2019 - Review

Not another review, I hear you cry!

Yep.

You may have noticed I keep my own Blog List. They obviously vary in content and direction. That's the way it should be. So, I've been thinking over the Christmas break...dangerous I know. Quality family time is paramount for me, hence the lack of posts...and Birding! All visiting and socialising is now done (we don't do New Year's Eve) so it's now time to look back on the Year.

German Shepherds...what a surprise! My sons though. Mia and Mylo.

Spiderman was always my favourite!

As I come to the end of my tenth year of blogging I'm happy to continue to provide something of interest...hopefully. If you've followed my ramblings for any length of time you've no doubt got a pretty good idea of my position on many aspects of our hobby by now! I've seen a LOT of change over 30 plus years but  won't dwell on that as I'm trying to be cheerful here. How thin can you split a Yellow Wagtail!!!

I see my Blog as a mixture of casual comment, diary type entries and (hopefully) some sharing of information. It doesn't have to follow any particular path...does it? Hopefully it's not too self-centred! I like to think I include the reader?

Lists ARE important to most of us...BUT they're not the "be all and end all". If I go, I go full steam...but as you know, I have "let birds go"...and I'm glad to do so. I've also admitted some hypocrisy and poor ID!

The main thing is to ENJOY what you do...and I certainly do that...although dipping does sting!

My trips to my beloved Texas and the UAE were very enjoyable, in very different ways. The latter benefitted greatly from increased familiarity. I have no regrets (well maybe one) from my unsuccessful adventure to Papa Westray. I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure and challenge also knowing I may get another chance?

I don't usually do this...BUT I guess it's quite important to me!

List additions...

Holmpton 167
Barnacle Goose
Caspian Gull
Hawfinch...in my garden for 2 days!

Duff 157
Sanderling
Wood Sandpiper

Yorkshire 391
Little Crake
Pacific Swift
Red-billed Chough
Baikal Teal?

Britain 520
Tengmalm's Owl
Brown Booby
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Pacific Swift
Hermit Thrush
Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Paddyfield Pipit?

My bird of the year?
After much deliberation I choose...and I didn't even get in the car!!!

2020...bring it ON!