Dr.Boletus
Well-known member
Here is my summary of what I have seen and done this year. A lot of amazing wildlife encounters did not make it on the list and are included at the bottom of the page.
10. Great spotted cuckoo in Spain
My best-ever photo was taken about half an hour after this bird chased a much younger one it apparently paired up with directly overhead and into the distance
9. Spoonbill at El Hondo
This photo was taken in the autumn, when a spoonbill began circling directly overhead and at low altitude
8. Crane at El Hondo
My best-ever photo of the species was taken at a full 126x zoom of a pair of cranes feeding in a field south of El Hondo. Later on, eight more joined them
7. Lady's slipper orchid, Yorkshire
This is 'the' orchid. My trip to see it was marred by difficulties, which ranged from 3 cancelled trains to an accident which saw my phone with a map on it get crushed by my rear bike wheel, forcing me to cycle to the place effectively in the blind.
6. Red-breasted goose at Cley Marshes
This was an absolute plague of a bird. I saw it in the distance, but then failed to see it again. A USAF jet shared my annoyance, and flew at low altitude over the reserve, causing the whole flock to stampede. When continuing on to Warham Greens I was shocked to immediately see the goose in a field, far closer than before. I had a lot of fun pointing it out afterwards
5. Great grey shrike at Thetford Forest
Once #1 of my wishlist and the reason why I wanted to brave the rather scary Cherusti Forest in russia before this disgusting war happened, not only did it find me itself, not only was it super close and photogenic, but then, as I watched it at full zoom, it took off, and flew directly towards me, perched in a tree opposite, and began peering down at me!
4. Marbled ducks at Clot de Galvany
A globally rare duck, a few meters away, being amusing? Did not see that coming
3. European azurewing in a palm plantation
Upon discovery of an active nest, I took too many photos to attach here, so will only attach my favourite one
2. Greater spotted eagle at El Hondo
This is a bird every single person who visits this place wants to see in the winter. My photo of the bird was the result of a combined 385.3km by bike, taken at full zoom when the eagle was 166 meters away. To avoid the problem of tall reeds, I balanced my bike on a speed sign and climbed on top of the saddle
1. Golden eagle in the Sierra Espuna
By having a licence, using a hide, and being extremely careful, I saw continous golden eagle action near their nest for over 5 hours that day. The bird on my photo was born in June this year.
10. Great spotted cuckoo in Spain
My best-ever photo was taken about half an hour after this bird chased a much younger one it apparently paired up with directly overhead and into the distance
9. Spoonbill at El Hondo
This photo was taken in the autumn, when a spoonbill began circling directly overhead and at low altitude
8. Crane at El Hondo
My best-ever photo of the species was taken at a full 126x zoom of a pair of cranes feeding in a field south of El Hondo. Later on, eight more joined them
7. Lady's slipper orchid, Yorkshire
This is 'the' orchid. My trip to see it was marred by difficulties, which ranged from 3 cancelled trains to an accident which saw my phone with a map on it get crushed by my rear bike wheel, forcing me to cycle to the place effectively in the blind.
6. Red-breasted goose at Cley Marshes
This was an absolute plague of a bird. I saw it in the distance, but then failed to see it again. A USAF jet shared my annoyance, and flew at low altitude over the reserve, causing the whole flock to stampede. When continuing on to Warham Greens I was shocked to immediately see the goose in a field, far closer than before. I had a lot of fun pointing it out afterwards
5. Great grey shrike at Thetford Forest
Once #1 of my wishlist and the reason why I wanted to brave the rather scary Cherusti Forest in russia before this disgusting war happened, not only did it find me itself, not only was it super close and photogenic, but then, as I watched it at full zoom, it took off, and flew directly towards me, perched in a tree opposite, and began peering down at me!
4. Marbled ducks at Clot de Galvany
A globally rare duck, a few meters away, being amusing? Did not see that coming
3. European azurewing in a palm plantation
Upon discovery of an active nest, I took too many photos to attach here, so will only attach my favourite one
2. Greater spotted eagle at El Hondo
This is a bird every single person who visits this place wants to see in the winter. My photo of the bird was the result of a combined 385.3km by bike, taken at full zoom when the eagle was 166 meters away. To avoid the problem of tall reeds, I balanced my bike on a speed sign and climbed on top of the saddle
1. Golden eagle in the Sierra Espuna
By having a licence, using a hide, and being extremely careful, I saw continous golden eagle action near their nest for over 5 hours that day. The bird on my photo was born in June this year.
