ZooChat Big Year 2020

Luca Bronzi said:
New Year, New Start!

A walk in my city brought me some species, including even a lifer!

Birds

1. Italian Sparrow - Passer italiae

2. Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis

3. Black Redstart - Phoenicorus ochrusos

4. Black-headed Gull - Chroicocephalus ridibundus

5. Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

6. Eurasian Blackbird - Turdus merula

I won't count feral pigeons in my checklist, but only genuine Rock Doves.
Click to expand...

And while I was editing this (because I saw the blackbird later than the other birds and I didn't sign it)...

Birds

7. White Wagtail - Motacilla alba
 
Birds
5. Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri

Mammals
1. Three-striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus palmarum
 
After a quick trip to a grassland near Manningtree:
9. European herring gull, Larus argentatus
10. Common gull, Larus canus
11. Yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis
12. Black-headed gull, Larus ridibundus
13. Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
14. Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus
15. Mute swan, Cygnus olor
16. Common firecrest, Regulus ignicapilla
17. Greylag goose, Anser anser
18. Canada goose, Branta canadensis
19. Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
20. Coal tit, Periparus ater
21. Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
22. Willow tit, Poecile montanus
23. Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
24. Ring necked parakeet, Psittacula krameri
25. European robin, Erithacus rubecula
26. Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius
27. Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula

Mammals:
1. Red fox, Vulpes vulpes
2. Eastern gray squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis
 
I might go out on a walk later today as well, but this is the start of my new year list. For the first (and probably last) time of the year I am now leading the mammal list.

Birds
1. European woodpigeon Columba palumbus
2. Eurasian blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus
3. Great tit Parus major
4. Long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus
5. House sparrow Passer domesticus
6. Black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus
7. European robin Erithacus rubecula
8. Collared dove Streptopelia decaocto
9. Carrion crow Corvus corone
10. Eurasian magpie Pica pica
11. European greenfinch Chloris chloris
12. European blackbird Turdus merula
13. Feral pigeon Columba livia
14. European starling Sturnus vulgaris
15. Mute swan Cygnus olor
16. Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
17. Common pheasant Phasianus colchicus
18. Greylag goose Anser anser
19. Pied wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli
20. Egyptian goose Alopochen aegyptiaca
21. Eurasian wren Troglodytes troglodytes
22. Little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
23. Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus
24. European herring gull Larus argentatus
25. Eurasian woodcock Scolopax rusticola
26. Eurasian teal Anas crecca
27. Tufted duck Aythya fuligula
28. Eurasian treecreeper Certhia familiaris

Mammals
1. European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (En)
2. Eastern grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis
3. European brown hare Lepus europaeus
4. Red fox Vulpes Vulpes

Unfortunately, mammal 4 and birds 25-26 were only seen because they were flushed by a New Years' day hunt. Not the scenario I would like to see any wildlife really.
 
January 1 done and dusted. Very nice start to the year coming back from Terrick-Terrick NP! The Paradise Shelduck was reported at the Western Treatment Plant today and all signs point to it being a genuine vagrant - mainland Australia's second record!

MAMMALS
Victoria, Australia
1 - Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata)
2 - European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
3 - Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

