Zoochat Big Year 2024

Mammals
43. Groundhog Marmota monax

Birds
398. Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus
399. Sharp-tailed Grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus
400. Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus
401. Willet Tringa semipalmata
402. Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena

Birds
406. Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
Mammals
44. Red Fox Vulpes vulpes

Birds
407. Orange-crowned Warbler Leiothlypis celata
408. Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
 
After an afternoon at Hamerton on Sunday I made the most of a sunny evening to have a stroll at nearby Woodwalton Fen, with the main objective of finding Chinese Water Deer. This was quickly successful, and I ended up seeing three around the reserve. They ended up being the only new year species seen, but I did hear a lot of cuckoos. Marsh harriers, a Peregrine flypast and a handsome muntjac buck were the other highlights. :)

Mammals:
16. Chinese Water Deer - Hydropotes inermis

:)
 
Another birdwatching afternoon, a great success!
91. Orange-Crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata)
92. Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
93. Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
94. Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)
95. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
96. Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus)
97. Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)
98. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
99. White-Faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)
100. Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata)
101. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
102. California Gull (Larus californicus)

And my first amphibian:
1. Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata)
 
Yesterday afternoon I spent a couple of hours in Luganville, and had a beautiful view of chestnut munias as I left the ferry area. Otherwise not much of interest except I did see what appeared to be a group of munias of another species. They seemed to be fawn, with pale beaks, but unfortunately they flew away too quickly. Perhaps cage-bird escapees?

423. Chestnut munia Lonchura atricapilla

Finally managed to get to Loru Conservation Area this morning, but only got there after 8.30am so missed the best part of the day.

424. Vanuatu megapode Megapodius layardi VU
425. Metallic pigeon Columba vitiensis
426. Buff-bellied monarch Neolalage banksiana

And on the way back, three seen beside the road.

427. Spotless crake Zapornia tabuensis
 
Yesterday afternoon I spent a couple of hours in Luganville, and had a beautiful view of chestnut munias as I left the ferry area. Otherwise not much of interest except I did see what appeared to be a group of munias of another species. They seemed to be fawn, with pale beaks, but unfortunately they flew away too quickly. Perhaps cage-bird escapees?
Have a look at photos of juvenile atricapilla, might be them.
 
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It's been a wild week, so I decided to relax at my parent's lake house on Lake Charlevoix for a couple nights. There's a tiny sandbar right outside that a couple shorebird species came to check out. Both common and red-breasted mergansers came close to the shore too.

4/29/24
Birds:
136. Common raven Corvus corax
137. Greater yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
138. Red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator
139. Herring gull Larus argentatus
140. Lesser scaup Aythya affinis

Total Species: 176
Birds: 140
Mammals: 10
Reptiles: 8
Amphibians: 1
Fish: 17
4/30/24
Birds:
141. Bank swallow Riparia riparia
142. Vesper sparrow Pooecetes gramineus
143. Common loon Gavia immer

Reptiles:
9. Common snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina

5/1/24
Birds:
144. Great crested flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus

Total Species: 181
Birds: 144
Mammals: 10
Reptiles: 9
Amphibians: 1
Fish: 17
 
I am sorry I have not updated this list for what feels like forever. I have been extremely busy with work and life in general has been determined to get in the way :p. I have (repeatedly) guessed Wright with when I would have enough time to finish this list but now, it is to some extent down (with just a few Inverts needing identification). Finally, onto the list:

March,


WWT London, 16th
Despite raining for most of the day, I thought it was a nice session of bird watching. I managed to pick out some nice species amongst the reed beds including a bittern, a personal favourite (but you can’t beat a snipe).

Birds
96. Cetti's Warbler, (Cettia cetti)
97. Sand Martin, (Riparia riparia)
98. Bearded Reedling, (Panurus biarmicus)
99. Eurasian Bittern, (Botaurus stellaris)

Inverts
7. Common Brimstone, (Gonepteryx rhamni)
8. European Peacock, (Aglais io)

April,

WWT London, 2nd
The weather, like usual, was rain but after lunch, it cleared up enough that I could spot a nice group of birds to add to the list.

Birds
100. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
101. Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)
102. Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
103. Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
104. Coal Tit, (Periparus ater)
105. Eurasian Nuthatch, (Sitta europaea)

Mammals
5. Brown Rat, (Rattus norvegicus)

Langford Lakes, 6th
On the Train ride up, as I had a break from my laptop, I spotted a slightly confused pair of Roe Deer near the line. Langford Lakes, this must be one of the most pleasant sites in Wiltshire. Despite heavy flooding (to the point where the islands in front of the Hide being completely gone) meaning that my chance in getting a couple more waders was almost impossible, I managed to see some other birds. Just after setting up, a flock of about 60 Teal sprung from the reed into the sky and after them, a most majestic female Hen Harrier. A truly beautiful scene (well maybe not for the Teal :p).

