A very distant falcon seen from the garden just eluded me adding Hobby
to my "seen from garden" list. Would have probably counted it, if it wasn't for so
many Red Footed Falcons around at the moment!
Not a lot else being seen by me this week. The moth trap has brought in some
interesting insects with Poplar Hawk Moth, Peacock Moth, and Cream
Wave. Pretty decent quality, we don't seem to have many abundant species
here.. Brimstone is always recorded, usually within a couple of minutes of
the light going on! but usually just a single moth of this species.
Had a look on the BUBO listing website today.. Added a European Self
found life list.. which I am proudly sitting on top of right now.. The
fact no one else has entered a "self found list for Europe" is the main
reason, but I'll take glory in any shape or form! ironically, it is
probably my best achievement as I have travelled to virtually every corner of
the continent in search of birds.
I'd also like to hit 250 self found UK species, and am currently 8 short. As
you'd expect the last 8 will be tough.
The next few years might see a couple of additions in the form of an
armchair tick for Monk Parakeet (assuming they have a population boom
around Elstree), and Great Bustard (assuming they take off, and I eventually bump into one
near the re-introduction area!). Looking at the other more likely species I'm
missing, it looks like I need to spend a lot of time gazing out to sea! Cory's
Shearwater, Sabine's Gull, Leaches Petrel, Grey Phalarope to name a few. My other
option is to hit the coast in search of rarities, but this is easier said
than done! Even at the hotspots.
Failing that, a week in the Shetlands or outer Hebs would no doubt help
my cause! |
