I’m pleased to say that Pica pica and Corvus corone, are my top 2 species observed, long bumping down the previous 2 (though still remaining in the top 10), that were due to invasive species monitoring (Lantana camara and Acacia melanoxylon). What an injustice this was to something that I do for joy!
I am incredibly fond of corvids, for several reasons. They are handsome, playful, intelligent, and best of so incredibly abundant - they can be enjoyed everywhere!
The only other plant species in my top 10 is Quercus robur, a fair tree in itself, but more an attraction for the diversity that it hosts.
If I can speculate about future top 10s; in truth I prefer Quercus suber, but it hasn’t yet had time to bump into the top 10, but I feel that it might. The same with Ficus carica, with its utterly fig-like ability to simply grow directly out of walls and cliffs. In cities it grows almost as a ‘weed’ would.
And finally, while Bubulcus ibis is fast becoming one of my favourite birds, for similar reason to the corvids, plus also fabulously extravagent breeding plumage. I doubt that it will reach the top 10 because I spend much more time simply watching them, without interrupting the experience by taking photographs.