Reaching London! Charity Fundraising update.

 Well, the Biking Birder enters the sixth month of this year's Biking Birder adventure, knowing that he has a lot of birding to do in order to catch up with the BIGBY (Big Green Big Year) leader, Ponc Feliu Latorre.

Indeed, in the top fifteen there are two Spaniards ahead of me with Ponc having seen 251 bird species and Jose Luis Anguita on 227.

My own BIGBY bird list stands at 217.

I haven't had a new bird since the Firecrest at Linford Arboretum in Norfolk but hopefully that will change today. An Iberian Chiff Chaff has been seen in Regent's Park in the centre of London and that is my next target bird.

Now I haven't updated the charity details for too long so here goes . . .

Please give a little something and make my day!

Thanks.

Donations : Acorns

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GaryPrescott2022 

Many thanks to . . . 

John the Scouser Williams, Faith (The Manea chip shop girl), Amy (The Canadian Green Birder), Sean Dempster, Andy R, Trevor, Phil, Linda & Bettina, Elsa Richter, Dave Hutton,Helen Hawke, Hollins Green Village Shop ladies, Shanahans Guest House in Aston, Birmingham, Sandi of Littledean Hotel in Cinderford, Beth Howells, Stuart Green, Judith Geraghty, Brenda Campbell, Paul Moseley, Alison Everett, Bill Urwin, Lee & Cathy Gregory, Sean (Liverpool), Lindsey Moore, Anonymous, Lindsey Barthorpe, Julie, Sue, Julie (Upton Warren), Ian "Seagulls" Morris, Larraine Tayleure, Andrew Bayes, Andy Pitt,Andrea, P & P, Moira, Jackie Griffiths, Bob, Keep U, Rosie, Jayne Grosvenor, Jane & Andy Revell, Louise, Stuart Griffiths, M & D Shaw, Dave & Sue White, Janette Lowndes, Bart, Lise Hanson, Maria Hill, Phil V, Chris Elmer, Sue Murphy, Nicky, John Hague, Mike, Kimberley Bills, Norma Hines, Rob Gilbert, Julia, Colin Graham, Sarah Moreton, Lizzy, Lisa Hillier, Rob Leech, P & P.

And also many thanks to the person from Llandudno who sent money directly to Acorns Children's Hospice, stating 'The Biking Birder' in the letter. Brilliant! Thanks. 

Acorns Children's Hospice 

Total so far . . . 

£1,586 plus gift aid

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Donations : RSPB

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bikingbirdervii-2022 

Many thanks to . . . 

Sean Dempster, Amy (The Amazing Canadian Green Birder), Dawn Balmer, Bethany & Peter, Phil and Linda Cooper, Bettina dn 9-year old Thomas, Lizzy Bradbury, Jo & Gaynor,Tom Jackson, Ptolomey McKinnon, Pam & Malcolm, Faye & John, Paul Sharpe, Tony Barter, Trevor from Boston, P & P (again!). Anne, David Hilliard, Oriel, Louise Bailey, Sandi of Littledean Hotel in Cinderford, Stuart Green, Judith Geraghty, Lynn, Bill Urwin, Lee & Cathy Gregory, Sean (Liverpool), Lindsey Moore, Julia, Nicky M, Karen and Richard Blackburn, Paul Moseley, Susan, Jim Royer, Anonymous, Foz, anonymous, Phil (Upton Warren), Dad and RSPB Badges sold, P & P, Moira, Jill from Dorking, Nicky M, Terri Akers, Anne Beckett, Maria Hill, Mark Carter, P

Gary's RSPB Justgiving page link

Total so far . . . 

£965 plus gift aid

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The BIG Catch Up Begins! Part One - Apologies and Moving On. MARCH 2022

 

Apology - I am so sorry that I haven't updated this Biking Birder blog as often as I would like and as often as I have done during previous Biking Birder adventures.

So, hopefully with apology accepted, I will endeavour to show the highlights since my last blog post from way back in March.

During the rest of March, from that lovely day with Lizzy Bradbury at Middleton Lakes RSPB reserve on the 15th of the month, I cycled 547 miles, into Lancashire for the Belted Kingfisher, adding Water Pipit and Little Stint to the BIGBY bird list whilst doing so before cycling through the Peak District in order to see the long-staying if roaming White-tailed Plover at the amazing Frampton RSPB reserve in Lincolnshire.

Belted Kingfisher

White-tailed Plover

The rest of the month of March saw me arrive for the first time in that exemplary birding county, Norfolk and I was successful in adding Dusky Warbler to the list but dipped out on the Red-breasted Goose at Blakeney, after having cycled from Hunstanton to the Quay there into a strong 40mph plus gale. The ride back to Hunstanton was far more pleasant!

