I finished 2009 having recorded 171 bird species,mostly in Hampshire.

2010 Year List

The cold weather brought lots of winter thrushes into our gardens including Redwing and Fieldfare during January and February which was a nice bonus. Other highlights during the winter included Great Northern diver at Hythe,Barn Owl near Burley,Avocet at Inchmerey near Lepe and two seperate Hen Harriers,one male one female. A Great White Egret was located at Harbridge near Blashford and three female Red Crested Pochards were on the reserve. After several unsuccessful attempts, I finally managed to locate the wintering  Great Grey Shrike at Holmsely near Burley.

On 5th March I had a great sighting at Inchmerey.Looking out over the water by the parking area at high tide,you can see several islands and narrow strips of land.The very far piece of land,just beyond the main entrance to Beaulieu water is often used by a Peregrine Falcon.There are several rocks or dead logs that it likes to sit on. I found one here on the 5th and sat right next to it was a Merlin. The size difference between them was very obvious.

Then end of March brought my first summer migrants with Chiffchaff by Sowley pond,Swallow over Sway and Sand Martin and Little Ringed Plover at Blashford.More migrants have followed as we went into April.Tree Pipit,Redstart and House Martin. A highlight in early May was a little gull over Sowley pond.Then a quick walk around Pennington marshes added long tailed duck,little tern,hobby,cetti's ,sedge and reed warbler plus another little gull.I finally found my first kingfisher of the year in June.It was seen flying over the road in the middle of the Forest near Lyndhurst.! I heard a nightjar from my back garden.I finally managed to see a Yellowhammer out near Fordingbridge.It May well have been just over the border into Wiltshire but i'm still counting it!

A quick half hour walk around Pennington Marshes added a flock of Eider ducks on July 20th and on the 21st whilst picnicing with Christine near Brockenhurst I heard unusual Buzzard like calls.I never managed to see the bird due to the tree canopy overhead.but on listening to a few bird calls online later,I'm pretty sure it was a Honey Buzzard.in which case my first ever. I'm hoping to go back and try and locate it again. It will take my yearlist to 152 species.

I wasn't able to relocate the possible honey buzzard so its not on my year/life list yet.After a sleepless night one day i got up early and went to Lower Test NR in Totton and immediately located the Osprey that had been around a few days,and from Lepe saw several Gannets. I arranged some deliveries to allow myself an hour to walk around Pennington marsh in early august.It was well worth it as I added Wood Sandpiper,Garganey and Barnacle Goose. A few days later I finally got around to renewing my Needs Ore permit and on my first visit to the reserve I added Wheatear,Whinchat, Green Sandpiper and Ruff.

I booked a last minute minicruise ferry trip from Portsmouth to Bilbao in August.I've done the trip a few times before and it can be very good for sea birds as well as Dolphins and Whales.Sadly though it was a bit disapointing this year with very few birds to see.As far as my year listing goes I only include sightings made whilst in the English channel and I managed to add Manx Shearwater,kittiwake,Razorbill and Fulmar.There were many cetacean sightings including common,striped and bottle nose dolphins,plus sperm,pilot and cuviers beaked whales.There is about 4 hours on land at Santurtzi,Bilbao to look for more birds.I took a taxi upto the top of a nearby hill but 10minutes after arriving the heavens opened and I got soaked! I took some shelter under a small tree, then when the rain slowed to a drizzle started back down the hill.I saw lots of stonechats and white wagtail plus a cettis warbler and a fan tailed warbler.On the way down i passed a few other birdwatchers from the ship who were walking up the hill.They later told me that just after I passed them they saw redbacked Shrike,wryneck,serin and black kite!!

When I reached the town I spotted a pair of Black redstarts and yellow legged herring gulls.Sadly P&O have decided to stop this service at the end of september as its not profitable.Its a shame as the wildlife i've seen over the years has been amazing,and it has always seemed busy on board.Hopefully another company will step in.

For the August bank holiday weekend we had a few days in Kent.My brother is a volunteer warden at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation which is the UK's largest Big cat breeding centre.We were Privilidged to get a personal tour of the place allowing us some up close encounters with Lions,Tigers,Cheetahs,Leopards,Puma's,Black Panthers and other Cats. Under supervision we were able to hand feed some of the animals.It was an amazing experience that will never be forgotten.The centre isn't open to the general public but they do offer private visits and "ranger for the day" packages.Whilst they are not cheap the experience is unforgettable.Below is their website link, but its currently being updated,and a slide show of some of our photos of the day.   Wildlife Heritage Foundation www.whf.org.uk

Sadly I didn't get time to do any birdwatching whilst I was away as i'd hoped to catch up on a few species that I'd missed locally,like Turtle dove and Marsh harrier.But there's still time.  A quick visit to Needs Ore reserve in early September was good for autumn migrants.wheatear,Whinchat and yellow wagtails were seen in good numbers,as well as a Spotted redshank.

My yearlist total now stands at 165 species,only 6 short of last years total and with nearly 4 months to go.