Aylmerton - A year of Wildlife

So as the year draws to a close it seems only fitting to have a look back at the natural highlights of the past year in Aylmerton. The year was notable for being the hottest on record with a scorcher of a summer, although the spring and August were pretty wet! Birdwise it was full of excellent sightings, with a garden Year List of 84 and two new garden birds (Little Owl and Quail) bringing the garden list up to a respectable 126.
The real eye-opener for me was the moth-ing, starting at the beginning of the year I was hopeful of catching the odd nice looking beasty, but was amazed at what was actually achieved throughout the months, it really was good fun! So as one year passes, another begins, and it starts all over again...can't wait!

Pink- footed Geese over on New Years Day


The pond in January


Our Barn Owl in the 1st winter period


Snipe in Feb


And again...


One of the first moths- Spring Usher


I'ld forgotten the first day of March!


Golden Plover on 'south' fields


Couple of welcome garden visitors, Goldfinch and Siskin

Great Diving Beetle, caught in the moth trap


My first Parish Stonechat in March


Moths picking up in April- a lovely Oak Beauty


Wheatear- one of the first Spring migrants


Another Beauty, this time Pine


Ring Ouzel just before a Little Egret flew by!

Common Cranes- April is THE time to see Cranes over Aylmerton


Red Deer putting on a good show


The two Dotterel on May 5th were my personal highlight


Little Owl, at last!


Broad-bodied Chaser on the pond.


Summer of Moths










Hey-ho Happy Days


Singing Quail!!!


It was a good year for Hummingbird Hawkmoth's


Red Kite - we saw four this year


Hobby - up to three in Sept


Convolvulous Hawkmoth - super-duper migrant moth!


Merville du Jour - class!


Pink- footed Geese over Aylmerton, a year full circle.


HAPPY NEW YEAR!