Peter Jones Wildlife blog

A very good Autumn, with plenty of moth trapping in the garden. The highlight a fairly tatty, but nevertheless spectacular Clifden Nonpareil. Other highlights came from a week in Norfolk, timed well with some East winds. At Winterton, I was lucky to find a Red-breasted Flycatcher, right place at the right time as it flew round the edge of some dense sycamores, then took over half an hour to get identifiable views. (A very long 30 minutes!). Could have quite easily walked past it, as indeed a few other birders had done so, but it showed well to a few of us eventually. Spent a couple of days seawatching prior to this, as the winds were strong, and from the north. Highlight was a Sabine's Gull, several of which were being reported around the coast, but I failed to see any Long tailed Skua which also seemed to be reported during the week. The other highlight from my week was a Camberwell Beauty flying strongly west, over my head and out of sight, as I walked to the ice crea

 Had a few days free to visit Scotland, and decided to try and see some new Dragonfly species, plus a few Orchids restricted to the North of the UK. I was in my campervan, so the timetable was very flexible, and subject only to the weather. The initial couple of days had a good forecast, so I focussed on the Dragonflies. First stop was Allt Mhuic butterfly reserve, in search of Azure Hawker. I was unsuccessful, except for a likely individual flying lower over the boggy moorland. I did however, see Chequered Skipper which was a massive bonus, being right at the end of their flight season, and quite unexpected. Moths put in a good appearance with Argent and Sable, Small Argent and Sable, plus Satin Lutestring. Finally some good flowers here including Heath Fragrant Orchid and Common Butterwort. The hydro-electric dam is currently being built right down the middle of the reserve, which looks to have affected the central area. I decided to move on, thinking I had a better chance of more Dr

  Turned my attention over the last few months to trying to break my Bird day record of 100, which, according to ebird is now 99! Not sure where I lost a species, but gave me more incentive to get over 100 in a day. I try to just do my own thing, and limit myself to 20 miles from home. This isn't a big deal as it includes the coast, Keyhaven and Pennington, the New Forest, Blashford, and the Test Valley. These areas have kept me entertained for over 10 years, so plenty to find, especially Keyhaven and Pennington which is always likely to give a big number of species in 2 or 3 hours. Winter attempts fell just short, in the 90s. Short days, and finding the New Forest very difficult didn't help. Then the lockdown put paid to any further attempts. May, however, with longer days, and the mass of summer visitors turned the challenge on its head. First attempt I got 106, and this weekend I hit 110! My route was New Forest at dawn, Keyhaven, Blashford, Stockbridge area, Fishlake Meadow