88 for Manchester it was in the end for me, but considering I never once went to Heaton Park during 2010, was a decent enough score.
Manchester is tricky but I did have some good birds for the Borough such as Willow Tit, Tree Pipit, Mandarin and Spotted Flycatcher.
I managed to get to see most of the species at the other sites so with a bit of luck and a trip or two to Heaton Park, the 100 is a target that can hopefully be achieved in 2011!!
-- Edited by Phil Owen on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 07:05:49 PM
Sean Sweeney said
Sun Jan 2 3:17 PM, 2011
Having reached 97 in Manchester District for 2010 I'm challenging myself to try and break the 100 mark this year! Unlike the leafy Districts with lots of hills, woodlands and lakes etc that surround us here in Manchester this will be harder than people may think!
I had some interesting records last year with woodcock, black necked grebe, ruddy duck, little ringed plover, green woodpecker, yellow legged gull, egyptian goose, scaup, pintail, green sandpiper, arctic tern and yellowhammer being some off the highlights, but a bit more effort during migration periods will definitely pay off this year. Good luck to all this year, sean.
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Dec 31 10:16 PM, 2010
If any borough year listers would like their totals adding to the website then please send them to me by email. If you have an actual list of species then that will allow me to formulate an interesting table of comparison between competitors. Times/dates etc aren't require though.
John Rayner said
Fri Dec 31 5:37 PM, 2010
Well that's it. 114 for the inaugural bash around Stockport. Time will tell whether that's a good total or not.
All the very best New Year wishes to all subscribers to this forum. Have a great 2011.
Cheers, John
Paul Heaton said
Fri Dec 31 4:55 PM, 2010
Could Mr Thorpe and Mr Warfy have made it anymore exciting....
A year of total commitment from all the borough lister. well done to the lot of you.
keep Birding
Rob Thorpe said
Thu Dec 30 8:56 PM, 2010
One more day to go...
Karen Foulkes said
Mon Dec 6 10:31 PM, 2010
to the bitter end geoff
Indeed, I am fighting for Tameside pride now, it seems, and hopefully I have the weapons to battle back to 5th The birds are out there somewhere, not sure where yet though.
Geoff Hargreaves said
Mon Dec 6 9:50 PM, 2010
Mr Thorpe is quite right i,m now on 129,thats 17 missing,if Karen manages to dig out any more I may be forced by borough pride to abandon the current phragmites/ice vigil and go on the hunt,anyone got a cert merlin in wigan???
to the bitter end geoff
Rob Thorpe said
Mon Dec 6 3:36 PM, 2010
Iain Johnson wrote:
I guess Tameside is back where is belongs then - in the top five!
I have a suspicion that Mr Hargreaves may have added Waxwing within the last couple of days(?), so Tameside might not be back just yet
Iain Johnson said
Mon Dec 6 1:31 PM, 2010
I guess Tameside is back where is belongs then - in the top five!
Karen Foulkes said
Tue Nov 30 11:16 PM, 2010
I'll be back!
Mark Rigby said
Tue Nov 30 10:06 PM, 2010
Just wait till next year, the East will be making a come back!
New rules though- birds in the East count double,just to make it fair!
Rob Thorpe said
Tue Nov 30 10:02 PM, 2010
Geoff Hargreaves wrote:
Rob,thanks for updating the thread,as you,ll see i,ve made the effort and updated my totals,nice to see it,s such a close run 'contest' hats off to the bolton crew for persistance.The battle of borsdane brook may well be on the cards
cheers geoff
Thanks Geoff I've reconfigured the list to reflect your updated total. Seems you've pushed Tameside out of the top 5 (back where it belongs some might say ) adding to the apparent dominance of the western side of the county in this "competition"...
Geoff Hargreaves said
Tue Nov 30 9:36 PM, 2010
Rob,thanks for updating the thread,as you,ll see i,ve made the effort and updated my totals,nice to see it,s such a close run 'contest' hats off to the bolton crew for persistance.The battle of borsdane brook may well be on the cards
cheers geoff
Mike Chorley said
Tue Nov 30 9:19 PM, 2010
As long as it's just hope, Rob, not your breath
Rob Thorpe said
Tue Nov 30 7:55 PM, 2010
Not updated this for a while, too busy birding over the summer/autumn. But now winter is here it's back to passing the time by adding up meaningless lists of birdies and birders
So, just one month to go and just one species separating the top 3:
30/11/2010 Simon Warford Bolton 146 Rob Thorpe Wigan 146 Dave Broome Wigan 145 Simon Johnson Bury 136 Geoff Hargreaves Wigan 128 Karen Foulkes Tameside 127 Simon Hitchen Rochdale 124 Craig Higson Wigan 120 Henry Cook Trafford 119 Jimmy Meadows Wigan 119 Steve Atkins Rochdale 117 John Raynor Stockport 112 Sean Sweeney Manchester 89 Phil Owen Manchester 84 Tony Coatsworth Manchester 74 Rachael Hill Tameside ? ? Oldham ? ? Salford ?
