodford Green, Greater London)
Garden list of 69 species
Black Redstart is the headliner - so far...

Steve C (Guildford, Surrey)
Garden list of 66 species
A Wheatear on the lawn, Firecrest and Curlew are the stand-outs.

Callum M (Hemel Hempstead, Herts)
Garden list of 64 species

Stephen R (Harrogate, Yorks)
Garden list of 66 species
Whooper Swan, Curlew and Cuckoo are his best sightings.

Stewart S (Howick, Northumberland)
Garden list of 113 species
How many people can boast of Rosefinch, Barred Warblers and Yellow-browed Warblers in their garden? He suggests that Spring is usually poor though.

Mike R (Battle, East Sussex)
Garden list of 97 species
Wryneck, Stone Curlew and Serin are indicators of how unpredictable our gardens can be...

If you want to join in, it isn't too late - after all, we may be at this for months to come...

#BWKM0