2010

So that was 2010.

Not a bad year: In fact it was a crackng year, in so many ways. I smashed my previous year listing total, but ultimately i failed to achieve the 300 i wanted to as a non driver. Still, 286 is a good total and there's been some smashing birds along the way - i'm sure i'll elaborate on some of the highlights in the coming days. Needless to say, it's been a cracking year, with some great laughs along the way and i give my thanks to my fellow ASBO brethren for the ride.

Will i be doing a big year in 2011? Well, at this point in time, i'm thinking not. I keep a year list every year, but last year was hard - it really does take it out of you and i was just a passenger. No, next year i'll just be enjoying my birding. I'll do a bit of twitching and i'll be going to the normal places at the normal time of the year, but i won't be busting a gut to get a big list. Ask me again at the end of January though and i might tell you a different story.

But this blog is not just about birds. There'll be stuff about all aspects of nature and anything else i feel i need to get off my chest. I'm hopefull for a good 2011: I have a driving test booked and a car once i've passed, so i'll not be relying on others to get to where i want to go.

So what was my highlight of 2010? Jeez, that's a difficult one.

I went to the Scillies for the first time which was fantastic, but we missed the Wilson's Petrel that we went for.

We had a fantastic long weekend in the Highlands, with the best views i've ever had of Capercallie & Parrot Crossbill amongst others, but we didn't see either Eagle in the Findhorn Valley, so (for year listing purposes) there was a slight dissapointment.

Other high points include a 4 hour round trip to Cley for the Trumpeter Finch, and the stunning Oriental Pratincole at Frampton in Lincs, both in May, and the River Warbler in Norfolk was also pretty special.

For me though, the ultimate highlight was my first Blakeney Marathon. I've been to the north Norfolk coast more times than anywhere else outside of my home county, but i'd never been to The Point. News of an Empidonax Flycatcher was too much of a draw to miss. In awful weather (strong NE outward, torrential rain added on the way back), i finally did the treck and had magnificant views of just the second occurance of one of these enigmatic birds on these islands. Trully a once in a lifetime experience. Even the occurance of both Grey & Red-necked Phalarope on Kelling Water Meadows afterwards paled into insignificance in comparison! Brilliant, and i'm confidant that it will be have been worth the effort when the bird is accepted as the second Alder Flycatcher in the RBIGB next year (as it surely will)!!

Another highlight was my first Hairstreak butterfly - a White-letter in the car park at Titchwell - quite unexpected. I WILL see Green Haristreak in 2011 as well as at leat one Fritilliary - can't believe i've not seen one yet!

Anyway, enough reminiscing. I'll maybe look back on this year again later and post some pics & videos of some the the birds & stuff in forthcoming posts.

For now, i'll wish you all Happy New Year and i'll be back on it shortly!!

FitF

Fox in the F*rest

Welcome to my new blog.

To explain the title, I'm a Leicester fan (Fox), living in Notts (the F*rest - i can't bring myself to type the proper word!). There you go - Fox in the F*rest.

This blog will mostly be ramblings about the natural world, with random posts about other stuff as i see fit.

I'm not sure how long i'll keep it up, but i'll hopefully be documenting some mildly interesting things about the things i see & experience.


Anyway, there's the crappy intro, keep checking in, you might find something interesting, or it might serve as an aid to get you to sleep!

Enjoy.

PS, the background & fonts, settings etc will change as i develop this site. Don't get too excited!