Zoochat Big Year 2024
- Thread starter Chlidonias
- Start date
Possibly one of the furthest drives I've made for a twitch relative to my starting location, though still only one state over and 2 hours drive--which is probably pretty mild as far as twitching is concerned. Alas, I cannot resist a good warbler:
234) Black-Throated Grey Warbler Setophaga nigrescens
~Thylo
Obviously the same two I'm missing - Kentucky and Swainson's.
(I actually do have Kentucky but not in the ABA area).I've dipped on this species on twitches before (twice in fact) but I've still seen in Arizona. It's a great bird. That twitch location was about an hour and half from where I live. My twitch travel time record is the Fieldfare from earlier this year, which was a six hour drive (and I remained in a single state the entire time
).
Obviously the same two I'm missing - Kentucky and Swainson's.
I've dipped on this species on twitches before (twice in fact) but I've still seen in Arizona. It's a great bird. That twitch location was about an hour and half from where I live. My twitch travel time record is the Fieldfare from earlier this year, which was a six hour drive (and I remained in a single state the entire time
I don't really know where my brain was at when I made that comment about 20 minutes ago. I am missing FOUR eastern warblers (CT, Kirtland's, Kentucky, and Mourning)
~Thylo
I mean, I suppose if we count Tropical Parula we're probably all missing that (in the ABA, I've seen it in Costa Rica).
I've seen Tropical Parula in the Rio Grande (though not this past trip, we just missed that one).
It will be interesting to see what further taxonomic revisions mean for the red-capped 'Yellow' Warblers in the Florida Keys as well!
~Thylo
Birds
499. Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus
Well, as we find out later on, the two I'm missing you are too (Kirtland and CT). I'm gonna make that Michigan trip one of these days. A lot closer to me than it is to you.
I had both this year hahaObviously the same two I'm missing - Kentucky and Swainson's.
I've just realized how lazy of a twitcher I am. The farthest I've actually twitched is about an hour away, barely one county overI've dipped on this species on twitches before (twice in fact) but I've still seen in Arizona. It's a great bird. That twitch location was about an hour and half from where I live. My twitch travel time record is the Fieldfare from earlier this year, which was a six hour drive (and I remained in a single state the entire time
Although you could maybe count my Illinois River trip as a twitch for both godwits, it wasn't really just a twitch. I've chased rare birds much further away but always on the way two or from other destinations or based out of much closer locations. The Brown Booby in Indiana was an hour detour back from TN for me, for example.
Been a while since I've been out doing some proper birding so with a random day off work today for Reasons I headed up the East Yorkshire coast to try to catch some vagrants - and it worked.
It did, however, opening a minor listing confusion - an internal debate as to whether Bempton Cliffs' Daurian (Isabelline) Shrike (L. isabellinus) is a lifer or not. Checking the rather poor photo I have the pre-split (for me at least) 'Isabelline' Shrike I saw wintering at Awash (Ethiopia, 2014) - as part of the Crazy Shrike Day we had - that bird appears to show the plumage marks of a Turkestan/Red-tailed (L. phoenicuroides) - which my list says I saw first at... Bempton Cliffs, some years later in 2022. Whenever I think shrikes I am led to Awash and Bempton...
So, today's shrike has been identified by the local bird observatory as Daurian and a previous shrike at Bempton was confirmed as Turkestan - but I have an earlier sighting than either of these down as the pre-split L. isabellinus and that appears to have actually been Turkestan and if so this is my lifer L. isabellinus, and what I thought was my lifer L. phoenicuroides was actually my second.
And although I'd prefer to use the names Daurian and Turkestan for clarity IOC prefers me to use Isabelline and Red-tailed, which were both names for the old species.
Taxonomy's fun right?
Right?
Erm, I like bold so I'll go with it as a lifer on the grounds no attempt was made to split the two at the time with the Ethiopian bird. (It'd be so much easier just to write this stuff down without thinking about it...)
As an aside I learned while looking up the ID points for these that although they drift to the UK from broadly the same direction, accepted vagrant Turkestans almost exclusively turn up as spring migration vagrants, and Daurians as autumn vagrants, which intrigues me.
