Red-footed falcon on migration in the Flaeming south of Berlin

It’s migration time again. Six Common Snipes (Gallinago gallinago) fly up from the wetland in the middle of the agricultural steppe. The reason seems unclear to me until I see 2 small raptors circling over the area. A raptor, the one with a gray upperside, looks like a sparrowhawk; not much larger or the same… Continue reading Red-footed falcon on migration in the Flaeming south of Berlin

Cuckoo on fight on robin’s nest

A sunny day in the forest and at the lake near Strzalowo in Masuria. Arriving at the parking lot at 3pm we see a Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) being chased through the canopy of a large Linden tree at high speed by a songbird. We want to take the signposted circular hiking trail in the… Continue reading Cuckoo on fight on robin’s nest

Cuckoos in aggressive territorial fights

The pure aggressiveness is written all over the faces of the rivals, you almost think you can see the hate glistening in their eyes. Again and again the cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) call from the edge of a bush and then fly over the pulpit with conspicuous, slow wing beats and then land in elder bushes.… Continue reading Cuckoos in aggressive territorial fights

Kuckucke landet auf Warte im Revier

Hört man an einem sonnigen Morgen Anfang Mai den unverwechselbaren zweisilbigen Ruf des Kuckucks (Cuculus canorus), dann ist der Frühling endgültig da. Lang und anhaltend wiederholt er seinen Namen, als ich zu der Jagdkanzel am Rand eines Schilfgebiets laufe. Es ist der Reviergesang des Männchens, mit dem sich unser Kuckuck jedes Frühjahr laut vernehmbar in… Continue reading Kuckucke landet auf Warte im Revier

Photography of Cuckoos in their territory

As soon as I arrived at a hide, I hear the calls of at least 5 Common Cuckoos (Cuculus canorus). You don’t have to do much to get a individual in front of the lens. The elemantary drive of the birds to set up or maintain a territory is basically sufficient. Nevertheless, I wanted to… Continue reading Photography of Cuckoos in their territory

Kuckuck wird aggressiv von Neuntöter attackiert

Vehement greift der kleine Singvogel den Kuckuck (Cuculus canorus) auf seiner Warte an. Scheinbar furchtlos greift das Weibchen des Neuntöters (Lanius collurio) an. Einen Schmarotzer, der ihre Brut gefährdet, kann sie nicht akzeptieren.   Ende Mai ertönt im ersten Dämmerungslicht ein vielfältiges und beeindruckendes, ja geradezu ohrenbetäubendes, Stimmenkonzert aus den weiten Absetzbecken der Schwemmteiche bei… Continue reading Kuckuck wird aggressiv von Neuntöter attackiert

Female Red-backed Shrike aggressively attacks Cuckoo

The little songbird vehemently attacks the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) on its perch. Seemingly fearless, the female of the Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) attacks. She cannot accept a parasite that endangers her brood.   At the end of May, in the first twilight, a diverse and impressive, almost deafening, concert of voices can be heard… Continue reading Female Red-backed Shrike aggressively attacks Cuckoo

Kuckuckfotografie im Revier

Schon bei meiner Ankunft auf einer Jagdkanzel in den Schwemmteichen höre ich die Rufe mindestens von 5 Kuckucken (Cuculus canorus). Viel muß man nicht tun, um ein Exemplar vor die Linse zu kriegen.  Der Trieb, ein Revier einzurichten oder zu behaupten reicht grundsätzlich vollkommen aus. Trotzdem wollte ich noch etwas nachhelfen und einen Kuckuck mit… Continue reading Kuckuckfotografie im Revier

Cuckoos landing on a perch in Brandenburg

I spot the bird in an Ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) along a drainage canal. The Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) sits high in the tree and calls, dropping its wings slightly and wagging its tail. It doesn’t keep him waiting for long. The competitors dispute his territory. A little later the next control room is flown… Continue reading Cuckoos landing on a perch in Brandenburg

Great Gray Shrike at its nest in a poplar

Sometimes you will become aware of the Northern Shrike or Great Gray Shrike (Lanius excubitor) in or especially before the breeding season through its musical talent. But that is rare. Because his song consists of short, repeated verses, which are interrupted by longer silent intervals. Normally it is introduced with “trrr” or “prrr” notes, which… Continue reading Great Gray Shrike at its nest in a poplar

Eurasian Nightjar in Brandenburg landscape

The sun has set already. The location which was so productive only some years ago is very quite. 3 Common Cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) attracted by the high-pitched call of the male chase each other over the heath, which is overgrown more an more. I am disappointed when I leave the site at around 9:30 p.m.… Continue reading Eurasian Nightjar in Brandenburg landscape

Junger Kuckuck am Schwarzen Meer

Eigentlich wollen wir nur ein paar Dünenabschnitte, die mit Büschen bewachsen sind, und ein paar Ponds direkt hinter dem Strand abgrasen. Die Büsche stellen sich als sehr produktiv heraus. In dem dichten Gezweig hat sich ein junger Kuckuck (Cuculus canorus) in seinem jugendlichen Federkleid ganz still mitten in Weide (Salix sp.) sitzt. Er rührt sich… Continue reading Junger Kuckuck am Schwarzen Meer