At the time of writing, my year list stands at 238: this compares favourably with the totals since I started Birds of the Heath back in 2015. In previous years Linda and I have visited the Farnes, Devon, Cornwall, Wales, the home counties and Yorkshire on numerous occasions: 2026 has been different, with just a three day trip to East Yorkshire which added five species to the total: the only fairly distant 'twitch' has been the Essex Hudsonian Godwit.
In addition to the species I might have anticipated in the West Country and Wales are the expected regular migrants that have been conspicuous by their absence! Redstart, Wryneck, Pied and Red-breasted Flycatcher and Hoopoe have all eluded me this year. In theory I could have chased after these: they have all been briefly available around the county. But they are all birds that I've just 'bumped into' in the past. (I recall several visits to the plantation at Horsey that delivered all of the above in one morning!)
Fingers crossed: there are still birds that should be available before the end of the year: Shorelark, Barred Warbler, Hen Harrier, Firecrest, Pallas' Warbler, Great Grey Shrike, and perhaps an unusual goose or two!
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