During 2002 I maintained a daily log of bird sightings in the garden. This was a valuable discipline but, as I became more familiar with our regular garden birds, it did become a bit repetitive. The value of the log as an objective record is also rather limited since I was learning to recognise many of the birds as the year progressed and new species were being 'discovered' month by month! This trend continued right into December when we had our first sightings of Turnstones and Grebes on the seashore and a visit from a Blackcap in the garden.

For 2003 I chose instead to publish monthly diary page highlighting any unusual sightings or significant changes from the corresponding month in 2002. This was continued through 2004 providing I hope a good overall picture of the birdlife which can be seen in our neighbourhood at various times of the year.

*Please note that, due to my hospitalisation, there are no entries for May 2004.