Peter B's Second Big Year 2023

[BRACQUENE]

And finally ...

134/ Rufous-naped Lark ( Mirafra africana - Roodnekleeuwerik ) Akagera NP Magashi Concession 13th of December 2023 : 

 

[PeterHG]

Great last batch of Rwanda additions with beautiful photos!

[xelas]

All nice and excellent end to a great birding year.

[michael-ibk]

Really enjoyed your Rwanda collection Peter, Bravo!

[BRACQUENE]

Thanks Peter , Alex and Michael  ; my BY is "almost" complete because I went to the coast and just uploaded those pictures and I am looking now if there are new ones

[BRACQUENE]

 

356 Common Redshank ( Tringa Totanus- Tureluur ) Nieuwpoort Ysermonde Boxing Day 26th of December 2023 : 

 

 

[BRACQUENE]

357. Ruddy Turnstone ( Arenaria interpres - Steenloper ) Nieuwpoort Ysermonde Boxing Day 26th of December 2023 : 

[BRACQUENE]

My second BY will end like my first , with a general picture of Ysermonde in Nieuwpoort ; last year the weather conditions were better , the birds much closer and identification easier with  amongst others an Iceland Gull which isn't very common 

This time I will not try some EBC's but at least I can be sure of one species in the frontline : 

358. Great black-backed Gull ( Larus marinus - Grote Mantelmeeuw ) Nieuwpoort Ysermonde 23th of December 2023 : 

 

So I will end here with not a bad score but that's not the most important ; last year I came in late and hesitant what to expect ; now I am feeling more assured and accepted as a birder which is more than I ever hoped  ! 

It hasn't always been an easy year and birding was interrupted quite a while by illness and the Belgian weather but I will never forget the first five months which were the most intense and rewarding since I retired , even more so than the safaris later on ...

See you back in 2024 when Game Warden opens the new BY 

[PeterHG]

Not a bad score at all! Much better than mine anyway and I had the same weather...:). It's really good to hear you'll be back for more this year and I'm defintely looking forward to your 2024 contributions!

[Peter Connan]

What you call not a bad score I call an excellent score!

Almost one bird per day for the whole year!

[TonyQ]

An excellent collection from Rwanda, and a great overall total. Well done!

[Galana]

Congratulations on both a decent score, excellent photos and for sticking the course despite setbacks.

 

Back to your Barn Swallow group.

There is a Green object lower down the bush that I don't think is a leaf. Prob a BeeEater but take a look.

[BRACQUENE]

Indeed Fred well spotted : Blue-cheeked if I am correct 

[Galana]

That would be my guess too.

[Kitsafari]

a very respectable final score for a second year of birding and despite interruptions to a smooth birding journey, Peter, so congrats! so very glad that you've joined.