THE GREATER MANCHESTER 200 CLUB.

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

RE: THE GREATER MANCHESTER 200 CLUB.

Craig Higson · Status: Offline

Probably not for long Tim. Every time I manage to string two or three decent days birding together something crops up that sees me sidelined for months. I think the two GM ticks in the last two weeks must be the first time that's happened since I started birding!

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Craig Higson wrote:

Right -the Glossy Ibis has now left me with just 7 more needed to join the ranks of the 200 club. Bit gutted because this would have been so much less had a few birds hung around this year but a concerted effort this autumn should see me add a few more to take me within striking distance.

We have drawn level as I struggle to stay ahead of Mr. Passant's dedicated pursuit of birds hundreds of miles away from where he lives!

Correction! You're 1 ahead
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Wednesday 23rd of October 2013 07:51:08 PM

-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Wednesday 23rd of October 2013 07:53:51 PM

Geoff Hargreaves · Status: Offline

The Library needed dusting so I was called in again,on my break I happened to dislodge the 1978 copy of Birds in Greater Manchester,a Great Grey Shrike adorning it,s cover promted me to don the white gloves and dig a little deeper.Oh my 72 to 85 an annual visitor,some of them very long stayers,some wandering over several sites,some reported for 1 day only,but I can only draw a glimmer of hope that the Astley bird is yet to be refound. biggrin

cheers geoff biggrin

Craig Higson · Status: Offline

Right -the Glossy Ibis has now left me with just 7 more needed to join the ranks of the 200 club. Bit gutted because this would have been so much less had a few birds hung around this year but a concerted effort this autumn should see me add a few more to take me within striking distance.

Mike Passant · Status: Offline

Dear Mr. Heaton,

In the master's words, "nobody's ranking is safe!"

I suspect you have been undertaking some serious scientific analysis of late, which prompts you to be wary of a certain Mr. Rayner.
Of the established 200 club members, since 05/05/2010 (the base date for my previous measure of progress), the said Mr. Rayner has indeed added the most to his G M list (15 up to 03/10/2013), closely followed by a certain Mr. Rigby on 13 additions.
However Miss K. Foulkes has herself added 13 since joining the elite some 14 months later in July 2011, and is also a clear and present danger, (as possibly is Iain Johnson who surely has undeclared "goodies" hidden up his sleeves?)

Of the waiters, valet parkers and cloakroom attendents, Ian Campbell added 34 species in the 41 months from 05/05/2010 to reach 203, and in September left the lower ranks to became the most recent to gain membership of the club at the time of writing this.

In May 2010 there were I recall 16 declared 200 club members, since when, some have come out of the closet, 2 have withdrawn their lists, leaving presently 23 in the honourable company.

Does the clubhouse need an extension yet to the dining hall? (-As several noted big eaters plan to gatecrash you lot next year).

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Dear John, yes we are truly driven and dedicated, however we are also as mad as hatters.

Have no worry regarding your mid 150 list, in fact think of all the fun days you are going to have over the coming days, weeks months.....years...

We on the other hand have been there done that, and cling to dreams and hopes. It is after all just a bit of fun..

Enjoy your birding.

ps if you can trip up Mr Raynor at the next twitch, that will be nice, the mans going to over take me soon.

john tromans · Status: Offline

I salute all you 200 members .. you are dedicated bunch and are truly driven and dedicated twitchers.
I am way behind in the mid 150s and have a long way to go. I was at the Great Skua twitch at Audenshaw with John Rayner and the banter between the top listers was great to hear looking in from the outside. They cannot afford to miss out on any new bird for their lists.
Will I try to catch up a little? .. not sure, but the bug could bite as there a lot of 'easier' birds yet to go for.
I do have some blockers i.e. Desert Wheatear, Black Faced Bunting, Little Bunting and River Warbler.
September has seen me add Pectoral Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis, Lesser Scaup and last night Great Skua. I suppose the fact that I am typing this post is a indication I could join in.
I will give it some thought!

