You may have seen the recent article in the December issue of BBC Wildlife where Mark Carwardine discusses his top 10 wildlife experiences. This got me to thinking just what this means. Sure, I would love to see the great African migrations (which, incidentally, Mark doesn't offer up in his top 10), or to see whales in all their glory in some far away place (Baja California for Mark). Sadly, for me, this is out of my reach and I can't see me experiencing this except through the wonders of technology. I have to be content with experiences much closer to home - home being the south-east of the UK, not far from London.
The year before last, I set myself the goal of seeing as many birds as I could (I was secretly hoping for 100, but just missed that by one or two - I know that is woefully low by the standards of most 'birders'). Amongst others, I hoped to see bearded tits and Dartford warblers - I saw both on the same day and also took in a bittern, another first - this was my African migration, my Pantanal experience, though still in the east of the UK.
What about this year? Well, I would love to see waxwings this winter, another bird I have never seen - maybe it will happen, maybe it won't, but if it does, I will be totally over the moon with excitement, though those around me may not notice the difference!
Natural phenomena and the spectacles they give rise to are, to corrupt the saying, in the eyes of the beholder - love nature, love the experience, whatever that is and wherever it is - have fun!
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