In 2018 I took part in Birdwatching Magazine's #My200BirdYear challenge and spotted 78 different species of birds in the wild. In 2019, I saw and photographed 97 birds. In 2020, my total was 83 birds in the year even with the coronavirus pandemic ongoing. In 2021 I saw and photographed 102 different species (only in my local area due to Covid restrictions). 2022 set another record for my list - 105 species seen and photographed. 2023 equalled the record.

2024 wasn't the easiest of birding years, as the weather was very wet. Water levels in nature reserves were mostly too high for small waders to get out and about, so I missed out on seemingly common birds such as Common Sandpipers. I glimpsed a Song Thrush, which was pleasing, as I hadn't seen any for a few years, but I didn't manage to take its photo as it was hidden among trees. A trip to Titchfield Haven added a Roseate Tern to my all-time list, and a trip to Leighton Moss gave me great photos of Bearded Tits. I reached 99 species on 1 December, and on 31 December I managed to reach 100 bird species seen and photographed. Additions of Treecreeper, Green-winged Teal, Bar-headed Goose and Fulvous Whistling Duck brought my all-time list of photographed species up to 146.

Here are some of the highlights of my bird year 2024 - photographs of a Bearded Tit, Little Egret and Great Egret, Meadow Pipit and Bar-headed Goose.

More of my bird photos can be found in my Birdwatching book on lulu.com

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