99 Species to the end of January
Great start to 2013 with 99 species of wild bird so far recorded. It's only one off of the record 100 species seen in January 2012.
Species number 99 was Corn Bunting seen today but also apparently on the overflow Car Park on Monday. The area around Martin Mere is good for this species but we tend to get few records during the year.
There have been ten species recorded so far which were missing in January 2012; Greenland White-fronted Goose, Spoonbill, Common Crane, Woodcock, Mediterranean Gull, Rook, Blackcap, Mistle Thrush, Lesser Redpoll and Yellowhammer. All of these species were eventually recorded in 2012 and only Common Crane stands out as a true rarity here.
Interesting to note that eight species recorded in Jan 12 are missing so far in 2013 ; Tundra Bean Goose, Grey and Red-legged Partridge, Golden Plover, Short-eared Owl, Kingfisher, Cetti's Warbler, Willow Tit, and Bullfinch. Only Cetti's Warbler and perhaps Willow Tit are likely to evade this years list although best not rule anything out!