Birds
106. Common Chaffinch, (Fringilla coelebs)
107. Barn Swallow, (Hirundo rustica)
108. Peregrine Falcon, (Falco peregrinus)
109. Common House Martin, (Delichon urbicum)
110. Hen Harrier, (Circus cyaneus)
111. Common Linnet, (Linaria cannabina)

Mammals
6. European Roe Deer, (Capreolus capreolus)
7. Reeves's Muntjac, (Muntiacus reevesi)

Local Reserve, 13th
Only slight wind is what I could complain about on this day. I checked out the days log book where it supposedly said that a pair of Greenshank had been spotted along with a Little Ringed Plover (possibly the individual I mistook for a Ringed). I managed to spot both species and this was the first time I had seen Greenshank at this site.

Birds
112. Common Greenshank, (Tringa nebularia)

Amphibians
2. Palmate Newt, (Lissotriton helveticus)

WWT London, 28th
The weather seems to never favour me on these visits. My view from the Peacock Tower was completely blocked due to the force at which the wind blew. I had come to see if I could spot the reported Tern which had arrived but I had no luck (I’ll most likely try again soon). A group of cattle were on the Grazing Marsh, closely follow by a small group of Yellow Wagtail. From Wildside, I managed to see a female G.C Grebe on her nest with 4 eggs clustered around her feet.

Birds
113. Green Sandpiper, (Tringa ochropus)
114. Common Sandpiper, (Actitis hypoleucos)
115. Yellow Wagtail, (Motacilla flava)
116. Wheatear, (Oenanthe oenanthe)
117. Common Reed Warbler, (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

That was long,
Other Inverts List coming out soon…

Total Species: 134
Birds: 117
Mammals: 7
Amphibians: 2
Invertebrates: 8
 
I am sorry I have not updated this list for what feels like forever. I have been extremely busy with work and life in general has been determined to get in the way :p. I have (repeatedly) guessed Wright with when I would have enough time to finish this list but now, it is to some extent down (with just a few Inverts needing identification). Finally, onto the list:

March,


WWT London, 16th
Despite raining for most of the day, I thought it was a nice session of bird watching. I managed to pick out some nice species amongst the reed beds including a bittern, a personal favourite (but you can’t beat a snipe).

Birds
96. Cetti's Warbler, (Cettia cetti)
97. Sand Martin, (Riparia riparia)
98. Bearded Reedling, (Panurus biarmicus)
99. Eurasian Bittern, (Botaurus stellaris)

Inverts
7. Common Brimstone, (Gonepteryx rhamni)
8. European Peacock, (Aglais io)

April,

WWT London, 2nd
The weather, like usual, was rain but after lunch, it cleared up enough that I could spot a nice group of birds to add to the list.

Birds
100. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
101. Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)
102. Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
103. Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
104. Coal Tit, (Periparus ater)
105. Eurasian Nuthatch, (Sitta europaea)

Mammals
5. Brown Rat, (Rattus norvegicus)

Langford Lakes, 6th
On the Train ride up, as I had a break from my laptop, I spotted a slightly confused pair of Roe Deer near the line. Langford Lakes, this must be one of the most pleasant sites in Wiltshire. Despite heavy flooding (to the point where the islands in front of the Hide being completely gone) meaning that my chance in getting a couple more waders was almost impossible, I managed to see some other birds. Just after setting up, a flock of about 60 Teal sprung from the reed into the sky and after them, a most majestic female Hen Harrier. A truly beautiful scene (well maybe not for the Teal :p).

Birds
106. Common Chaffinch, (Fringilla coelebs)
107. Barn Swallow, (Hirundo rustica)
108. Peregrine Falcon, (Falco peregrinus)
109. Common House Martin, (Delichon urbicum)
110. Hen Harrier, (Circus cyaneus)
111. Common Linnet, (Linaria cannabina)

Mammals
6. European Roe Deer, (Capreolus capreolus)
7. Reeves's Muntjac, (Muntiacus reevesi)

Local Reserve, 13th
Only slight wind is what I could complain about on this day. I checked out the days log book where it supposedly said that a pair of Greenshank had been spotted along with a Little Ringed Plover (possibly the individual I mistook for a Ringed). I managed to spot both species and this was the first time I had seen Greenshank at this site.

