Did some afternoon birding today and was surprised with two unusually urban observations.The first was a greater whitethroat sitting and singing in some shrubs right nest to where loads of trains, trams, cars, and people.I also saw a a hobby hunting swifts in an unusually urban envoirment.There is a "ski resort" about 2 miles from where I saw it,so I guess that could explain it.
124 Greater whitethroat (Curruca communis)
125 Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo)
126 Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)
Putting up my update before the end of the year.
It's been a real pleasure to have been birding with a spotting scope since I bought one in July. I have been without one since November 2021, when it got stolen. It was a real hard goodbye to me since it was a gift to me from my late paternal grandfather, whom I loved very much. Unfortunately, I haven't been out at any good migration hotspots, so my species list is a bit more meager than last year as a result.It's still been a good year with some nice lifers.
Mammals, herps, and fish will come tomorrow, when i have sorted out some problems with those lists.
127 Red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio)
128 Parrot crossbill (Loxia pytyopsittacus)
129 European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
130 Common ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula)
131 Common greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
132 European golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria)
133 Whinchat (Saxicola ruberta)
134 Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
135 Western yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava)
136 Long-eared owl (Asio otus)
137 Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata)
138 Common linnet (Linaria cannabina)
140 Bar-headed goose (Anser indicus)
141 Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)
142 Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus)
143 Water rail (Rallus aquaticus)
144 Red kite (Milvus milvus)
145 Great egret (Ardea alba)
146 Smew (Margellus albellus)
147 Tundra bean goose (Anser serrirostris)
148 Pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus
