Wednesday, 2 January 2008

That list in full

This time last year I resolved to keep a casual UK birding list. Here it is:
  1. Mallard, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
  2. Kestrel, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  3. Pheasant, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  4. Water rail, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  5. Moorhen, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  6. Woodpigeon, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  7. Collared dove, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  8. Great spotted woodpecker, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  9. Robin, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  10. Blackbird, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
  11. Song Thrush, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
  12. Chiffchaff, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
  13. Firecrest, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
  14. Long-tailed tit, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
  15. Blue tit, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
  16. Great tit, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
  17. Jay, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  18. Magpie, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  19. Jackdaw, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  20. Carrion crow, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  21. Chaffinch, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  22. Greenfinch, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  23. Reed bunting, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  24. Mandarin duck, 2nd Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Hirst Wood, West Yorks.
  25. Redwing, 2nd Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Hirst Wood, West Yorks.
  26. Goosander, 2nd Jan, River Aire - Hirst Wood, West Yorks.
  27. Coot, 2nd Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  28. Dunnock, 2nd Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
  29. Skylark, 2nd Jan, Swales Moor - Halifax/Queensbury, West Yorks.
  30. Shorelark, 2nd Jan, Swales Moor - Halifax/Queensbury, West Yorks.
  31. House sparrow, 2nd Jan, Pule Hill - Halifax/Queensbury, West Yorks.
  32. Goldfinch, 6th Jan, Cromford Canal, Derbyshire.
  33. Little grebe, 6th Jan, Cromford Canal, Derbyshire.
  34. Wren, 6th Jan, Cromford Canal, Derbyshire.
  35. Mute swan, 7th Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
  36. Grey heron, 7th Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
  37. Kingfisher, 7th Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
  38. Grey wagtail, 7th Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
  39. Sparrowhawk, 20th Jan, St. Ives, Bingley, West Yorks.
  40. Rook, 20th Jan, St. Ives, Bingley, West Yorks.
  41. Treecreeper, 20th Jan, St. Ives, Bingley, West Yorks.
  42. Pied wagtail, 21st Jan, Dowley Gap, Bingley, West Yorks.
  43. Goldcrest, 21st Jan, Dowley Gap, Bingley, West Yorks.
  44. Nuthatch, 21st Jan, Hirst Woods, Bingley, West Yorks.
  45. Mistle thrush, 21st Jan, Hirst Woods, Bingley, West Yorks.
  46. Starling, 21st Jan, Hirst Woods, Bingley, West Yorks.
  47. American robin, 27th Jan, Gilstead, Bingley, West Yorks.
  48. Great crested grebe, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
  49. Cormorant, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
  50. Shelduck, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
  51. Gadwall, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
  52. Pochard, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
  53. Tufted duck, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
  54. Barn owl, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
  55. Fieldfare, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
  56. Bullfinch, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
  57. Yellowhammer, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
  58. Whooper swan, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
  59. Bewick's swan, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
  60. Wigeon, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
  61. Teal, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
  62. Merlin, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
  63. Lapwing, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
  64. Green woodpecker, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
  65. Meadow pipit, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
  66. Stonechat, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
  67. Tree sparrow, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
  68. Little egret, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
  69. Brent goose, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
  70. Shoveler, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
  71. Marsh harrier, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
  72. Peregrine, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
  73. Oystercatcher, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
  74. Ringed plover, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
  75. Grey plover, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
  76. Bar-tailed godwit, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
  77. Curlew, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
  78. Redshank, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
  79. Turnstone, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
  80. Canada goose, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
  81. Pintail, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
  82. Goldeneye, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
  83. Red-breasted merganser, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
  84. Avocet, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
  85. Golden plover, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
  86. Snipe, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
  87. Black-tailed godwit, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
  88. Woodcock, 11/3/07, Washburn Valley.
  89. Dipper, 11/3/07, Washburn Valley.
  90. Buzzard, 13/3/07, Gallymoor landfill site, from the car, on the way to Bishop Burton.
  91. Raven, 31/3/07, Thrusscross, Washburn Valley.
  92. Grey partridge, 1/4/07, Dunsop Valley.
  93. Red grouse, 2/4/07, Heyshaw Moor.
  94. Red-legged partridge, 2/4/07, Graincliffe Reservoir.
  95. Hooded crow, 6/4/07, Fort William.
  96. Greylag goose, 9/4/07.
  97. Osprey, 10/4/07, Loch Garten RSPB.
  98. Capercailie, 10/4/07, Loch Garten RSPB.
  99. Coal Tit, 10/4/07, Loch Garten RSPB.
  100. Siskin, 10/4/07, Loch Garten RSPB.
  101. Crested Tit, 10/4/07, Loch Garten RSPB.
  102. Slavonian Grebe, 11/4/07, Aviemore.
  103. Ptarmigan, 11/4/07, Coire an t-Sneachda, Cairngorms.
  104. Wheatear, 11/4/07, Northern Corries, Cairngorms.
  105. Black grouse, 12/4/07, Northern Corries, Cairngorms.
  106. Ring ouzel, 12/4/07, Northern Corries, Cairngorms.
  107. Hen harrier, 15/4/07, Yorkshire Dales Upland Bird Study Group Area.
  108. Willow tit, 16/4/07, Fairburn Ings RSPB.
  109. Blackcap, 22/4/07, Strid Woods, Wharfedale.
  110. Pied flycatcher, 22/4/07, Strid Woods, Wharfedale.
  111. Swift, Shipley, 6/5/07, Shipley, West Yorks.
  112. Short-eared owl, 25/5/07, Timble Ings.
  113. Cuckoo, 25/5/07, Timble Ings.
  114. Tawny owl. 25/5/07, Timble Ings.
  115. Nightjar, 25/5/07, Timble Ings.
  116. Red kite, 26/5/07, Otley area.
  117. Eagle Owl, 26/5/07, Otley area.
  118. Sand martin, 27/5/07, Staveley NR.
  119. Swallow, 27/5/07, Staveley NR
  120. House martin, 27/5/07, Staveley NR
  121. Reed warbler, 27/5/07, Staveley NR
  122. Little owl, 28/5/07, Malham.
  123. Spotted flycatcher, 28/5/07, Malham.
  124. Redstart, 28/5/07, Malham.
  125. Long-eared owl, 29/5/07, Timble Ings
  126. Tree pipit, 29/5/07, Timble Ings.
  127. Chough, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
  128. Linnet, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
  129. Corn bunting, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
  130. Kittiwake, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
  131. Fulmar, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
  132. Purple sandpiper, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
  133. Gannet, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
  134. Dunlin, 9/07, Lindisfarne.
  135. Eider, 9/07, Lindisfarne.
  136. Sandwich tern, 9/07, Lindisfarne.
  137. Redpoll, 9/07, Fairburn Ings.
  138. Great egret, 9/07, Leighton Moss RSPB.
  139. Bittern, 9/07, Leighton Moss RSPB.
  140. Common crossbill, 14/10/07, Timble Ings.
  141. Red-flanked bluetail, 20/10/07, Flamborough Head.
  142. Brambling, 27/10/07, Dalby Forest.
At 142 species I'm pretty impressed with my casual efforts and the list has given me a push, on some occasions, to get out and see some species I'd have overlooked otherwise. Some have been very rare, lifers (in red) or otherwise notable, others have prompted an enjoyment of the beauty to be found in commonplace things.