Sorry if I've missed anyone.
I'm still holding out hope that people have been keeping Oldham and Salford lists, and with any luck they might make them public soon ?
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Tuesday 30th of November 2010 09:57:10 PM
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Tuesday 30th of November 2010 10:36:50 PM
Rob Thorpe said
Tue Jun 1 11:26 PM, 2010
Sorry for no update last month borough listers... Here's how you all stand as of 01/06/2010:
Rob Thorpe Wigan 139 Dave Broome Wigan 130 Simon Warford Bolton 129 Simon Johnson Bury 123 Henry Cook Trafford 119 Craig Higson Wigan 112 Karen Foulkes Tameside 111 Jimmy Meadows Wigan 108 John Raynor Stockport 104 Steve Atkins Rochdale 102 Sean Sweeney Manchester 89 Geoff Hargreaves Wigan 85 Rachael Hill Tameside 78 Phil Owen Manchester 76 Tony Coatsworth Manchester 70 ? Oldham ? ? Salford ? Ian Woosey Wigan ?
Simon Johnson said
Fri May 7 12:50 PM, 2010
No Bury hasnt withdrawn from the borough listing (not yet anyway) but withdrew the list at the bottom.
Still trying and it is at 116 at present - latest addition is Black-Necked Grebe.
Can add the list back on if other people want to see how its going?
Si
Just jotted up and think its about 7 species which I have missed out on in Bury. Hope them Mergs stay till when I finish work
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Friday 7th of May 2010 01:57:09 PM
Henry Cook said
Thu May 6 9:50 AM, 2010
There are 10 metropolitan boroughs in Greater Manchester county which have fairly well defined boundaries and provide the boundaries being used for this borough birding endevour Ian. My species total below is my own personal total. About another 8 species have been seen in my own borough so far this year that have eluded me. Henry.
Ian Aspinall said
Thu May 6 9:30 AM, 2010
very new to all this birding jargon. when you post your score is it your own personal score of birds from your area and who specifies the boundaries to your area?
soz if this is a hugely obvious question but very new
yours
Ian (aspy) Aspinall
Simon Warford said
Wed May 5 3:21 PM, 2010
Rob, I dont think Bury has withdrawn, im sure the "Bury" list will re-appear soon, his total is around 114 so feel free to update the totals as at the end of Apil There is however only one winner when it comes to who can add and remove lists the most!
Karen Foulkes said
Wed May 5 12:58 PM, 2010
I was a bit too to big time, but a big to those who made 100 possible! all round and hopefully the next time I get on a bus it will be for 101! I'll never catch you Wigan lot up though
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Wednesday 5th of May 2010 07:36:25 PM
Rob Thorpe said
Tue May 4 10:58 PM, 2010
Congrats Karen
One or two listers seem to be having their own little competition to see who can remove then reinstate their list the most times!
Also, it's a shame to see that Bury have withdrawn from the contest
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Tuesday 4th of May 2010 11:04:21 PM
Rachael Hill said
Tue May 4 10:44 PM, 2010
This thread has gone a bit quiet.... but I feel a big band parade is due for KAREN!!! She (very quietly) hit the TAMESIDE TON- not a mean feat I let you know & in style with an avocet or two. Now she promised me a dance but I'd settle for a jig I know many of you will be passed the BIG 100 but us Tamesiders are quite happy with celebrating every milestone Now she will probably kill me so I'm off
Neil McCall said
Fri Apr 9 11:29 PM, 2010
We live in an inland county which has its moments but is far from being on many people's radar for a birding visit, therefore anything which gets local birders out into their local patches as opposed to chasing rarities in far-flung locations is to be applauded and actually contributes to the knowledge of our national wildlife.
There are lots of birds ranging from slightly uncommon to downright rare that you know you will get to see at major reserves, they'll be on a list which tells you which hide to spot them from and there'll probably be a host of other birders if you aren't sure how to identify it, and that's great for a day out, but think of the thrill if you just MIGHT occasionally spot the odd one of these things for yourself just down the road.
