How high is too high?

James Smith · **Posted:** Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:46 pm

Recently Geoff Mullet posted a record of an Oystercatcher over his garden but said it was 20ft too high to be classed as a Garden Lifer. Have also seen similar comments previously by other people over the years.

Leads me to the question, is there a recognised rule of thumb as to allowable height for a Garden Tick? Or is just your own decision?

Cheers
James

ps hopefully this won't upset anyone :lol:

John Clarkson · **Posted:** Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:02 pm

My garden ticks are birds seen FROM my garden regardless of height or distance

John

James Smith · **Posted:** Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:45 am

Thanks John.

I suppose it's to each person's own choice but I like your principle.

Chiffchaff added to garden list as I could hear a Country Park one from garden yesterday

.

Cheers
James

John T Goy · **Joined:** Tue Dec 28, 2004 11:30 pm **Posts:** 2385

As far as I'm concerned I couldn't give two hoots what others say or do but I agree wholeheartedly with John C, that any bird seen or heard over my garden and (that includes those with an engine) are counted :!:

Regards

JTG

Katherine Birkett · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2014 7:20 pm

My rule is that the bird must have made meaningful interactive contact with the garden. I don't count flyovers.

'Meaningful interactive contact' includes eating from a feeder, probing the lawn for worms/insects, eating food on the lawn or perching on border fences, washing line, trees/shrubs/hedges, landing on the lawn or pathways, veg patch or patio area. Applies to both front and rear gardens, and also perching on the roof/shed counts as a Garden Tick.

James Smith · **Posted:** Sun Apr 27, 2014 1:13 am

I can see your point Katherine and it is the general policy I have for my Garden List. However I do allow flyovers.

Just to live up to the "Homo sapien pedanticus" tag I was given recently, would you discount a 'Mega' tick at Frampton if it only flew over and didn't land on the Reserve?

Yours pedantically,
James :lol:

Katherine Birkett · **Posted:** Mon May 19, 2014 1:30 am

I probably wouldn't know it was a 'Mega', even if it perched on my nose and whispered into one of my hearing aids: "I am a MEGA. Tick me!"

Oh, and I'm a rampant, unstoppable, dyed-in-the-wool pedant too. Incurably so. Grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, pronunciation....... oh, and business jargon annoys me too. As does the word 'seagull'. One day's attention to a Field Guide and I am sure they could get the basic Gull ID sorted out.....

The Lincolnshire Bird Club

How high is too high?

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