BIRDS
Victoria, Australia
1 - Australian Pipit (Anthus australis)
2 - Eastern Barn Owl (Tyto javanica)
3 - Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides)
4 - Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
5 - Australian Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus)
-- Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis) [heard]
-- Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida) [heard]
6 – Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)
7 - Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus)
8 - White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos)
9 - Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus)
-- Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica) [heard]
-- Gilbert’s Whistler (Pachycephala inornata) [heard]
10 - Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata)
11 - Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)
12 - Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides)
13 - White-plumed Honeyeater (Lichenostomus penicillatus)
14 - Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax)
15 - Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii)
16 - Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
17 - Australian Magpie (Cracticus tibicen)
18 - Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera)
19 - Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes)
20 - Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus)
21 - Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)
22 - House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)*
23 - Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)*
24 - Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)*
25 - Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis)
26 - Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel)
27 - Black-tailed Nativehen (Tribonyx ventralis)
28 - Brown Songlark (Megalurus cruralis)
29 - White-winged Fairywren (Malurus leucopterus)
30 - Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
31 - Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella)
32 - White-fronted Chat (Epthianura albifrons)
33 - Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
34 - White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica)
35 - Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata)
36 - Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
37 - Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis)
38 - Feral Pigeon (Columba livia)*
39 - Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
40 - Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena)
41 - Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)
42 - Little Raven (Corvus mellori)
43 - Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida)
44 - Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
45 - Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus)
46 - Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus)
47 - Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus)
48 - Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)
49 - Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis moluccus)
50 - Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)
51 - Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)
52 - Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
53 - Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides)
54 - Grey Teal (Anas gracilis)
55 - Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea)
56 - Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata)
57 - Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus)
58 - Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
59 - Hardhead (Aythya australis)
60 - Australasian Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis)
61 - Australian Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius)
62 - Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
-- Little Grassbird (Megalurus gramineus) [heard]
63 - Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus)
64 - Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata)
65 - Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)
66 - Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
67 - Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)
68 - Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae)
69 - Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis)
70 - Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans)
71 - Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae)
72 - Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis)*
-- Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis)
73 - Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae)
74 - Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
75 - Australian Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris)
76 - Greater Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii)
77 - Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)
78 - Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus)
79 - Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
80 - Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata)
81 - Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala)
82 - Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris)
83 - Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera)
-- Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) [heard]
 
Just a quick walk around the local park, river, and lake to start the year (there'll be some more serious endeavours at the weekend) but came away with one of my better 'day one' lists:

Birds:
1. Common Wood Pigeon - Columba palumbus
2. Carrion Crow - Corvus corone
3. European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris
4. Eurasian Collared Dove - Streptopelia decaocto
5. European Blackbird - Turdus merula
6. European Magpie - Pica pica
7. Goldcrest - Regulus regulus
8. House Sparrow - Passer domesticus
9. European Herring Gull - Larus argentatus
10. Black-headed Gull - Chroicocephalus ridibundus
11. European Goldfinch - Carduelis carduelis
12. Great Tit - Parus major
13. European Blue Tit - Cyanistes caeruleus
14. Redwing - Turdus iliacus
15. European Nuthatch - Sitta europaea
16. Western Jackdaw - Coloeus monedula
17. Common Chaffinch - Fringilla coelebs
18. European Robin - Erithacus rubecula
19. Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos
20. European Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus
21. Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
22. European Coot - Fulica atra
23. Canada Goose - Branta canadensis
24. Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus
25. Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo
26. Common Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula
27. Eurasian Wigeon - Mareca penelope
28. Dunnock - Prunella modularis
29. Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula
30. Eurasian Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes
31. Feral Pigeon - Columba livia

Fishes:
1. Brown Trout - Salmo trutta

:)
 
DesertRhino150 said:
I might go out on a walk later today as well, but this is the start of my new year list. For the first (and probably last) time of the year I am now leading the mammal list.

Birds
1. European woodpigeon Columba palumbus
2. Eurasian blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus
3. Great tit Parus major
4. Long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus
5. House sparrow Passer domesticus
6. Black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus
7. European robin Erithacus rubecula
8. Collared dove Streptopelia decaocto
9. Carrion crow Corvus corone
10. Eurasian magpie Pica pica
11. European greenfinch Chloris chloris
12. European blackbird Turdus merula
13. Feral pigeon Columba livia
14. European starling Sturnus vulgaris
15. Mute swan Cygnus olor
16. Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
17. Common pheasant Phasianus colchicus
18. Greylag goose Anser anser
19. Pied wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli
20. Egyptian goose Alopochen aegyptiaca
21. Eurasian wren Troglodytes troglodytes
22. Little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
23. Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus
24. European herring gull Larus argentatus
25. Eurasian woodcock Scolopax rusticola
26. Eurasian teal Anas crecca
27. Tufted duck Aythya fuligula
28. Eurasian treecreeper Certhia familiaris

Mammals
1. European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (En)
2. Eastern grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis
3. European brown hare Lepus europaeus
4. Red fox Vulpes Vulpes

Unfortunately, mammal 4 and birds 25-26 were only seen because they were flushed by a New Years' day hunt. Not the scenario I would like to see any wildlife really.
Click to expand...