Rachael Hill said
Fri Apr 9 9:27 PM, 2010
Hi Fred et all I only started putting my borough year list on as I noticed it helps the generous people that go through our waffling posts () and summarise it in a monthly borough list (hence this thread). I am certainly not bragging & I'm definitely letting Tameside down BUT I am having loads of fun & it has led me meeting some other local birders too & some very light hearted banter especially over boundaries (my Boodle wood!) but all in good fun I think it can be interesting to know what other borough's are spotting & how some areas have either very lucky spotters or definitely more birding opportunities! I would highly recommend a go at the borough comp to anyone as it does get you to explore your own doorstep more & be that bit more persistant at finding a bird in your own borough, even if you know you can spot them easier elsewhere, very satisfying . Rae
Rob Thorpe said
Fri Apr 9 8:21 PM, 2010
fred fouracre wrote:
but putting lists at the bottom of posts i find a little bit disturbing.whats that all about.it smacks of ego and not a little boasting."ive seen more than you" etc.it has no effect on me as i couldnt care less how many species ive seen in wigan,manchester,out of county etc.and if people exist who for these reasons wont set foot out of county i find this very very sad.
-- Edited by fred fouracre on Friday 9th of April 2010 07:45:19 PM
Fred, you ask "what's that all about"? It's to let each other know how we're doing in our borough year lists, to add a little interest. The whole idea of doing a borough list is that all the birds will be fairly local. What's so sad or disturbing about that? I keep a yearlist because it encourages me to go out birding when perhaps I otherwise wouldn't bother, like if the weather is bad for example.
fred fouracre said
Fri Apr 9 7:40 PM, 2010
i have no problem with people making lists,though i dont do it myself. i consider myself to be in the less than fanatical fraternity.nevertheless i think this is an excellent site and i read it every day.ive never twitched a bird in my life unless its local to me(eg the marsh harrier at bryn flash this year).but putting lists at the bottom of posts i find a little bit disturbing.whats that all about.it smacks of ego and not a little boasting."ive seen more than you" etc.it has no effect on me as i couldnt care less how many species ive seen in wigan,manchester,out of county etc.and if people exist who for these reasons wont set foot out of county i find this very very sad.
-- Edited by fred fouracre on Friday 9th of April 2010 07:45:19 PM
Ian Woosey said
Thu Apr 8 9:20 PM, 2010
-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Thursday 8th of April 2010 09:49:45 PM
Dave Thacker said
Thu Apr 8 9:18 PM, 2010
I've been there, done all the lists and got the tee shirt so I'm certainly not going to knock anyone one who still does list every bird they see. Its just not my cup of tea anymore.
I can probably remember where I saw most birds for the first time and I still get the same buzz each time that I see them again. I enjoy my birding more now than I have ever done in my life before, its just listing them is not a priority for me.
I do enjoy putting some of my sightings on this excellent forum and certainly enjoy reading everyone else's postings and all the articles on the website. As Mike Passant mentions "its each to his/her own" and it certainly is.
Mr Woosey
First Cuckoo of 2004 most certainly was on the mosses as was most first Cuckoos of each year since 1970 and I will still enjoy watching them this year around Rindle.
Mark Rigby said
Thu Apr 8 3:16 PM, 2010
Ian Woosey wrote:
(Where was your first Cuckoo of 2004 ? )
15/05/04 at Lakenheath whilst watching 2 Golden Orioles
Mike Passant said
Wed Apr 7 10:57 PM, 2010
Somebody just said "If everyone gave up listing they'd enjoy their birding more.."
-Well that might work for some people for sure, but sorry not for me. I say each to his/her own!
I dare say I keep more lists than most birders, (literally 100's in cities, counties, states and countries all over) and I do so because for me, quite apart from being able to compare one year/ place with another, it's FUN.
I particularly enjoy doing day lists in whatever of my numerous local patches takes my fancy, and I have records for all of them; for instance 70 species for the patch I live in, 60 in a morning at Low Barns, 67 for Bishop Middleham, etc. just to cite a few examples. I think the Manchester Mayhem thing is particularly worthwhile and affords me a chance for a full day's birding in good company back in the county of my birth; that means a lot to me now as I get older. My Manchester list is pretty modest but at least I have a good chance in May of moving it along a little, even if I never hit 200. It doesn't really matter so long as I enjoy it, (all my lists will probably end up in a skip when I'm gone, anyway).
