In 2025 I set myself a goal to see and photograph all 640 bird species in the UK based on the British Ornithology Union (BOU) The British List. Seeing every bird is certainly a long game project and here is where I will track my progress. I will be keeping a running total of how many species are on my life list whilst also managing an annual list. Starting from 2026 because I wasn’t organized in 2025.
Species log 2026
At the start of January, I didn’t know I was going to be doing this so working backwards but here we are! I had 2 main birding outings this month, London Wetland Trust (LWT) and Windsor Great Park (WGP) and a brief visit to Ridley Reservoir (RR)
I went to London wetland trust over the Christmas void during with the arctic storm rolling across. It was cold. the wetlands were frozen. I didn’t see much but was still great to get out and start the year.
Windsor Great Park, was post sickness so again great to get out and certainly paid more attention and captured more here.
There was also a buzz in the local bird community with a sighting of a Killdeer at Ridley reservoir. Unfortunately I wasn’t lucky enough to see or capture this here despite sightings only an hour before. However, there was talk of a White tailed Eagle being sighted in the distance, I did get a photo but deciding not to count it as a captured as you can’t ID the bird from the photo.
All in all, not a bad start to the year. we got a few lifers here! The redwing, Redpoll, Shellduck and Northern Shoveler.
Windsor Great Park
Red Wing – Windsor Great Park
Comorant – Windsor Great Park
Great Crested Grebe – Windsor Great Park
Treecreeper – Windsor Great Park
Eurasian Jay – Windsor Great Park
Red Kite – Windsor Great Park
Mute Swan – Windsor Great Park
Egyptian Goose – Windsor Great Park
Gold Crest – Windsor Great Park
Coal Tit – Windsor Great Park
Mandarin Duck – Windsor Great Park
black Swan – Windsor Great Park
The month has started, but I’m lagging behind