I did manage a second walk in the afternoon, where I added another five birds to my list:

29. Eurasian great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
30. Goldcrest Regulus regulus
31. Common kestrel Falco tinnunculus
32. Eurasian sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
33. Stock dove Columba oenas
 
New Year's Birding:

Birds
1. European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
2. Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus
3. Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
4. White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis
5. Hairy Woodpecker Leuconotopicus villosus
6. House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus
7. American Goldfinch Spinus tristis
8. Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis
9. Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens
10. Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor
11. Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
12. Canada Goose Branta canadensis
13. Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator
14. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
15. Redhead Aythya americana
16. Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
17. House Sparrow Passer domesticus
18. American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos
19. Rock Pigeon (Feral) Columba livia
20. Common Merganser Mergus merganser
21. Herring Gull Larus argentatus
22. American Black Duck Anas rubripes
23. Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus

Every year I try to see what the most interesting bird I can see before a Mallard is. I think Trumpeter Swan takes the cake over the previous record holder, the Cooper's Hawk.

Mammals
1. Eastern Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis
 
Last edited:
a slowstar douring a dog walke
1 eurasian magpie
2 hooded crow
3 eursian tree sparow
4 house sparow
5 great tit
6 blue tit
7 euraisan nutatch
8 euroasian blackbird
9 european greenfich
10 eurpean goldfich
11 euroasian jay
12 mallard
every year i have a thing that that i try to see for homany days i can see new birds of the year. my record is 7 and my lovest is 3
 
For the first time in years I didn't have to work on the first of Januari, and I spend the first part of my day doing very little except watching the birds in the garden (the first dozen or so in the list). When I was fed up with staying indoors I did what every good dutchman does and I went cycling. Mostly through the village but also through a bit of nearby forest, where I was really happy to see a Willow Tit. They are getting scarcer every year up here.

Birds
01. European Robin, Erithacus rubecula
02. Great Tit, Parus major
03. Common Blackbird, Turdus merula
04. Eurasian Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto
05. House Sparrow, Passer domesticus
06. Eurasian Blue Tit, Cyanistes caeruleus
07. Common Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
08. European Greenfinch, Chloris chloris
09. Eurasian Magpie, Pica pica
10. Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos major
11. Common Wood Pigeon, Columba palumbus
12. Eurasian Jay, Garrulus glandarius
13. Carrion Crow, Corvus corone
14. Stock Dove, Columba oenas
15. Eurasian Nuthatch, Sitta europaea
16. Long-Tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus
17. Willow Tit, Poecile montanus
18. Goldcrest, Regulus regulus
19. Short-Toed Treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla
20. European Crested Tit, Lophophanes cristatus

Invertebrates
1. Long-Tailed Silverfish, Ctenolepisma longicaudata

I hope to get quite a few more birds than last year. If everything keeps going according to plan, I'll go intercontinental later this year. And if that plans fails, plan B also has intercontinental travel. And plan C too. Things must go very wrong this year to prevent me from going intercontinental!
 
Not a big list keeper usually, but after a surprisingly bird filled walk along the river to Tesco today I thought I'd give it a go:

Birds
1. Mute Swan, Cygnus olor
2. Black-Headed Gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
3. Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
4. Common Buzzard, Buteo buteo
5. Blue Tit, Cyanistes caeruleus
6. Great Tit, Parus major
7. Robin, Erithacus rubecula
8. Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
9. Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
10. Wood Pigeon, Columba palumbus
11. Feral Pigeon, Columba livia domestica
12. Egyptian Goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca
13. Canada Goose, Branta canadensis
14. Starling, Sturnus vulgaris
15. Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea
 
Last edited:
I set out wanting to break my previous records (43 in 2017, 56 in 2018) and grab some hard to get species along the way, and managed to do just that! I'm fairly happy with how today turned out, with highlights like European shag, Great grey shrike, Hen harrier, Long-eared owl and Greater pipefish you can never complain!

