2008 BRITISH YEARLIST

What followed was an extraordinary journey. I travelled the length and breadth of the country as birding came to dominate my life, logging miles, hours and unforgettable encounters. I year-listed alongside Dan Pointon, whose company and encouragement helped sustain momentum throughout the season. By year’s end, I had surpassed both Dan and Lee Evans to take the title, a notable result given that Lee lists annually.

I finished the year with a total of 346 bird species recorded in Britain, securing the title of listing champion and bringing an unforgettable year of birding to a close.

On board the Scillonian with Dan, Will Soar, and Dick Filby, heading for the Isles of Scilly.

2008 British Yearlist

346.

12/23/2008 Snowy Owl-Zennor-Cornwall

345.

12/21/2008 Red-breasted Goose-Normandy Marsh-Hampshire

344.

12/20/2008 Richard's Pipit-Parkgate-Wirral

343.

12/12/2008 Rough-legged Buzzard-Hoylake-Wirral

342.

19/11/2008-Sardinian Warbler-Berry Head-Devon

341.

14/11/2008-Blue winged Teal-Saltholme Pools-Cleveland

340.

09/11/2008-Pied Wheatear-Reighton Sands-North Yorkshire

339.

08/11/2008-Putative-Canvasback-Nosterfield Quarry-N.Yorks

338.

08/11/2008-Southern Grey Shrike-Grainthorpe Haven-Lincs

337.

08/11/2008-Two-barred Crossbill-Bilsdale-North Yorkshire

336.

06/11/2008-Desert Wheatear-Eastern Bevants-Suffolk

335.

06/11/2008-Dusky Warbler-Muckleborough Hill-Norfolk

334.

02/11/2008-Pallas's Leaf Warbler-Burnham Deepdale-Norfolk

333.

02/11/2008-Red-flanked Bluetail-Ramsgate-Kent

332.

02/11/2008-Green Heron-Hythe-Kent

331.

17/10/2008-Grey-cheeked Thrush-St Agnes-Isles Of Scilly 

330.

16/10/2008-Blyth's Reed Warbler-St Agnes-Isles Of Scilly

329.

15/10/2008 White Rumped Sandpiper-St Martins-Isle Of Scilly

328.

13/10/2008-Blackpoll Warbler-St Agnes-Isles Of Scilly

327.

13/10/2008-Sociable Lapwing-St Mary's-Isles Of Scilly

326.

11/10/2008-Putative-Azores Gull-Second-winter showing characters of the Azorean race -Sennan-Cornwall

325.

09/10/2008-Red-eyed Vireo-The Garrison-St Mary's-Isles Of Scilly

324.

09/10/2008-Alder Flycatcher-Nanjizal Valley-Cornwall

323.

02/10/2008-Rustic Bunting-South Walney-Cumbria

322.

29/09/2008-Common Rosefinch-Scousburgh-Mainland-Shetland

321.

27/09/2008-Arctic Warbler-Outer Skerries-Shetland

320.

27/09/2008-Western Bonelli's Warbler-Lunna-Mainland-Shetland

319.

25/09/2008-Brown Shrike-Flamborough Head-East Yorkshire

318.

25/09/2008-Yellow-browed Warbler-Old Plantation-Flamborough Head-East Yorkshire

317.

16/09/2008-Ortolan Bunting-Soldiers Point-Anglesey

316.

15/09/2008-Long-tailed Skua-Spurn-East Yorkshire

315.

13/09/2008-Greater Sand Plover-Ythan Estuary-Aberdeenshire

314.

08/09/2008-Red-breasted Flycatcher-Tynemouth-Northumberland

313.

18/09/2008-Barred Warbler-Briar Dene-Northumberland

312.

18/09/2008-Greenish Warbler-West View Cemetery-Cleveland 

311.

18/09/2008-Subalpine Warbler-Trow Quarry-Durham

310.

05/09/2008-Semipalmated Sandpiper-Dawlish Warren-Devon

309.

01/09/2008-White-winged Tern-Crosby Marina-Lancashire

308.

30/08/2008-Pacific Golden Plover-Anthorn-Cumbria

307.

22/08/2008-Red-necked Phalarope-Frampton-On-Severn-Gloucestershire 

306.

20/08/2008-Stilt Sandpiper-Coombe Hill Meadows-Gloucestershire

305.

19/08/2008-Audouin's Gull-Wolla Bank-Lincolnshire

304.

19/08/2008-Marsh Sandpiper-Hickling Broad-Norfolk

303.

19/08/2008-Pomarine Skua-Gibraltar Point-Lincolnshire

302.

13/08/2008-Black Stork-Clara Vale LNR-County Durham

301.