A very showy Grey Phalarope in Bridlington harbour and a confiding Barred Warbler (the first I've managed to photograph) on the fringes of Spurn at Kilnsea village were much less confusing, thankfully - although despite a lengthy period staring in the appropriate bushes I was unable to locate one of the various Yellow-browed Warblers that were about.
Birds:
195. Isabelline (Daurian) Shrike - Lanius isabellinus
196. Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus fulicarius
197. Barred Warbler - Curruca nisoria
(UK: 194)
It did, however, opening a minor listing confusion - an internal debate as to whether Bempton Cliffs' Daurian (Isabelline) Shrike (L. isabellinus) is a lifer or not. Checking the rather poor photo I have the pre-split (for me at least) 'Isabelline' Shrike I saw wintering at Awash (Ethiopia, 2014) - as part of the Crazy Shrike Day we had - that bird appears to show the plumage marks of a Turkestan/Red-tailed (L. phoenicuroides) - which my list says I saw first at... Bempton Cliffs, some years later in 2022. Whenever I think shrikes I am led to Awash and Bempton...
So, today's shrike has been identified by the local bird observatory as Daurian and a previous shrike at Bempton was confirmed as Turkestan - but I have an earlier sighting than either of these down as the pre-split L. isabellinus and that appears to have actually been Turkestan and if so this is my lifer L. isabellinus, and what I thought was my lifer L. phoenicuroides was actually my second.
And although I'd prefer to use the names Daurian and Turkestan for clarity IOC prefers me to use Isabelline and Red-tailed, which were both names for the old species.
Taxonomy's fun right?
Right?
Erm, I like bold so I'll go with it as a lifer on the grounds no attempt was made to split the two at the time with the Ethiopian bird. (It'd be so much easier just to write this stuff down without thinking about it...)
As an aside I learned while looking up the ID points for these that although they drift to the UK from broadly the same direction, accepted vagrant Turkestans almost exclusively turn up as spring migration vagrants, and Daurians as autumn vagrants, which intrigues me.
A very showy Grey Phalarope in Bridlington harbour and a confiding Barred Warbler (the first I've managed to photograph) on the fringes of Spurn at Kilnsea village were much less confusing, thankfully - although despite a lengthy period staring in the appropriate bushes I was unable to locate one of the various Yellow-browed Warblers that were about.
Birds:
195. Isabelline (Daurian) Shrike - Lanius isabellinus
196. Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus fulicarius
197. Barred Warbler - Curruca nisoria
(UK: 194)
Quick update before my next trip to Bolivia, Chile and Argentina:
Bronx, NY:
68. House Mouse, Mus musculus (Sep 27)
Was not! expecting this to be Red Phalarope haha
Oh, yeah, in the UK it's long been known as Grey Phalarope because they're never red here.
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
A walk around a local nature reserve near my new university saw me seeing lots of interesting water plant species, various ducks (pochard, tufties etc) plus some invertebrate lifers and my third fish species of the year:
331) Hazel bug Pantilius tunicatus
332) Brown centipede Lithobius forficatus
333) European alder leafminer Fenusa dohrnii
3) Three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus
331) Hazel bug Pantilius tunicatus
332) Brown centipede Lithobius forficatus
333) European alder leafminer Fenusa dohrnii
3) Three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus
A catchup before three quick trips over the next month. Spring is clearly here, with the first butterflies and flowers everywhere. Grey shrike-thrushes are contesting our courtyard for a nesting site, so we are constantly listening to their beautiful call.