BIRDS:
1) Common buzzard, Buteo buteo
2) Grey heron, Ardea cinerea
3) European starling, Sturnus vulgaris
4) Common wood pigeon, Columba palumbus
5) Canada goose, Branta canadensis
6) Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
7) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope
8) Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus
9) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
10) Northern pintail, Anas acuta
11) Eurasian teal, Anas crecca
12) Mute swan, Cygnus olor
13) Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis
14) Eurasian magpie, Pica pica
15) Greylag goose, Anser anser
16) Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris
17) European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis
18) Western jackdaw, Coloeus monedula
19) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata
20) Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
21) Great egret, Ardea alba
22) Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
23) Eurasian blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus
24) Dunnock, Prunella modularis
25) Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
26) Carrion crow, Corvus corone
27) Common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
28) European herring gull, Larus argentatus
29) Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
30) Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
31) Meadow pipit, Anthus pratensis
32) Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
33) Gadwall, Mareca strepera
34) Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
35) Great black-backed gull, Larus marinus
36) Common gull, Larus canus
37) Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
38) Black-necked grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
39) European shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis
40) Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
41) Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
42) Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto
43) Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius
44) White stork, Ciconia ciconia
45) Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
46) Song thrush, Turdus philomelos
47) Great grey shrike, Lanius excubitor
48) Great spotted woodpecker, Dendrocopos major
49) Stock dove, Columba oenas
50) Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons
51) Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus
52) Great tit, Parus major
53) House sparrow, Passer domesticus
54) Common linnet, Linaria cannabina
55) Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca
56) Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus
57) European robin, Erithacus rubecula
58) Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
59) Common blackbird, Turdus merula
60) Water pipit, Anthus spinoletta
61) Western marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus
62) European green woodpecker, Picus viridis
63) Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
64) Long-eared owl, Asio otus
65) Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
66) Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
67) Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
68) Long-tailed tit, Aegithalos caudatus
69) Short-toed treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla
70) White wagtail, Motacilla alba

FISH:
1) Greater pipefish, Syngnathus acus
 
Birds:
01. Brant Branta bernicla
02. Canada Goose Branta canadensis
03. Mute Swan Cygnus olor
04. Gadwall Anas strepera
05. Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
06. American Wigeon Anas americana
07. American Black Duck Anas rubripes
08. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
09. Northern Pintail Anas acuta
10. Greater Scaup Aythya marila
11. Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
12. Common Eider Somateria mollissima
13. Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor
14. Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis
15. Bufflehead Bucephala albeola
16. Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
17. Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus
18. Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
19. Common Loon Gavia immer
20. Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus
21. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
22. Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii
23. Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
24. Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
25. Herring Gull Larus argentatus
26. Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus
27. Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
28. Rock Pigeon Columba livia
29. Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
30. Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon
31. Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata
32. Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata
33. American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos
34. Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus
35. Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
36. American Robin Turdus migratorius
37. Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
38. Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
39. European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
40. Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
41. White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
42. Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
43. House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus
44. American Goldfinch Spinus tristis
45. House Sparrow Passer domesticus
46. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
47. Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides
49. Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica
49. Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis
Mammals:
1. Eastern Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis
 
I already knew January 1 would be a light birding day for me, but what I didn't expect was that I would wake up on the first morning of the year completely floored by a previously benign cold. I haggardly took my dog on a short, cold walk, no longer wanting anything from my first day except to 1) see a bird, and 2) not have that first bird be a Feral Pigeon as it was my last two Big Years. Fortunately, I managed to see and ID a single species of bird on that walk, and it was *not* Feral Pigeon.