11/08/2008-Balearic Shearwater-St Ives Bay-Cornwall

300.

10/08/2008-Cory's Shearwater-Pelagic-Isles Isles of Scilly

299.

10/08/2008-Great Shearwater-Pelagic-Isles of Scilly

298.

10/08/2008-Grey Phalarope-Pelagic-Isles of Scilly

297.

10/08/2008-Sooty Shearwater-Pelagic-Isles Of Scilly

296.

27/08/2008-Ferruginous Duck-Cheddar Lake-Somerset

295.

23/07/2008-Caspian Tern-Collingham Pits-Nottinghamshire

294.

07/07/2008-Pectoral Sandpiper-Inner Marsh Farm-Cheshire

293.

07/07/2008-Terek Sandpiper-Saltholme Pools-Cleveland

292.

03/07/2008-Glaucous Gull-Pensarn Beach-Clwyd

291.

22/06/2008-Roseate Tern-Seaforth-Lancashire

290.

21/06/2008-Lesser Grey Shrike-Hickling Broad-Norfolk

289.

21/06/2008-Spotted Crake-Sutton Gault-Cambridgeshire 

288.

08/06/2008-Buff-breasted Sandpiper-Maxey Gravel Pits-Cambridgeshire 

287.

08/06/2008-Icterine Warbler-Witchford-Cambridgeshire

286.

07/06/2008-Thrush Nightingale-Dunwich NT-Suffolk

285.

04/06/2008-Wilson's Phalarope-Seaforth-Lancashire

284.

02/06/2008-Great Snipe-The Snook-Holy Island-Northumberland

Holy Island-The Snook

283.

02/06/2008-Red-backed Shrike-Woodhorn-Northumberland

282.

01/06/2008-American Golden Plover-Cemlyn Bay-Anglesey

281.

31/05/2008-Marsh Warbler-Sammy's Point-Spurn-East Yorkshire

280.

30/05/2008-Golden Eagle-Loch Maree-Scotland

279.

30/05/2008-White-tailed Eagle-Loch Maree-Scotland 

278.

29/05/2008-European Storm-petrel-From boat-Scotland

277.

29/05/2008-Leach's Storm-petrel-From boat-Scotland

276.

28/05/2008-Puffin-Scourie Bay-Scotland 

275.

28/05/2008-Great Skua- Scourie Bay-Scotland

274.

28/05/2008-Hooded Crow-Newton Scotland 

273.

28/05/2008-Long-tailed Duck-Burghead-Scotland 

272.

27/05/2008-Black Grouse-Turlock Moor-Scotland 

271.

27/05/2008-Cappercaille-Grantown Woods-Scotland 

270.

27/05/2008-Crested Tit-Carrbridge-Scotland

269.

27/05/2008-Ptarmigan-Cairngorms-Scotland

268.

27/05/2008-Scottish Crossbill-Forest Lodge-Scotland

267.

24/05/2008-Curlew Sandpiper-Titchwell-Norfolk 

266.

22/05/2008-Golden Oriole-Lakenheath-Norfolk 

265.

22/05/2008-Nightjar-Salthouse Heath-Norfolk 

264.

22/05/2008-Stone-curlew-Foxhole-Norfolk 

263.

18/05/2008-Red-rumped Swallow-Leasowe-Wirral-Cheshire

262.

14/05/2008-Great White Egret-Pennington Flash-Greater Manchester

261.

14/05/2008-Quail-Weston-Crewe-Cheshire 

260.

11/05/2008-Common Nightingale-Westleton-Suffolk 

259.

11/05/2008-Red-footed Falcon-Stewartrby-Bedfordshire

258.

10/05/2008-Common Redstart-Wildboarclough-Cheshire

257.

10/05/2008-Pied Flycatcher-Trentabank-Cheshire 

256.

10/05/2008-Whiskered Tern-Inner Marsh Farm-Cheshire

255.

10/05/2008-Wood Warbler-Trentabank-Cheshire

254.

09/05/2008-Honey-Buzzard-Leasowe-Wirral 

253.

09/05/2008-Spotted Flycatcher-Leasowe-Wirral-Cheshire

252.

09/05/2008-Temminck's Stint-Venus Pools-Shropshire 

251.

02/05/2008-Lesser Redpoll-Great Orme-Llandudno-North Wales 

250.

30/04/2008-Citrine Wagtail-Conwy RSPB-North Wales

249.

29/04/2008-Whinchat-Leasowe-Wirral-Cheshire

248.

28/04/2008-Serin-Portland Bill-Dorest

247.

28/04/2008-Little Tern-Ferrybridge-Dorset 

246.

