Wildlife UK Forum - Discuss the UK countryside and wildlife

I've managed to see 100 different species of bird in Cornwall so far this year! Anyone else keeping a year list?

Wow, that's good going - it's only just gone Mid January. I guess I keep a sort of year list, in that I note everything I see when I visit somewhere. I also keep a 'life' list, but that's about it.

Haven't seen a huge amount so far, though I did have some nice views of four Redwings foraging in a local park, and a Tree Creeper making it's way up a tree behind them.

No, I hate lists. I just love to see wildlife, doesn't matter whether it's common or rare and don't care whether I've seen 20 birds or 2000 birds.

I've always kept lists of birds and particularly a birding yearlist. Its personal preference i suppose. Anyway, now on 103 species as i saw Red-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe and Iceland Gull in Cornwall today.

That's very impressive that you've seen so many and it's only the 20th of Jan! Personally I don't keep a list either, but more from never getting around to it than not liking the idea. It would be interesting to see how many I've seen. Keeping a list of places I've been also sounds like a good idea, as it's easy to forget a few years down the line where you've been and where you haven't.

Thats impressive Paul, I used to keep lists of birds and a year list at one time but pressures of work and a lack of time mean I don't do it now. I have a life list of birds which stands at only around 130 species. All seen in day to day travels as i seldom go actively looking for a particular species!

No I am not. Congratulations by the way! Do you want to share with us any new birds you saw this year?

Jamie, When you say this year do you mean 2007? or 2008? I saw quite a few new birds in 2007, which is unusual for me.

I saw a cracking Glaucous Gull today at St Ives, down to 3-4 feet on the harbour wall. Even close enough for my little girl to say 'hello birdy' !! Also saw a close inshore, Balearic Shearwater, so now seen 105 species this year in Cornwall.
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I am not sure. It was the year that goldfinch was talking about

What a good idea to keep a record! I should start doing it, although mine would be quite pathetic next to all of yours.

Have a go any way! Its only a personal goal. Then try and beat it next year if you want. Its also a good guide if you need to reply to someone on here. You can look back at your list, see where you saw that certain species and pass on your information. I love looking back at old yearlists and notebooks.

I would love to see what you get in your garden (if that is the area you are going to keep a record of) Riana

I have seen 79 species of bird so far and I only really started birdwatching at the end of 06/ start of 07. Considering I don't have a car, I think that is a lot, most I would have seen in the garden, estuaries and a seabird colony I visited. Like wild canon though I love to watch the birds, rare or common, I could watch starlings for an hour just as I could watch a peregrine........although seeing a peregrine.....phwoar.....hasn't happened to me yet.

Cool well done. What species have you seen so far?

I have seen nothing close to that many birds yet!

American Crow, Glaucous-winged Gull, Black-cap and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Northern Flicker, Starling, Oregon Junco, Red-Tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, American Robin, Fox Sparrow, Winter Wren, Mallard, American Widgeon, Hooded Merganser, Red-winged Blackbird.

Not much of a list so far!

Kingfisher