Birds
1. House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)

I felt better enough by mid-afternoon that I was able to go out and bird locally for about an hour. I ended up short of my previous goal of 20 species, but it was a decent comeback:

Birds
2. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
3. American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
4. Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)
5. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
6. Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
7. Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
8. White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
9. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
10. Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
11. Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)
12. Feral Pigeon (Columba livia)
13. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
14. Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Mammals
1. Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
 
Well, 2020 has started extremely well!

When I saw yesterday that a Common loon, a very rare vagrant in Morocco with only 11 records before this one, was seen a bit more than an hour away on the 30th, I heavily considered going today to try and twitch it even though I have no car so I had rely on my family picking me up.

My luck with vagrants so far has been close to none, having dipped all the species I've tried to twitch and when I've finally twitched one, a Western reef-heron, it turned out it might be a hybrid and thus uncountable. Seeing as this species was located in a very wild spot of Oued Massa where there is no direct access to the water area (both banks are covered by thick foliage), I was pessimistic at the chance of seeing it back but not trying wasn't an option.

Turns out I made the right decision as the loon showed out very well (my first officially countable vagrant!), as well as a lot of common species picked up on the way to the spot where it was seen but also some more unusual ones like my first Eurasian crag martins in Morocco unusually far from the mountains.

I then decided to visit the estuary of Oued Massa for a chance at one of the species I've wanted to see most in Morocco and although it's pretty hard to miss them when they're there I've never had the opportunity to go to Oued Massa at the right time to see them. And certainly enough, as I approached the estuary a group of 19 Common cranes showed up quite well with their boisterous noises and graceful flight. My first cranes, what a sighting!

At the end of the day, I decided to stop at one of the banks of Oued Souss to get some other common species and I got a subspecies lifer, namely the yarrelli subspecies of White wagtail which is irregular in Morocco. What a perfect ending to what has been an amazing first day!

Species aren't listed chronologically as usual because there are too many of them (first day problems):

01/01/2020 (Oued Massa & Oued Souss, Morocco)
BIRDS:
1 - Feral pigeon, Columba livia
2 - Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto
3 - Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis
4 - Pallid swift, Apus pallidus
5 - Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
6 - Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
7 - Yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis
8 - Common loon, Gavia immer
9 - White stork, Ciconia ciconia
10 - Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
11 - Grey heron, Ardea cinerea
12 - Little egret, Egretta garzetta
13 - Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
14 - Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
15 - Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
16 - Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegalus
17 - Great grey shrike, Lanius excubitor
18 - Maghreb magpie, Pica mauritanica
19 - Thekla's lark, Galerida theklae
20 - Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
21 - Eurasian crag martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris
22 - Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
23 - Common bulbul, Pyconotus barbatus
24 - Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
25 - Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
26 - Sardinian warbler, Sylvia melanocephala
27 - Spotless starling, Sturnus unicolor
28 - Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula
29 - Moussier's redstart, Phoenicurus moussieri
30 - European stonechat, Saxicola rubicola
31 - House sparrow, Passer domesticus
32 - Spanish sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis
33 - Meadow pipit, Anthus pratensis
34 - Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
35 - European greenfinch, Chloris chloris
36 - European serin, Serinus serinus
37 - Cirl bunting, Emberiza cirlus
38 - House bunting, Emberiza sahari
39 - Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
40 - Common crane, Grus grus
41 - Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
42 - Mediterranean gull, Ichthyaetus melanocephalus
43 - Audouin's gull, Ichthyaetus audouinii
44 - Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
45 - Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
46 - Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus
47 - Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
48 - Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
49 - Common wood pigeon, Columba palumbus
50 - Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
51 - Ruff, Calidris pugnax
52 - Dunlin, Calidris alpina
53 - Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
54 - Common redshank, Tringa totanus
56 - White wagtail, Motacilla alba ssp. yarrelli