Birds
Home
441. Fan-tailed cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis
442. Eastern spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
Moonlit
443. Spotted pardalote Pardalotus punctatus
Invertebrates - home
54, Western honeybee Apis mellifera
55. Rose aphid Macrosiphum rosae (new Family)
56. Australian painted lady Vanessa kershawi
57. Common hoverfly Melangyna viridiceps
58. Yellow-shouldered stout hoverfly Simosyrphus grandicornis
59. Blue blowfly Calliphora vicina
60. Enameled spider Plebs bradleyi
Birds
Home
441. Fan-tailed cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis
442. Eastern spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
Moonlit
443. Spotted pardalote Pardalotus punctatus
Invertebrates - home
54, Western honeybee Apis mellifera
55. Rose aphid Macrosiphum rosae (new Family)
56. Australian painted lady Vanessa kershawi
57. Common hoverfly Melangyna viridiceps
58. Yellow-shouldered stout hoverfly Simosyrphus grandicornis
59. Blue blowfly Calliphora vicina
60. Enameled spider Plebs bradleyi
So the first update from a very successful South African trip
Mammals
9 Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis
10 Savanna Elephant Loxodonta africana
11 Karoo Rock Sengi Elephantulus pilicaudus (new order!)
12 Lion Panthera leo
13 Leopard Panthera pardus
14 African Civet Civettictis civetta (lifer)
15 Spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta
16 Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata
17 Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula
18 Cape Grey Mongoose Herpestes pulverentulus
19 Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguineus
20 Meerkat Suricata suricatta (lifer)
21 Black-backed Jackal Lupulella mesomelas
22 Afro-Australian Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus
23 African Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis (lifer)
24 Honey Badger Mellivora capensis (lifer)
25 Plains Zebra Equus quagga
26 White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum
27 Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus
28 Southern Giraffe Giraffa giraffa
29 Impala Aepyceros melampus
30 Natal Red Duiker Cephalophus natalensis
31 Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus
32 Sable Antelope Hippotragus niger (lifer)
33 Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus
34 Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus (lifer)
35 Rhebok Pelea capreolus (lifer)
36 Steenbok Raphicerus campestris
37 Cape Grysbok Raphicerus melanotis (lifer)
38 Southern Reedbuck Redunca arundinum
39 Bush Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia
40 Cape Buffalo Syncerus caffer
41 Nyala Tragelephus angasii
42 Common Eland Tragelephus oryx (lifer)
43 Northern Bushbuck Tragelephus scriptus
44 Greater Kudu Tragelephus strepsiceros
45 Common Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius
46 Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae
47 Wahlberg’s Epauletted Fruit Bat Epomophorus wahlbergi (lifer)
48 Egyptian Free-tailed Bat Tadarida aegyptiaca
49 Thick-tailed Greater Galago Otolemur crassicaudatus (new family)
50 Blue Monkey Cercopithecus mitis
51 Vervet Monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus
52 Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus
53 Cape Hare Lepus capensis (assuming we are splitting hares!)
54 Smith’s Bush Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi
55 South African Ground Squirrel Xerus inauris (lifer)
56 Brants’s Whistling Rat Parotomys brantsii (lifer)
57 Vlei Rat Otomys irroratus (lifer)
58 Sloggett’s Ice Rat Otomys sloggetti (lifer)
Also saw Grey Squirrel. Am not counting Springbok or Oryx in Game Farms.
Birds will include 125+ lifers.
I have a reptile and a frog still to identify.
Few Invertebrates to list; too little time available to concentrate on them.
Apologies for the pun in item 53; too good to ignore in my opinion!
Mammals
9 Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis
10 Savanna Elephant Loxodonta africana
11 Karoo Rock Sengi Elephantulus pilicaudus (new order!)
12 Lion Panthera leo
13 Leopard Panthera pardus
14 African Civet Civettictis civetta (lifer)
15 Spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta
16 Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata
17 Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula
18 Cape Grey Mongoose Herpestes pulverentulus
19 Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguineus
20 Meerkat Suricata suricatta (lifer)
21 Black-backed Jackal Lupulella mesomelas
22 Afro-Australian Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus
23 African Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis (lifer)
24 Honey Badger Mellivora capensis (lifer)
25 Plains Zebra Equus quagga
26 White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum
27 Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus
28 Southern Giraffe Giraffa giraffa
29 Impala Aepyceros melampus
30 Natal Red Duiker Cephalophus natalensis
31 Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus
32 Sable Antelope Hippotragus niger (lifer)
33 Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus
34 Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus (lifer)