28/04/2008-Rose-ringed Parakeet-Wraysbury-Buckinghamshire 

245.

27/04/2008-Black Tern-Rutland Water-Leicestershire

244.

27/04/2008-Northern Goshawk-Dersingham-Norfolk

243.

27/04/2008-Osprey-Rutland Water-Leicestershire 

242.

27/04/2008-Red-crested Pochard-Baston Gravel Pits-Lincolnshire 

241.

27/04/2008-Tree Pipit-Dersingham-Norfolk

240.

26/04/2008-Bearded Tit-Titchwell RSPB-Norfolk 

239.

26/04/2008-Common Swift-Lessinghan-Norfolk

238.

26/04/2008-Eurasian Dotterel-Acle-Norfolk 

237.

26/04/2008-Hobby-Kelling Heath-Norfolk 

236.

26/04/2008-Wryneck-Waxham-Norfolk

235.

26/04/2008-Turtle Dove-Titchwell-Norfolk 

234.

26/04/2008-Bittern-Titchwell-Norfolk 

233.

26/04/2008-Montagu's Harrier-North Creake-Norfolk

232.

26/04/2008-Red Kite-Lessingham-Norfolk 

231. 

26/04/2008-WoodLark-Kelling Heath-Norfolk

230.

25/04/2008-American Wigeon-Rother Valley-South Yorkshire 

229.

25/04/2008-Shore Lark-Arnold's Marsh-Norfolk 

228.

25/04/2008-Lesser Whitethroat-Neumann's Flash-Cheshire

227.

25/04/2008-Sandwich Tern-Cley-Norfolk 

226.

24/04/2008-Common Cuckoo-Frodsham Marshes-Cheshire

225.

24/04/2008-Common Whitethroat-Budworth Mere-Cheshire

224.

24/04/2008-Reed Warbler-Witton Brook-Cheshire 

223.

24/04/2008-Garden Warbler-Marbury Park-Cheshire 

222.

24/04/2008-Sedge Warbler-Witton Brook-Cheshire 

221.

23/04/2008-Arctic Tern-New Brighton-Wirral-Cheshire

220.

20/04/2008-Garganey-Inner Marsh Farm-Cheshire 

219.

18/04/2004-Common Sandpiper-Mythop-Blackpool-Lancashire 

218.

18/04/2008-Wood Sandpiper -Mythop-Blackpool-Lancashire 

217.

17/04/2008-Common Tern-Budworth Mere-Cheshire 

216.

17/04/2008-Yellow Wagtail-Budworth Mere-Cheshire 

215.

15/04/2008-Whimbrel-Leasowe-Wirral-Cheshire

214.

14/04/2008-Willow Warbler-Ellesmere Port-Cheshire 

213.

12/04/2008-Black-winged Stilt-Windmill Farm-Cornwall

212.

12/04/2008-Cetti's Warbler-Exminster Marshes-Devon

211.

12/04/2008-Grasshopper Warbler-Windmill Farm-Cornwall 

210.

12/04/2008-Dartford Warbler-Woodbury Common-Devon 

209.

12/04/2008-Little Crake-Exminster-Devon

208.

12/04/2008-Manx Shearwater-Porthpeen-Cornwall 

207.

12/04/2008-Purple Heron-Windmill Farm-Cornwall 

206.

12/04/2008-Red-necked Grebe-Cheddar-Somerset 

205.

12/04/2008-Ring-necked Duck-Stithians Reservoir-Cornwall 

204.

11/04/2008-House Martin-Langley Reservoir-Cheshire 

203.

11/04/2008-Ring Ouzel-Danebower-Cheshire 

202.

09/04/2008-Bluethroat-Aldcliffe Marsh-Lancashire

201.

09/04/2008-Little Ringed Plover-Conder Pool-Lancashire

200.

31/03/2008-Ross's Gull-Martin Mere-Lancashire

199.

31/03/2008-Yellow-legged Gull-Moore Nature Reserve-Cheshire 

198.

17/03/2008-American Black Duck-Marloes-Pembrokeshire

Me on site

197.

17/03/2008-Rosy Starling-Haverfordwest-Pembrokeshire 

196.

16/03/2008-Swallow-Bowling Green Marsh-Devon

195.

16/03/2008-Kittiwake-Dawlish Warren-Devon 

194.

16/03/2008-Cirl Bunting-Exminster-Devon

193.

16/03/2008-Spoonbill-Fremington Quay-Devon 

192.

16/03/2008-King Eider-North Burrows-Devon

191.

16/03/2008-Lesser Scaup-Blackden Lake-Somerset

190.

16/03/2008-Long-billed Dowitcher-Bowling Green Marsh-Devon

189.

