This is my attempt to record a different British bird species for every day of the year. Given that in 2010 I only photographed 174 different species in total, it looks like a project doomed to failure, however I'm going to bend the rules (well they are my rules) and allow male and female where Read more...

This is my attempt to record a different British bird species for every day of the year. Given that in 2010 I only photographed 174 different species in total, it looks like a project doomed to failure, however I'm going to bend the rules (well they are my rules) and allow male and female where the plumage is different and juvenile phases of plumage (i.e. gulls).

There'll also be a minor problem on days when I'm not in Britain, however then I'll pass the camera over to some unsuspecting friend who can mop up the commoner species.

I've removed the ability to star & comment on this account, simply because I will not be starring or commenting myself, should however you wish to subscribe to my challenge I'll subscribe back, but remain silent. My very close friend Longshanks makes enough noise for both of us.

Update at 31st December 2011

The 2011 challenge is over - 290 birds in the Year List - there are some pretty dire pictures among those published and there are some "interesting" juvenile plumages, but there are also a few cracking bird shots and some great memories.

I hadn't realised how this simple project at the start of the year would turn into the "demonic child" that would have us travelling all over the country seeking out rarer birds. I'm sure our cars will be breathing a sigh of relief that 2011 is over.

So what for 2012? It almost seems like a second retirement - what am I going to do to fill my time? Well I'm sure the answer will be similar to my first retirement - there are never enough hours in the day to do what you want to do. I envisage a bit more time on the bike and a lot less time in the car, a bit more time around the house doing those jobs that I've been putting off and have I mentioned that my Birding Life List is only 295 (yup, only 5 more than the 2011 Year List) - so the chasing round after rarer birds won't just be stopping.

I'll continue posting bird pictures in this journal, but no restrictions on species & plumage, just simply the best picture from the day and that could be on a photographic or a rarity basis and there will now be non-birdwatching days where there'll be no picture at all. I'll turn on comments and stars and be a bit more verbose in my own right.