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

What a tremendous sight it was last night, when a large migration of 200 Club members all arrived on masse at Audenshaw, posh shirts ties uniforms, I do wonder what excuses you gave to leave work early?
I was slightly disappointed with the number of puffing and out of breath members we had, steaming under the collar, with the same line of " I am getting to old for this !" well gentleman the answer is simple yes we are!!!

However we have no choice, The master, sends his text message out, and whens its a county tick, we TWITCH, we cannot help it, its in our blood, we just have to go, and deep down we love it.

One excuse last night was " I only do it to keep up with you

" how strange I thought I was only there to try and catch them up, and we were all there to get us closer to the awe inspiring Pete Berry, who is going to be the first GM birder to reach 250.

Gentlemen I doff my hat to you all, You are worthy of the title Twitcher, you may want to be a birder! which you can stand proud and say you are a Birder, but you have a deep rooted condition that cannot be cured, we are Twitchers..

Well done to the gentleman who found the Skua, a wonderful bird, thank you for sharing your find.

Keep Birding

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Congratulations to Ian Campbell. I'm still chipping away but the Lesser Scaup has left me with 10 birds to go. And I still don't have Sandwich Tern, Spotted Redshank and Snow Bunting

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

MR IAN CAMPBELL...Congratulations and Welcome to The Greater Manchester 200 Club, so pleased to have you as a member, and what a 24 hours wait you had to have, knowing your 200th bird was there, but unable to get to it quickly, a sterling effort.

You can bird in Gm with an extra spring in your step now,in the sure knowledge that you are part of an elite band of lunatics.

Geoff my dear man, you are only 13 away, will not be long now till we let you have a members card, keep at it..

Ian sorry for the delay I have been somewhat tied up with other matters recently..

Geoff Hargreaves · Status: Offline

Well done Ian,I,d love to raise a glass with you at the annual bash but I,m still stuck parking cars and hanging coats up biggrin

I,ll probably get my bus pass before my membership card furious

cheers geoff biggrin

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

No doubt Ian Campbell will get an official welcome from the 200 club very soon. However as an aspiring GM lister,
with some way to go , may I say congratulations and well done!

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

fantastic efforts from them both, they almost made it to the GM200 club in one year, thats amazing, i recently watched the twitchers video and Lee Evans commented on doing 80,000 miles a year twitching round britain, at least twitching round GM wont be as expensive though im guessing the pressure is the same,

its a real challenge to do a county year list, youve got to go for every bird, a lot of committment, hats off to you both

Mike Passant · Status: Offline

Well done to the year listing duo (Karen and Mark that is, as if you didn´t know who I meant).

They do of course have the possibility in the future each for an upgrade as well should Amer. Black Tern acquire full species status.
It´s ironic in a way that what arguably could be seen as Greater Manchester´s bird of 2012 does not yet count as a full species.

Best wishes from Madrid!

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

The 200 Clubs doffs its Hats and Caps tonight and raises a hearty cheer to Mr Rigby and Ms Foulkes on their outstanding achievement in year listing, well done to both of you.

You have to be mad to do it, ( i know

) I am sure the next madman is just around the corner, or on the moss ( methinks Mr Cook might be having a go )

Enjoy your birding.

Mike Passant · Status: Offline

Hi Paul,

I met you briefly in passing as you were heading round for the Pied-billed Grebe at Hollingworth Lake.

Firstly, well done on reaching 180 for your Gr. Man. list; -you're 90% of the way now to the magic threshold!

I've no doubt that like Tim Wilcox, you'll also pass me again as my opportunities to justify trips down to Manchester diminish, as I prefer to have a go when there are two or more target species in the offing, (simply from the expense point of view).

I still need a few relatively common species like Turnstone and Merlin, and of course a wild Pintail, since I crossed off the Pennington long stayer earlier this year.

I wouldn't normally make a special trip for these unless I happened to be visiting family anyway in Gr. Manchester; - also with autumn migration underway, it's not advisable to stray too far from the N. East!

