Have you ever felt overwhelmed—like there’s so much happening in your head that you don’t even know where to start? Feeling overwhelmed isn’t a weakness or a failure. It’s your mind asking you to slow down and step back. Screens, noise, decisions, pressure… they stack up, and suddenly even the small things feel huge.

I think all of us have been there at some point in our time watching wildlife — and if you’re one of the lucky few who hasn’t, well… enjoy it while it lasts.

Earlier this month, I announced my commitment to a “big year”—an ambitious challenge to spot as many bird species as possible throughout 2026. If you’re curious about the journey, stick around for monthly updates where I’ll share highlights, surprises, lessons from the field, and of course, a selection of photos from my sightings.

Being present can mean a hundred different things depending on who you ask. For me, it’s the ability to set aside whatever is happening in life and focus fully on the moment in front of you. And when it comes to wildlife, that skill becomes essential.

As I’ve said before, wildlife is unpredictable. One second something is there, the next it’s gone. That’s part of the magic. For me, spending time with British wildlife is an escape from the noise of day‑to‑day life — a chance to slow down, breathe, and simply observe. Whether you’re sitting in one spot for hours or you’ve only just arrived somewhere, being present is everything.

At first, when you get into watching wildlife or wildlife photography, you may feel the urge to rush around and try to see everything possible. That was certainly the case for me—I wanted to walk quickly around places like WWT Slimbridge, spending less time in some spots and more in others. This would really annoy my brother, who isn’t interested in getting the perfect photo; for him, simply seeing the wonders of wildlife is enough. He prefers wandering around reserves and just sitting, observing what’s happening both near and far.