The List - Learning a new vocabulary and it's not the same as "twitching"

I visited RSPB Minsmere years ago, and took two small children.  There was talk of a bittern, but I didn't see it.  There were cries of "It's up!" when a Marsh Harrier appeared and a scuffle as men with binoculars rushed to see the raptor.  I was slightly bemused, although I could see it was impressive.  I did see a Hummingbird hawk moth on that visit, which appeared in many a drawing for a while afterwards.  I also had binocular envy.  There are some seriously good ones out there.  I have since bought myself a pair, that are good enough for me.  I enjoy the mindfulness of birdwatching, but I can't see that I will ever take the "List" seriously.  

The "list", well it's obvious really.  A birder will start a list on January 1st. This is the "year list".  The aim is to see as many birds as you possibly can in a year.  A good way to start is to get up at 6 a.m. on January 1st and go to, for instance, Dungeness.  Here you are likely to see many different varieties and it will start the year off well.  (That's New Year's eve out then.)   Although, you can also have a "day list", which, obviously is just the birds you have seen that day.  Then again you can have a "Lewisham list". I think you get the idea.  

My interest in birds started with the ordinary.  That is, the ones that you see everyday.  Unfortunately, some of these are getting more and more scarce, but that is for another blog entry.  I will leave you with some drawings.  Inspired by my local wildlife.  The humble starling and the much maligned pigeon.