Wot no ticks?

It is approaching the anniversary of the magnificent and munificent fall of American songbirds on the west coast in 2023. On September 23rd I got in the car and drove to Wales for a Magnolia Warbler and jammed a Canada Warbler at the same time for a two tick day. Earlier in the year I'd had another two tick day, again a somewhat spur of the moment decision to just go for it. A long drive to Northumberland for the Grey-headed Lapwing before continuing to Fife for Stejneger's Scoter (and a whole lot more besides).

Not so 2024. It is early days as far as the autumn is concerned but this year could not be more different. I saw no new birds in the Spring. I have no idea if there was anything gettable but I am nothing if not totally hopeless when it comes to remembering to stay focussed on rare birds. So the Spring just passed me by. Not sure what I was doing really, probably just birding locally and going on a few trips. Anyhow, there is the distinct possibility that unless I up my game in the next six weeks or so that 2024 could end up being a blank year. Now I will be the first to say that having a big UK list is pretty meaningless in the grand scheme of things, and the fact I'm marooned on 450ish says nothing about my birding ability, versus say, someone who has seen 500. Nor indeed versus someone who has seen 300, which is important to also consider. 

Those were the days!

I don't think I want to have a blank year. I remember the only reason I went off to Wales was essentially a fear of missing out. I just didn't want to look back at the most amazing nearctic passerine year in living memory and regret that I saw none of it, and so I went. It was only a day and it was fantastic. The same may well happen this year. I've got no Shetland trip booked, but I do have a few more days in Fife at a decent time of year, so maybe that will provide the missing bird. That said, when I'm up there I'm generally far more focussed on seeing things locally as I explained in a recent post. So this means I will probably have to take the plunge at some point and drive a few miles. Can't remember the last time I drove my car, but it did just pass its MOT so it's primed so to speak. Bring on those easterlies.