I've been an avid wildlife watcher for many years now, and I've noticed that gradually I've got better and better at seeing things that to start with I may have missed.

Even though I've improved, I'm sure there is many amazing things that have been right infront of me but that I've missed over the years. Does anyone have any tips for getting a better wildlife "eye"?

I occasionally lead walks in my local area, concentrating on wildlife. It always amazes me how many people simply do not see what is under their noses. Like you, over the years I have fine tuned myself to be aware of what is around, particularly with my hearing. While I'm approaching the grand old age of 60, my hearing is very acute and I am constantly making my companions aware of bird song that they have missed. I'm slightly short-sighted but never wear my specs (except for driving etc) and although I cannot identify birds without my binoculars, I see movement very clearly.

The most important thing is to stop and immerse yourself in your surroundings. Every so often, stand still, look at the ground around you and up into the trees/sky above you, keep listening constantly, learn the sounds on your regular walk, then you soon recognise something new and home in on it.

Patience and determination are the key.

It is so lovely to hear that people are starting to notice their environment again. It is all too easy to be in such a rush that literally they just miss it. As I am getting older, I seem to appreciate the sounds of the birds, the little rustles in the undergrowth, popping of seeds from their pods, it's a form of music.
I live in a double glazed house and it is so sad how much of the lovely bird song we miss, being able to throw the windows open now in the day is utter bliss. Makes me realise how much I have missed their songs through the winter months.

I think wild canon and Jane have hit on the key--it's not the eye that needs the training, but the ear. It's easy enough to spot movement, but it's much harder to listen and comprehend.

Scent is another easily missed clue. Are you like me, riding the bike and suddenly catching a whiff of lime? How about those musky smells--could there be otters around?

Kingfisher

As Kingfisher said, I find that its much more common for me to hear something, a bird song, and rustle in the undergrowth, which catches my attention before I see the animal.

Scent I admit I haven't thought about too often, but now that you've mentioned it, it is something I will definitely be paying more attention to.

I have smelled deer, and bears, long before I have seen them. Deer in particular at the right time of year have almost overwhelming smells from being in the rut.

Also, learn to identify tracks, and even scat. That can clue you in to the existence of animals that you may not have suspected were in the area. Owl pellets can also be used to determine the existence of small mammals.

Kingfisher

Just completely stopping still for a couple of minutes and looking all around can reveal sounds you probably would have missed when you were walking. Patience is definitely the key, the longer you stand still the more likely you are to notice that small clue that you otherwise would have missed.

Thank you for all the tips, I've been putting many of them into practice over the last few walks that I've been on.

Kingfisher, I've tried your smell approach and found it very hard, but I'm sure it is a useful technique with a bit of practice. And would be very satisfying. The easiest thing I found that I can do straight away is to keep stopping every now and then to listen out for any sign of wildlife. Today I heard a soft rustling and saw the tale of a snake which I assume was an adder or grass snake slithering into the undergrowth.

The 'smell' approach is certainly an under-utilised one.

I have found that many of the people I know have no sense of smell. Apparently constant exposure to candles/incense/air fresheners have deadened the sense of smell. Smokers also have a more difficult time catching scents. It is marvelous, though, to be able to pick up a smell, and know that a certain animal or plant is around, if one just takes a look.

It's fascinating to just sit somewhere, with one's eyes closed, and just listen. Can you tell the difference between a squirrel and a blackbird rustling in the leaves? Did you know that you can tell the difference between ducks by the whistle of the wing as a duck flies? Yes, just stopping for a few seconds, to listen, will catch a few creatures as they scurry or slither away from you.

Kingfisher