Some of the sightings have brought me closer to my local area around Shipley and Bingley and into contact with members of Bradford Ornithological Group who have indulged me as a relative novice and been great company. Thanks especially to Andy, Sean and Pete.

Some of my sightings have coincided with some special trips away, notably to North Norfolk, the Cairngorms and Pembrokeshire, with a special person whose sharp eyes have pointed out birds and many other things (not just car keys!) I'd otherwise have missed. Thanks Caro, I hope we can do this stuff again.

So, what for the New Year? Some changes, that's for sure.

Play - I'd like to gain a level 1 canoe coaching qualification, gain consistency with my eskimo roll and complete at least one multiday canoe tour. Do more caving, climbing and cycling and maintain some quiet time at home and outdoors, with nature, alone and with friends. Also take more photographs.
Work - I'd like to get some more employment as an outdoor instructor and continue with the RSPB to broaden my future career prospects. I'd also like to work with a more realistic perspective, assertiveness, calmness and control in my "proper job".
Home - Throw out items of junk. Keep rooms tidy. Repair broken things.
Study - I'd like to continue to average 2:1 in my Wildlife and Countryside degree.
Relationships - I'd like to be happy in future relationships, stay friends with one I'm leaving behind and reconnect with those I've neglected over the years.

Looking forward to 2008 with hope and optimism.
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1 comment:

  1. Kristen2 January 2008 at 15:03

    Congratulations! What a great list! And some great resolutions too!! Hope you have a productive and
    Happy New Year!!!

    -Kristen
    Columbus, Ohio USA

    ReplyDelete

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