Taking Birds for Granted?

[the cobb]

An earlier thread - entitled "Targets for 2010" or similar - was posted by someone who expressed a wish to see - amongst other birds - a Little Egret. Near where I live - Gorleston in Norfolk - there are plenty of Little Egrets, most to be found only a stone's throw from a huge ASDA superstore and a busy railway line! When I first moved to Norfolk I was hugely impressed when I spotted the Little Egret, but, as the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt and I'm afraid to admit I now no longer regard the egret as anything out of the ordinary. What other birds in different parts of Britain do other birders "take for granted" (so to speak) because they are so common, even though in another part of the country they would be regarded as a "exciting" bird to see?

[earthdragon64]

I wouldn't say "take for granted", but I know what you mean.

Slavonian Grebe, Crested Tit and Osprey are birds that I'm lucky enough to see regularly, and I know they would be high on a lot of people's wishlists. Even though I see them often, it's still a thrill when I see one in a new place, especially unexpectedly.

I saw more Ospreys last year than I saw Magpies for example, and I know loads of people would regard Magpies as nothing more than a pest.

[FUDGEY]

Red Kites for me. Just like seeing a buzzard for me now, but I don't take it for granted just not as exciting anymore.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Red Kites for me. Just like seeing a buzzard for me now, but I don't take it for granted just not as exciting anymore.

There are two birds Ive never seen here in West Essex/Greater London (though Ive seen them elsewhere).
In contrast by June last year I was used to seeing cuckoos, having seen at least one, often three almost every day since late April, and there a bird many have not seen.

[SheffieldLass]

I've now got 60+ tree sparrows in the garden .... the house sparrows are the rarity now ... only about 6 of them ....

[k4t3]

Never take any of the little miracles for granted, but I see what you mean. I was speaking to a work colleague recently about the birds that visit my garden and she was very jealous of the 20 odd species that I see on a regular basis.....even the starlings which are the thug gangs of my neighbourhood...just goes to show you should always appreciate what you have!

[Connor7]

An earlier thread - entitled "Targets for 2010" or similar - was posted by someone who expressed a wish to see - amongst other birds - a Little Egret. Near where I live - Gorleston in Norfolk - there are plenty of Little Egrets, most to be found only a stone's throw from a huge ASDA superstore and a busy railway line! When I first moved to Norfolk I was hugely impressed when I spotted the Little Egret, but, as the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt and I'm afraid to admit I now no longer regard the egret as anything out of the ordinary. What other birds in different parts of Britain do other birders "take for granted" (so to speak) because they are so common, even though in another part of the country they would be regarded as a "exciting" bird to see?

I thought the same thing when 'Jason Green' said Turtle Dove in that thread !

[rossy]

yes here i have house sparrows in abundance but donttake the little fellas for granted as elsewhere in the country they seem to be struggling. as for a cuckoo havent seen one here but saw one in bulgaria. depending on where we all live ie in the country , in the city, in a village you should enjoy whatever bird you see as one day you might not. rossy

[glsammy]

Whilst I never take any of them for granted I do tire of seeing just the same species most of the time. Nuthatches for example. I know many people hardly ever see them, but around here they're more common than House Sparrows.
It's my problem I get tired of seeing them, certainly not the birds!
Having said that I still go out to feed them and take shots.

[Cowgirl]

Know what you mean, gold finches for me. Almost wish I had a few less as Niger seeds are bloomin expensive! Plenty of tree sparrows as well, Oddly enough tho, no starlings. Do they prefer towns? Am v rural here.