Seeing as I am back in Norfolk and here to stay I'll start up a few new lists.
Firstly my Norfolk list, not too bad already on 279 but plenty to add over the years. Secondly my Strumpshaw list and thirdly the RSPB Mid-Yare Valley list, this includes Strumpshaw, Buckenham, Cantley, Rockland, Surlingham and Surlingham Church as well as a few smaller pieces of RSPB land in between.
Its always interesting when keeping lists on patches, you find yourself getting happy about seeing all sorts of common birds, its a motivation to get out there as much as possible which is the name of the game. An inland site like the mid Yare valley will miss out on many migrants but there are surprises at many other inland sites in the area. I suspect an annual target of 110 would be difficult but possible, I know that there are a few Whitlingham country park patch birders just up the river who around 100ish, gotta love a challenge.
On a similar vein today I added flyover Greenshank and Common sandpiper to the strumpy and mid yare lists. Osprey was still about over Rockland and I must have seen at least 4 Kingfishers on the river today, always nice to be on a boat going past these beauties.
Hi Ben.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to some friendly patch competition next year! I think you could probably hit 120 for Strumpshaw next year, and Jono Leadley already has 145 for Strumpshaw-Cantley this year. Over the past few years I've seen Wheatear, Ring Ouzel and Whinchat at Buckenham, so you may get a few migrants too.
Nice one James, may competition commence, 120 is the new target then. Should be interesting to compare what you get up river with Strumpshaw. I managed a Wheatear at Buckenham last Friday as well as a juvie black tern so as you say some migrants should make it onto the list.
ReplyDeleteAll the best- Ben