Suitable habitat is one ingredient to a good tick (crossing off the list of a particular sought after species), the other is time in the field. The more time spent in the field, the more observations will be made which in many happy circumstances has led to some amazing ticks.
However birding is not all about amassing great ticks, though some birders make it their lifelong quest to the envy of many other fellow birders and many raised eyebrows of others. Discovering new species for a particular local patch increases the bird life information of that area. This then make up a database for which particular species are dependent on which particular habitat.
Having said that, observing familiar birds are always enjoyable, chance encounters with a species you've never seen or expected before make birding even more enjoyable.
The ducks that could be lurking around the neighbourhood ...
From the top : Northern Shoveller (male), Northern Shoveller (female), Pochard (male), Tufted Duck (female), Tufted Duck (male), Pochard (female).
Migratory species have particular favored routes to get to their wintering or breeding destination, usually the easiest assisted by prevalent coastal landscape and climactic conditions. Once in while nature sends a curve-ball ie. strong winds, unusual weather conditions etc which might send these species to new locations. And there lies another ingredient to making that next memorable tick.
I'm tempted to quote Forrest Gump here ... but will not. Good luck y'all!
Images and words by Nazeri Abghani, Jan 2015
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