16/03/2008-Wheatear-North Burrows-Devon

188.

16/03/2008-Sand Martin-Bowling Green Marsh-Devon 

187.

16/03/2008-Spotted Sandpiper-Lisvane Reservoir-Glamorgan

186.

16/03/2008-Surf Scoter-Dawlish Warren-Devon 

185.

10/03/2008-Black-crowned Night Heron-Mere Sands Wood-Lancashire 

184.

10/03/2008-Greater Scaup-Seaforth-Lancashire

183.

10/03/2008-Hoopoe-Llanrwst-North Wales

182.

10/03/2008-Little Gull-Seaforth-Lancashire

181.

10/03/2008-Velvet Scoter-Llandulas-North Wales

180.

03/03/2008-Black Guillemot-Holyhead Harbour-Anglesey-North Wales 

179.

03/03/2008-Eider-Llainfairfechan-North Wales 

178.

03/03/2008-Guillemot-Llainfairfechan-North Wales 

177.

03/03/2008-Common Scoter-Llandudlas-North Wales

176.

03/03/2008-Gannet-Llainfairfechan-North Wales 

175.

03/03/2008-Razorbill-Llainfairfechan-North Wales 

174.

03/03/2008-Chough-South Stacks-Anglesey-North Wales 

173.

03/03/2008-Red-throated Diver- Llainfairfechan-North Wales

172.

03/03/2208-Ring-billed Gull-Penros Country Park-Anglesey-North Wales 

171.

03/03/2008-Rock Dove 

170.

03/03/2008-Short-eared Owl-Kimnel Bay-North Wales

169.

18/02/2008-Lesser Spotted Woodpecker-Marbury Country Park-Cheshire 

168.

18/02/2008-Tawny Owl- Marbury Country Park-Cheshire 

167.

16/02/2008-Glossy Ibis-Wharton-Lancashire

166.

16/02/2008-Green-winged Teal-Marshside-Lancashire

165.

16/02/2008-Pink-footed Goose-Marshside-Lancashire

164.

16/02/2008-Twite-Marshside-Lancashire

163.

14/02/2008-Tree Sparrow-Moore Nature Reserve-Cheshire 

162.

14/02/2008-Willow Tit- Moore Nature Reserve-Cheshire 

161.

12/02/2008-Red Grouse-Cat and Fiddle(Moors)-Cheshire

160.

04/02/2008-Purple Sandpiper-New Brighton-Wirral-Cheshire 

159.

29/01/2008-Black Redstart-Newlyn-Cornwall

158.

29/01/2008-Blackcap-Tehidy Country Park-Cornwall

157.

29/01/2008-Black-necked Grebe-Penzance-Cornwall

156.

29/01/2008-Black-throated Diver-Newlyn-Cornwall

155.

29/01/2008-Chiffchaff-Tehidy Country Park-Cornwall

154.

29/01/2008-Shag-Newlyn-Cornwall 

153.

29/01/2008-Firecrest-Tehidy Country Park-Cornwall

152.

29/01/2008-Great Northern Diver- Newlyn-Cornwall 

151.

29/01/2008-Grey Wagtail-Marizion-Cornwall 

150.

29/01/2008-Hume's Leaf Warbler-Tehidy Country Park-Cornwall

140.

29/01/2008-Iceland Gull-Penzance-Cornwall 

139.

29/01/2008-Mediterranean Gull-Hayle-Cornwall 

138.

29/01/2008-Rock Pipit-Marizion-Cornwall 

137.

29/01/2008-Water Pipit- Marizion-Cornwall 

136.

27/01/2008-Hen Harrier-Decca pools-Cheshire 

135.

27/01/2008-Jack Snipe-Decca pools-Cheshire 

134.

27/01/2008-Merlin-Parkgate-Cheshire 

133.

27/01/2008-Peregrine Falcon- Decca pools-Cheshire 

132.

26/01/2008-Kingfisher-Marbury Country Park-Cheshire 

131.

26/01/2008-Marsh Harrier-Frodsham Marshes-Cheshire 

130.

26/01/2008-Goosander- Marbury Country Park-Cheshire 

129.

26/01/2008-Great Spotted Woodpecker- Marbury Country Park-Cheshire 

128.

26/01/2008-Green Sandpiper-Frodsham Marshes-Cheshire 

127.

26/01/2008-Little Stint-Frodsham Marshes 

126.

26/012008-Ruddy Duck-Frodsham Marshes-Cheshire

125.

26/01/2008-Smew-Tatton Park-Cheshire 

124.

25/01/2008-Cattle Egret-Decca pools-Cheshire

123.

