Rain Stops Play ....

The weather over the last few days put paid to any notion of getting any birding done. I had hoped to squeeze a few more ticks out, most notably crossbill and white-fronted goose, but my north Gower trip with Dan on Thursday was the last time binoculars were raised by me. Highlights this year were many, and include black-throated thushes, lekking black grouse, shore larks, female Montague's harrier and Norfolk despite dipping on speciality birds on both trips. I also got three new gulls for me this year - glaucous, Sabines's and Franklin's and some nice new waders too - dotterels, semipalmated, buff-breasted and least. My final total for 2006 is 222. A nice round number that would see umpire Shepherd hopping with delight!