Cheers, and best wishes in your quest,
Mike P.

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Now that my son has moved to Manchester and won't be staying at mine every weekend, I may start to make a push (slowly) to get towards the magical 200. At last - got to 180 today with a great bird at Penny.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Mike Passant wrote:

Greetings to Mr. Heaton and to Mr. Wilcox, (in whose rear view mirror I sit).

Having largely completed my quota of chores at this end these last three months, I am now poised with fuel tank full and optics cleaned, ready for a serious onslaught within Greater Manchester. It just remains for some Star Birds to turn up, (preferably in a mixed flock, all together).
The only inhibition lurking in my mind is that it could be foolhardy to leave the N.E. now that September is upon us.

200 therefore remains a distant mirage, a figment of my imagination and dreams; - realistically beyond expectation.
In the context of my progress over the last year, (2 additions and one deduction;- the latter being the Plastic Pennington Pintail) a more realistic, though still ambitious target, is 185 over the next six months.

Regards,
Mr. P.

? Mr Passant, did you have prior knowledge of the Petrel at Penninigton when you wrote this

Cheers Ian

Mike Passant · Status: Offline

Greetings to Mr. Heaton and to Mr. Wilcox, (in whose rear view mirror I sit).

Having largely completed my quota of chores at this end these last three months, I am now poised with fuel tank full and optics cleaned, ready for a serious onslaught within Greater Manchester. It just remains for some Star Birds to turn up, (preferably in a mixed flock, all together).
The only inhibition lurking in my mind is that it could be foolhardy to leave the N.E. now that September is upon us.

200 therefore remains a distant mirage, a figment of my imagination and dreams; - realistically beyond expectation.
In the context of my progress over the last year, (2 additions and one deduction;- the latter being the Plastic Pennington Pintail) a more realistic, though still ambitious target, is 185 over the next six months.

Regards,
Mr. P.

Tim Wilcox · Status: Offline

Well still 18 to go for me with one possible in the Rarities Committee pipeline - like waiting for a a car in the Soviet Union

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

An away from the club and out of county is planned for this weekend the 15th September 2012 at Rostherne Mere, there is an open day to celebrate its 50 years, tea and cakes guided walks, should be very pleasant
10-4 all welcome.

Geoff Hargreaves · Status: Offline

Ah well

If I ever get to 199 I,ll keep a sitter in reserve so the BOU can fester in their own indecision

,

cheers geoff

dave broome · Status: Offline

Andy Bissitt wrote:

Geoff Hargreaves wrote:

Well i,ll ask is American Black Tern a 200 club tick or do I have to leave a blank space on my gravestone waiting of someone to make their mind up

cheers geoff

I don't imagine that anyone breeds/keeps American Black Terns on this side of the Atlantic, unlike all the U.S. ducks that have made it onto people's lists, so why not?

Geoff's stonemason is presumably waiting for taxonomists to analyse the mDNA of what is currently classed as a race of Black Tern, rather than the decision of the BBRC on whether to accept the record of this smart bird

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

As far as Manchester Birding lists go I'm afraid you'll have to wait until the powers that be make their minds up Geoff as American Black Tern is currently treated as a race of Black Tern by the BOU

Andy Bissitt · Status: Offline

Geoff Hargreaves wrote:

Well i,ll ask is American Black Tern a 200 club tick or do I have to leave a blank space on my gravestone waiting of someone to make their mind up

cheers geoff

I don't imagine that anyone breeds/keeps American Black Terns on this side of the Atlantic, unlike all the U.S. ducks that have made it onto people's lists, so why not?

Geoff Hargreaves · Status: Offline

Well i,ll ask

is American Black Tern a 200 club tick or do I have to leave a blank space on my gravestone waiting of someone to make their mind up

cheers geoff

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

What an excellent turn out today at Pennington Flash, the shores of the flash were littered with Club members Gm Birders and waifs and strays from other counties as well, excellent bird well done to the finders.

