ZooChat Big Year 2015

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Sofar not done much birding but even so a lifer ! Relative short list but hope it will become longer during the year :
1) Great crested grebe http://www.zoochat.com/706/great-crested-grebe-398729/
2) Black-necked grebe - a lifer ! http://www.zoochat.com/706/black-necked-grebes-404837/
3) Great cormorant
4) Great white egret
5) Grey heron
6) Spoonbill
7) Mute swan http://www.zoochat.com/706/mute-swan-404765/
8) Greylag goose
9) Canada goose http://www.zoochat.com/706/canada-goose-404761/
10) Common shelduck http://www.zoochat.com/706/common-shelducks-404757/
11) Egyptian goose
12) Gadwall
13) Common teal
14) Mallard
15) Northern shoveler http://www.zoochat.com/706/northern-shoveler-404759/
16) Tufted duck
17) Red-breasted merganser
18) European sparrowhawk
19) Common buzzard
20) Common kestrel
21) Common pheasant
22) Moorhen
23) Common coot
24) Oystercatcher
25) Avocet http://www.zoochat.com/706/avocets-404836/
26) Lapwing http://www.zoochat.com/706/lapwing-404839/
27) Black-headed gull
28) Herring gull
29) Wood pigeon
30) Collared dove
31) Pied wagtail
32) Wren
33) Hedge accentor http://www.zoochat.com/706/hedge-accentor-404766/
34) Robin http://www.zoochat.com/706/robin-404838/
35) Blackbird
36) Blue tit
37) Great tit
38) Magpie
39) Jackdaw
40) Carrion crow
41) Common starling
42) House sparrow
43) Chaffinch
44) Goldfinch

Esp. happy with the small group of Black-necked grebes of 6 animals I discovered closely to the place I work. For me it was a lifer and they are relative rare in the Netherlands ( around 2010 a population of about 450 - 550 pairs )
 
Hix said:
Birds
103. Rufous Fantail
104. Lyrebird
105. Beautiful Firetail
106. Eastern Bristlebird
107. Golden Whistler
108. Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
109. Satin Flycatcher
110. Black-fronted Dotterel
111. Blue-billed Duck
112. Goldfinch


Mammals
6. Eastern Grey Kangaroo

:p

Hix
Click to expand...

Birds
113. Australasian Gannet
114. Chestnut Teal
115. Bar-tailed Godwit
116. Little Corella

:p

Hix
 
Here's my early year list for 2015 targets are 250 species of bird in the wild


REF SPECIES LOCATION
001 BLACK HEADED GULL MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
002 BLACKBIRD MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
003 BLUE TIT MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
004 BULLFINCH MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
005 CARRION CROW MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
006 COLLARED DOVE MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
007 DUNNOCK MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
008 GREAT TIT MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
009 GREEN WOODPECKER MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
010 HOUSE SPARROW MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
011 MAGPIE MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
012 NUTHATCH MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
013 PHEASANT MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
014 ROBIN MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
015 SONG THRUSH MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
016 WOOD PIGEON MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
017 STARLING CRADLEY HEATH HIGH STREET
018 BUZZARD MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
019 CHAFFINCH MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
020 COAL TIT MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
021 GREY HERON MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
022 TAWNY OWL MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
023 CANADA GOOSE RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
024 COMMON GULL RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
025 COOT RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
026 CORMORANT RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
027 GADWALL RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
028 GOLDENEYE RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
029 GOLDFINCH RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
030 GOOSANDER RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
031 GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
032 GREAT CRESTED GREBE RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
033 GREAT NORTHERN DIVER RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
034 GREYLAG GOOSE RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
035 HERRING GULL RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
036 JACKDAW RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
037 WIGEON RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
038 LAPWING RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
039 LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL-RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
040 LINNET RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
041 LITTLE EGRET RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
042 WREN RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
043 SPARROWHAWK MY GARDEN &SURROUNDING AREA
044 MALLARD RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
045 MEDITERRANEAN GULL RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
046 MISTLE THRUSH RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
047 MOORHEN RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
048 MUTE SWAN RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
049 PIED WAGTAIL RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
050 POCHARD RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
051 REDSHANK RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
052 REDWING RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
053 SHELDUCK RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
054 SHOVELER RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
055 SMEW RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
056 TEAL RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
057 TUFTED DUCK RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREAS
059 LONG TAILED TIT MY GARDEN & SURROUNDING AREA
060 PINTAIL RUTLAND WATER & SURROUNDING AREA
061 AVOCET SLIMBRIDGE WWT
062 BARN OWL SLIMBRIDGE WWT
063 BARNACLE GOOSE SLIMBRIDGE WWT
064 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT SLIMBRIDGE WWT
065 COMMON CRANE SLIMBRIDGE WWT
066 CURLEW SLIMBRIDGE WWT
067 DUNLIN SLIMBRIDGE WWT
068 FIELDFARE SLIMBRIDGE WWT
069 GOLDEN PLOVER SLIMBRIDGE WWT
070 GREENFINCH SLIMBRIDGE WWT
071 LITTLE STINT SLIMBRIDGE WWT
072 PINK FOOTED GOOSE SLIMBRIDGE WWT
073 ROOK SLIMBRIDGE WWT
074 BEWICK SWAN SLIMBRIDGE WWT
075 WHOOPER SWAN SLIMBRIDGE WWT
076 COMMON SNIPE UPTON WARREN NATURE RESERVE
077 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER - UPTON WARREN NATURE RESERVE
078 KESTREL UPTON WARREN NATURE RESERVE
079 LITTLE GREBE UPTON WARREN NATURE RESERVE
080 RAVEN UPTON WARREN NATURE RESERVE
081 REDPOLL UPTON WARREN NATURE RESERVE
082 REED BUNTING UPTON WARREN NATURE RESERVE
083 WATER RAIL UPTON WARREN NATURE RESERVE
084 EGYPTIAN GOOSE RUTLAND WATER NATURE RESERVE
085 GREAT WHITE EGRET RUTLAND WATER NATURE RESERVE
086 JAY RUTLAND WATER NATURE RESERVE
087 OYSTERCATCHER RUTLAND WATER NATURE RESERVE
088 STOCK DOVE RUTLAND WATER NATURE RESERVE
089 CETTI’S WARBLER LEE VALLEY COUNTRY PARK RESERVE
090 CHIFFCHAFF LEE VALLEY COUNTRY PARK RESERVE
091 GOLDCREST LEE VALLEY COUNTRY PARK RESERVE
092 GREEN SANDPIPER LEE VALLEY COUNTRY PARK RESERVE
093 RED KITE ON ROUTE TO LEE VALLEY COUNTRY PARK
094 CANADA/DUSKY TYPE GOOSE - UPTON WARREN NATURE RESERVE
095 GREY WAGTAIL BIRDLAND PARK & GARDEN
096 BEARDED TIT (HEARD) NEWPORT WETLANDS CENTRE RSPB
097 BLACK TAILED GODWIT NEWPORT WETLANDS CENTRE RSPB
098 CROSSBILL FORREST OF DEAN RAPTOR VIEW POINT
099 SISKIN FORREST OF DEAN RAPTOR VIEW POINT

