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2018 Big Year
Topic Started: Dec 27 2017, 08:05 PM (7,787 Views)
Anton
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King of Cotingas

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If there's one thing that brings all of the TRT members together, it's the love of animals. For most members this probably means an interest in zoos and animals in captivity in general, but there are a lot of members interested in observing wild animals as well.

Those that do are probably familiar with the "big year" concept: keeping track of all animals you see within a single calendar year. This can be done within a certain region (which is how the idea and name came to existence, after birders aimed to see as many species within the USA in one single year), but because we have members from all over the world we decided world listing would be more interesting.

Basically, the idea is as follows; from the 1st of January until the 31st of December, everyone who participates keeps track of the animals they see and identify, and lists them all in the order of seeing them. Every time you see a new species, you add onto that list by posting a new post in this topic. At the end of the year you can then easily compile a total list of the animals you saw that year, and keep the memories of seeing those species forever!
Of course, we'll add a little extra competition by bringing pointies into the mix. You'll be rewarded in pointies for every few animals you see, and at the end of each month the person with the most new species will be given a silhouette!

Rules:
  • Number your lists. This way it's always easy to check how many species you've seen.
  • We keep track of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. If you choose to only list the groups that interest you most, that's fine! A lot of people generally don't bother counting invertebrates.
  • Keep different lists for different classes (except with fish and invertebrates, list all different fish classes together and all different invertebrate classes together for those). Separate the lists for birds, mammals, reptiles etc. from each other.
  • Highlight the species you see for the first time ("lifers") in bold. This makes for a more interesting overview, and makes the listing of species more rewarding as you can draw more attention to the species that are more special to you!
  • We only list species, not subspecies, to prevent taxonomical debates. However, if you see a different subspecies worth mentioning, it's always interesting to include that in your post (without numbering it and putting it on the list). Hybrid animals don't count either.
  • We only list species we've seen directly, not species we've only heard. Similarly to different subspecies, it's always interesting to add the heard-only species to your post without listing them!
  • We only list actual wild species, escaped exotic species don't count unless they've become self-established (like feral pigeons everywhere, ring-necked parakeets in Europe and common starlings in North America).
  • List common names and binominal names of all species you see. Common names differ immensely per bird checklist (Clements, IOC, etc.), so to keep things clear we ask this as a requirement.
  • You are welcome to join in after January, but people starting in another month will not be counted for the first month they enter. For example, if you join in March and immediately have a list of 50+ species when most of these were seen in January and February, it'd be unfair to others that already saw the majority of their species in January, when the competition for "new" species was a lot higher.
  • You do not have to provide photographic evidence, your word is your bond. We trust our members won't lie about seeing things they didn't just to get a higher score.

Prizes:
  • On the first day of every month starting February 1st, I will be giving an overview of how many species of each category people have seen in total. I will also calculate how many species everyone gained compared to the previous month.
  • For every species you gained compared to the previous month, you will receive 5 pointies for use in the pointies store.
  • The person with the most species gained that month will receive a pointies animal.

Extra:
  • The double-posting rule will be less strict here than it is in other areas of the forum (as it's possible that you see something new before someone else has), but keep it sensible. Try not to post list updates twice in the same day if you see or identify another species later, it's easier to just edit your previous post.
  • Have fun!
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Posted Image Wes
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Aurora Designs Member

Finally went birding today (and finally saw that kingfisher, that took me long this year xD )

January 30th:
Birds
43) Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri
44) Common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
45) Short-toed treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla
46) Eurasian nuthatch, Sitta europaea
47) Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
48) Long-tailed tit, Aegithalos caudatus
49) Song thrush, Turdus philomelos

Mammals
3) European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus

Total
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Furka
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Well I suppose I am not seeing anything new in January unless an owl kamikazes itself against my window tonight, so here's my species list for the month:

MAMMALS
Carnivora

1- Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Artiodactyla
2- Fallow Deer (Dama dama)
3- Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)

BIRDS
Accipitriformes

1- Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
2- Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
3- Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

Anseriformes
4- Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)
5- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Charadriiformes
6- Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
7- Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Columbiformes
8- Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
9- Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)

Falconiformes
10- European Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

Gruiformes
11- Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
12- Common Crane (Grus grus)
13- Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