The great thing is that even after 40 years keen birding I still get a buzz out of searching and listening out for relatively common species and summer arrivals; each one counts when I'm closing in on a particular record day count, (there's so often a common species that goes all shy and elusive) and when one is switched onto everything, that's when a good bird occasionally pops up. It's also a damn good way for relatively inexperienced birders to hone their field skills and to check and check again that half glimpsed one (that just may be a Bluetail instead of a Robin!)
- Looking forward to birding down there again soon, Cheers, Mike P
Ian Woosey said
Wed Apr 7 10:17 PM, 2010
Dave Thacker wrote: If everyone did away with the lists they would enjoy the birding more I stopped listing 30 years ago.
The main reason that I keep "lists" is to remember where and when I saw a particular bird. For example - I saw my first Cuckoo of 2004 at Ashness Fell in Cumbria, on the 5th June. When I see that written down in my records, I remember that day, and what a good day it was ! Call me sad, but when I`m old and can no longer go out birding, at least I can look back at my lists and be able to recall (hopefully) happier times..........
(Where was your first Cuckoo of 2004 ? )
Dave Thacker said
Wed Apr 7 7:30 PM, 2010
Mark Rigby wrote:
Reading these posts, does it all really matter that much anyway.
Some people have World lists, Western Palearctic lists, Continent lists, Country lists, County lists, borough lists, site lists, garden lists and OS map square lists.
To have these lists in the first place, you need to have a boundary. It just so happens, that the A-Z and other mapping agencies have produced maps that have a nice black line that tells you whether or not you are in your own boundary. Its your own personal choice what those boundaries are!
But not to recognise other borough's than your own just because you think you are still in Lancashire and the others are not. Bury, Bolton, Rochdale, Oldham etc were all once in Lancashire, just like Wigan once was.
The Manchester Birding website is a valuble asset for us all to record, discuss and learn about birds within a boundary which most of us recognise!
Its simple really, its each to thier own. Count whatever you want, where you want and enjoy doing it, because after all, thats why we do it!
Well Said Mark.
If everyone did away with the lists they would enjoy the birding more I stopped listing 30 years ago.
Steve Suttill said
Wed Apr 7 2:51 PM, 2010
As a native of the West Riding of Yorkshire (all you Lancastrians turn off now ) who lives in a house which was built in said West Riding, "moved" to Lancashire and then "moved" to Greater Manchester, I can sympathise. I'd go with the idea of returning to vice-counties if the junction of 3 of them wasn't 100yards from my front door
As boundaries will always be changing, you could adopt (as some bird clubs have done) the BTO system of using Ordnance Survey 10km squares, so you pie-eaters could have an SD50 list.
Another alternative would be to forget all these new-fangled boundary definitions and go back to pre-Roman times when all of what is now Greater Manchester, most of Lancashire and Yorkshire was ruled one celtic tribe. Brigantium list anyone?
After all, what have the Romans ever done for us?
Steve
Ian Woosey said
Wed Apr 7 10:21 AM, 2010
Geoff Hargreaves wrote:
On a lighter/darker note my recent visit to Haigh Country Park didn,t slip past the local,s (seems their toes are very sensitive)i,ve had at least one malicious text,and an email that led to a very heated debate in the sanctus factory outlet,it,s offical they don,t issue permits for Haigh Hall just bags of very nice balls.I try the Legs of Man top end bar before I give up
cheers geoff
My dear Mr Hargreaves,
As Haigh Country Park is a Royal Park, only descendants of William de Bradshaigh or the Earls of Crawford & Balcarres are allowed birding rights (of which we, viz Woosey, Risley, Broome & Meadows, have). Poachers will be shot - you had a very lucky escape !
Mark Rigby said
Wed Apr 7 9:27 AM, 2010
Reading these posts, does it all really matter that much anyway.
Some people have World lists, Western Palearctic lists, Continent lists, Country lists, County lists, borough lists, site lists, garden lists and OS map square lists.
To have these lists in the first place, you need to have a boundary. It just so happens, that the A-Z and other mapping agencies have produced maps that have a nice black line that tells you whether or not you are in your own boundary. Its your own personal choice what those boundaries are!
But not to recognise other borough's than your own just because you think you are still in Lancashire and the others are not. Bury, Bolton, Rochdale, Oldham etc were all once in Lancashire, just like Wigan once was.
The Manchester Birding website is a valuble asset for us all to record, discuss and learn about birds within a boundary which most of us recognise!
Its simple really, its each to thier own. Count whatever you want, where you want and enjoy doing it, because after all, thats why we do it!