35 Rhebok Pelea capreolus (lifer)
36 Steenbok Raphicerus campestris
37 Cape Grysbok Raphicerus melanotis (lifer)
38 Southern Reedbuck Redunca arundinum
39 Bush Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia
40 Cape Buffalo Syncerus caffer
41 Nyala Tragelephus angasii
42 Common Eland Tragelephus oryx (lifer)
43 Northern Bushbuck Tragelephus scriptus
44 Greater Kudu Tragelephus strepsiceros
45 Common Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius
46 Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae
47 Wahlberg’s Epauletted Fruit Bat Epomophorus wahlbergi (lifer)
48 Egyptian Free-tailed Bat Tadarida aegyptiaca
49 Thick-tailed Greater Galago Otolemur crassicaudatus (new family)
50 Blue Monkey Cercopithecus mitis
51 Vervet Monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus
52 Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus
53 Cape Hare Lepus capensis (assuming we are splitting hares!)
54 Smith’s Bush Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi
55 South African Ground Squirrel Xerus inauris (lifer)
56 Brants’s Whistling Rat Parotomys brantsii (lifer)
57 Vlei Rat Otomys irroratus (lifer)
58 Sloggett’s Ice Rat Otomys sloggetti (lifer)
Also saw Grey Squirrel. Am not counting Springbok or Oryx in Game Farms.
Birds will include 125+ lifers.
I have a reptile and a frog still to identify.
Few Invertebrates to list; too little time available to concentrate on them.
Apologies for the pun in item 53; too good to ignore in my opinion!
Dr. Loxodonta
Well-Known Member
After a very eventful Summer, the list has unsurprisingly grown rather significantly…
Oare Marshes, 05,08,24
The reserve is 67 hectares of grazing marsh, freshwater and brackish dykes and is on the edge of The Swale (a tidal channel of the Thames estuary). The marsh is part of the Swale Site of Special Scientific Interest and is an internationally important wetland under the 1973 Ramsar Convention. It is amazing for birding year round but after reports of an abundance of rarities in the area I simply had to go as soon as possible (rather than wait till my annual autumnal visit) and boy did it pay off.
137. Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
138. Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
139. Little Stint (Calidris minuta)
140. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
141. Eurasian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
142. European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)
143. Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca curruca)
RSPB Broadwater Warren, 07,08,24
Broadwater Warren is in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The reserve is currently being managed to restore heathland and woodland to return Broadwater to its historic habitat before human influence. Despite generally being nice during the day, I came to the reserve for a particular reason, the Nightjar. I arrived just as the sun began to dip and was surprised to find what I say is one of the U.K’s most underrated member of the Paridae.
144. Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris)
145. European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)
Scotland Trip, 10/15,08,24
In the summer, I spent a good few days in the highlands of Scotland. Along with a spot of hiking and kayaking, I had a couple of days saved free for some nature. Nearby the famous Loch Ness is RSPB Corrimony nature reserve. This has to be one of my new favourite reserves as it encompasses 1530 hectares of open moorland, conifer plantations, woodland, wetlands, and mountain habitats. Despite being a bit off the beaten track, it is well worth the visit. I also stopped off at RSPB Loch Lomond, a special place with a stunning mix of woodlands and wetlands on the banks of Loch Lomond where I managed to spot my favourite native raptor, the Osprey. Overall an unbelievable visit in terms of wildlife.
Birds
146. Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)*
147. Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra)
148. Goosander (Mergus merganser)
149. Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)
150. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
151. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
152. Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix)*
153. Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)*
154. Eurasian Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)*
155. White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus)
Mammals
14. Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)
15. Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
*seen at RSPB Corrimony
Elmley National Nature Reserve, 20,08,24
Elmley is the only National Nature Reserve that is farmer owned and managed and is located on the Isle of Sheppy. The 3000 acres of grazing marsh provides an important habitat for wildlife. In addition to the birds, hares are often seem grazing the meadows and I spotted a very “plump” water vole swimming in one of the ditches which weave throughout the marsh. I normally visit very often but due to life generally getting in the way of things, I have been significantly delayed. Around midday I had one of the most incredible experiences of the year when not one but a pair of Short-eared Owls appeared and (accompanied by various raptors) proceeded to send everything up. The reserve also has a decent population of Cattle Egret, with the population having been recorded at 60+ individuals. An amazing place which will always be a favourite of mine.