Steve Suttill · Status: Offline

Can't give you an answer, Paul, but it seems significant that the American Audubon Society uses a circle of the same radius for its Christmas Bird Counts.

30 Miles (15 there and 15 back) was a gentle evening stroll for a Victorian naturalist, after a day's work at t'mill. We're a bunch of wimps these days

Steve

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

In the 1959 MOS bird report the recording area was a 15 mile radius from the town hall, it does not say who? or why ? 15 miles was chosen,

The only reference I can find that helps is in Country Rambles and Manchester walks and wild flowers by Leo H.Grindon ( 1882) which says taking the area which would be marked out by measuring a circle round the Exchange, fifteen miles from it in every direction, six hundred different species were catalogued in 1840,

I believe this was taken from the Flora Mancuniensis ,

So why 15 miles ?

sorry if i have asked this before, I have no record of any answer.

?

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Mr Passent, I did indeed sell my soul to the devil in 2008, it was the only way I could reach my target for the year list attempt.

As for my looks ! Ian used a photograph of me in the meet the manky birders article

As spring approaches I can feel the hordes of migrant birds just waiting to pass over our borders, and these without a doubt will increase your GM list, as well as your fuel bill.

I hold you in the highest esteem in your attempts to gain membership to the GM 200 Club, and wish you all the success you deserve, as for your advise on finding Hawfinches recently that was inspirational.

If you find yourself staying overnight in GM , I will stand you a glass of mead in the clubhouse.

Have no fear, and enjoy your journey

Mike Passant · Status: Offline

Dear Mr. Heaton,

Never having met you, (though I have it on good authority from those who have, that you are exceedingly handsome and a fellow of considerable charm), it crossed my mind to make enquiries about you; - though not without a slight degree of trepidation.
Could it be said of you that you resemble (even to a minuscule degree) either Bela Lugosi, or Christopher Lee?
Both these well known and most distinguished film actors have famously played the part of Count Dracula at one time or another, and of course as vampires, could be literally said to deliver the"kiss of death" to their respective victims, normally beautiful gullible young ladies, suitably beguiled and caught with (at the very least) their guards down and necks invitingly exposed.
You very graciously passed congratulatory remarks on September 12th last on my reaching 180 for Greater Manchester. I have not progressed one iota since then in the ensuing 6 months (well it will be 6 months in the morning), and I fear you have delivered a kiss of death of sorts.
Please reassure me that you are not sir, in league with "dark forces", that I might renew my quest and get amongst next month's influx of hoards of rare migrants in full heart and without qualms.

Worried of Wolsingham

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

After a nice tip off from a very kind birder, I was able today to complete the Manchester bird report collection, after finally obtaining the very hard to find 1964/1971 mos reports.

The 200 Club now has a full perfect copy of bird reports from 1959 to date.

Thank you to all that have helped.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Well done to Pete Berry, is there no stopping this outstanding lister, the man is going for the solo 250 Club, but will he be the only one... no Mr Rob Adderley the man of the White-billed Diver fame is keeping him firm in his sights.

Top listing Gentlemen, the committee doff their caps to you both, and say a hearty cheer to Mrs Adderley as well.

keep it up.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

A Happy New Year to one and all, good luck and best wishes with your birding for 2012.

Great Grey shrike would be an acceptable bird for 2012.

Keep Birding.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

These cold nights find me reading old favourites, the following extract made me smile,

DECEMBER 11th 1936
I visited a large mere, which I have known well all my life,and,among a great horde of teal,spotted a gadwall, a duck I had never seen there before,nor,so far as I know,has anyone else.
A couple of months ago I wrote of one that had been shot on the Lancashire coast,where the birds is a rare as it is in Cheshire. Not long ago I read in the book of an American naturalist that "infatuation with the rare is the mark of limited understanding" quite true,But the accumulation of records of the unusual ( such as these two gadwall) may lead us to alter our ideas of rarity, and perhaps call attention to a change of status or distribution in its early stages.

an extract from The Country diary of a Cheshire Man A.W.BOYD.

