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

Zwergschnäpper an der „Grossen Treppe“ auf Helgoland

Zunächst verrät nichts die Anwesenheit eines Zwergschnäppers (Ficedula parva). Aber heute früh ist er von der „Großen Treppe“, der Verbindung von Ober- zu Unterlang auf Helgoland gemeldet worden. Zuerst sind nur die Zilpzalpe (Phylloscopus collybita) und der Zaunkönig (Troglodytes troglodytes) im Hang zu hören. Von der Empore auf mittlerer Höhe der Großen Treppe lausche ich… Continue reading Zwergschnäpper an der „Grossen Treppe“ auf Helgoland

Lake Tegel as a winter birding destination in Berlin

During migration and in winter waterfowl rest in good numbers on the Tegeler See (a lake just north of Tegel airport). A visit in late January performed with damp and cold conditions at temperatures around 0 degree Celsius. The shore is lined of a crumbling ice. No welcoming weather. No snow nor sunshine will improve… Continue reading Lake Tegel as a winter birding destination in Berlin

Keoladeo National Park, a paradise also for Western Palearctic birds

Is it possible to combine business and birding in India? The country is large, the distance too and most business is performed in a metropolitan area – New Delhi. Although supposedly in the area of New Delhi only 250,000 people live after the Indian census of 2011, but there are at least several million in… Continue reading Keoladeo National Park, a paradise also for Western Palearctic birds

Birds of heath in Brandenburg

Brandenburg, one of the new federal states is much more influenced by continental climate than the western parts of the country like e.g. Frankfurt am Main. Moreover, this state is not very densely populated at the Polish border. A good reason to call some parts of the country a birds and birders paradise. Breeding pairs… Continue reading Birds of heath in Brandenburg

Fall migration at the Black Sea Coast/ Romania

Spectacular numbers of Pallid Harrier, Circus macrourus, and Red-footed Falcon, Falco vespertinus, were the highlight of the first day. Having spent 3 days in May north of Constanta at Romania´s Black Sea coast, it was decided to try our luck with birds again in the area around the village of Vadu. The target was, to… Continue reading Fall migration at the Black Sea Coast/ Romania

Migration of raptors over the Macin Mountains National Park

Because Macin Mountains is famous as an important migration hotspot for raptors in autumn, we decided to visit this site after a visit in May again at the end of September. An excellent choice. Arriving only at around 11:00h the activity of the “normal” birds were low. But the highlight, we were looking for, was… Continue reading Migration of raptors over the Macin Mountains National Park