My 2026 wildlife 'bucket list'

HAVING written about wildlife and wildlife watching for over 30 years, I've inevitably covered some species on numerous occasions.

- By ERIN McDAID

Some, like barn owls, hares and starlings are species I've been privileged to see many times too, but there are others I’m yet to see.

Whilst enthusiastic about wildlife, I'm not an assiduous wildlife watcher. My wildlife encounters usually come while walking the dog, being in the garden or allotment or when walking or kayaking.

I do occasionally set out to see or hear wild spectacles like a murmuration or the dawn chorus; but most of my experiences are opportune, as aresult of being in the right place at the right time, rather than dedicated field work.

My laissez-faire approach has of course limited my prospects of seeing less common species so I've resolved to do a little more planning and leg work this year rather than leaving everything to luck.