Birds
112. Common Greenshank, (Tringa nebularia)

Amphibians
2. Palmate Newt, (Lissotriton helveticus)

WWT London, 28th
The weather seems to never favour me on these visits. My view from the Peacock Tower was completely blocked due to the force at which the wind blew. I had come to see if I could spot the reported Tern which had arrived but I had no luck (I’ll most likely try again soon). A group of cattle were on the Grazing Marsh, closely follow by a small group of Yellow Wagtail. From Wildside, I managed to see a female G.C Grebe on her nest with 4 eggs clustered around her feet.

Birds
113. Green Sandpiper, (Tringa ochropus)
114. Common Sandpiper, (Actitis hypoleucos)
115. Yellow Wagtail, (Motacilla flava)
116. Wheatear, (Oenanthe oenanthe)
117. Common Reed Warbler, (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

That was long,
Other Inverts List coming out soon…

Total Species: 134
Birds: 117
Mammals: 7
Amphibians: 2
Invertebrates: 8

It seems you have had successful bird watching from mid March to late May. I'm still quite late with my summer migrants especially in regards in species like yellow wag, whitethroat (of both types) and wheatear. How are you managing with your invertebrate identification? If you aren't yet on iNaturalist I'd recommend it. I can always lend a hand if needs be :)
 
My first sweep net session of the year on a very warm spring day today acquired me these:
*Once again I'm relying on plenty of IDs so the list from today will only grow, hopefully.

60) Green carpet moth Colostygia pectinataria
61) Common candy-striped spider Enoplognatha ovata
62) False black widow Steatoda grossa
63) Small white butterfly Pieris rapae
 
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Birds
Eagles View Trailhead - February 17
75. American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
Lamoni, Iowa - February 25
76. Greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido)
Backyard - March 1
77. Pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
78. American woodcock (Scolopax minor)
Jerry Litton Visitor Center - March 7
79. Horned grebe (Podiceps auritus)
Roadside - March 8
80. Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
Tulsa Zoo, Oklahoma - March 11
81. Red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
82. Eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)
83. Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)
Jerry Litton Visitor Center - March 13
84. Brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater)
Little Platte Recreation Area - March 13
85. Blue-winged teal (Spatula discors)
Eagles View Trailhead - March 15
86. Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
Camp Branch Marina - March 20
87. Red-necked grebe (Podiceps grisegena)
Backyard - March 20 to 29
88. Harris’s sparrow (Zonotrichia querula)
89. Eastern towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
Jerry Litton Visitor Center - March 30
90. Greater yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
91. Brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)
Little Platte Recreation Area - March 30
92. Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)
93. American pipit (Anthus rubescens)
Backyard - April 2 to 3
94. Ruby-crowned kinglet (Corthylio calendula)
95. Great-tailed grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)
Cooley Lake Conservation Area - April 3
96. American golden-plover (Pluvialis dominica)
97. Ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris)
Jerry Litton Visitor Center - April 3
98. Baird’s Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)
Backyard - April 4
99. Chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina)
Cutoff Lake - April 4
100. Cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera)
101. Pectoral sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
102. Lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
103. Northern rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge - April 5
104. Wood duck (Aix sponsa)
105. Wilson’s snipe (Gallinago delicata)
106. Long-billed dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus)

Mammals
Backyard - March 12
5. Common raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Eagle Ridge Drive - April 4
6. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Reptiles
Jerry Litton Visitor Center - February 13
1. Common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Tulsa Zoo, Oklahoma - March 11
2. Pond slider (Trachemys scripta)
Backyard March 29 to 30
3. Dekay’s brownsnake (Storeria dekayi)
4. Common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus)
5. Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge - April 5
6. Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)

Amphibians
Second Creek - February 27
1. Blanchard’s cricket frog (Acris blanchardi)
Little Platte Recreation Area - March 13
2. Boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata)

Fish
Second Creek - February 27 to March 12
2. Red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis)
3. Creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus)
4. Central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum)
5. Bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus)
6. Sand shiner (Notropis stramineus)
7. Yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis)
8. Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)
Smith’s Fork Park - April 1
9. Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)

