Year end, 2017

30 Dec - So ends another year. Ornithologically speaking, I've been fortunate to see some amazing things, both in the UK and overseas. Several highlights spring to mind - Puffins on the Farnes just feet away, beaks full of sandeels against a backdrop of a constant cacophany of Terns - being chased and pecked (hard!) by a "rogue" Capercaillie in a Swedish forest - being mesmerised by a Great Grey Owl on the same Swedish trip, on a beautiful fine (long) spring evening - and seeing my first (British) Elegant Tern appear in flight, after several hours vigil at Church Norton in West Sussex. Other varied memories include Rollers actually "rolling" in display in Extremadura in the morning sun - breeding Ptarmigan, Dunlin and Golden Plovers high in the Scottish mountains - and vast flocks of waders twisting in "seemingly) synchronised flight over wetlands such as Slimbridge (where I also had my best-ever view of a Jack Snipe, standing and bobbing in full view). I've also had some fantastic mammal encounters - the two most memorable both in Scotland - a fantastic Otter in Argyll on a photography day with Philip Price, the animal dozing then feeding just a few yards from us crouched in the seaweed - and the wonderful Pine Marten that suddenly appeared after a 7-hour wait on the Black Isle. It felt very special to be in the world of these 2 threatened mammals, albeit briefly. The year ended with a superb Great Northern Diver in the Water Park, that obliged for some close photos. Let's hope that 2018 gives more memorable encounters........