Early steps into 2022

The lists are ticking over nicely and a first stint at WOW threw up 45 species including a few which are normally hard to get like siskin, grey wagtail, guillemot and goldeneye. WOW also added a few to the year list. I also went south to look for goosander (✔) and ring ousel (X). Two inches of snow put paid to that one, but a walk along the canal at Poyntzpass added a few year ticks including my first local kestrel for about 4 years- a mixture of Covid and fewer kestrels being found. I used to see a regular pair between Ards and Comber or along the Castle Espie road but recently they have not been around and I fear they no longer breed in North Down. I also had a field with all five thrushes, (but not ring ousel!)

A visit to Victoria Park to meet family and walk the dog added greylag and long-tailed tit. This was followed by a drive to Ballycarry and Whitehead to chase a few rarities which had the decency to hang around from last year. Sometimes things fall into place and today they did with great white egret, greenland white fronts, twite and black redstart all on good behaviour. The peregrine and raven were unexpected bonuses. The raven especially cronking from a tree above my head as I scanned the fields for the geese!! Looking to add a few photos from WOW and the garden plus a video of the shoveler synchronised swimming team at WOW - providing I can get it uploaded!!

Soveler on a plank!!

Teal

blackwit

Mr....

....and Mrs

25% of garden blackcaps

Peek-a-boo blackbird

64: Guillemot

65: Gadwall

66: Grey wagtail

67: Meadow pipit

68: Wren

69: Greenfinch

70: Siskin

71: Knot

72: Great-crested grebe

73: Goosander

74: Buzzard

75: Kestrel

76: Fieldfare

77: Greylag goose

78: Long-tailed tit

79: Great white egret

80: White-fronted geese

81: Raven

82: Twite

83: Peregrine falcon

84: Black redstart

NDCP: 
34: Bullfinch
35: Linnet
36: Rook
37: Guillemot
38: Moorhen

WOW: Great-crested grebe, cormorant, mute swan, brent goose, shelduck, wigeon, teal, mallard, shoveler, tufted duck, gadwall, goldeneye, moorhen, oystercatcher, lapwing, knot, dunlin, snipe, black-tailed godwit, curlew, redshank, black-headed, common great black-backed & herring gull, guillemot, black guillemot, woodpigeon, meadow pipit, grey wagtail, pied wagtail, wren, robin, coal, blue & great tit, magpie, jackdaw, rook, hooded crow, starling, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, siskin. (45)