A wish list for 2017..
A wish list for 2017..
2016 exceeded my expectations, for finding small mammals and insects, thanks in no small part to the family holiday in the French Alps.
2017, I can be more selective in my target species.. top of the list has to be finding a UK Adder. I have seen one in Finland, but the UK Adders strangely elude me.
Also, quite a few small mammals still elude me: Water Shrew, Dormouse, Harvest Mouse, spring to mind.
It would be quite difficult to add any UK Bats to my list, armed only with a Bat detector, but I hope to maybe find scarce species closer to home. Leisler's Bat being perhaps the most likely. Also plenty of scope for some interesting species if I make it onto the continent for a holiday.
As for Insects - must try harder! Dragonflies, and Damsels, and indeed Butterflies all involve travel if I'm to see new species... Brilliant Emerald, Norfolk Hawker, Variable Damselfly, Common Clubtail and the Fritillary restricted to Dartmoor (Heath Fritillary?) being the obvious ones. Not sure I am ready for a trip to Scotland for the Northern specialities.
Ladybirds, and Grasshoppers were near impossible except for the commonest species, but I do have a net now which may assist me.
Finally, not forgetting Smooth and Great crested Newt, plus Natterjack Toad which should keep me busy throughout the year.
2016 exceeded my expectations, for finding small mammals and insects, thanks in no small part to the family holiday in the French Alps.
2017, I can be more selective in my target species.. top of the list has to be finding a UK Adder. I have seen one in Finland, but the UK Adders strangely elude me.
Also, quite a few small mammals still elude me: Water Shrew, Dormouse, Harvest Mouse, spring to mind.
It would be quite difficult to add any UK Bats to my list, armed only with a Bat detector, but I hope to maybe find scarce species closer to home. Leisler's Bat being perhaps the most likely. Also plenty of scope for some interesting species if I make it onto the continent for a holiday.
As for Insects - must try harder! Dragonflies, and Damsels, and indeed Butterflies all involve travel if I'm to see new species... Brilliant Emerald, Norfolk Hawker, Variable Damselfly, Common Clubtail and the Fritillary restricted to Dartmoor (Heath Fritillary?) being the obvious ones. Not sure I am ready for a trip to Scotland for the Northern specialities.
Ladybirds, and Grasshoppers were near impossible except for the commonest species, but I do have a net now which may assist me.
Finally, not forgetting Smooth and Great crested Newt, plus Natterjack Toad which should keep me busy throughout the year.
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