User:JERIDGE

== 47 years old & glad to just still be alive : ) - I have been birding, (or at least trying) - since 1981. My first half decent find was a Black Redstart in 1984.  Other good birds followed & include Great Grey Shike, Ortolan Bunting, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red-backed Shrike & Wryneck...not too bad for an idiot : }  My local patch is Pinner Park Farm, which I have covered for 21 long years.  I love walking for my birds, as it is environmentally friendly : ) - my longest walk was for a Grey Phalarope at Tring Reserviors (which is not even in London!) in 2003 (54.12 miles there & back) - other idiotic walks include a Dusky Warbler at Walthamstow in 2010. My best total on foot  from home in one year in London (& bear in mind that  I live in Pinner & not Rainham,, is 142 species). My total of chats in Pinner is 1,117 which by most standards is okay - I have also seen four species of Shrike in London on foot (Red-backed, Great Grey, Woodchat & Brown Shrike) ~ Nobody else has achieved this : ) B irding, (or at least listing), has nothing much to do with being any good, it is simply about being in the right place at the right time. My best London session was in Oct 2003 when I recorded 2 Ortolan Buntings, Barred Warbler, Leach's Petrel & Red-necked Phalarope in the space of 17 hours - that might take some beating. My best London birds are Collared Pratincole, Rustic Bunting & Little Bittern. My best UK birds are Cream-coloured Courser, Roller & Lesser Sand Plover (pamirensis) - Best UK birding day involved Oriental Pratincole, Bluethroat, 2 Golden Oriole, Temminck's Stint & Wood Sandpiper on May 17th 2010 & prior to that Additionally; Radde's Warbler & Red-breasted Flycatcher simultaneously in adjacent trees in Norfolk comes close : ) Birding seems to rule my life & I love it & the thought of making a mistake kills me - I just hope I did okay : ) The photograph in the avatar (until I change it), is of a first-winter Red-backed Shrike at Pinner Park Farm. Pagers & fancy cameras don't exactly appeal to me, but they can be very handy. I will never be London's best birder, but some of my antics may raise a few eyebrows & yes,, I am still on the subject of birding (Jon Ridge). (17/05/16). == I love you so much Gabi wherever you are : )

== I have a fairly extensive music collection & listen to everything from Big Black to Abba.....Favourite bands: Joy Division, Killing Joke & The Smiths - favourite singers, Elvis Aaron Presley & Amy Jade Winehouse. == == I don't get out as much as I used to due to rubbish health, but I've pretty much seen it all - well, you can laugh, but not as much as me : ) - That is all you need to know after 35 years in the game. We probably only get ONE shot at this life & I am trying my best not to waste it. ==

My favourite pages

 * Add links to your favorite pages on the wiki here!
 * Favorite page #2
 * Favorite page #3