My Dad and I started the birding year with a walk from home (Ashton-in-Makerfield) today. We went through Viridor Wood, Abram Flashes, Wigan Flashes and Three Sisters. The walk took 6 hours and we managed 68 species (64 seen, 4 heard-only). The highlights were a male Blackcap in our garden, a Bittern at Hawlkey Reedbed and a Woodcock at the Three Sisters. A nice start to 2009
Paul Heaton said
Tue Dec 30 8:19 PM, 2008
Mr Rigby point 1. I dont have a white van, oh how my sides nearly split with laughter
I fancy the seaside on New years day so I know its a sin but I might hop over the border.
The Snowy Owl in Cornwall has my interest as well.
As for the pressgang stay away from them its a hard slog, and the silent meals club is crap, been there a few times this year.
keep birding.
Mark Rigby said
Tue Dec 30 6:13 PM, 2008
Geoff Hargreaves wrote:
And can I politley ask has anyone been pressganged as the 2009 yearlister
Just to put the record straight-it is not me
There are some people spreading vicious rumours about
Maybe in a couple of years, but my reasons are below.
1) I dont have a white van. 2) Work. 3) My local patch is Castleshaw! 4) New yearlist bird or lifer on East coast-lifer wins every time (but I may grow out of that at some stage) 5) The inabillity to relax and switch off, due to the chance of missing a year bird. 6) The silent meals club.
But more important after speaking to a couple of birders who have attempted a yearlist in the past is:-
7) It takes the fun away from Birding, and you dont spend time actually birding but chasing your tail.
No, I dont think even in a couple of years I will attempt it. But well done to those who have in the past and especially Mr Heaton with his record breaking attempt this year. Will it ever be beaten?
Geoff Hargreaves said
Tue Dec 30 4:19 PM, 2008
I,ll be out of the county this year and unable to help anyone trying to smash the big 81, so come on out of your shells ,nail your flag to the post,Whose aving a go??
And can I politley ask has anyone been pressganged as the 2009 yearlister
cheers geoff
A nice start to 2009
I fancy the seaside on New years day so I know its a sin but I might hop over the border.
The Snowy Owl in Cornwall has my interest as well.
As for the pressgang stay away from them its a hard slog, and the silent meals club is crap, been there a few times this year.
keep birding.
Just to put the record straight-it is not me
There are some people spreading vicious rumours about
Maybe in a couple of years, but my reasons are below.
1) I dont have a white van.
2) Work.
3) My local patch is Castleshaw!
4) New yearlist bird or lifer on East coast-lifer wins every time (but I may grow out of that at some stage)
5) The inabillity to relax and switch off, due to the chance of missing a year bird.
6) The silent meals club.
But more important after speaking to a couple of birders who have attempted a yearlist in the past is:-
7) It takes the fun away from Birding, and you dont spend time actually birding but chasing your tail.
No, I dont think even in a couple of years I will attempt it. But well done to those who have in the past and especially Mr Heaton with his record breaking attempt this year.