Ian Boote said
Tue Apr 6 11:29 PM, 2010
tongue in cheek YEH IT DOES
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 6 11:21 PM, 2010
Does Greater Manchester exist?
Can you find a modern map with anything other than the Greater Manchester County boundary on it? Does your Police Force and Fire Service not have Greater Manchester proudly emblazoned across their every piece if equipment, personnel included? Does your official annual county bird report for the area not come from the Greater Manchester Bird Recording Group and cover Greater Manchester? Sure politics may muddy the waters and personal opinion further contribute (perhaps even more so), I personally don't know many people who will happily write Greater Manchester on their address (I do ) but we are what we are and we live where we live and for the latter that's officially in Greater Manchester since 1974. I'm afraid there is no escape from that!
Lancheshyorkbyshire Birding doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?
Geoff Hargreaves said
Tue Apr 6 10:45 PM, 2010
On a lighter/darker note my recent visit to Haigh Country Park didn,t slip past the local,s (seems their toes are very sensitive)i,ve had at least one malicious text,and an email that led to a very heated debate in the sanctus factory outlet,it,s offical they don,t issue permits for Haigh Hall just bags of very nice balls.I try the Legs of Man top end bar before I give up
cheers geoff
Ian Boote said
Tue Apr 6 10:36 PM, 2010
It is interestng reading. It sounds like a quango heaven. I still would not take my chances on bury market tellling people snaffling black pudings that they live in Manchester Greater or not.
dave broome said
Tue Apr 6 10:24 PM, 2010
A new tier of authority, covering the whole of GM has been proposed by GM's 10 local authorities. See www.agma.gov.uk
Ian Woosey said
Tue Apr 6 10:20 PM, 2010
Ian Boote wrote: I raise the point does Greater Manchester exist?
Here lies the answer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Manchester
Interesting reading...........
Ian Boote said
Tue Apr 6 10:14 PM, 2010
Just to add my 2p. Greater Manchester County Council ceased to exist in 1986 culled by Mrs Thatcher. Unitary authorities replaced them. So its not clear if GMC actually exists. Tameside, where I hark from was combination of old Lancashire and cheshire and I think Yorkshire. I'm an old crock, but not an ancient one and can still remember pre GMC. You still get rather daft line splitting on the rossendale bury rochdale border on castle hill road with a short hop of any bird landing in three two or one of those areas and counted or not accordingly by obsessive line marking. I am not sure if Hyde as anything in common with Hindley apart from many people in both towns may not consider themselves as Greater Mancunians. Of course you can be in denial and that Greater Manchester has never, or should never exist and pine for a golden era of old counties. In Hyde many people I know cling to an address that ends in Cheshire. And why not. I accept the general point of an area of the conurbation where sighting can be counted but I raise the point does Greater Manchester exist?
Rachael Hill said
Tue Apr 6 9:15 PM, 2010
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Would I twitch a bird in the borough for my list now though? You betcha I would
Me & a fellow Tamesider both twitched a mute swan & a little grebe! Times are hard!! I have found the borough competition loads of fun.... & much cheaper with the price of fuel Oh, & I've just twitched a pallid swift in Suffolk (abandoning mother in car!) & yes I know that's not Tameside but couldn't resist
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 6 7:13 PM, 2010
Rob, I know exactly where you're coming from but for me personally it doesn't exactly work that way.
Of all the rare and scarce I've found in the county the excitement comes from finding a bird out of context, away from where it should be, lost as it were, not from it merely being in this county as such. It's of course exciting that it's around where I live but if it were elsewhere in landlocked Britain then I assure you I'd be equally as happy. I don't keep a county list nor have I any interest in one yet I keep a borough list and am fairly passionate about it. Why? Probably simply because I'm at the top and want to stay there! I've never twitched a borough bird just because I've needed it for that list, in fact all those birds on it are there just because I've been an active birder in the borough for so long (old git!) and had never considered a list for it until I put them on the website for a bit of interest etc. Would I twitch a bird in the borough for my list now though? You betcha I would
That's not of course, to say I'm not passionate about the county because clearly I am. I have and continue to spend considerable time, effort and money in the Manchester Birding ethos of 'encouraging, improving and enjoying county birding', I live here and plan to make the most of what we've got. I am a passionate advocate of Greater Manchester, yes, but I'm just here for the birds at the end of the day (where ever they are) and if by encouraging and improving county birding that contributes to more good birds around where I live then I'll be a happier man.