24/01/2008-Arctic Skua-Abergwyngregyn-North Wales  

122.

24/01/2008-Crossbill-Worlds End-North Wales 

121.

24/01/2008-Greenshank-Abergwyngregyn-North Wales  

120.

24/01/2008-Raven-Worlds End-North Wales 

119.

24/01/2008-Common Redpoll-Worlds End-North Wales 

118.

24/01/2008-Golden Plover- Abergwyngregyn-North Wales

117.

24/01/2008-Hawfinch-Llanber-Y-Cenin-North Wales  

116.

24/01/2008-Northern Fulmar-Penmaenmawr-North Wales 

115.

24/01/2008-Red-breasted Merganser-Abergwyngregyn-North Wales  

114.

24/01/2008-Dipper-Worlds End-North Wales

113.

23/01/2008-Great Grey Shrike-Padiham-Lancashire

112.

23/01/2008-Long-eared Owl-Marton Mere-Lancashire 

111.

23/01/2008-Slavonian Grebe-Barrow Lodge-Lancashire 

110.

22/01/2008-Marsh Tit-Stanney Woods-Cheshire 

109.

20/02/2008-Tundra Bean Goose-Happisburgh-Norfolk 

108.

20/02/2008-Waxwing-Cromer-Norfolk

107.

20/01/2008-Common Crane-Horsey-Norfolk  

106.

20/01/2008-Corn Bunting-Happisburgh-Norfolk 

105.

20/01/2008-Egyptian Goose-Felbrigg Hall-Norfolk 

104.

20/01/2008-Eurasian Woodcock-Felbrigg Hall-Norfolk

103.

20/01/2008-Golden Pheasant-Wolverton Triangle-Norfolk  

102.

20/01/2008-Green Woodpecker-Felbrigg Hall-Norfolk 

101.

20/01/2008-Grey Partridge-Saxlingham-Norfolk 

100.

20/01/2008-Mandarin Duck-Felbrigg Hall-Norfolk

99.

20/01/2008-Red-legged Partridge-Thornham-Norfolk 

98.

20/01/2008-Ruddy Shelduck-Earsham-Norfolk

97.

20/01/2008-Snow Goose-Saxlingham-Norfolk

96.

19/01/2008-Barn Owl-Cley-Norfolk 

95.

19/01/2008-Barnacle Goose-Holkham-Norfolk 

94.

19/01/2008-Bar-tailed Godwit-Titchwell-Norfolk 

93.

19/01/2008-Magpie-Titchwell-Norfolk

92.

19/01/2008-Black-headed Gull- Titchwell-Norfolk

91.

19/01/2008-Black-tailed Godwit-Titchwell-Norfolk

90.

19/01/2008-Blue Tit- Titchwell-Norfolk

89.

19/01/2008-Brambling-Titchwell-Norfolk

88.

19/01/2008-Brent Goose-Holkham

87.

19/01/2008-Carrion Crow-Titchwell-Norfolk

86.

19/01/2008-Chaffinch-Cley-Norfolk 

85.

19/01/2008-Coal Tit-Titchwell-Norfolk

84.

19/01/2008-Blackbird-Cley-Norfolk  

83.

19/01/2008-Bullfinch-Cley-Norfolk 

82.

19/01/2008-Buzzard-Titchwell-Norfolk 

81.

19/01/2008-Coot-Titchwell-Norfolk

80.

19/01/2008-Goldeneye- Titchwell-Norfolk

79.

19/01/2008-Kestrel-Titchwell-Norfolk

78.

19/01/2008-Linnet-Cley-Norfolk

77.

19/01/2008-Moorhen-Titchwell-Norfolk 

76.

19/01/2008-Pheasant-Titchwell-Norfolk 

75.

19/01/2008-Pochard-Titchwell-Norfolk 

74.

19/01/2008-Redshank-Titchwell-Norfolk  

73.

19/01/2008-Shelduck-Titchwell 

72.

19/01/2008-Snipe-Titchwell-Norfolk

71.

19/01/2008-Starling-Cley-Norfolk 

70.

19/01/2008-Wood Pigeon-Titchwell-Norfolk

69.

19/01/2008-Dunlin-Titchwell-Norfolk 

68.

19/01/2008-Collared Dove-Titchwell-Norfolk 

67.

19/01/2008-Curlew-Titchwell-Norfolk

66.

19/01/2008-Jackdaw-Titchwell-Norfolk

65.

19/01/2008-Jay-Titchwell-Norfolk

64.

19/01/2008-Oystercatcher-Titchwell-Norfolk

63.

19/01?2008-Siskin-Titchwell-Norfolk 

62.