Birds
156. Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)
157. Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
158. Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii)
159. Merlin (Falco columbarius)
160. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
Mammals
16. European Hare (Lepus europaeus)
Paignton & Brixham (Berry Head National Nature Reserve), 26/29,08,24
As well as seeing Paignton Zoo and the beautiful coastal towns of Paignton and Brixham, I managed to have some time spare for a trip to Berry Head NNR after the Cirl Bunting. Berry Head is a stunning headland and is a Special Area of Conservation, National Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest. The guillemot colony is protected by the only Area of Special Protection in the UK, which prohibits boats from entering the cove during their breeding season. Sadly it was the wrong time of year to see the guillemots but I did have luck with some other species.
Birds
161. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
162. Razorbill (Alca torda)
163. Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus)
164. European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)
Mammals
17. Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
Other,
Between my next big trip, I managed to spot a couple more Mammals, the latter of which was seen on a Bat Walk.
Mammals
18. American Mink (Neogale vison)
19. Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus)
RSPB Dungeness and ARC Pits, 28,09,24
Dungeness, the RSPB's oldest living nature reserve, occupies over 1,000 hectares of the Dungeness peninsula. The reserve is part of the Dungeness National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. I had come to the reserve after hearing reports of Glossy Ibis and decided to check the reserve out as migration season began. There was a good amount of migrators and a pair of Osprey hunting was incredible to witness. Across the road from the reserve are the ARC Pits, where I managed to spot my aim for the day, the Ibis.
Birds
165. Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
166. Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)
167. Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
168. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
169. European Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus)
170. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Herps
9. Common Frog (Rana temporaria)
Elmley National Nature Reserve, 06,10,24
Back at Elmley where autumn had clearly arrived. The shrubs were bare and the echos of Brent and Greylag filled the air and flocks of 200+ Curlew soared around the reserve. The owls were rather abundant as well, with 5 individuals found roosting in an old oak and a little owl awoke and showed its head briefly before vanishing once more. Whilst looking out into the Swale, I spotted another Osprey (truly amazing creatures) and a few more stonechats. As the day came to a close, a weasel scurried across the path in front of me, a nice addition to the list.
Birds
171. Little Owl (Athene noctua)
Mammals
20. Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis)
Total Species: 200
Birds: 171
Mammals: 20
Herptiles: 9
Oare Marshes, 05,08,24
The reserve is 67 hectares of grazing marsh, freshwater and brackish dykes and is on the edge of The Swale (a tidal channel of the Thames estuary). The marsh is part of the Swale Site of Special Scientific Interest and is an internationally important wetland under the 1973 Ramsar Convention. It is amazing for birding year round but after reports of an abundance of rarities in the area I simply had to go as soon as possible (rather than wait till my annual autumnal visit) and boy did it pay off.
137. Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
138. Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
139. Little Stint (Calidris minuta)
140. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
141. Eurasian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
142. European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)
143. Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca curruca)
RSPB Broadwater Warren, 07,08,24
Broadwater Warren is in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The reserve is currently being managed to restore heathland and woodland to return Broadwater to its historic habitat before human influence. Despite generally being nice during the day, I came to the reserve for a particular reason, the Nightjar. I arrived just as the sun began to dip and was surprised to find what I say is one of the U.K’s most underrated member of the Paridae.
144. Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris)
145. European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)
Scotland Trip, 10/15,08,24
In the summer, I spent a good few days in the highlands of Scotland. Along with a spot of hiking and kayaking, I had a couple of days saved free for some nature. Nearby the famous Loch Ness is RSPB Corrimony nature reserve. This has to be one of my new favourite reserves as it encompasses 1530 hectares of open moorland, conifer plantations, woodland, wetlands, and mountain habitats. Despite being a bit off the beaten track, it is well worth the visit. I also stopped off at RSPB Loch Lomond, a special place with a stunning mix of woodlands and wetlands on the banks of Loch Lomond where I managed to spot my favourite native raptor, the Osprey. Overall an unbelievable visit in terms of wildlife.