Mike Passant · Status: Offline

Silvio, (my Italian penfriend), now that he's retired as PM, has given me some useful tips on how to look younger. I'm trying various experiments, though unlike him, I'm avoiding any embalming enhancements.
Once I've perfected a suitable makeup strategy, I may pluck up sufficient courage to twitch Cetti's Warbler without risk of being ridiculed, (after all without some artificial enhancement, I'm not even as handsome as Rayner).

(On second thoughts, I might just get down there and pretend to be a foreigner).

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

I wouldn't worry Riggers.

He'll have forgotten the next time he sees you anyway.

Mark Rigby · Status: Offline

Thanks very much Mr.Suttill.

There was a very good chance that Mr.Rayner had forgotten about said photo given his age and all!

And you had to go and remind him!

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

In defence of Mr.Rigby I should point out that his photos, like everyone else's are not captioned by the photographers but by someone else. They just provide the images and have nothing to do with the evil, slanderous comments that accompany them

Steve Suttill · Status: Offline

I think this means Mark Rigby has a couple of options:

either recaption that photo of "Britain's Oldest Birder", or don't bother with any rarity submissions for a while

Steve

on behalf of BOB - Bearded Old Birders (Greater Manchester branch)

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Congratulations to Mr John Raynor on his newly appointed position on the County rarities committee, well done that man, another membership to a distinguished club.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Pager message today for the scillies,today read,

Pom Skua St Agnes from the Turks head, now that what I call proper birding, roll on next week, I will be there:big grin: to man the turks head bird observatory.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Mr Wilson, the 200 Club will always recognise any young persons attempt, and as such the award, member of the junior 100 club can be award to Toni:big grin:

Paul Wilson · Status: Offline

Paul Heaton wrote:

Mike Passant hit One Hundred and Eighty this weekend what a number, and I believe he twitches Manchester, just for his list, what dedication, we take our hats off to you sir!

Sue's daughter Toni managed to hit the halfway mark of 100 with the Grey Phalarope at Pennington. She is however, only 13 and only gets to go out if we take her for something we haven't seen before!

Her list of 100 is a very strange one though as it already includes things like Grey Phalarope, GN Diver, Pied-billed Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Wood Sandpiper, Little Tern, Barn Owl, SE Owl, LE Owl, Waxwing, and of course Firecrest!

We really need to take her round the county to pick up some common stuff!

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Mike Passant hit One Hundred and Eighty this weekend what a number, and I believe he twitches Manchester, just for his list, what dedication, we take our hats off to you sir!

Well done only 20 to go, if its a good Autumn you could be in for Christmas

Adrian Dancy · Status: Offline

I got up good 'n' early to find my boots still soaked from yesterday. I have lain on an east coast beach in the middle of winter with the cold north sea soaking into my shirt... but I will not go out with my boots wet!

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Well Gentleman and ladies, the club is full today, lots of members coming in out of the rain, bloody miserable out there today, still migration time and this weather may bring something in!

The Library has been busy today lots of interest in Wildfowl, Steve Madge and Hilary Burn, and lots of photocopying of pages 43 44 45 and 46 of Bird identification Alan Harris, Laurel Tucker and Keith Vinicombe, but I had to go down into the vaults to find a dusty copy of a 1920,s tome entitled Studies on Hybrid ducks by Hubert Dana Goodale, I wonder whats going on out there:big grin:

As soon as my coat drys out, I will be back out there birding, till then keep swotting up.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

A double this month sees,

Colin Moran 209 excellent
Karen Foulkes 200 after weeks of stalking Quail.

Welcome to the club.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Welcome Mr Andy Makin, and what a way to come in!!!!

Straight in with 233, you dark horse, but the lure of membership to the club was to much, I think?

You must have been bored watching these Avocets, to finally count up your GM list. now how many others are out there.

Well done that man of the moors.

Keep Birding