Zoochat Big Year 2024

Can you clarify which species you have here? The common and scientific names don't match one another.
Indeed they don't. Tent-making bat Uroderma bilobatum. I must have made an error when copying the name from my spread sheet.
 
Spring has arrived to Finland and it definitely shows! Thousands of water birds, birds of prey and passerines are making their way across the Baltic sea right now. So I thought now was the perfect time to go on a real migration watching trip. The best place to do that here is a small cliff at the very end of the Porkkala peninsula called Pampskatan. It's so far out in the outer archipelago, that it is one of the first places migratory birds can be seen in the spring. So armed with my gear and some snacks I arrived at the cliff at six in the morning

I had a great time watching the migration and chatting with the other birders there. To be honest, I probably would not have been able to see or identify many of the birds with out them:p. In total I spent 4 hours watching birds go by on that cliff and afterwards I spent some time in the surrounding forests looking for Crested tits.

All in all, I added 21 new species to my list, of which 5 were lifers! Definitely one of the most successful trips of my life! :D

(Just a disclaimer, but the order in which I saw all the birds may not be entirely correct, as it was hard to keep track due to the sheer amount that were constantly going by).

123. Mistle thrush, Turdus viscivorus 28/3/24

124. European herring gull, Larus argentatus 28/3/24
125. Common eider, Somateria mollissima 28/3/24
126. Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis 28/3/24
127. Common goldeneye, Blucephala clangula 28/3/24
128. Arctic loon, Gavia arctica 28/3/24
129. Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator 28/3/24
130. Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo 28/3/24
131. White-tailed eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla 28/3/24
132. Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus 28/3/24
133. Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus 28/3/24
134. Redwing, Turdus iliacus 28/3/24
135. Velvet scoter, Melanitta fusca 28/3/24
136. Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus 28/3/24
137. Grey heron, Ardea cinerea 28/3/24
138. Gadwall, Mareca strepera 28/3/24
139. Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis 28/3/24
140. Smew, Mergellus albellus 28/3/24
141. European golden plover, Pluvialis apricaria 28/3/24
142. Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs 28/3/24
143. Crested tit, Lophophanes cristatus 28/3/24

Whoops, just realized I forgot to add my mammals :oops:. Anyway here they are.

Mammals

8. Mountain hare, Lepus timidus 28/3/24
9. Red fox, Vulpes vulpes 28/3/24
 
A very late update from me, but here are five birds (two introduced, one migrant and two common resident), as well as one mammal. Last Sunday, I decided to go to the Hindhede Nature Reserve to do some birding. While small, the high concentration of birds more than makes up for it. My main purpose of the visit was to see either the resident Oriental darter or brown boobook. Given the fact that it was an afternoon, I saw neither. However, just as I was about to leave, I noticed something darting about in the undergrowth. It took a while before said creature decided to pop up, giving me very good views of a western hooded pitta. A very nice bird, especially because of the fact that it is an uncommon migrant! Apart from that, there was nothing particularly noteworthy, except for a common treeshrew and an emerald dove foraging along the path. As I was heading for dinner, I spotted an Oriental dollarbird on a lamp-post. I have heard that Hindhede is particularly good for spotting blue-winged leafbirds when the trees there are fruiting, so perhaps I will return later on.

Birds
23. Red-whiskered bubul (Pycnonotus jocosus)
24. Asian glossy starling (Aplonis panayensis)
25. Pied imperial pigeon (Ducula bicolor)
26. Western hooded pitta (Pitta sordida)
27. Oriental dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)

Mammals
5. Common treeshrew (Tupaia glis)

An update as small as the two species I spotted over the course of the past few days.

Birds
16) House Sparrow, Passer domesticus

Reptiles
4) Common House Gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus

Apparently I have made a dumb mistake when IDing the sparrow. It should be the Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus.
 
