83 species - 36 miles - 74k steps
I am typing this on approximately two hours sleep. Two hours is sub-optimal in terms of how much sleep I would ideally have. I much prefer eight to ten hours.
Anyway, I left the house at 05:30 on. the. dot.
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| 05:30 moon - shortly after seeing a shooting star! |
The sky was clear and a near full moon was casting, bright-white light, helpful for the nocturnal navigator. I paused to take a photo of the moon and before I got my phone out a shooting star descended in front of me. An extremely strong portent and proof that the gods smile on mile-eating, all day birding.
The next portent, assuring me I am on the correct path, was an urban fox running around like a nutter as I walked into town.
I covered the six miles to Lackford in darkness and in under two hours. Efficient moving given the circumstances.
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| The moon - pre-dawn at Lackford |
On the recent Two Jonnies podcast Chris warned Foot It participants to ensure they have the correct kit for conditions and their environment:
I also posted a kit check last night, to assist the more inexperienced Foot It'er:
One other safety point is around trespassing. The UK is full of overzealous land owners who would lay an egg if a birder took a short cut across their land or dared access a field. You will trespass in pursuit of Foot It greatness, a little bit or even a lot of a bit. But you will trespass. The only rule of trespassing is; do not get caught. You can trespass for three metres or three miles, it really doesn't matter, as long as you do not get caught. Now that is cleared up; happy trespassing and Foot It!People are always asking what core #FootIt kit looks like for 20+ miles in zero temps. I always tell 'em to mind their own business and shut up. ♠️ Seeing as it's cold this weekend - in the name of safety I've decided to share my base kit... #FootIt #Unlimited #MileEater
— Jonny (@suffolkseawatcher.bsky.social) January 2, 2026 at 8:12 PM
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Moving onto the todays birds; I secured no less than 15 addition Foot It ticks. In order of appearance:
- Tufted Duck
- Great White Egret
- Reed Bunting
- Crossbill
- Siskin
- Water Rail
- Wigeon
- Common Gull
- Pochard
- Shelduck
- Marsh Tit
- Mistie Thrush
- Red poll
- Chiffchaff
- Treecreeper
Added to yesterday's haul that puts me 83 up. I believe 100 in achievable this month, with a fair wind and not just a little bit of luck...
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| Crossbill - Lackford |
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| White-fronted Geese in flight - Flempton |
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| Some of the same White-front flock when I found them on December 30th |
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| Record shot of the 4 Green Sandpipers wintering at Hall Farm |
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| Sun up at Lackford |
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| Sun down close to home |
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