Other additions to my BIGBY bird list in March included Smew, Willow Tit, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Little Ringed Plover, Garganey, Spotted Redshank, Brent Goose and Yellowhammer.

Spotted Redshank

Little Ringed Plover

Brent Goose

Red-necked Grebe

BIKING BIRDER VI 2022 Birmingham and Middleton Lakes RSPB Reserve with a famous Green Birder

 

          On the road again, I set off for over a month of pure Green Birding. I wave goodbye to Mum & Dad, who are standing at the door. I am so lucky to have both of them at their tender age of 89 and 90! Love them so much of course.

          Mum & Dad live atop a high hill in North Worcestershire, which makes for a pleasant drop down towards Birmingham. Life feels good as I make progress towards this wonderful city's centre.

          Having followed a canal towpath through the city, as I did last week when visiting Aston Villa FC to assist one of my chosen charities, Acorns Children's Hospice, fundraise at the Villa match vs Southampton - 

          - I reach, eventually, Aston Villa's training ground at Bodymoor Heath.

          and cycle along the adjacent road to the RSPB reserve, Middleton Lakes.

          I approach a famous Green Birder, Lizzy Bradbury, who stands waiting by her personalised number plated car and immediately our chatter begins.

          A number of years ago, whilst travelling back from seeing my daughter Rebecca in Newcastle Upon Tyne by train, I met Lizzy and her son Jack. They were sitting opposite me and I overheard the words Green Woodpecker being spoken.

          That meeting led to a friendship and during Jack's years before becoming a teenager, the two of them would frequently go birdwatching together.

          Nowadays Jack prefers other pursuits and is a fantastic guitarist, yet Lizzy still passionately Green Birds around her local area, Warwick and helps maintains a local Birding blog.

                           Warwick Birding

          So our conversation is about family catch up news and Green Birding. As we walk along the long path fringed by a deciduous Oak woodland, Lizzy asks me whether The Oracle, Phil Andrews, is helping me once more this BIGBY. I say yes, of course he is and that he seems to have mellowed from his pushing and cadjoling of me on previous Biking Birder years.

          Now I love incredible coincidences that happen rarely but always with bemusement and occasionally with hilarity and on this occasion Phil appears from behind a bush!

          

          Had he heard me saying about his mellowing? No matter, we laughed and enjoyed his company before he told me of two birds on site that would increase my 2022 BBVI BIGBY bird list, Egyptian Goose and Wheatear.

          Now for those who don't know the wonder of The Oracle, Phil for the two years of the Biking Birder adventures II and II, 2015 and 2016, was a constant source of birding gen, with regular updates either by text, email or phone calls. Phil becoame a vital part of my success in both years in achieving the aim of setting higher standards and records in British Green Birding.

          In 2015, I visitied every RSPB and W&WT nature reserve in the UK whilst seeing, with Phil's help, 290 different bird species.

          In 2016 the focus was purely on the birds and by the end of the year Phil had pushed me, bullied me and celebrated with me, as I saw 318 bird species during my 'dirty' BIGBY. My Big Green Big Year was completed not only by bike but also by the use of quite a number of ferries. By the end of the year I had visited many Shetland and Orkney islands, had spent weeks on Fair Isle and been to the Isle of Wight, Mull and Coll twice! Ferries are not allowed in the ourest form of Green Birding, hence this year's Biking Birder adventure.

          Thanks Phil. You know how invaluable your help has been and how eternally grateful I will always be.

          By the time Lizzy has to leave, we have laughed at her poetry recitals and seen both the BIGBY birds, both distantly but conclusively. We have walked around the extensive footpaths of this fabulous and large RSPB reserve, a reserve made from the  extraction of gravels some years back.

          Birdwatching has so many life affirming facets but friendships are definitely high on the list of positives. Lizzy is one of those fun characters that lifts everyone's day and spending a couple of hours birding with her is always a delight.

          I wander along the riverback of the River Tame and kneel to watch three Kingfishers chasing each other around and within a nearby riverside bush. Not once do any of them give me a clear view but it is fabulous watching their antics.

         My evening is spent watching birds arriving to roost, including a pair of closer Egyptian Geese and a Mediterranean Gull. Great reserve and two great friends, sleep comes peacefully and with a smile on my face from the days poetry and coincidence.

BIKING BIRDER VI 2022 Charity Update ACORNS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE and THE RSPB

 

In these times of soaring costs of living, I feel we all need to show that we can help each other through the horrific times ahead. One thing that was so noticeable from that moment two years ago when the Lockdown started, was the tremendous surge in community, the charge of people who went out of their way to help others.

Do you remember the mass of people who signed up to help? Be that in delivering food to the vulnerable, assisting at food banks and the like, there was aseemingly never ending procession of stories of people showing what we all need now, let alone back then - community.