19/01/2008-Sparrowhawk-Cley-Norfolk 

61.

19/01/2008-Teal-Titchwell-Norfolk

60.

19/01/2008-Treecreeper-Titchwell-Norfolk

59.

19/01/2008-Wigeon-Titchwell-Norfolk 

58.

19/01/2008-Goldfinch-Cley-Norfolk 

57.

19/01/2008-Greenfinch-Cley-Norfolk 

56.

19/01/2008-Robin-Cley-Norfolk 

55.

19/01/2008-Fieldfare-Titchwell-Norfolk 

54.

19/01/2008-Gadwall-Titchwell-Norfolk 

53.

19/01/2008-Goldcrest-Titchwell-Norfolk

52.

19/01/2008-Great Black-backed Gull-Titchwell-Norfolk 

51.

19/01/2008-Cormorant-Norfolk

50.

19/01/2008/-Great Crested Grebe-Titchwell-Norfolk 

49.

19/01/2008-Great Tit-Cley-Norfolk 

48.

19/01/2008-Canada Goose-Titchwell-Norfolk 

47.

19/01/2008-White-fronted Goose-Holkham-Norfolk

46.

19/01/2008-Grey Heron-Titchwell-Norfolk

45.

19/01/2008-Grey Plover-Titchwell-Norfolk 

44.

19/01/2008-Greylag Goose-Titchwell-Norfolk 

43.

19/01/2008-Dunnock-Cley-Norfolk

42.

19/01/2008-Herring Gull-Titchwell-Norfolk 

41.

19/01/2008-House Sparrow-Cley-Norfolk 

40.

19/01/2008-Lapland Bunting-Salthouse-Norfolk

39.

19/01/2008-Lesser Black-backed Gull-Titchwell-Norfolk 

38.

19/01/2008-Little Egret-Titchwell-Norfolk

37.

19/01/2008-Little Grebe-Titchwell-Norfolk

36.

19/01/2008-Long-tailed Tit-Titchwell-Norfolk 

35.

19/01/2008-Mallard-Titchwell-Norfolk 

34.

19/01/2008-Meadow Pipit-Salthouse-Norfolk 

33.

19/01/2008-Common Gull-Titchwell-Norfolk

32.

19/01/2008-Mistle Thrush-Cley-Norfolk  

31.

19/01/2008-Mute Swan-Titchwell-Norfolk 

30.

19/01/2008-Northern Lapwing-Titchwell-Norfolk 

29.

19/01/2008-Pintail-Titchwell-Norfolk 

28.

19/01/2008-Shoveler-Titchwell-Norfolk 

27.

19/01/2008-Avocet-Titchwell 

26.

19/01/2008-Knot-Titchwell-Norfolk

25.

19/01/2008-Redwing-Cley-Norfolk  

24.

19/01/2008-Reed Bunting-Cley Norfolk 

23.

19/01/2008-Ringed Plover-Titchwell-Norfolk 

22.

19/01/2008-Rook-Cley-Norfolk 

21.

19/01/2008-Turnstone-Titchwell-Norfolk  

20.

19/01/2008-Ruff-Titchwell-Norfolk 

19.

19/01/2008-Sanderling-Titchwell-Norfolk 

18.

19/01/2008-Sky Lark-Salthouse-Norfolk

17.

19/01/2008-Snow Bunting-salthouse-Norfolk 

16.

19/01/2008-Song Thrush-Cley-Norfolk

15.

19/01/2008-Spotted Redshank-Titchwell-Norfolk

14.

19/01/2008-Redshank-Titchwell-Norfolk

13.

19/01/2008-Stock Dove-Cley-Norfolk

12.

19/01/2008-Stonechat-Titchwell-Norfolk

11.

19/01/2008-Tufted Duck-Titchwell-Norfolk 

10.

19/01/2008-Water Rail-Titchwell-Norfolk 

9.

19/01/2008-Pied Wagtail-Salthouse-Norfolk 

8.

19/01/2008-White-crowned Sparrow-Cley-Norfolk

7.

19/01/2008-Wren-Cley-Norfolk 

6.

19/01/2008-Wood Pigeon-Cley-Norfolk

5.

19/01/2008-Nuthatch-Titchwell-Norfolk 

4.

19/01/2008-Yellowhammer-Cley-Norfolk 

3.

14/01/2008-Little Owl-Hooton Golf Course-Ellesmere Port-Cheshire 

2.

04/01/2008-Bewick Swan-Shotwick Fields-North Wales

1.

04/01/2008-Whooper Swan-Shotwick Fields-North Wales.