Passeriformes
14- Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae)
15- European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
16- Blackbird (Turdus merula)
17- European Magpie (Pica pica)
18- Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros gibraltariensis)
19- Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
20- European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
21- Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
22- Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
23- European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
24- Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
25- Great Tit (Parus major)
26- Common Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla)
27- White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
28- Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
29- European Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)
30- Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
31- European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)
32- European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris)
33- Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
34- Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

Pelecaniformes
35- Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
36- Great Egret (Ardea alba)
37- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
38- Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

Piciformes
39- Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)

Suliformes
40- Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

REPTILES

Squamata

1- European Common Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica)

Testudines
2- Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

FISH

Freshwater

1- White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)
2- Adriatic Sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii)
3- Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)
4- Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
5- Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Saltwater
6- European Seabass (Morone labrax)

Also spotted apparently a red-masked parakeet by my window, haven't counted it because I can'ìt confirm if it's a feral animal or an escapee (which seems more likely).
Edited by Furka, Feb 6 2018, 03:21 PM.
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Danny
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January 31, 2018

BIRDS
88 - Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus)
89 - Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)

Saw a juvenile butcherbird chasing some other birds - a juvenile of this species has been seen in my garden before, although the one time that happened I didn't know what it was and thought it was a mutation of a kookaburra or a species of kingfisher that I didn't know about :P This time it was not in my garden but in a wetland near uni.

The powerful owl was a beautiful sight, and easily the highlight for the year so far (in fact, this is one of the species I had set as a goal species for the year!) The bird was sitting a little above eye level, watching me as I photographed it. They are massive owls and have such beautiful yellow eyes, and are considered Vulnerable in Victoria. Such a great experience!

Posted Image
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Keniafan
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As I tought I would run out for species this January. I was pumped to see that around my area there were seen owls! In the daylight! I took the bus to the other side of the city to see some wonderful owls, wich are a very nice number 90 on the bird list!

90 - Long-eared owl (Asio otus)
Edited by Keniafan, Jan 31 2018, 09:29 AM.
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Gerben
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I was young and an actress

Hah, I'm late, as always.

Haven't found the time to see some birds about anywhere but the city, so it's time to catch up next saturday. This is what I've seen so far in January.

Dollard, Dollardkwelders
1. Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
2. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
3. White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Groningen, City Centre
4. Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
5. Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
6. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia domestica)

Groningen, Noorderplantsoen
7. Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
8. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
9. Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
10. Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
11. Mew Gull (Larus canus)
12. Blackbird (Turdus merula)
13. Great Tit (Parus major)
14. European Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)

Roodeschool, N46
15. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
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Fireplume
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Snok Snok Snerson

Birds
85. White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus)

Mammals
9. California Valley Coyote (Canis latrans ochropus)

Herptiles
2. California Toad (Anaxyrus boreas halophilus)

Entire List
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Orca Freak
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Killer Whales rule the World

Let's finish up for this month with one more gull :P

January 26th - 31st:

Birds:
44. Lesser black-backed gull - Larus fuscus

Total list

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Kevin
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Quail Conqueror.

Bit of a quick post before the end of the month.

January 1st - 31st:
BIRDS
1. Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)
2. Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
3. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
4. European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
5. Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)
6. Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
7. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
8. Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
9. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
10. Eurasian Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula)
11. Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
12. European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
13. Greylag Goose (Anser anser)
14. Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)
15. Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
16. Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
17. Gadwall (Mareca strepera)
18. Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)
19. Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope)
20. Canadian Goose (Branta canadensis)
21. Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)
22. Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)
23. Eurasian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
24. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
25. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
26. Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)
27. Great White Egret (Ardea alba)
28. Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)
29. Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
30. Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
31. Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus)
32. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
33. Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)
34. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
35. Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
36. Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
37. Great Tit (Parus major)
38. Dunnock (Prunella modularis)
39. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
40. Rook (Corvus frugilegus)
41. Feral Pigeon (Columba livia domestica)
42. Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
43. European Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)
44. Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
45. Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
46. Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
47. Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)
48. Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
49. Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)
50. Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
51. Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)
52. Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
53. Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
54. Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
55. Stock Dove (Columba oenas)
56. Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)
57. White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
58. Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus)
59. European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
60. European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris)
61. Northern Raven (Corvus corax)
62. Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)

MAMMALS
1. European Hare (Lepus europaeus)
2. European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)
3. Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

INVERTS
1. European Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io)
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Danny
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February 1, 2018
90 - Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae)
91 - Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor)
92 - Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)
93 - Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans)
94 - Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)
95 - Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides)
96 - Wedge-Tailed Eagle (Aquila audax)
97 - Yellow Thornbill (Acanthiza nana)
98 - White-Bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Some great species today, including a bunch of raptors... The advantage of travelling five hours up Australia's east coast :P
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magpiealamode
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No good hero is a one-trick phony.