Unfortunately, despite the banter involved in both this thread and borough birding, sometimes 'boundary birding' can go too far. I'm not talking about anything in this thread or going on in the website but some birders simply wouldn't contemplate being invloved in Greater Manchester just because they don't recognise it's exisitence. Crazy? Some birders ignoring the county aren't old enough to even remember pre-Greater Manchester, let alone have birded in it (and the one's that can are soooo old)!
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Apr 6 5:34 PM, 2010
Ian McKerchar wrote:
JOHN TYMON wrote:
And apparently im Irish who would have thowt that,i always thowt we were true leythersthen again i get through a few sack o spuds each wik
John, I would have always said there was some Irish in you
Always wondered were i got my appitite fer Draught Guiness ,when i were youngersaw an old mate a few weeks ago ,id not seen for 20 years,and i said id have to visit him,and have 17 pints o guiness,and his reply was why have you had to cut down so much on the Drinkin
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 6th of April 2010 05:41:25 PM
Rob Thorpe said
Tue Apr 6 5:33 PM, 2010
But it's these invisible boundaries that make the birds we find "special" Ian. You must agree that, for example, finding a Shorelark in your home, landlocked, western borough would feel a lot more special than just finding a Shorelark somewhere in Britain...
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Apr 6 5:22 PM, 2010
JOHN TYMON wrote:
And apparently im Irish who would have thowt that,i always thowt we were true leythersthen again i get through a few sack o spuds each wik
John, I would have always said there was some Irish in you
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Apr 6 5:12 PM, 2010
And apparently im Irish who would have thowt that,i always thowt we were true leythersthen again i get through a few sack o spuds each wik
Manchester is tricky but I did have some good birds for the Borough such as Willow Tit, Tree Pipit, Mandarin and Spotted Flycatcher.
I managed to get to see most of the species at the other sites so with a bit of luck and a trip or two to Heaton Park, the 100 is a target that can hopefully be achieved in 2011!!
-- Edited by Phil Owen on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 07:05:49 PM
I had some interesting records last year with woodcock, black necked grebe, ruddy duck, little ringed plover, green woodpecker, yellow legged gull, egyptian goose, scaup, pintail, green sandpiper, arctic tern and yellowhammer being some off the highlights, but a bit more effort during migration periods will definitely pay off this year. Good luck to all this year, sean.
All the very best New Year wishes to all subscribers to this forum. Have a great 2011.
Cheers, John
A year of total commitment from all the borough lister. well done to the lot of you.
keep Birding
to the bitter end
Indeed, I am fighting for Tameside pride now, it seems, and hopefully I have the weapons to battle back to 5th
and go on the hunt,anyone got a cert merlin in wigan???
to the bitter end
I have a suspicion that Mr Hargreaves may have added Waxwing within the last couple of days(?), so Tameside might not be back just yet
New rules though- birds in the East count double,just to make it fair!
Thanks Geoff
I've reconfigured the list to reflect your updated total. Seems you've pushed Tameside out of the top 5 (back where it belongs some might say
cheers geoff
So, just one month to go and just one species separating the top 3:
30/11/2010
Simon Warford Bolton 146
Rob Thorpe Wigan 146
Dave Broome Wigan 145
Simon Johnson Bury 136
Geoff Hargreaves Wigan 128
Karen Foulkes Tameside 127
Simon Hitchen Rochdale 124
Craig Higson Wigan 120
Henry Cook Trafford 119
Jimmy Meadows Wigan 119
Steve Atkins Rochdale 117
John Raynor Stockport 112
Sean Sweeney Manchester 89
Phil Owen Manchester 84
Tony Coatsworth Manchester 74
Rachael Hill Tameside ?
? Oldham ?
? Salford ?
Sorry if I've missed anyone.
I'm still holding out hope that people have been keeping Oldham and Salford lists, and with any luck they might make them public soon
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Tuesday 30th of November 2010 09:57:10 PM
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Tuesday 30th of November 2010 10:36:50 PM
Here's how you all stand as of 01/06/2010:
Rob Thorpe Wigan 139
Dave Broome Wigan 130
Simon Warford Bolton 129
Simon Johnson Bury 123
Henry Cook Trafford 119
Craig Higson Wigan 112
Karen Foulkes Tameside 111
Jimmy Meadows Wigan 108
John Raynor Stockport 104
Steve Atkins Rochdale 102
Sean Sweeney Manchester 89
Geoff Hargreaves Wigan 85
Rachael Hill Tameside 78
Phil Owen Manchester 76
Tony Coatsworth Manchester 70
? Oldham ?
