LM's 6th BY, 2021 - in search of consistency, with better photography

[lmSA84]

Well, lets give this ago again. I don't have much of a plan (incl. no holidays booked at present) but overall I would like to get most of my top ten list, improve my photography (and editing) and get a 200+ score on the board.

 

I looked backed on my performances in the prior years and my track record is spotty at best (bit like an English batsman ) so anything over 200 will suffice for me.

 

2021 - 110

2020 - 0!

2019 - 159

2018 - 225

2017 - 357

2016 - 0?

2015 - 49

Edited January 22, 2022 by lmSA84

[Galana]

Go for it. Make 2022 your year and bad cess to the Plague.

Start planning.

[PeterHG]

Good plan! Looking forward to your photos.

[lmSA84]

1. Dartford Warbler, Rainham Marshes, January

 

I've been fortunate this year with a quiet start to the year workwise, allowing me to get out to four birding hot spots. The first of these was Rainham Marshes - my closest RSPB reserve. 

 

At first I just managed an EBC - extra points for those who can find the bird in this Jackson Pollock masterpiece!

 

 

Unfortunately, for my EBC collection he did finally show himself clearly. This is first bird in the target list for the year.

 

 

 

Edited January 22, 2022 by lmSA84

[lmSA84]

2. Reed Bunting, Rainham Marshes, January

 

Rainham is always good for close views of these guys. 

 

[lmSA84]

3. House Sparrow, Rainham Marshes, January

 

[lmSA84]

4. European Starling, Rainham Marshes, January

 

[lmSA84]

5. Goldfinch, Rainham Marshes, January

 

[lmSA84]

At this time of year Rainham is just awash with water fowl and thick reed golden reed beds

 

 

[lmSA84]

6. Greylag Geese, Rainham Marshes, January

 

[lmSA84]

7. Canada Geese, Rainham Marshes, January

 

[lmSA84]

8. Little Egret, Rainham Marshes, January

 

[michael-ibk]

Welcome back to the game! Beautiful photo of the Egret!

[PeterHG]

Off to a good start. Quite a few species in your Rainham overview already, but I'm assuming you're going to show us individual photos of those?

[TonyQ]

A good start, and a Dartford Warbler, which I have never seen

[Galana]

3 hours ago, PeterHG said:

Quite a few species in your Rainham overview already, but I'm assuming you're going to show us individual photos of those?

Makes a game in itself. I counted five species.

[lmSA84]

On 1/23/2022 at 3:07 PM, Galana said:

Makes a game in itself. I counted five species.

@Galana- Good idea! I make it six species - I think there is cheeky Wood Pigeon on the bank at the back

[lmSA84]

@PeterHG- I was originally tempted to use it to cover 5-6 species but if I cover all those in one I might not have much else for the year 

 

[lmSA84]

9. Mediterranean Gull, Burgess Park, London, January

 

Mediterranean Gull is another one of my top ten targets and one had been reported in my local park for a few days so I thought I would give it a go.

 

Of course when, I turned up it immediately flew away 

 

 

But thankfully it wasn't for long

 

 

Edited January 25, 2022 by lmSA84

[lmSA84]

10. Black-headed Gull, Burgess Park, London, January

 

The Mediterranean Gull was in amongst the seemingly ubiquitous flock of BHGs

 

[Galana]

12 hours ago, lmSA84 said:

@Galana- Good idea! I make it six species

Could be seven if those are teal on the far bank next to the Woody, which I had counted. Did you miss the Snipe?

I thought at one stage there was a Moorhen too but it was not black enough.

Nice pair of Gulls.

[lmSA84]

On 1/26/2022 at 10:05 AM, Galana said:

Could be seven if those are teal on the far bank next to the Woody, which I had counted. Did you miss the Snipe?

I thought at one stage there was a Moorhen too but it was not black enough.

Nice pair of Gulls.

 

@Galana- you have some Eagles eyes! I had to stare and stare to see the Snipe. I had Shoveler, Wigeon, Pintail, Coot, Wood Pigeon and Teal (is front centre, below the Snipe), then with the Snipe is seven and I reckon there is a Moorhen on the back bank next to right of the Wood Pigeon. 

[lmSA84]

I suppose I should get on sharing some of the birds listed in my collage. 

 

11. Snipe, London Wetland Centre, January

 

[lmSA84]

12. Wood Pigeon, London Wetland Centre, January

 

 

 

[lmSA84]

13. Eurasian Coot, London Wetland Centre, January