Reactions to my Huge 12 months in Rotterdam have been threefold: [1] your goal is bold however doable, [2] your goal is just too excessive, and you’ll by no means attain it and [3] hahahahaha. Individuals in group 1: thanks on your variety help. These in group 2 and three…
Is there a technique to my insanity? Nicely, I did undergo a semi-scientific strategy based mostly on previous information to come back to a goal. Is it doable although? To achieve the lofty purpose of 200 birds in a 12 months, I’ve devised a technique – what else are administration consultants presupposed to do – that focuses on frequent birds, seasonal birds and vagrants. As you could have seen, my rely didn’t transfer very quick within the first month of this 12 months (there even have been questions in parliament in each Uzbekistan and Vanuatu about this obvious anomaly). That’s as a result of I’m after the seasonal birds. Any frequent fowl I’ll come throughout will go on the listing, however I’m actually in search of these wintering birds. A tremendous instance of how this a part of the technique works, was after I went out to twitch the Rock Pipit, but additionally discovered Widespread Buzzard, Wigeon and Widespread Redshank. Sadly, the winter company don’t like to remain near the town centre. I have to journey to the Europoort space, which is each distant and arduous to succeed in with public transport. Consequently, I’m spending numerous time chasing preciously few birds. For the winter birds I solely have two probabilities, so this a part of the technique is sensible (to me). These are must-sees and definitely worth the effort. And it is going to be an effort – for the Arctic Loon or Black-throated Diver I must cycle 30 kilometers, discover it after which pedal again. Sadly, it is going to be a single tick on the listing not two, regardless of its double identify.
The vagrants will probably be trickier. Not solely will they almost definitely be in the identical, distant areas, however I’ll rely on the autumn migration solely. Spring migration is simply much less more likely to ship long-staying vagrants. These birds have a transparent goal (you realize!) and so they’re going for it. No lingering… And that issues, as a result of I nonetheless have a job which is an enormous distraction from birding. So, in spring I will probably be chasing the frequent, breeding birds, just like the Robin, whereas hoping for oddballs.
Having stated that, oddballs are of all seasons. A typical birding outing involving oddballs could be the one I had final week. There had been a report of a Crimson-crested Pochard in a canal. I nonetheless needed to examine my newly delivered home and I used to be doggy-sitting. Since my new home is close to Het Park, a 100 hectare city park, the canine and I strolled via the park on our option to the twitch. We lucked upon a Mandarin Duck however dipped on Firecrest. Once we arrived on the twitch somebody had simply been feeding the geese – an unlawful act nowadays. One of many geese was our Crimson-crested Pochard. We forgave the trespasser, felt very holy and gratefully accepted the present of a simple fowl… I say “we” however the canine actually was extra keen on some discarded chips/fries with mayonaise.
All respectable photos from the 10000birds archive, the remainder is by the creator. Moreover, Uzbeks and Vanuatuans don’t care about my purpose, however we live in a post-fact world so I can say no matter I need and simply name it an opinion.
Huge 12 months Rotterdam, 1 February 2025, 64 species, 136 to go.