Birds
146. Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)*
147. Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra)
148. Goosander (Mergus merganser)
149. Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)
150. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
151. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
152. Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix)*
153. Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)*
154. Eurasian Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)*
155. White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus)
Mammals
14. Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)
15. Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
*seen at RSPB Corrimony
Elmley National Nature Reserve, 20,08,24
Elmley is the only National Nature Reserve that is farmer owned and managed and is located on the Isle of Sheppy. The 3000 acres of grazing marsh provides an important habitat for wildlife. In addition to the birds, hares are often seem grazing the meadows and I spotted a very “plump” water vole swimming in one of the ditches which weave throughout the marsh. I normally visit very often but due to life generally getting in the way of things, I have been significantly delayed. Around midday I had one of the most incredible experiences of the year when not one but a pair of Short-eared Owls appeared and (accompanied by various raptors) proceeded to send everything up. The reserve also has a decent population of Cattle Egret, with the population having been recorded at 60+ individuals. An amazing place which will always be a favourite of mine.
Birds
156. Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)
157. Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
158. Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii)
159. Merlin (Falco columbarius)
160. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
Mammals
16. European Hare (Lepus europaeus)
Paignton & Brixham (Berry Head National Nature Reserve), 26/29,08,24
As well as seeing Paignton Zoo and the beautiful coastal towns of Paignton and Brixham, I managed to have some time spare for a trip to Berry Head NNR after the Cirl Bunting. Berry Head is a stunning headland and is a Special Area of Conservation, National Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest. The guillemot colony is protected by the only Area of Special Protection in the UK, which prohibits boats from entering the cove during their breeding season. Sadly it was the wrong time of year to see the guillemots but I did have luck with some other species.
Birds
161. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
162. Razorbill (Alca torda)
163. Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus)
164. European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)
Mammals
17. Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
Other,
Between my next big trip, I managed to spot a couple more Mammals, the latter of which was seen on a Bat Walk.
Mammals
18. American Mink (Neogale vison)
19. Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus)
RSPB Dungeness and ARC Pits, 28,09,24
Dungeness, the RSPB's oldest living nature reserve, occupies over 1,000 hectares of the Dungeness peninsula. The reserve is part of the Dungeness National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. I had come to the reserve after hearing reports of Glossy Ibis and decided to check the reserve out as migration season began. There was a good amount of migrators and a pair of Osprey hunting was incredible to witness. Across the road from the reserve are the ARC Pits, where I managed to spot my aim for the day, the Ibis.
Birds
165. Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
166. Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)
167. Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
168. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
169. European Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus)
170. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Herps
9. Common Frog (Rana temporaria)
Elmley National Nature Reserve, 06,10,24
Back at Elmley where autumn had clearly arrived. The shrubs were bare and the echos of Brent and Greylag filled the air and flocks of 200+ Curlew soared around the reserve. The owls were rather abundant as well, with 5 individuals found roosting in an old oak and a little owl awoke and showed its head briefly before vanishing once more. Whilst looking out into the Swale, I spotted another Osprey (truly amazing creatures) and a few more stonechats. As the day came to a close, a weasel scurried across the path in front of me, a nice addition to the list.
Birds
171. Little Owl (Athene noctua)
Mammals
20. Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis)
Total Species: 200
Birds: 171
Mammals: 20
Herptiles: 9
Osedax
Well-Known Member
Reptiles
19. Cunningham Skink (Egernia cunninghami)
Dr. Loxodonta
Well-Known Member
Forgot one from my last visit to Elmley,After a very eventful Summer, the list has unsurprisingly grown rather significantly…
Oare Marshes, 05,08,24
The reserve is 67 hectares of grazing marsh, freshwater and brackish dykes and is on the edge of The Swale (a tidal channel of the Thames estuary). The marsh is part of the Swale Site of Special Scientific Interest and is an internationally important wetland under the 1973 Ramsar Convention. It is amazing for birding year round but after reports of an abundance of rarities in the area I simply had to go as soon as possible (rather than wait till my annual autumnal visit) and boy did it pay off.
137. Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
138. Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
139. Little Stint (Calidris minuta)
140. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
141. Eurasian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
142. European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)
143. Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca curruca)
RSPB Broadwater Warren, 07,08,24
Broadwater Warren is in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The reserve is currently being managed to restore heathland and woodland to return Broadwater to its historic habitat before human influence. Despite generally being nice during the day, I came to the reserve for a particular reason, the Nightjar. I arrived just as the sun began to dip and was surprised to find what I say is one of the U.K’s most underrated member of the Paridae.
144. Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris)
145. European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)
Scotland Trip, 10/15,08,24
In the summer, I spent a good few days in the highlands of Scotland. Along with a spot of hiking and kayaking, I had a couple of days saved free for some nature. Nearby the famous Loch Ness is RSPB Corrimony nature reserve. This has to be one of my new favourite reserves as it encompasses 1530 hectares of open moorland, conifer plantations, woodland, wetlands, and mountain habitats. Despite being a bit off the beaten track, it is well worth the visit. I also stopped off at RSPB Loch Lomond, a special place with a stunning mix of woodlands and wetlands on the banks of Loch Lomond where I managed to spot my favourite native raptor, the Osprey. Overall an unbelievable visit in terms of wildlife.
Birds
146. Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)*
147. Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra)
148. Goosander (Mergus merganser)
149. Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)
150. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
151. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
152. Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix)*
153. Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)*
154. Eurasian Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)*
155. White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus)
Mammals
14. Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)
15. Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
*seen at RSPB Corrimony
Elmley National Nature Reserve, 20,08,24
Elmley is the only National Nature Reserve that is farmer owned and managed and is located on the Isle of Sheppy. The 3000 acres of grazing marsh provides an important habitat for wildlife. In addition to the birds, hares are often seem grazing the meadows and I spotted a very “plump” water vole swimming in one of the ditches which weave throughout the marsh. I normally visit very often but due to life generally getting in the way of things, I have been significantly delayed. Around midday I had one of the most incredible experiences of the year when not one but a pair of Short-eared Owls appeared and (accompanied by various raptors) proceeded to send everything up. The reserve also has a decent population of Cattle Egret, with the population having been recorded at 60+ individuals. An amazing place which will always be a favourite of mine.
Birds
156. Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)
157. Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
158. Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii)
159. Merlin (Falco columbarius)
160. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
Mammals
16. European Hare (Lepus europaeus)
Paignton & Brixham (Berry Head National Nature Reserve), 26/29,08,24
As well as seeing Paignton Zoo and the beautiful coastal towns of Paignton and Brixham, I managed to have some time spare for a trip to Berry Head NNR after the Cirl Bunting. Berry Head is a stunning headland and is a Special Area of Conservation, National Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest. The guillemot colony is protected by the only Area of Special Protection in the UK, which prohibits boats from entering the cove during their breeding season. Sadly it was the wrong time of year to see the guillemots but I did have luck with some other species.
Birds
161. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
162. Razorbill (Alca torda)
163. Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus)
164. European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)
Mammals
17. Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
Other,
Between my next big trip, I managed to spot a couple more Mammals, the latter of which was seen on a Bat Walk.
Mammals
18. American Mink (Neogale vison)
19. Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus)
RSPB Dungeness and ARC Pits, 28,09,24
Dungeness, the RSPB's oldest living nature reserve, occupies over 1,000 hectares of the Dungeness peninsula. The reserve is part of the Dungeness National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. I had come to the reserve after hearing reports of Glossy Ibis and decided to check the reserve out as migration season began. There was a good amount of migrators and a pair of Osprey hunting was incredible to witness. Across the road from the reserve are the ARC Pits, where I managed to spot my aim for the day, the Ibis.
Birds
165. Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
166. Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)
167. Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
168. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
169. European Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus)
170. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Herps
9. Common Frog (Rana temporaria)
Elmley National Nature Reserve, 06,10,24
Back at Elmley where autumn had clearly arrived. The shrubs were bare and the echos of Brent and Greylag filled the air and flocks of 200+ Curlew soared around the reserve. The owls were rather abundant as well, with 5 individuals found roosting in an old oak and a little owl awoke and showed its head briefly before vanishing once more. Whilst looking out into the Swale, I spotted another Osprey (truly amazing creatures) and a few more stonechats. As the day came to a close, a weasel scurried across the path in front of me, a nice addition to the list.
Birds
171. Little Owl (Athene noctua)
Mammals
20. Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis)
Total Species: 200
Birds: 171
Mammals: 20
Herptiles: 9
Birds
172. Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
Total Species: 201
Birds: 172
Mammals: 20
Herptiles: 9