Mammals:

1. White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
2. Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
3. Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
4. Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
5. American Mink (Neogale vison)
6. Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
7. Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

Birds:

1. Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
2. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
3. Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
4. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
5. Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
6. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
7. Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)
8. Canada Goose (Branta canandensis)
9. Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
10. Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
11. Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
12. Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
13. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
14. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
15. Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
16. Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
17. American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
18. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
19. Common Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
20. Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
21. Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)
22. American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
23. Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
24. Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)
25. Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodica)
26. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
27. Great Egret (Ardea alba)
28. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Mammals: 7
Birds: 28
Herptiles: 0
Fishes: 0
Invertebrates: 0
Total: 35
Birds:

29. Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)
30. Tree swallow (Tachycineata bicolor)

Mammals: 7
Birds: 30
Herptiles: 0
Fishes: 0
Invertebrates: 0
Total: 37
 
Birds:
93- American Goldfinch, Spinus tristis, 3-10-2024
94- Pine Warbler, Setophaga pinus, 3-10-2024
95- Northern Shoveler, Spatula clypeata, 3-10-2024
96- Greater White-Footed Goose, Anser albifrons, 3-11-2024
97- Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis, 3-11-2024
98- Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna, 3-12-2024
99- Blue-Winged Teal, Spatula discors, 3-12-2024
100- Rusty Blackbird, Euphagus carolinus, 3-12-2024
101- Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor, 3-17-2024
102- Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, 3-17-202
103- Barred Owl, Strix varia, 3-20-2024
104- Northern Harrier, Circus hudsonius, 3-21-2024
105- Rough-Legged Hawk, Buteo lagopus, 3-21-2024
106- Winter Wren, Troglodytes hiemalis, 3-24-2024
107- Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, Corthylio calendula, 3-26-2024
108- Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum, 3-26-2024

Amphibians:
1- American Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus, 3-12-2024

Inverts:
2- Camponotus castaneus, 3-12-2024
3- Varied Carpet Beetle, Anthrenus verbasci, 3-23-2024

Fish:
5- Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, 3-14-2024
6- Smallmouth Bass, Micropterus dolomieu, 3-14-2024

Total: 125
108 Birds (200 goal)
6 Mammals (15 goal)
3 Inverts (20 goal)
1 Reptile (10 goal)
6 Fish (20 goal)
1 Amphibian (10 goal)
Went to Eagle Creek;
109- Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla, 3-26-2024
110- Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis, 3-29-2024
111- American Pipit, Anthus rubescens, 3-29-2024
112- Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus, 3-29-2024
113- North Rough-Winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 3-29-2024
114- Purple Martin, Progne subis, 3-29-2024
115- Red-Headed Woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus, 3-29-2024
116- Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, 3-29-2024
117- Double-Crested Cormorant, Nannopterum auritum, 3-29-2024
118- Red-Throated Loon, Gavia stellata, 3-29-2024
119- Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia, 3-29-2024
120- Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotos, 3-29-2024
121- Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca, 3-29-2024
122- Surf Scoter, Melanitta perspicillata, 3-29-2024
123- Northern Pintail, Anas acuta, 3-29-2024
124- Ross’ Goose, Anser rossii, 3-29-2024
Total: 141
124 Birds
6 Mammals
1 Amphibian
1 Reptile
3 Invertebrates
6 Fish
 
Mammals
14) American Mink (Neogale vison)

Birds
76) Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)

Heard-Only Species
7) Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Another walk around Walden Pond in Van Saun Park let me get a long overdue species in the American Goldfinch, along with one that’s the second on record for the pond according to eBird (with the other one being this morning). Additionally, I was able to get my first Amphibian of the year.

Birds
77) Blue-Winged Teal (Spatula discors)
78) American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)

Herptiles

3) American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Progress:
Mammals- 14
Birds- 78
Herptiles- 3
Total- 95
Heard-only Species- 5
 
Panama day 14 - see Panama forum for commentary

Canopy Tower AM

Birds
363, Tiny hawk Accipiter superciliosus
364. Yellow-margined flycatcher (Yellow-winged flatbill) Tolmomyias flavotectus
365. Green shrike-vireo Vireolanius pulchellus
366. King vulture Sarcoramphus papa

Canopy Lodge PM

Mammals
30. Water opossum (yapok) Chironectes minimus
31. Southern opossum Didelphis marsupialis
32. Dark four-eyed opossum Philander melanurus
33. Orange nectar bat Lonchophylla robusta

Birds
367. White-vented plumeleteer Chalybura buffonii
368. Violet-headed hummingbird Klais guimeti
369. Rufous-crested coquette Lophornis delattre
370. Grey-cowled wood rail Aramides cajaneus
371. Ochre-bellied flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus (new Family?)
372. Orange-billed sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris
373. Dusky-faced tanager Mitrospingus cassinii (new Family)
374. Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
375. Buff-throated saltator Saltator maximus
 
One more from a stroll at Avenue Washlands this morning.