More updates to follow as I will no longer be linking my blog to this forum sorry for not realising the rule on private web sites or blogs.

Will also be updating with reviews of my visits to both captive collections where new wild species are seen and my visits to RSPB/WWT/& Other nature reserves/country parks so others can visit if they are close by.
 
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Domestic goose and melanistic pheasant cannot be counted, as the first is not a wild bird (or at best a greylag goose, which is already on your list) and you have already listed a common pheasant, so you are now counting the same species twice.
 
Sorry adrian63 but Bearded tit also don't count, we only count species actualy seen and althrough its nice to hear a Bearded tit you didn't see it ( at least you only mention you heard it ).
 
vogelcommando said:
Sorry adrian63 but Bearded tit also don't count, we only count species actualy seen and althrough its nice to hear a Bearded tit you didn't see it ( at least you only mention you heard it ).
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I think that is something that is up to the person. Because in at least some official rankings heard animals also count, although many people here do not count them if they have not seen them.
 
lintworm said:
I think that is something that is up to the person. Because in at least some official rankings heard animals also count, although many people here do not count them if they have not seen them.
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Do they? I thought that you had to actually see the animal to count it. Is there a full list of rules for the "Big Year" somewhere because I'd like to know the full rules?
 
I don't keep records of what I have seen myself, but read all of yours with interest. My post on this subject is a bit different, it was in my back garden at dusk last week. All three species in sight at the same time.

A black bird perched on a dead tree in the garden, a bat of unknown species circling over the garden feeding and barn owl swooping over the meadow behind the garden. Having all three in sight at the same time is a first.

The bat did disappear into a conifer tree when the owl was close!
 
for those who like myself where unsure about the Melanistic Pheasant I have a link to a page that gives information on the species and I will be removing it from my list but put it on my hybrid list which will follow shortly also with additional list wild birds seen this year for March

Link to Melanistic Pheasant - Melanistic Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus

I do count heard birds for my lists but I do list them as heard only but the bearded tit will stay as I was given great views at Titchwell Marsh RSPB in March.
 
March updates to my list -

100 BITTERN – ATTENBOROUGH RESERVE
101 PEREGRINE FALCON – ATTENBOROUGH RESERVE
102 LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER – ATTENBOROUGH RESERVE
103 GREENLAND WHITE FRONTED GOOSE – RUTLAND WATER
104 RINGED PLOVER – RUTLAND WATER
105 WOODLARK – RUTLAND WATER
106 BLACK NECKED GREBE – RUTLAND WATER
107 WATER PIPIT – DOXEY MARSH
108 SLAVONIAN GREBE – RUTLAND WATER
109 JACK SNIPE – TITCHWELL MARSH RSPB
110 WOODCOCK – TITCHWELL MARSH RSPB
111 RED CRESTED POCHARD – TITCHWELL MARSH RSPB
112 WOODCOCK – TITCHWELL MARSH RSPB
113 GREENSHANK – TITCHWELL MARSH RSPB
114 WATER PIPIT – TITCHWELL MARSH RSPB
115 MARSH HARRIER – TITCHWELL MARSH RSPB
116 SPOTTED REDSHANK – TITCHWELL MARSH RSPB
117 LONG TAILED DUCK – TITCHWELL MARSH RSPB
118 KINGFISHER – TITCHWELL MARSH RSPB
119 TREE SPARROW – RUTLAND WATER
120 YELLOWHAMMER – RUTLAND WATER
121 SKYLARK – RUTLAND WATER
122 WHEATEAR – LOCAL FIELDS
123 STONECHAT – LOCAL FIELDS
124 SAND MARTIN – RUTLAND WATER
125 SCAUP – RUTLAND WATER