Invertebrates
6. Pondmussel (Sagittunio subrostratus)
7. Eastern dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus)
8. Ridged carrion beetle (Oiceoptoma inaequale)
9. Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis)
10. Banded fishing spider (Dolomedes vittatus)
11. Hairy rove beetle (Creophilus maxillosus)
12. House centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata)
13. Bold jumping spider (Phidippus audax)
14. Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum)
Birds
Backyard - April 9 to 10
107. Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)
108. Blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
109. Hairy woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus)
Platte Falls Conservation Area - April 12
110. Northern parula (Setophaga americana)
Backyard - April 13
111. Fish crow (Corvus ossifragus)
112. Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Kansas City Zoo - April 14
113. Broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus)
Swope Park - April 19
114. Orange-crowned warbler (Leiothlypis celata)
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge - April 20
115. American avocet (Recurvirostra americana)
116. Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica)
117. Marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa)
118. Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
119. Wilson’s phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)
120. Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
121. Sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis)
122. Great egret (Ardea alba)
123. White-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi)
124. Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
125. Yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
Jerry Litton Visitor Center - April 23
126. Warbling vireo (Vireo gilvus)
127. Spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularius)
128. Northern waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)
129. Palm warbler (Setophaga palmarum)
130. Eastern kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)
Little Platte Recreation Area - April 23 to 25
131. Cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
132. Sanderling (Calidris alba)
133. Least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
134. Semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)
135. Orchard oriole (Icterus spurius)
136. Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula)
Weston Bend State Park - April 26
137. Scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea)
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge - April 27
138. Black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
139. White-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)
140. Franklin’s gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan)
141. Stilt sandpiper (Calidris himantopus)
142. White-rumped sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis)
143. Forster’s tern (Sterna forsteri)
144. Common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
145. House wren (Troglodytes aedon)
Little Platte Recreation Area - April 28
146. Lark sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)
Smith’s Fork Park - April 29
147. Summer tanager (Piranga rubra)
148. Nashville warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla)
149. Swainson’s thrush (Catharus ustulatus)
150. Scissor-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus)
Little Platte Recreation Area - April 29
151. Red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus)
Backyard - April 30
152. Indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea)
153. Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Weston Bend State Park - May 1
154. American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)
155. Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens)
156. Kentucky warbler (Geothlypis formosa)
157. Golden-winged warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera)
158. Tennessee warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina)
159. Rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
160. Wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)
161. Blackburnian warbler (Setophaga fusca)

Mammals
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge - April 20 & 27
7. Coyote (Canis latrans)
8. Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)
Kansas City Zoo - May 1
9. Groundhog (Marmota monax)

Reptiles
Kansas City Zoo - April 14
7. Common watersnake (Nerodia sipedon)
8. Spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera)
Backyard - April 14
9. Common box turtle (Terrapene carolina)
Little Platte Recreation Area - April 23
10. North American racer (Coluber constrictor)
Backyard - April 26
11. Western worm snake (Carphophis vermis)

Amphibians
Kansas City Zoo - April 14
3. American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
Backyard - April 14 to 26
4. Cope’s gray treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis)
5. Spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
6. American toad (Anaxyrus americanus)

Fish
Little Platte Recreation Area - April 29
10. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Invertebrates
15. Zebra swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
16. Grayish jumping spider (Phidippus princeps)
17. Green stink bug (Chinavia hilaris)
18. Black-and-gold bumblebee (Bombus auricomus)
19. Eastern black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis)
20. Orange wing (Mellilla xanthometata)
21. Lytta aenea
22. Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
23. Pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor)
 
Birds
145. Pink-eared Duck
146. Black Kite
147. Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater
148. Singing Honeyeater
149. White-breasted Woodswallow
150. Greater Bluebonnet
151. Yellow-throated Miner
152. Blue-faced Honeyeater
153. Yellow Thornbill
154. Apostlebird
155. Brown Treecreeper
156. Southern Whiteface
157. Red-capped Robin
158. Jacky Winter
159. Australian Darter
160. White-necked Heron
161. Cockatiel
162. Peaceful Dove
163. Bar-shouldered Dove
164. Spotted Bowerbird
165. Purple-backed Fairy Wren
166. Yellow-plumed Honeyeater
167. Grey-fronted Honeyeater
168. Striped Honeyeater
169. Speckled Warbler
170. Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
171. White-browed Babbler
172. Mistletoebird
173. Zebra Finch
174. Little Friarbird
175. Superb Parrot
176. Mallee Ringneck
177. Pied Butcherbird

Mammals
17. Red Fox
18. Feral Cat
19. Feral Pig
20. Feral Goat

Reptiles
3. Shingleback Skink
4. Central Bearded Dragon
5. Lace Monitor

Inverts
3. Red-and-Black Spider (Novodamus nodatus)

:p

Hix

A quick trip to Perth for work permitted me to get a few more birds this month, including another Lifer which brings this year's total to 20 lifers (18 of which I got in 17 days in Tasmania).

Birds
178. Great Egret
179. Western Wattlebird
180. Brown Honeyeater
181. Carnaby's Black Cockatoo
182. Laughing Dove
183. Buff-banded Rail
184. White-cheeked Honeyeater
185. Spotted Scrubwren
186. Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

:P

Hix
 
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