Birds:
132. Yellowhammer - Emberiza citrinella

:)
 
Another walk around Walden Pond in Van Saun Park let me get a long overdue species in the American Goldfinch, along with one that’s the second on record for the pond according to eBird (with the other one being this morning). Additionally, I was able to get my first Amphibian of the year.

Birds
77) Blue-Winged Teal (Spatula discors)
78) American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)

Herptiles

3) American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Progress:
Mammals- 14
Birds- 78
Herptiles- 3
Total- 95
Heard-only Species- 5
A visit to Jamaica Bay Wildlife refuge was able to bring me to just over 100 total species, most of which are new spring species.

Birds
79) Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)
80) Boat-Tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)
81) Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)
82) Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
83) Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
84) Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)
85) American Coot (Fulica americana)

Herptiles
4) Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)

Heard Only Species

5) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)

Progress:
Mammals- 14
Birds- 85
Herptiles- 4
Total- 103
Heard-only Species- 5
 
A visit to Jamaica Bay Wildlife refuge was able to bring me to just over 100 total species, most of which are new spring species.

Birds
79) Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)
80) Boat-Tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)
81) Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)
82) Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
83) Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
84) Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)
85) American Coot (Fulica americana)

Herptiles
4) Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)

Heard Only Species

5) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)

Progress:
Mammals- 14
Birds- 85
Herptiles- 4
Total- 103
Heard-only Species- 5
Another long overdue species while on a bike ride tonight

Birds
86) Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

Progress:
Mammals- 14
Birds- 86
Herptiles- 4
Total- 104
Heard-only Species- 4
 

2/28/24


3. Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta)


3/27/24

Dallas, Texas

4. Oak Catkin Mirid (Tropidosteptes quercicola)


3/30/24


Back home in North Carolina


5. Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)



3/25/24


Dallas, TX

5. Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)


3/30/24


6. Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)


3/25/24

Dallas, TX

80. Great-Tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)
81. White-Winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)
82. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
83. Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)


3/30/24


84. Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)


Total:

Mammals: 6
Birds: 84
Invertebrates: 5
 
Panama day 15 - see Panama forum for commentary

Mammals
34. Central American tapeti Sylvilagus gabbi
35. Velvety free-tail bat Molossus molossus

Birds
376. Sunbittern Eurypyga helias (new Order and Family)
377. Long-billed starthroat Heliomaster longirostris
378. Ruby-crowned fairy Heliothryx barroti
379. Crowned woodnymph Thalurania colombica
380. Double-toothed kite Harpagus bidentatus
381. Barred hawk Morphnarchus princeps
382. Roadside hawk Rupornis magnirostris
383. Tropical screech owl Megascops choliba
384. Mottled owl Strix virgata
385. Spot-crowned barbet Capito maculicoronatus
386. Lesson's motmot Momotus lessonii
387. Lesser elaenia Elaenia chiriquensis
388. Tawny-capped euphonia Crithagra sulphurata
389. Chestnut-coloured warbler Basileuterus delattrii
390. Canada warbler Cardellina canadensis
391. Louisiana waterthrush Parkesia motacilla
392. Shiny cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
392. Wedge-tailed grass finch Emberizoides herbicola
393. Streaked saltator Saltator striatipectus
394. Thick-billed seed-finch Sporophila funerda
395. Slate-coloured seedeater Sporophila schistacea
396. Tawny-crested tanager Tachyphonus delatrii
397. Emerald tanager Tangara florida
398. Isthmian wren Cantorchilus elutus

Missed from the Pipeline Road

399. Bicoloured antbird Gymnopithys bicolor
 
391. Louisiana waterthrush Parkesia motacilla
392. Shiny cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
392. Wedge-tailed grass finch Emberizoides herbicola
393. Streaked saltator Saltator striatipectus
Number 392 used twice, so your last bird (Bicoloured Antbird) should be 400 rather than 399.
 
