Michael‘s Seventh Year

[michael-ibk]

963/E223) Bonelli´s Eagle (Aquila fasciata) / Habichtsadler

 

Garraf, 19/9/2022. Another important target. Have seen it before only once but did not even realize because of the distance, only worked out the ID from the photo. So did not really count. This time they could be seen well with the binos at least.

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

964/E224) Iberian Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis) / Iberienraubwürger

 

Garraf, 19/9/2022. Nice and patient bird, was quite tolerant of me.

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

965/E225) Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) / Mönchssittich

 

Llobregat, 19/9/2022. On the way to the airport. Long-established and fully countable in and around Barcelona.

 

 

Over and done with.

 

NOW I can leave.

[Tdgraves]

No Iberian magpies @michael-ibk?

[michael-ibk]

1 minute ago, Tdgraves said:

No Iberian magpies @michael-ibk?

 

Nope, they don´t occur in Catalunya.

[Tdgraves]

1 minute ago, michael-ibk said:

 

Nope, they don´t occur in Catalunya.

I didn’t know that, oh well, hardly any to get in Zim anyway 

[Dave Williams]

Just 35 to go...amazing!

[TonyQ]

A sneaky trip to Spain produced a good number of additions, and some lovely birds. The Dartford Warbler is a great spot!

Have a great trip!

Edited October 21, 2022 by TonyQ

[Galana]

5 hours ago, michael-ibk said:

"Green Ink"? Huh?

The colour of jealousy.

Which of the three birds are you saying is 'Red Knot' in that 934 photo?

[pedro maia]

So you got all the species you didn’t see here, 1000 is a piece of cake now!,

[xelas]

Time to set a new BY target for Michael! What about #1111 ?!

[Galana]

27 minutes ago, xelas said:

What about #1111 ?!

Not ambitious enough. He is flying to Zimbabwe as we write.

I insist that anything short of 1200 will be a 'fail'.

[Peter Connan]

Wowee!

[michael-ibk]

Thanks @TonyQ, @Dave Williams, @Galana, @xelas, @pedro maiaand @Peter Connan!

 

On 10/22/2022 at 1:17 AM, Galana said:

Which of the three birds are you saying is 'Red Knot' in that 934 photo?

 

The two just left of the middle. 

 

22 hours ago, xelas said:

Time to set a new BY target for Michael! What about #1111 ?!

 

21 hours ago, Galana said:

I insist that anything short of 1200 will be a 'fail'.

 

Then I´ll fail. I will photograph exactly 35 birds, not a single one more. 

 

Well, maybe a few more just to be on the safe side. 

 

But I am actually looking forward to not having to take pictures of every Pied Crow or Egyptian Goose I come across. 

Edited October 23, 2022 by michael-ibk

[wilddog]

Really impressive @michael-ibk

 

...and this from a man who was not a birder when I first came across him. 

It is clearly now a huge passion and demonstrates your excellent photography skills.

Well done. A great job all round. 

[michael-ibk]

@wilddogthanks Linda, very kind. 

[Kitsafari]

I totally forgot Barca as well. And you had such beautiful light and got some birds we didnt.

 

pfftt. Only 35 to 1k. 1k is so yesterday for you. Agree with @Galana,  nothing less  than 1200 for 2022. 

[michael-ibk]

17 hours ago, Kitsafari said:

I totally forgot Barca as well. And you had such beautiful light and got some birds we didnt.

 

pfftt. Only 35 to 1k. 1k is so yesterday for you. Agree with @Galana,  nothing less  than 1200 for 2022. 

 

Gang up on me as much as you want to, I was stupid enough to let me get baited into this 1000 stuff by Pedro, not doing it again. 

[Galana]

On 10/23/2022 at 9:55 AM, michael-ibk said:

The two just left of the middle. 

Not sure what happened to the first attempt but my post had 'suggested' a re look at #934 as a ruff quess.

My money is that surely you can find a couple of hundred in Zim that don't conflict with Uganda? 1000 is a sure thing.

[michael-ibk]

5 minutes ago, Galana said:

Not sure what happened to the first attempt but my post had 'suggested' a re look at #934 as a ruff quess.

 

I very rarely doubt you Fred but this time I´m gonna stick with with Knot. Granted, the photo is not great, but Ruff were plentiful and these two very clearly stood out as something different. Supercilium, not expressively scaly look and leg colour are all good pointers IMO. Of course I´m happy to stand corrected. Waders, after all ...

 

And yes, even though there will be lots of doubles, 35 really should not be a problem. Hopefully not famous last words.

Edited October 24, 2022 by michael-ibk

[Galana]

18 minutes ago, michael-ibk said:

I´m gonna stick with with Knot.

No problem. You saw them. Knot life threatening.

I am in trouble enough after your excellent collection from Ecuador. Is there a trip report due?

I saw this and am sorely tempted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLAztBYJrBo

Not for the cuddling I hasten to add.

Edited October 24, 2022 by Galana

[Zim Girl]

Finally caught up with your BY, Michael.  So many beautiful birds from Ecuador.  I lost count of how many centuries I passed along the way but congratulations on all of them.

Have a fantastic time in Zim and I think the 1000 is def there for the taking!

[michael-ibk]

On 10/24/2022 at 2:20 PM, Galana said:

Is there a trip report due?

 

No, I really don't have much to add, would be quite redundant. That's why I incorporated some additional info in the BY posts. The Tyra cuddling looks pretty cool. 😁

 

On 10/24/2022 at 2:48 PM, Zim Girl said:

Have a fantastic time in Zim and I think the 1000 is def there for the taking!

 

Thanks Angie! 

[PeterHG]

Well I had some catching up to do here after returning from SA, and your thread alone took me twice as long as the others put together ;). A truly amazing total for Ecuador, Michael and you have shown so much determination both in pursuing the species and in taking photos  in often challenging conditions. Some really good birds from Spain, too. I am looking forward to see your Zimbabwe birds. Whether it will be 1000 or even more, you are heading for an incredible score this year. Thoroughly enjoying your efforts!

[michael-ibk]

Thanks @PeterHG, and I look forward to your South African photos. Hope you had a great time?