Garden / Yard List 2025 (7 Viewers)

[CPP Gardener]

Today there was a crow harassing a Red-shouldered Hawk flying over. That’s #21. Looking back on my list I found that I miraculously missed recording House Finches! They’re always around so I must have thought I had and forgot to note it.

 

[An Caislín Dearg]

Yesterday was a very productive day. A combination of a fine, crisp, sunny morning and a very low tide allowed me to scope some exposed shingle banks in the bay giving me No. 56, Grey Plover, several of which were feeding with a large flock of Dunlin, some Redshank, Curlew and Oystercatchers (all of which I'd logged earlier in the month). This was followed soon afterwards by No. 57 and 58, Mallard and Teal with small parties of both feeding around some of the islands in the bay. An afternoon foray into the garden brought No. 59, a handsome male Stonechat. They are fairly common around here but extremely infrequent visitors to the garden. Shortly afterwards No. 60, a Collared Dove, flew by, only the 2nd time I've seen one from the house. Had several flocks of Golden Plover flying over the house too but picked them up feeding in nearby fields earlier in the month. A most enjoyable day!

 

[hookem2010]

In addition to the baby and toddler, the dog woke me up at 2 AM to go to the bathroom. She also refused to come back inside so I had to go after her. I saw a silent flash of wings and was able to make out a tiny owl silhouette perched on my live oak. The only small owl in my area is #32 Eastern screech owl, and a first seen for my yard after hearing one last year. First one I've seen outside of an owl box in years too.

 

[Bismarck Honeyeater]

A pile of feathers this afternoon. I’m thinking Woodcock remains from a Sparrowhawk kill. Unless someone has a better idea.



Very annoying, admittedly more so for the bird than me. I didn’t get one at all last year. I may have to keep this up my sleeve, in case I finish 2025 on 99 species.

 

[Harry Stottle]

Looks like Woodcock.

https://www.featherbase.info/hu/specimen/508

 

[Warixenjalka]

Unusually warm here. Sea is almost completely open. I've watched two weeks hundreds and hundreds Fieldfares and Waxwings, but nothing new after that Goshawk. So I ended up to 20 for January. One better than last year thought...

 

[Richard Prior]

Speaking of feathers, my sharp-eyed wife (to clarify, I have just one wife and she's sharp-eyed, so I'm not comparing her to another, visually impaired spouse that I might have ) found a Pygmy Owl feather just 400m up the hillside the other day, so I hope one day to see one hanging around the feeders at dusk!
Finished January on 38 species, five down on last year's record breaking first month but bang on average for the seven previous years January totals. My 'Photograph all the Garden List species in 2025' quest is labouring at 68%, Long-tailed Tit now added.
Mammal news, lots of Brown Hare footprints in the snow and a smart Fox in the garden at 01h the other night. The two differently coloured Red Squirrels becoming bolder, the 'black' one right under the kitchen window this morning and 'Ginger' nibbling the Bunting bait in front of the house.
I think Wari is very greedy keeping all those Waxwing to himself
Celebratory lunch at the Auberge across the valley earlier, who needs birthday cake when 'Café gourmand' is on the menu!

 

[Jos Stratford]

.... a Pygmy Owl feather just 400m up the hillside the other day, so I hope one day to see one hanging around the feeders at dusk

Dusk is a good time, but marginally more of the Pygmy Owls sightings I have had at my feeders have been in the morning, at a respectable 9.00 or 10.00 rather than dawn.

 

[Richard Prior]

That’s interesting Jos, I (perhaps mistakenly) presumed Sparrowhawk and Goshawk threats keep them hidden once day breaks.

 

[KenM]

A 20% drop on Jan ‘24….just 41 species.😩
Anyway, Red Fox and Red Kite were good yesterday on a wall to wall blue…for a change!😊

 

[Steve Lister]

Reminds me of that old Yorkshire saying Richard….”where there’s mook, there’s brass lad” 👍

I'm a Yorkshire man and I've never heard anyone saw 'mook'

 

[KenM]

I'm a Yorkshire man and I've never heard anyone saw 'mook'

I think “mook” enunciated sounds closer to “it” than muck!
Cos I speak propa like..init.😉

 

[angusmcoatup]

Back in Türkiye this week.

64. Sombre Tit
65 Glossy Ibis - 5 from the balcony. I’ve been keeping an eye out for these as I know they’re wintering on the lake. Just needed to catch them moving across to one of the secluded flood meadows.
66. Woodcock - finally saw the one a German neighbour assured me he’d seen a few times whilst he walked his dog. I’d half presumed Snipe so it was a relief to see this towards dusk.

 

[Richard Prior]

Back in Türkiye this week.

64. Sombre Tit
65 Glossy Ibis - 5 from the balcony. I’ve been keeping an eye out for these as I know they’re wintering on the lake. Just needed to catch them moving across to one of the secluded flood meadows.
66. Woodcock - finally saw the one a German neighbour assured me he’d seen a few times whilst he walked his dog. I’d half presumed Snipe so it was a relief to see this towards dusk.

Three crackers there Angus!
February started here with no fewer than three Black Grouse breakfasting around the tree line on Sulens mountain, later while I was watching the rugby my wife saw a male

39 Sparrowhawk

making an attack by the feeder outside the kitchen window.

 

[Jos Stratford]

First ever winter record of Stock Doves - three yesterday. Whooper Swans and White-tailed Eagles still about, though colder temperatures in the next week might make them wish they weren't.

27. Stock Dove.

 

[gerald762]

Spring must be on the way! 2 Great Spotted cuckoos seen this morning. As they are one of the few things that eat pine processionary caterpillars I hope they are hungry. There are quite a few pine trees locally and most have several caterpillar nests in each of them.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Spring must be on the way!

Started snowing here today, some of the first snow of the unusually mild winter

Tree Sparrow flock has risen to 22, very pleasing. About 25 Greenfinches with them. Two additions for the year - two flyover Mute Swans, one male Sparrowhawk attacking at the feeders.

28. Mute Swan
29. Sparrowhawk

 

[Jos Stratford]

Blue Tits are always heavily outnumbered by Great Tits at my feeders, but Blue Tits are heading towards record numbers this winter - just under 90 at present.

This little fellow was among them today:

 

[gerald762]

That is a strange looking beak! Is he coping ok?

 

[edenwatcher]

Slow going.
27. Starling
Overdue (though they are less frequent in the winter). Plenty more regular species that haven't put in an appearance yet.

Rob