MY BIRDING YEAR 2008

There have only been three previous sightings of this North American species in Britain. The first was a bird trapped on Fair Isle in 1977, followed by a brief sighting in Yorkshire by three individuals a week later that same year. The third sighting occurred in Merseyside in 1994. This recent sighting in Norfolk marks the first time more than a handful of people have observed the bird in the UK. The bird frequented a seeded driveway just down from the Three Swallows pub in Cley.

 

I visited the site on Saturday afternoon and didn't have to wait long before the bird made a great appearance alongside a flock of resident house sparrows.

                      White crowned Sparrow-Cley-Norfolk-19/01/08

Black Duck-Marloes-Pembrokeshire-17/03/08

Jason Atkinson and I left immediately after hearing that this bird had been found. We picked up Dan Pointon on our way and drove the four hours to the most westerly point of Wales. After arriving, we searched for about half an hour in the flooded area where the female bird had been reported. Luckily, the bird eventually appeared alongside a male Mallard emerging from the reeds. 

Me on site

On our way back, we made a quick stop in Haverfordwest, where we saw a stunning Rose coloured starling coming into its summer plumage in someone's back garden.

Serin-Portland Bill-Dorset-28/04/08

Dan Pointon and I drove down to Portland Bill in Dorset to try and see this bird, which had been showing for the last couple of days. Upon arrival, we met some birders staying at the observatory, who informed us that the bird tended to show better in the mornings and became very elusive in the afternoons. Unfortunately, we didn't realise this until we arrived just after 3:00 PM. 

After nearly three hours of searching the surrounding fields with no sign of the bird, we returned to the observatory feeling disappointed. I told Dan I would take one last look at the observatory quarry before we left. While walking down the path, I heard the bird singing, so I called Dan. 

Once we located where the bird was singing, we were thrilled to finally get some excellent views. After 36 years of birding and missing many sightings of this elusive species, it was a huge relief to finally add it to my British list.

Great Snipe-The Snook-Holy Island-Northumberland-02/06/08

Organised flushes were being set up for this bird, so Malc Curtin and I headed there for 6:00pm. As we arrived, about seven people walked across the Snook while we took our positions in the sand dunes, waiting for the bird to take flight from its cover. As they moved through the area, we were thrilled to get excellent views of the bird when it finally took off. Both Malc and I were delighted to see it.

Thrush Nightingale-Dunwich Heath NT-Suffolk-07/06/08

I travelled for this bird straight after work. It took us just over three hours to drive to the site, and when I arrived, I received some disappointing news about the bird. I spoke with a birder who had been on site since 6:00am and hadn't seen the bird either. After searching the area for about an hour and a half with no luck, I decided to do another loop around the site. As I was walking near the toilet block, a bird suddenly flew right in front of me and began to sing in the undergrowth. At last, I had finally seen it; the bird then showed very well.

(C)J.Lawrence

Audouin's Gull-Wolla Bank-Lincolnshire-19/08/08

The news about the bird broke the day before, but due to work commitments, I postponed the long journey until the next day. Unfortunately, there was negative news from the afternoon sighting. I went anyway the next day with Mark Payne and Dan Pointon, and upon arrival, we found hundreds of birders searching for the bird, but it couldn’t be relocated. After two hours, it was finally found a mile away. We quickly drove to the beach, where a birder put me straight on the bird through their scope. What a bird! It was just loafing on the incoming tide, preening. 

Me on site

This was only the fourth record for Britain, and after narrowly missing last year's sighting in Devon, this made up for it!

Greater Sand Plover-Ythan Estuary-Aberdeenshire-13/09/08 

This bird came out on the pager in the afternoon, so I made arrangements to go up with Malc Curtin and Adam Archer the following morning. The good news, as I finished my night duty at 8.00am in the morning, was that the bird was still showing well in a ploughed field with Ringed Plover. I picked Malc and Archie up at 9.00am and started the long drive north. At 3.00pm, we arrived at the car park on the Ythan estuary and met up with some birders who said the bird was still showing well. On arrival, we were put straight onto the bird as it scurried around the field. What a sight and relief after such a long drive. We watched the bird for the next hour before a Kestrel came along and flushed it. 

This was only the fourth record for Scotland, the last one being seen at Tyninghame in Lothian from the 6th-7th June 1999.

Ortolan Bunting-Soldier's Point-Holyhead-16/09/08 

Whilst Malc Curtin and I were at Spurn in East Yorkshire looking for a mainland Mega-Pallas Grasshopper warbler, it came through on the pager that an Ortolan bunting was showing well with Meadow pipits on Anglesey. I arrived the next morning with Mark Powell and got cracking views of the bird. Another bird I had dipped so many times over the years.

