KB57's 2019 list (1 Viewer)

[kb57]

21st November, near Cramlington, Northumberland

On private farmland for a work visit - good numbers of species like linnet, skylark and tree sparrow feeding on fallow areas, and above average rainfall leading to a lot of surface water. Can't believe it's taken this long to add goldcrest to my year list, at the edge of a mixed plantation. The second addition was totally unexpected - anticipating but failing to flush a common snipe as I walked through wet field margins, near the end of my visit I thought I'd succeeded...but it dropped silently a few metres in front of me. Flushed it again, getting a better view of bill, tail and wings, then let it be.

328. Goldcrest
329. Jack Snipe

 

[kb57]

3rd December: Brogborough, Bedfordshire

Work visit again providing my main opportunity to add to the year list- another widespread species I thought I might end up missing out on this year.

330. Redwing

 

[kb57]

31st December: near Cramlington, Northumberland

Back at work for the morning, hoping and failing to add grey partridge to my year list - first year it's been absent I think since I got back into birding...
I did see both common and jack snipe, the latter one field away from the November sighting, and possibly the same individual - how many spend time undetected on stubble fields on private land? Anyway, a great view in morning sunshine, after I almost stepped on it!

Warkworth saltmarsh & beach, Northumberland

The final addition to my year list, connecting with a flock of 28 at a site which has proved reliable in the past.

331. Twite

Bar-tailed godwit, curlew, red-throated diver and sanderling made for a nice end to the decade.