This is one of my favourite games, recounting great dipping days. My best three
1 Refusing to be filmed by local T.V. NOT seeing Little Whimbrel at Kenfig. Myself and T.V. crew eventually went morning it left.
2 The blacktoft Hudsonian godwit that was missed because we stayed for another game of darts and a pint at a very nice country pub (remember that Jane T and Mark). I then did not go home for trip to Dawlish with cardiff naturalists, they went in blizzard got of coach only long enough to see godwit then went straight back home!
3 A day out with cardiff naturalists when we missed Sociable Plover, Surf Scoter and Lesser legs all within wales, all at differnet sites
As I have said on other threads, I am not such an avid ticker so my choices are probably mundane to some people.
1. Lesser yellowlegs at Warrington - I twice followed the instructions to the letter but the pond I found has nothing on it, including the redshank that was reported. Actually, I have missed lesser yellowlegs on two other occasions but they were nothing like so bad and one occasion involved a bird that was reported to have left. Oh well, so much for optimism.
2. Cattle egret near Martin Mere - I took the bike over on the train so I was very mobile on the day but so was the bird and I never did find it. Still, I got the long-billed dowitcher long after everyone else saw it at Marshside. A good moment because I was the only birder there on the day so the sunburn was worth it.
3. Spotted crake at Pennington Flash - This was pretty much my local patch at the time so I was able to spend a lot of time there over several visits including all the recommended times. I am still convinced the wardens invented this bird to drum up car parking revenue after the black-faced bunting (only joking guys!).
Other notable dips include a distinct lack of success in trying to find lesser peckers even when they are reported. This is probably the commonest bird on my list of wants now and in some ways, I am almost reluctant to try too hard. The nicest success was the river warbler at Scotsman's Flash because I had to make two visits and the bird was only a few days from departing.
Houmous, Cheese and Chive, Cottage Cheese, Tomato and Chilli, Yoghurt and Cucumber...