Tick tick boom

I've previously mentioned the concept of the 'Big Year' here. At the turn of the year, I was challenged by Akira to a UK bird list battle. Always up for a contest, I agreed. Thinking about it, while I've kept records of birds spotted in the garden for the last couple of years, I've never maintained a year list. I'm not sure why. Possibly a suspicion that down that route only further obsession lies, and continual efforts to increase the tally each year. Only time will tell...

Anyway, to the task at hand. Akira and Fiona are maintaining their lists here and here. I've not got around to setting up a Pinterest account yet so for now am listing my January sightings below:


1 Jan
Woodpigeon (garden)
Jackdaw  (")
Blackbird (")
Magpie (")
Robin (")
Dunnock (")

2 Jan
Mistle thrush (Mossley)
Blue tit (Millennium Square, Leeds)
Carrion crow (Leeds city centre)
Feral pigeon (")
Long-tailed tit (Leeds University)

3 Jan
Great tit (Leeds University)
Waxwing (Huddersfield town centre)
Redwing (Hyde Park, Leeds)

4 Jan
Goldcrest (Leeds University)
Goldfinch (Leeds University)

5 Jan
Tufted duck (Alexandra Park, Oldham)
Moorhen (")
Coot (")
Black-headed gull (")
Mallard (")
Canada goose (")
Tawny owl (Mossley)

6 Jan
Starling (Mossley)

9 Jan
Coal tit (Hyde Park, Leeds)
Chaffinch (")

15 Jan
Pied wagtail (Millennium Square, Leeds)

16 Jan
Sparrowhawk (Hyde Park, Leeds)

23 Jan
Greenfinch (Hyde Park, Leeds)
House sparrow (Moorland Road, Leeds)
Redpoll? (not 100% sure so better not count this)

25 Jan
Wren (Leeds University)

27 Jan
Collared dove (Scouthead)


So 32 so far (+ 1 question mark).

Altogether now, "CASSOWARY....DOWITCHER...":

Bird list (Michael Nyman)