? Salford ?
Ian Woosey Wigan ?
Still trying and it is at 116 at present - latest addition is Black-Necked Grebe.
Can add the list back on if other people want to see how its going?
Si
Just jotted up and think its about 7 species which I have missed out on in Bury. Hope them Mergs stay till when I finish work
-- Edited by Simon Johnson on Friday 7th of May 2010 01:57:09 PM
My species total below is my own personal total. About another 8 species have been seen in my own borough so far this year that have eluded me.
Henry.
soz if this is a hugely obvious question but very new
yours
Ian (aspy) Aspinall
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Wednesday 5th of May 2010 07:36:25 PM
One or two listers seem to be having their own little competition to see who can remove then reinstate their list the most times!
Also, it's a shame to see that Bury have withdrawn from the contest
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Tuesday 4th of May 2010 11:04:21 PM
She (very quietly) hit the TAMESIDE TON- not a mean feat I let you know & in style with an avocet or two. Now she promised me a dance but I'd settle for a jig
I know many of you will be passed the BIG 100 but us Tamesiders are quite happy with celebrating every milestone
Now she will probably kill me so I'm off
There are lots of birds ranging from slightly uncommon to downright rare that you know you will get to see at major reserves, they'll be on a list which tells you which hide to spot them from and there'll probably be a host of other birders if you aren't sure how to identify it, and that's great for a day out, but think of the thrill if you just MIGHT occasionally spot the odd one of these things for yourself just down the road.
I only started putting my borough year list on as I noticed it helps the generous people that go through our waffling posts (
I think it can be interesting to know what other borough's are spotting & how some areas have either very lucky spotters or definitely more birding opportunities!
I would highly recommend a go at the borough comp to anyone as it does get you to explore your own doorstep more & be that bit more persistant at finding a bird in your own borough, even if you know you can spot them easier elsewhere, very satisfying
Rae
Fred, you ask "what's that all about"? It's to let each other know how we're doing in our borough year lists, to add a little interest. The whole idea of doing a borough list is that all the birds will be fairly local. What's so sad or disturbing about that? I keep a yearlist because it encourages me to go out birding when perhaps I otherwise wouldn't bother, like if the weather is bad for example.
-- Edited by fred fouracre on Friday 9th of April 2010 07:45:19 PM
-- Edited by Ian Woosey on Thursday 8th of April 2010 09:49:45 PM
I can probably remember where I saw most birds for the first time and I still get the same buzz each time that I see them again. I enjoy my birding more now than I have ever done in my life before, its just listing them is not a priority for me.
I do enjoy putting some of my sightings on this excellent forum and certainly enjoy reading everyone else's postings and all the articles on the website. As Mike Passant mentions "its each to his/her own" and it certainly is.
Mr Woosey
First Cuckoo of 2004 most certainly was on the mosses as was most first Cuckoos of each year since 1970 and I will still enjoy watching them this year around Rindle.
-Well that might work for some people for sure, but sorry not for me. I say each to his/her own!
I dare say I keep more lists than most birders, (literally 100's in cities, counties, states and countries all over) and I do so because for me, quite apart from being able to compare one year/ place with another, it's FUN.
I particularly enjoy doing day lists in whatever of my numerous local patches takes my fancy, and I have records for all of them; for instance 70 species for the patch I live in, 60 in a morning at Low Barns, 67 for Bishop Middleham, etc. just to cite a few examples.
I think the Manchester Mayhem thing is particularly worthwhile and affords me a chance for a full day's birding in good company back in the county of my birth; that means a lot to me now as I get older. My Manchester list is pretty modest but at least I have a good chance in May of moving it along a little, even if I never hit 200.
It doesn't really matter so long as I enjoy it, (all my lists will probably end up in a skip when I'm gone, anyway).
The great thing is that even after 40 years keen birding I still get a buzz out of searching and listening out for relatively common species and summer arrivals; each one counts when I'm closing in on a particular record day count, (there's so often a common species that goes all shy and elusive) and when one is switched onto everything, that's when a good bird occasionally pops up. It's also a damn good way for relatively inexperienced birders to hone their field skills and to check and check again that half glimpsed one (that just may be a Bluetail instead of a Robin!)
