Branwen's Big Year 2024 | Episode 1

Welcome to the first episode of Branwen's Big Year 2024 vlog!
Throughout the year Branwen is on a mission to see as many bird species as possible in the UK, and there'll be a new vlog episode each month to document the adventure.
In this first episode, Branwen, Suzanne and Winston visit some of their favourite local birding spots in west Wales, including Teifi Marshes near Cardigan, Aberystwyth sea front, Aberaeron north beach, and WWT Llanelli. Will they find the mythical waxwings? What surprises are in store? And what will be the running total of species after the first month? Watch and find out!
Follow @BranwensBigYear on Instagram and Facebook for regular photos and news.

[@MrStylemed]

Well done, a good start.

[@BranwenVlogs]

Thank you so much! It's only going to get harder from here on 😅😅

[@tonycritcher3419]

I've just found your channel and have subscribed for more beautiful content. The photography and video work is great. A nice selection of birds and scenic views along with the informative links to camera. I hope you are feeling much better now and able to get out and catch more of the winter visitors before they head off and the spring migrants begin to trickle in. Congrats on the Pallid Harrier. I've only ever seen one and that was here in Essex quite a few years ago now. Also interesting to hear that you have a number of mistle thrushes your way, they have certainly declined where I am. Keep up the good work, stay well and I also wish you well with your Big Year 2024!

[@BranwenVlogs]

Hi Tony! Thank you so much for watching, and the lovely comments. Yes, the Pallid Harrier was not something I was expecting to see in the Big Year! It's been causing quite a commotion here in West Wales!

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Love it Branwen. It would be interesting to see when your first summer migrant appears. I'll stick my neck out and say a Wheatear in March :) bravo, looking forward to a great '24. Si.

[@BranwenVlogs]

Thank you Simon! I'll hold you to that wheatear 😄 You've got a good chance of being right - they often appear on the heath at our favourite local spot 🤞

[@binsandbirds]

Good luck on your big year! Your dilemma with your cameras is almost exactly the same one I have! I have a 60D for photos and my SX60HS for video. Always so much trouble to bring both out. -Ben

[@BranwenVlogs]

Thanks for watching! Yes, they're both really great tools at what they do, but a lot to carry, especially with bins and water etc... Good for the back muscles though I guess! I have a great strap for the 60D which really helps, but still, yep, not a gentle meander when you're carrying them all. Meanwhile my scope gathers dust on the shelf 😄

[@maxcherry6626]

Thank you. Feel inspired to have my own birding adventures. Subbed to your channel

[@BranwenVlogs]

Thanks for watching, and glad you're inspired! I'll sub back 🙂

[@crabtree8822]

love your videos just subbed looking forward to your year

[@BranwenVlogs]

Thank you for watching! I've got some lovely trips planned later in the year, and can't wait to share 🙂

[@bjornander2712]

Really nice video! I live in Sweden. What is your goal of ticks? Here 300+ is a desired limit. I assume it´s a bit more in the UK. Finally congrats with the Pallid Harrier. Superb bird!

[@BranwenVlogs]

Thanks for watching Bjorn! I'll be glad if we can get to 200 honestly... But really I'm just enjoying the ride and wishing I had more free time for birding adventures! 😄

[@bjornander2712]

@@BranwenVlogs Ok. I see. You´re not that Twichter (how do you spell this?) I thought you were. Good enough! But 200... Come on... I think you easely can reach 250! :)

[@BranwenVlogs]

@@bjornander2712 🤣🤣 I'm kind of half a twitcher, but more a gentle birder 🤣 (Secretly I'm praying for 300, but I'm also realistic 😅)

[@shaunferguson8782]

It's about time you released another vid! 🙃😁👍Great video, you should put a counter in the corner of your video tallying up your total as you go along. Look forward to the next vids.

[@BranwenVlogs]

Thank you so much Shaun! Ah the counter - I had thought of that and did try it in a week long species count I did years ago. It turned out to be tricky, but actually as we've seen most of the "easy stuff" now, it probably wouldn't be so tricky to keep track of, so maybe I'll work it into the format as the year progresses. Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment! 🙏

[@shaunferguson8782]

Shouldn't be too hard to put some text up in the corner, doesn't have to be anything fancy. I think it will just add to a bit of fun for your big year vids. I look forward to what's up next.

[@BranwenVlogs]

@@shaunferguson8782 ah yeah, I can't definitely put a counter on somehow, it's more just keeping track of which bird is which number in the early stages, but as I say, now we've ticked most of the more common birds it'll be much easier to keep track of new ones on the year list 🙂 I love the idea anyway, so will ponder it for the next episode!

[@stefangoldensteinwildlife9929]

Hey. That was quiet a good start for the big year. I am now at 120 species in germany for 2024. My goal is 250. New subscriber here. Greets Stefan

[@BranwenVlogs]

Hi! Danke schon Stefan 🙏 That's an amazing start! I'd love to get to 250 as well if I'm honest... But I know it's only going to get harder as the year progresses!

[@gwafilms]

Hi, just discovered your excellent channel and have subscribed:-)

[@BranwenVlogs]

Thank you so much!