Peter Jones Wildlife blog

Nexus7 waterproofed and loaded with spreadsheet checklist for #Hants100

Saturday morning, I went on two walks in the New Forest. I saw 30 species, which I was happy with as this will be the start of my aim to see 100 species in a day, in a couple of months. Highlights were Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, Crossbill, Woodlark, Marsh Tit and Goshawk. Did miss Hawfinch, Firecrest and Dartford Warbler, but these are definitely present along my two walks. In Spring they should also be joined by Cuckoo, Redstart, The Pipit, and Wood Warbler, which should get my day total off to a good start. Also Fallow Deer and Roe Deer gave good views

First trip of 2015 to Hurst. A few birds "missing" from the end of 2014. Notably Black Redstart, Raven, and Black Throated Diver.  Did see Two Peregrine, a couple of Hundred Dunlin, Red-Breasted Merganser, Pintail,  distant Gannet, and a 1st Winter Male Common Scoter on the sea, which had me confused at first. #Hurst #seawatch

Bargain for £20 on ebay. These yeti gaiters are brilliant for winter birding, and prolonging the life of walking boots. I've found, as a birder, I can go thru boots fairly quickly as we don't tend to walk the regular paths, but scramble over rough ground and thru undergrowth! My last pair of gaiters lasted over 10 winters, so hopefully these, (despite being ex-army!) will last a few years. Boots underneath look as good as new.

Wildlife watching hopes for 2015 (originally posted onto Birdforum)... I have a couple of targets for the year: 1. First is well overdue, and is to see 100 species in a day in UK, (without twitching to make it a little harder). I'm surprised I've never managed it before to be honest. Looking thru my records I've seen 87 on a couple of occasions. So, towards the end of April / early May I'll go out with the sole intention of racking up numbers, and putting this to bed. I should also attempt this within a 20 mile radius of my house, but this shouldn't be too much of a handicap as it includes all the likely target areas, Coast, Keyhaven, Newforest, Farmland etc. 2. I hope to eventually (not in 2015!) see all European "regular" species, (again without twitching to make it a little harder). I have a week in Lapland that should edge me 3 species closer all being well. (2 of which have currently been present in the UK in the last week!) 3. I have a fantasy target

Nice start to the New Year with a trip into the farmland north of Andover this morning. Started at Tidcombe, but cut my walk short due to fog. Did see 10+ Chaffinch and 6 Yellowhammer in the pheasant cover. Changed my plans due to the fog, and drove to a site in Wiltshire where I have previously found Tree Sparrow. Had a bit of good fortune here, as I got lost, but heard Sparrows calling when I stopped to get my bearings. They were Tree Sparrows, lots of them, visiting a garden feeder. These are my closest birds to home now.. 32.5 miles away in a straight line! Elsewhere, 4 Kestrel throughout the morning, a Wigeon and Marsh Tit at Dunbridge, a nice flock of ~40 Linnet off Hoe lane, plus Grey Wagtail, Stock Dove and Tawny Owl heard. The garden is having a nice run with 14 Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch, and a single Greenfinch. We also had a Little Egret drop into the brook behind the house.