Brown Shrike-Flamborough Head-East Yorkshire-25/09/08

This bird was reported late on the pager, so I made plans to go with Malc Curtin and Mark Payne at first light. This was the first record of this species on the mainland of Britain and only the fourth record overall, with the last one occurring in the Shetlands in 1985. We hoped it would stay around.

Upon our arrival, we were amazed by the large turnout of birdwatchers—there must have been at least 500 of us. We made our way to the field where the bird had been seen the night before and stood there waiting for it to appear as the sun rose. After half an hour, the bird finally appeared on the other side of the bushes. We moved to the road and soon saw it sitting and preening itself in the sunlight. This was an incredible sighting for the mainland, and we were all made up to have seen it.

Birders On Site

Arctic Warbler-Outer Skerries-Shetland-27/09/08 

During our annual birding holiday in Shetland, a new bird was reported on the pager that I needed to see. My friends, Malc Curtin and Mark Payne, joined me as we took the ferry to the island, which I had never visited before.

 

When we arrived, we weren't sure where the bird had been seen. After a few hours of searching, I met another birder who had just seen it. He kindly shared its location with us, and we set off to find it. Fortunately, Mark discovered the bird in someone's backyard. The bird showed really well, and it was another bird for the Life list. 

We eventually found the bird in this garden. 

A 1st For Britain- Alder Flycatcher

and a Red Eyed Vireo-09/10/08

An Alder Flycatcher was spotted in Nanjizal Valley near Land's End in Cornwall, marking a first for Britain! The birding community was buzzing. The quick responders were already on their way, and by the time I returned his call, Malc Curtin was in Cheltenham with Jason Atkinson and Pete Antrobus. After making a few phone calls, I organised our team, which included Phil Woollen, Mark, and Ash Powell. I set off at 11:30 PM and picked Ash up in Plymouth at 3:00 AM. We arrived at the designated parking field around 5:30 AM. There were quite a few other cars there already, but not as many as I had expected! Many as I had expected! Many as I had expected!

As dawn broke, a large group of birders made their way across the fields to the designated spot and waited. For once, there was little talking, and with limited mobile reception, even the phones were quiet. There were a couple of nail-biting moments when someone claimed to have seen the bird, but nobody else saw it, and then there was silence. As the sun rose and began to warm the bracken, we continued to watch and wait. 

Suddenly, a shout went up that the bird had been found. This caused a surge of adrenaline, and soon, everyone caught sight of the little empidonax flycatcher as it flitted around the bracken-covered hillside. For the next two hours, we enjoyed watching it as it moved about and provided us with fantastic views.

While we were observing the bird, Malc Curtin called to inform me that a Red-eyed Vireo was still present on the Garrison at St. Mary's in the Isles of Scilly. We managed to arrange a flight over and successfully saw the bird, making it a two-tick day for us. I returned home at 2:00 AM, feeling utterly exhausted!

Britain's First Alder Flycatcher

(C)M. Malpass

Two Lifers In A Day

Azorean Yellow legged Gull--Sennan-Cornwall-12/10/2008

While I was walking on the beach at Sennan Cove, I noticed a bird reported on the pager, which was apparently visible behind Sennan Church in a field. I quickly returned to my car and was able to find the bird right away as it sat in the middle of the field preening. This 2nd-winter Azorean yellow-legged gull has been present in the fields around Sennen and Trevorian in West Cornwall for over six weeks, often moving among Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls. It is a very distinctive bird, displaying many traits common to immature North American Herring Gulls, and the newly acquired feathers on its upper body further confirm its identification. This sighting marks the first record of the species in Britain and was initially identified by two of the country’s leading gull enthusiasts.

Steppe Grey Shrike -Grainthorpe Haven, Lincolnshire, and Two Barred Crossbill- Bilsdale-N.Yorks-08/11/2008

What a day Friday, November 7th, turned out to be! The pager went off twice around teatime, reporting two lifers for me. I arranged to pick up Malc Curtin, Mark Payne, and Jason Atkinson at 4:00 AM to arrive there for first light.

Upon arrival at Grainthorpe Haven, the wind was bitter, but fortunately, the Shrike was showing exceptionally well. Good news soon came through on the pager that the Two-barred Crossbill was also showing well in North Yorkshire. We quickly set off again, and after a two-mile trek across the moors, we reached the farmhouse where the bird was reported to have been sighted. However, when we arrived, the bird had just flown away.

We waited for an hour and a half, and then the bird finally appeared in a tree at the back of the garden. I spotted it right away. The crossbill then flew over the farmhouse and landed in a conifer tree, providing us with great views. What an amazing day—a fantastic end to another successful day of birding!

A great year birding and some top birds!