The Inaugural Bird of the Year 2025 for the St Ives 20K Area ... and the nominees are:
Liam and Alan for suspecting that the reported Blue-winged Teal from the previous week at Hayle might or should still be around. Finding a dodgy looking Teal and sticking with it, nailing the white spot in front of the bill; the white-ish eye-ring; the more spatulate bill and finally watch it fly to reveal a stonking blue forewing. Great re-find and great to be able to get the masses on to it by midday. A quality hour of birding that! Spoiled only very slightly by leaving early and missing the 5 minute Franklin's Gull ... such is life. The BW Teal hung around on and off for a week or so and then not seen again.
James for the epic Pallid Swift on Nov 4th in St Ives. Seen as he looked out through the grubby rain, sand, and gull-poo spattered windows of the Tate Gallery in early November. Suspected as being a Pallid with various reports from "up-country", James pressed the Bat-button meaning that within 20 minutes, 4 of us had gathered in front of the Tate to try and nail the Pallid Swift as it flew around attempting to roost before it headed east over The Island, into the darkness and never seen again. Can't blame it really - it's November, in England, and the following day was shocking weather-wise.
Alan: for the Nightingale on 1st May on St Ives Island car park. The early dog walk, the rustle of a dog-poo-bag, a gentle breeze, the promise of a lovely day - and blimey! is that a Nightingale singing from the scrub? It is! A quick call, a sending of the recording and Billy broke (his own) World record from being horizontal to be being vertical and moving forward in a straight line. It was heard singing until around 10:30 and then gone. Can't blame it really - a dog-ridden car park in the middle of the busiest tourist town in England is no place for a Nightingale.
AND THE WINNER IS .... James and the Pallid Swift!! The illustrious trophy is pictured and will be treasured and on James's mantlepiece for the whole if the 2025. If he has a mantlepiece ...
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