I bear in mind a dialog that I had a number of years in the past with a severe world lister and British twitcher. “It’s those you do not see that you just bear in mind,” he mentioned, from the confines of a dimly lit tapas bar on Fuerteventura, the place the recent discovery of a Dwarf Bittern was the rationale for a small gathering of British birders discussing the ups and downs of itemizing. I’ve remembered that line since – and I believe it is fairly true.
I like an excellent listing. I believe most birders do (even those who’re too cool for college and declare they do not). While I get pleasure from including to them, I’ve by no means been majorly fussed by my British or world lists like some hardcore people are, however I’m tremendous eager in relation to my county (Surrey) and patch totals. I additionally hold annual patch 12 months lists and put in loads of effort with them. And sure, it is true – it is those you do not see that you just bear in mind.
I write this not lengthy after dipping a neighborhood Hen Harrier at Thursley Common, certainly one of my south-west Surrey patches. This is a pleasant chicken to see regionally, however I accomplish that just about yearly. This 12 months, although, it is the third one I’ve missed – and I think I’ve run out of time for one more in 2023. I’ve had an excellent 12 months of native birding, seeing some nice species and discovering a number of goodies myself, however I can let you know now that I’ll completely keep in mind that I did not see a patch Hen Harrier in 2023. And I can immediately recount the three species I missed in 2022, as nicely. Sad? Yes, a bit of bit! But I’m positive it is how loads of birders’ minds function.
This Eurasian Spoonbill, at Holmethorpe Sand Pits on 9 October 2021, is certainly one of a number of that Ed has failed to attach with in Surrey (Arturas Kundrotas).
Bogey birds are completely different to bucket-list birds, that are a selected species that you just extremely want. They are additionally completely different to a ‘tart’s tick’ – in different phrases, they don’t seem to be merely a daily or anticipated chicken which you’ve got not seen earlier than. A real bogey chicken is not a species you’ve got missed as soon as, both – bogey birds are these species that, time after time, you’ve got in some way dipped. ‘Ultimate bogey’ standing implies that mentioned chicken has been seen by your birding friends, usually in a majorly gripping manner, be it in your patch whilst you have been away, or a very showy individual, and so forth.
Bogey birds will linger clearly within the lister’s thoughts, ready to be avenged. When it involves my county listing, varied species have held the title of ‘high bogey’, earlier than lastly falling. The present crown-wearer is probably Eurasian Spoonbill – I’ve dipped no fewer than three (all flew off whereas I used to be mid-journey), and missed a handful of others (having been too many beers down on the pub and enjoying soccer among the many standout causes for being unable to go).
Easily probably the most obtrusive omission from my British listing is Purple Heron – however that is to not say I have not tried. I’ve genuinely misplaced rely of what number of I’ve dipped – successive nights of staking out a West Sussex reedbed and being inside 5 minutes of a Surrey chicken final 12 months earlier than it flew are particularly painful reminiscences.
I might go on. But, regardless of all this, bogey birds do fall – and it feels nice once they do. You’re not simply ticking off a brand new species in your listing, you are banishing the ghosts of earlier misses. I’m positive loads of Birdwatch readers can supply up bogey birds with far grander tales of woe than I, involving national-level dips and costly failures. But bear in mind, if (when) that species does ultimately fall, it’s going to be all of the sweeter.
- This column first appeared within the January 2024 version of Birdwatch. To be the primary to learn the journal every month, take out a subscription to Birdwatch, or get the journal alongside your chicken information by subscribing to both Bird News Ultimate (paper journal) or Bird News Ultimate Plus (digital access).
