Once I’d finished my Christmas list at the weekend, I began to think about a list that is equally important in the countdown to Christmas – my wildlife targets for the next few weeks. Every winter in the UK is different, not just for the weather, but also which species have arrived in good numbers, which haven’t and of course what rarities are lurking among the flocks of commoner birds.

The winter of the hawfinch
It is the winter of the hawfinch as my "Five top tips for seeing hawfinches" blog from the other week showed. With that in mind, I’ve decided to try and “fill my boots” while I can and see if I can find some flocks near me. A couple have continued to reward my lunchtime searches around The Lodge shop, but they seem to have exhausted the yew berry supply and have moved on. However, a very fine replacement is at least 30 bramblings that are giving unbelievably good views under the feeders and in the trees. Come and have a look!


Hawfinches are here for the winter in big numbers (Andy Hay rspb-images.com)

Parrot fashion
Another, even rarer, finch is also having a good winter and while you’ll need to check yews and hornbeams for hawfinch, pine trees are the only place you’ll find the magnificent, and superbly-named, parrot crossbill. This much rarer relative of the common crossbill looks like it has putitng in the hours at the gym by comparison with a muscly build, thick neck and a much larger beak. A few showed up on the northern isles in the autumn, hinting at an arrival, but it’s only in the last couple of weeks that it’s been apparent, bigger numbers arrived. Sizable flocks have been found in Surrey/Berkshire, Norfolk and Derbyshire in the last couple of weeks, but there are no doubt more to be found...

As my wide will confirm, I’ve become a full-on fungi-nut this autumn following a few years of dabbling and learning. I spent much of the weekend, knee deep in reed and sedge beds looking for rarely found wetland fungi. My end of winter target is the brilliant splash of red that is the scarlet elf cup on wet woods. I have three or four, prime “wet” woodlands close to home pinned down and I’m hoping that the lovely moist logs I have earmarked will bear fruit early next year.

 
Otter by Nature's Home wildlife photography expert Ben Andrew - I also saw this one!

Despite spending time on Islay and North Uist this summer while hunting down great stories for Nature’s Home and seeing some incredible wildlife, otter was an omission, so I’m going to ease down a couple of gears and put in some hours relaxing by my local river, and some secluded lakes I’ve found, hoping to see one.

Finally, a bird I don’t see so much now, following a run of winters when they have been thin on the ground – the rather smart smew. My local gravel pits usually get a decent flock, so I’m going to be scanning the waters, hoping for a flotilla of these perfect “sawbills”. Here’s hoping for some cold weather on the near continent to bring them over.

I've really enjoyed working on Nature's Home magazine's new-look "Wildabout" section and being part of the team that will be bringing you the best of winter and spring's wildlife, so I can't wait to hear your comments once the magazine is with you around the turn of the new year. We're putting the magazine to bed today, so the Nature's Home team's thoughts are now very much on our April issue.

What's on your Christmas wish list?
Have you finished your list yet? I’d love to know what you’d like to see this winter. Please leave a comment below or e-mail natureshome@rspb.org.uk