- Looking forward to birding down there again soon,
Cheers,
Mike P
The main reason that I keep "lists" is to remember where and when I saw a particular bird. For example - I saw my first Cuckoo of 2004 at Ashness Fell in Cumbria, on the 5th June. When I see that written down in my records, I remember that day, and what a good day it was ! Call me sad, but when I`m old and can no longer go out birding, at least I can look back at my lists and be able to recall (hopefully) happier times..........
(Where was your first Cuckoo of 2004 ?
Well Said Mark.
If everyone did away with the lists they would enjoy the birding more
I stopped listing 30 years ago.
As boundaries will always be changing, you could adopt (as some bird clubs have done) the BTO system of using Ordnance Survey 10km squares, so you pie-eaters could have an SD50 list.
Another alternative would be to forget all these new-fangled boundary definitions and go back to pre-Roman times when all of what is now Greater Manchester, most of Lancashire and Yorkshire was ruled one celtic tribe. Brigantium list anyone?
After all, what have the Romans ever done for us?
Steve
My dear Mr Hargreaves,
As Haigh Country Park is a Royal Park, only descendants of William de Bradshaigh or the Earls of Crawford & Balcarres are allowed birding rights (of which we, viz Woosey, Risley, Broome & Meadows, have). Poachers will be shot - you had a very lucky escape !
Some people have World lists, Western Palearctic lists, Continent lists, Country lists, County lists, borough lists, site lists, garden lists and OS map square lists.
To have these lists in the first place, you need to have a boundary. It just so happens, that the A-Z and other mapping agencies have produced maps that have a nice black line that tells you whether or not you are in your own boundary. Its your own personal choice what those boundaries are!
But not to recognise other borough's than your own just because you think you are still in Lancashire and the others are not. Bury, Bolton, Rochdale, Oldham etc were all once in Lancashire, just like Wigan once was.
The Manchester Birding website is a valuble asset for us all to record, discuss and learn about birds within a boundary which most of us recognise!
Its simple really, its each to thier own. Count whatever you want, where you want and enjoy doing it, because after all, thats why we do it!
YEH IT DOES
Can you find a modern map with anything other than the Greater Manchester County boundary on it? Does your Police Force and Fire Service not have Greater Manchester proudly emblazoned across their every piece if equipment, personnel included? Does your official annual county bird report for the area not come from the Greater Manchester Bird Recording Group and cover Greater Manchester? Sure politics may muddy the waters and personal opinion further contribute (perhaps even more so), I personally don't know many people who will happily write Greater Manchester on their address (I do
Lancheshyorkbyshire Birding doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?
(seems their toes are very sensitive)
cheers geoff
See www.agma.gov.uk
Here lies the answer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Manchester
Interesting reading...........
Me & a fellow Tamesider both twitched a mute swan & a little grebe! Times are hard!! I have found the borough competition loads of fun.... & much cheaper with the price of fuel
Oh, & I've just twitched a pallid swift in Suffolk (abandoning mother in car!)
& yes I know that's not Tameside but couldn't resist
Of all the rare and scarce I've found in the county the excitement comes from finding a bird out of context, away from where it should be, lost as it were, not from it merely being in this county as such. It's of course exciting that it's around where I live but if it were elsewhere in landlocked Britain then I assure you I'd be equally as happy. I don't keep a county list nor have I any interest in one yet I keep a borough list and am fairly passionate about it. Why? Probably simply because I'm at the top and want to stay there! I've never twitched a borough bird just because I've needed it for that list, in fact all those birds on it are there just because I've been an active birder in the borough for so long (old git!) and had never considered a list for it until I put them on the website for a bit of interest etc. Would I twitch a bird in the borough for my list now though? You betcha I would
That's not of course, to say I'm not passionate about the county because clearly I am. I have and continue to spend considerable time, effort and money in the Manchester Birding ethos of 'encouraging, improving and enjoying county birding', I live here and plan to make the most of what we've got. I am a passionate advocate of Greater Manchester, yes, but I'm just here for the birds at the end of the day (where ever they are) and if by encouraging and improving county birding that contributes to more good birds around where I live then I'll be a happier man.
Unfortunately, despite the banter involved in both this thread and borough birding, sometimes 'boundary birding' can go too far. I'm not talking about anything in this thread or going on in the website but some birders simply wouldn't contemplate being invloved in Greater Manchester just because they don't recognise it's exisitence. Crazy? Some birders ignoring the county aren't old enough to even remember pre-Greater Manchester, let alone have birded in it (and the one's that can are soooo old
Always wondered were i got my appitite fer Draught Guiness ,when i were younger
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 6th of April 2010 05:41:25 PM
John, I would have always said there was some Irish in you