January 1st 2022: New Year new list!

- January 10, 2022

Astonishingly, my final ‘list’ for 2021 was 224 species - a personal best, no doubt aided by our holidays to Cornwall, Northumberland and Scotland in particular. We did miss some usually seen species in January when we were unable to travel and pick up many winter visitors, so in different circumstances this could have been even higher. So now we start again, looking for another big year tally!

Many of the family were enthusiastically out and about on New Year’s Day at various sites around the country. Andy repeated his locations from last year, visiting Hornchurch Country Park and Harrow Lodge Park. He managed a total of 47 species, slightly down on last year’s tally of 51. He was the only one to record Ring-necked Parakeet, a local speciality. Other exclusive sightings of interest included Fieldfare, Gadwall, Goldcrest and Grey Wagtail.

Tim and Sue Miles visited Pulborough Brooks RSPB reserve, then Tim visited Steyning Sewage Works, managing a total of 48 species. Again, this was a similar total to last year, when we walked from Shoreham to Widewater then Brooklands Park managing 46 birds. I suspect however that the birds seen were a little more interesting than last year, with exclusive highlights including Marsh Harrier, Cattle Egret, Treecreeper and Redwing.

Meanwhile in Derbyshire, I managed a paltry 20 species, but with Peregrine and Goosander on the list, I would argue a case of quality not quantity! I had hoped for a Ruddy Duck which had been reported in recent days. However, the bird was unobliging, skulking in the reeds during my short visit while Kate dropped the children off in Derby, collecting me on her way back. I have not seen one of these lovely colourful ducks since 2016, and was surprised to find the bird publicised as there has been an eradication programme to protect the endangered White-headed Duck in Spain. This species has been known to hybridise with the Ruddy Duck, which is a North American bird that developed a small but increasing population, presumably from escapees from private collections. Fortunately I did manage to get some very good views of the bird on a return visit the following day, arriving in the rain, but with a lovely rainbow a sign of good things to come! An excellent bird for my list.

Sue and Keith just visited Upton Country Park area, whereas last year they also went to Poole and Baiter Parks, so there total was significantly smaller than last year. Nevertheless, they scooped the star bird of the day - a small flock of 3 BeanGeese.

Last year our total tally was 76 species, but this year, with different arrangements and probably less time ‘in the field’ we were a bit lower with a final score of 69 different species. Well done everyone!