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Panama day 15 - see Panama forum for commentary

Mammals
34. Central American tapeti Sylvilagus gabbi
35. Velvety free-tail bat Molossus molossus

Birds
376. Sunbittern Eurypyga helias (new Order and Family)
377. Long-billed starthroat Heliomaster longirostris
378. Ruby-crowned fairy Heliothryx barroti
379. Crowned woodnymph Thalurania colombica
380. Double-toothed kite Harpagus bidentatus
381. Barred hawk Morphnarchus princeps
382. Roadside hawk Rupornis magnirostris
383. Tropical screech owl Megascops choliba
384. Mottled owl Strix virgata
385. Spot-crowned barbet Capito maculicoronatus
386. Lesson's motmot Momotus lessonii
387. Lesser elaenia Elaenia chiriquensis
388. Tawny-capped euphonia Crithagra sulphurata
389. Chestnut-coloured warbler Basileuterus delattrii
390. Canada warbler Cardellina canadensis
391. Louisiana waterthrush Parkesia motacilla
392. Shiny cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
392. Wedge-tailed grass finch Emberizoides herbicola
393. Streaked saltator Saltator striatipectus
394. Thick-billed seed-finch Sporophila funerda
395. Slate-coloured seedeater Sporophila schistacea
396. Tawny-crested tanager Tachyphonus delatrii
397. Emerald tanager Tangara florida
398. Isthmian wren Cantorchilus elutus

Missed from the Pipeline Road

399. Bicoloured antbird Gymnopithys bicolor
401 Spotted woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Numbering corrected.
 
At last, able to do some birding at Woolston Eyes
90 Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
91 Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca
92 Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
All seen in gorgeous light. The site used to hold hundreds of Ruddy Ducks before the cull; yesterday’s male is safe at present due to the important breeding population of the Grebes (one of the two most important U.K. sites. The Ferruginous Ducks were a lucky bonus, a pair found while I was on site.
Invertebrates
All on Wirral
11 Tawny Mining Bee Andrena fulva
12 Silverfish Lepisma saccharinum
13 Varied Carpet Beetle Anthrenus verbasci
14 Laver Spire Shell Peringia ulvae
15 Common Periwinkle Littorina littorea
The last two of these were on Caldy Beach while visiting with children. On leaving, a very lucky view of
Mammal
4 Weasel Mustela nivalis
One ran across the tarmaced path and disappeared into the rocks at the top of the beach!
 
Birds
125. Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata)
126. Little Grassbird (Poodytes gramineus)

Planning a trip to Dubbo over Easter, and Taronga Western Plains Zoo is great for birding, so I will hopefully get many more species soon.
I just got home.
Didn’t pick up as many new birds as I expected on the Dubbo trip, but still got 3 bird lifers and my first two mammal lifers of the year!

Anyway, first things first:

29/3/24
Seen on the drive:

Birds
127. Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis)

I spent the afternoon looking for Superb Parrots at my cousin's house in Cumnock (about halfway between Orange and Dubbo). I heard them a few times but was unsuccessful in spotting them. Disappointing, but I did see a small flock fleetingly at the zoo the next day.

30/3/24
Had to leave early (5:45am) to get to the zoo in time for the Early Morning Walk. Driving in the dark on country roads means two things: roos and rabbits. Didn't hit anything (thank god), but had several near misses with animals standing right in the middle of the road. I was expecting the rabbits and Est Grey roos, but I was certainly not expecting:

Mammals
10. Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus)
11. Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) - also saw one later on, wild in zoo grounds
12. Eurasian Wild Boar — Feral Pig (Sus scrofa)

Got to the zoo luckily without any harm done to wildlife or the car, and picked up 9 new birds throughout the day, including 2 lifers.

Birds
128. White-browed Babbler (Pomatostomus superciliosus)
129. Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii)
130. Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea)
131. White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphus)
132. Purple-backed Fairy Wren (Malurus assimilis)
133. Little Friarbird (Philemon citreogularis)
134. Striped Honeyeater (Plectorhyncha lanceolata)
135. Yellow-throated Miner (Manorina flavigula)
136. Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis)

As well as one reptile:

Reptiles
6. Short-necked Turtle (Emydura macquarii)

Later, back at Cumnock, I got my second honeyeater lifer of the day!

Birds
137. Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthogenys rufogularis)

31/3/24
On the drive home this afternoon, saw what I’ve hoped to see for ages; a feral goat on Victoria Pass!

Mammals
13. Feral Goat (Capra hircus)
 
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