First new species of February!

25. Eastern bluebird (Siala sialis)

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Fireplume
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Snok Snok Snerson

Last additions for January, Anton insisted I post them since I rightfully saw them last month (yesterday xD )

Birds
86. Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)
87. Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus)
88. Nuttall’s Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii)
89. American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

Total List
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Anton
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King of Cotingas

JANUARY
Overview
January 2018
BIRDS:
90 - Keniafan
89 - Danny
89 - Fireplume
86 - caviar
74 - Anton
62 - Kevin
49 - Wes
44 - Orca Freak
40 - Furka
36 - cassynatorium
30 - Komodo
24 - magpiealamode
17 - Dwarfbomb
15 - Gerben
15 - Xenephos
14 - Zoo Tycooner FR
10 - Burns
10 - Jules
1 - Paranoid
1 - RGDS

MAMMALS:
9 - Fireplume
8 - Danny
5 - Orca Freak
4 - Burns
4 - Keniafan
4 - magpiealamode
4 - Xenephos
3 - cassynatorium
3 - Furka
3 - Kevin
3 - Komodo
3 - Wes
2 - Dwarfbomb
1 - Anton
1 - Jules

HERPS:
5 - Danny (4 reptiles, 1 amphibian)
2 - Dwarfbomb (2 reptiles)
2 - Fireplume (1 reptile, 1 amphibian)
2 - Furka (2 reptiles)
2 - Komodo (2 reptiles)

FISH:
6 - Furka
3 - Fireplume
3 - Paranoid
1 - Danny

INVERTS:
8 - Komodo
3 - Xenephos
1 - Dwarfbomb
1 - Fireplume
1 - Kevin

Species gained this month
January 2018
104 - Fireplume
103 - Danny
94 - Keniafan
86 - caviar
75 - Anton
66 - Kevin
52 - Wes
51 - Furka
49 - Orca Freak
43 - Komodo
39 - cassynatorium
28 - magpiealamode
22 - Dwarfbomb
22 - Xenephos
15 - Gerben
14 - Burns
14 - Zoo Tycooner FR
11 - Jules
4 - Paranoid
1 - RGDS


Also, Danny and I have been keeping track of all birds, mammals and herps we've seen together as a group so far. This will also include animals seen in the "what wild animals did you see today?" topic, as some people only post there. I'm very impressed by the size of our list already, which is of course largely due to the very well spread out distribution of our members across the world!

Total Bird List

Total Mammal List

Total Herptile List

Everybody will receive their pointies (5x their total score) as soon as possible! If I have made a counting mistake somewhere, or forgot to add an animal to the total lists, please let me know via PM as not to clutter this topic.
If you saw other species during January that you hadn't had the chance to post until now, please mention so in your post and I can edit these lists.
Edited by Anton, Mar 5 2018, 11:42 AM.
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Anton
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King of Cotingas

And I went out today, looking for a lesser white-fronted goose in the area, but sadly missed it. I did find these two:

BIRDS:
75) Western marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus
76) Eurasian skylark, Alauda arvensis

Total
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Orca Freak
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Killer Whales rule the World

That's an impressive total list :o

When I look at these totals, I just wish I would live in a country with a lot more variety than here.
And having more time to actually go look for them
How can one spot over 100 different species in just a month xD
I would be surprised if I see so many by the end of the year :)
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Zoo Tycooner FR
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#Lithopédion

Still pathetic but I promise I will get to go birding this month*

15 - Blackbird, Turdus merula

*hopefully, don't kill me ok?
Edited by Zoo Tycooner FR, Feb 1 2018, 06:44 PM.
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