What is your favourite bird in 2009

Question

Hi there 
 What was the favourite bird that you where lucky to see in 2009? 
 In the UK I would say it was 2 Crossbills together at one time at RSPB H/Q's at The Lodge. Another bird was the Firecrest in my local patch in Bedford. Such a rare find. 
 Abroad in Menorca, Spain, May 2009, a male and female Woodchat Shrike sitting on a wire fence together. 
 In the same area Golden Orioles came a close second. 
 We are going to Menorca, Spain in May 2010 as we have done so over the past 4 years or so. 
 So hopefully we will get better sightings of the same birds (new sightings of others we have not seen) and better pictures too. 
 Regards 
 Kathy and Dave

Anonymous · Answer

I saw a cheeky Jay who came to shout at my kids for being noisy whilst climbing in the woods at Kinver, West Midlands. Haven't seen one since I lived in Surrey. Also the buzzard that we drove past last week in Shropshire it was so close to the car on the hedge, definitely a wow moment.

Billy Wix · Answer

The blackcap right in the middle of Big Birdwatch was great, that's the only time I have ever seen a blackcap in our garden! 
 A redwing at the window during the snow last feb, was cool. 
 Seeing dippers for the first time during our Peak District hols, was real joy. 
 The overall wildlife highlight was very early one morning whilst waiting for my lift to work. I loved watching the juvenile sparrows playing and looking for food on the pavement opposite. Suddenly, whoosh, right over my shoulder, a sparrowhawk descended and grabbed a young sparrow. It took a half a second to look over it's shoulder and fix me with an evil stare before flying off again. A moment I will never forget.