My own way of doing something is indulgent because I do love my cycling and birding. I love seeing people smile or laugh at my tie, yellow wellies and 'friends' on my bike. In a small way I hope that I help people.

The other way of course is by asking you to donate to the charities I am supporting this year and thanks to each and every one of you who has already done so.

Please give a little something and make my day!

Thanks.

Donations : Acorns

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GaryPrescott2022 

Many thanks to . . . 

Helen Hawke, Hollins Green Village Shop ladies, Shanahans Guest House in Aston, Birmingham, Sandi of Littledean Hotel in Cinderford, Beth Howells, Stuart Green, Judith Geraghty, Brenda Campbell, Paul Moseley, Alison Everett, Bill Urwin, Lee & Cathy Gregory, Sean (Liverpool), Lindsey Moore, Anonymous, Lindsey Barthorpe, Julie, Sue, Julie (Upton Warren), Ian "Seagulls" Morris, Larraine Tayleure, Andrew Bayes, Andy Pitt,Andrea, P & P, Moira, Jackie Griffiths, Bob, Keep U, Rosie, Jayne Grosvenor, Jane & Andy Revell, Louise, Stuart Griffiths, M & D Shaw, Dave & Sue White, Janette Lowndes, Bart, Lise Hanson, Maria Hill, Phil V, Chris Elmer, Sue Murphy, Nicky, John Hague, Mike, Kimberley Bills, Norma Hines, Rob Gilbert, Julia, Colin Graham, Sarah Moreton, Lizzy, Lisa Hillier, Rob Leech, P & P.

And also many thanks to the person from Llandudno who sent money directly to Acorns Children's Hospice, stating 'The Biking Birder' in the letter. Brilliant! Thanks. 

Acorns Children's Hospice 

Total so far . . . 

£1,185 plus gift aid

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Donations : RSPB

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bikingbirdervii-2022 

Many thanks to . . . 

P & P (again!). Anne, David Hilliard, Oriel, Louise Bailey, Sandi of Littledean Hotel in Cinderford, Stuart Green, Judith Geraghty, Lynn, Bill Urwin, Lee & Cathy Gregory, Sean (Liverpool), Lindsey Moore, Julia, Nicky M, Karen and Richard Blackburn, Paul Moseley, Susan, Jim Royer, Anonymous, Foz, anonymous, Phil (Upton Warren), Dad and RSPB Badges sold, P & P, Moira, Jill from Dorking, Nicky M, Terri Akers, Anne Beckett, Maria Hill, Mark Carter, P

Gary's RSPB Justgiving page link

Total so far . . . 

£728 plus gift aid

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ECOSIA! PLANT TEEES.

 

    https://www.ecosia.org/

          Did you know that there is a better way to do your internet searches? PLEASE use ECOSIA!

Ecosia plant trees using the revenue from you carrying out internet searches. At the time of typing this, a tree is planted somewhere in the world for every 45 internet searches you do.

I have been doing all my internet searches via ECOSIA for three years. I also open every webpage I wish to access by doing an internet search using ECOSIA. With my homepage being set up to ECOSIA, I type in the name of the webpage I wish to access and click, there I am with another search recorded.

          This is my homepage. Note the 22,583 searches! Notice how many trees they have plated since its inception ...   145,576,0006 trees. I do love seeing the number go up. At the moment the rate of tree planting is around one every second.

          Now the number one internet search engine is Google (Boo. Hiss!). There are 8.5 billion internet searches carried out on Google every day (Boo. Hiss!) . . . 8,500,000,000. 

          99,000 searches a second!

          How fabulous it would be to see that figure transferred to an internet search engine that plants trees! ECOSIA (Hurrah!!!)

          99,000 searches using ECOSIA would equate to 2,200 trees being planted every second. Imagine that!

                        Click here for ECOSIA

          The ECOSIA webpage gives links to ECOSIA tree planting projects around the World.

          This webpage gives details of many of the countries and projects where trees are being planted by ECOSIA :

https://blog.ecosia.org/tag/where-does-ecosia-plant-trees/

          Access the webpage and take a look for yourselves.

          There are also details of privacy, monthly financial statements, they are non profit and carbon negative . . . 

WHY CHOOSE ECOSIA?

We put people and planet before profit

1. We’re a not-for-profit business

   We dedicate 100% of our profits to climate action, with at least 80% financing tree-planting projects.

2. Ecosia is powered by 200% renewable energy

   Our solar panels produce twice the amount of energy needed to power all searches with renewables.

3. We always put your privacy first

   We anonymize your searches and don’t create a profile of you. We’re interested in trees, not your data.

4. We are transparent about everything we do

   We publish detailed financial reports and frequent updates from our tree planting projects.