MAMMALS:
1 - Barbary ground squirel, Atlantoxerus getulus
 
BIRDS:
1 Cooper's Hawk - Accipiter cooperii
2 American Kestrel - Falco sparverius
3 Eurasian Collared-Dove - Streptopelia decaocto
4 Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis
5 American White Pelican - Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
6 Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus
7 Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus
8 American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos
9 Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus
10 Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus
11 Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis
12 American Robin - Turdus migratorius
13 Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis
14 Common Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula
15 Northern Harrier - Circus hudsonius
16 Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis
17 Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus
18 European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris
19 American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis
20 American Tree Sparrow - Spizelloides arborea
21 Northern Shoveler - Spatula clypeata
22 Gadwall - Mareca strepera
23 Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias
24 Eastern Meadowlark - Sturnella magna
25 Rock Pigeon - Columba livia
26 Cackling Goose - Branta hutchinsii
27 Canada Goose - Branta canadensis
28 Wood Duck - Aix sponsa
29 Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos
30 Downy Woodpecker - Dryobates pubescens
31 Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata
32 Yellow-rumped Warbler - Setophaga coronata
33 Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis

MAMMALS:
1 Eastern Fox Squirrel - Sciurus niger
2 White-tailed Deer - Odocoileus virginianus
 
Dannelboyz said:
January 1 done and dusted. Very nice start to the year coming back from Terrick-Terrick NP! The Paradise Shelduck was reported at the Western Treatment Plant today and all signs point to it being a genuine vagrant - mainland Australia's second record!

MAMMALS
Victoria, Australia
1 - Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata)
2 - European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
3 - Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

BIRDS
Victoria, Australia
1 - Australian Pipit (Anthus australis)
2 - Eastern Barn Owl (Tyto javanica)
3 - Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides)
4 - Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
5 - Australian Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus)
-- Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis) [heard]
-- Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida) [heard]
6 – Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)
7 - Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus)
8 - White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos)
9 - Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus)
-- Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica) [heard]
-- Gilbert’s Whistler (Pachycephala inornata) [heard]
10 - Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata)
11 - Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)
12 - Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides)
13 - White-plumed Honeyeater (Lichenostomus penicillatus)
14 - Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax)
15 - Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii)
16 - Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
17 - Australian Magpie (Cracticus tibicen)
18 - Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera)
19 - Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes)
20 - Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus)
21 - Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)
22 - House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)*
23 - Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)*
24 - Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)*
25 - Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis)
26 - Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel)
27 - Black-tailed Nativehen (Tribonyx ventralis)
28 - Brown Songlark (Megalurus cruralis)
29 - White-winged Fairywren (Malurus leucopterus)
30 - Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
31 - Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella)
32 - White-fronted Chat (Epthianura albifrons)
33 - Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
34 - White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica)
35 - Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata)
36 - Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
37 - Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis)
38 - Feral Pigeon (Columba livia)*
39 - Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
40 - Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena)
41 - Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)
42 - Little Raven (Corvus mellori)
43 - Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida)
44 - Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
45 - Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus)
46 - Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus)
47 - Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus)
48 - Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)
49 - Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis moluccus)
50 - Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)
51 - Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)
52 - Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
53 - Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides)
54 - Grey Teal (Anas gracilis)
55 - Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea)
56 - Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata)
57 - Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus)
58 - Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
59 - Hardhead (Aythya australis)
60 - Australasian Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis)
61 - Australian Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius)
62 - Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
-- Little Grassbird (Megalurus gramineus) [heard]
63 - Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus)
64 - Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata)
65 - Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)
66 - Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
67 - Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)
68 - Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae)
69 - Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis)
70 - Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans)
71 - Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae)
72 - Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis)*
-- Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis)
73 - Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae)
74 - Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
75 - Australian Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris)
76 - Greater Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii)
77 - Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)
78 - Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus)
79 - Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
80 - Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata)
81 - Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala)
82 - Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris)
83 - Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera)
-- Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) [heard]
Click to expand...
Has the bird been confirmed a paradise shelduck? Or are you just assuming it is as this is the most likely species? I'm very glad someone on here got to see it :)
 
animal_expert01 said:
Has the bird been confirmed a paradise shelduck? Or are you just assuming it is as this is the most likely species? I'm very glad someone on here got to see it :)
Click to expand...
He saw it, so I assume he knows what it is...

Where is the "South African Shelduck" coming from? The two species do not look similar enough for there to be any confusion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top