HYBRID LIST 2015 –

001 GREYLAG/CANADA GOOSE – UPTON WARREN
002 DARK CHESTED CANADA GOOSE – UPTON WARREN**
003 MALLARD/MUSCOVY DUCK (MULLARD) – BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER
004 DOMESTIC GOOSE (WHITE) – UPTON WARREN
005 MELANISTIC PHEASANT – LEE VALLEY


PLEASE NOTE

** After putting video on you tube and many birding sites the pair of Dark chested Canada goose have received many replies with 95% of replies claiming them to be Dusky Canada Goose but myself I still have reservations and the birds can still be seen at Upton Warren Nature Reserve (Flashes Pool) by WEBBS Garden centre in Wychbold Worcestershire just off Junction 5 on M5 and follow signs for Wychbold Webbs Garden Centre when arriving at the garden centre Island take the third exit into the Sailing club gar park (please note a visitor permit is required £3.00 per person can be obtained at the café) Take the footpath around the sailing pool to the right of the car park as if looking at the sailing pool.

When you arrive at a gate asking that you are a member of the WWT go through the gate and continue to the tower hide (at end of path) from here just start checking the fields and the pool for the Geese.

Places to visit in April will include –

Titchwell marsh for sea watching
Rutland water & Lyndon reserve for Osprey viewing
Bempton cliffs for sea watching
Flamborough head again for sea watching
Sandwell Valley RSPB
Attenborough for close up Sand Martin video
Starr gate for sea watching

If anyone would like me to link them to Birding latest sightings pages for their area or any area they require just p/m me as I don't want to get in to trouble again (UK ONLY)
 
adrian1963 said:
for those who like myself where unsure about the Melanistic Pheasant I have a link to a page that gives information on the species and I will be removing it from my list but put it on my hybrid list which will follow shortly also with additional list wild birds seen this year for March
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I dare say all the ring-necked pheasants in the UK are hybrids of various subspecies?
 
Chlidonias said:
I dare say all the ring-necked pheasants in the UK are hybrids of various subspecies?
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They are, yes. Majority of the genome is probably colchicus as this is the most common phenotype, but I believe there are about 3 or 4 subspecies in the mix, with animals of all phenotypes popping up in the same batch of eggs.
 
if anyone as any more info on the Melanistic Pheasant I would love to here it as I must admit I know very little about the breeding or the origin of these species except for the little info on the Inter net.
 
LaughingDove said:
Do they? I thought that you had to actually see the animal to count it. Is there a full list of rules for the "Big Year" somewhere because I'd like to know the full rules?
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a list of rules for this Big Year, or for official Big Years?

Regarding "heard-only" many many birders do include them in their listings. It tends to be that people who don't tick "heard-only" think those who do are strange, and vice versa. My personal opinion is I have to actually see the bird (it is bird-watching, not bird-listening) - and how do you know if the bird you think the call is from is even correct? (Not so much in your home country where you are familiar with them, but when birding overseas). I am rubbish at bird calls anyway.

For this thread, nobody is/should be counting "heard-only". Captive birds don't count. Birds have to be from an established wild population - both native and introduced count (although the official American birding organisation is so slow-moving that there are established populations which are a source of minor disagreement here and there ;)). A rescue bird in a box doesn't count, although it does once it has been released. Subspecies don't count as more than one listing. Hybrids don't count. Both the latter are interesting to mention though. The bird has to be alive!

I think that covers the thread "rules". It is all fun though so don't take it too seriously.

Oh, also made-up birds don't count. Just for anyone who is a stringer.
 
I can see why some would count 'heards', as it does mean you've 'found' the bird - but I don't - though, as with Chli, the fact that I'm useless at recognising the calls doesn't help! That does mean I'm denying myself Spotted Hyaena from last year's list, though! :D

(sidebar for lintworm - checked the vole ears again and still think they match 'short dense' hairs of arvalis rather than 'long sparse' hairs of agrestis - wouldn't necessarily submit the record to the Royal Society or anything but I'm happy the ID is solid as it can be without having the animal in hand.)
 
Probably the issue of call-only identifications is one that is best handled case-by-case...... for instance, all the various owl taxa present within the UK have distinctive calls, so the issue of misidentification is rather less present. Conversely some LBJ's sound very much alike.
 
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