The last day of the year is a traditional time for looking forwards and back. So what have been the best natural connections of 2010? Connecting with the Scone Hawfinches, a Galloway Nightjar and a Dumbartonshire Green Woodpecker were all memorable. So too were an early morning visit to a Black Grouse lek, a point-blank encounter with a Crested Tit next to Loch an Eilean and the sight of a summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe sailing on a forest lochan. The Islay trip was memorable for Twite, Hen Harrier, Chough and four species of goose. Fife also proved a happy hunting ground with excellent views of Corn Bunting and Grey Partridge. One of the best birds of the year was the Black Tern which gave fantastic views as it fed along the west shore of Hogganfield Loch. However the natural highlight of the year was the Peregrine which shattered the peace of my usual riverside walk at it carried off a Jackdaw.
My bird list for 2010 ended up at 181, considerably up on the 134 of the previous year. Notable gaps included Corncrake, Long tailed Duck and Barn Owl. Golden Eagle and White tailed Eagle also failed to feature. However there were lots of local finds including Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Stock Dove, Redshank, Snipe and Woodcock all added to local squares. Finding two singing Yellowhammers and a Reed Bunting in a previously unexplored corner of the Paisley – Glasgow corridor was also notable.
And ambitions for 2011? I still have to catch up with the Bearded Tits in the Tay reedbeds. Then there are the Mandarins at Inverary, breeding plumaged Black throated Divers and Common Scoters in Lochaber and (a long shot this one) a Scottish Little Owl. Closer to home, a garden Nuthatch would still be nice. I also have ambitions of adding Mute Swan to my home 1km square. There are numerous gaps in the species lists for my home 10km squares (e.g. Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Canada Goose) and breeding evidence for many species is still lacking. Finally, there is the fieldwork for the two tetrads I have taken on in South Lanarkshire.
Personal ambitions for 2011 are the same as for every year – happy times with family and friends, and the health and strength to enjoy them. Oh, and the senses to pick up all those natural connections which are just waiting to be experienced.
So here’s to 2011 – God bless us, every one.