Raubseeschwalben, die größten Seeschwalben der Welt

„Among the vast hordes of sea birds nesting in the great colonies of the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts, this king of all the terns may be seen climbing into the air on its long, strong wings, its big red bill wide open, yelling out its loud raucous cry of defiance. As the dominant, ruling… Continue reading Raubseeschwalben, die größten Seeschwalben der Welt

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

Als Vogelfotograf im Donaudelta

Nur eine kleine Stechmücke leistet mir Gesellschaft. Vor mir sind nur die kehligen Kontaktrufe der Rosapelikane (Pelcanus crispus) direkt vor meinem dunklen Tarnzelt zu hören. Gerade mal die ersten Lichter der Morgendämmerung sind am Horizont zwischen Objektiv und Zeltluke zu sehen. In den unzugänglichen Schilfgebieten des Donaudeltas nisten die Rosapelikane in großen Kolonien und lassen… Continue reading Als Vogelfotograf im Donaudelta

Awash NP: Weihen im Winterquartier in Äthiopien

Nachdem ich die Steppenweihe (Circus macrourus), einen wundervoll, elegant fliegenden Greifvogel schon bei Reisen im Monat September auf ihrer Zugroute entlang der Schwarzmeerküste in der Nähe südlich des Donau-Delta und an der Schwarzmeerküste in Rumänien sowie an der Wolga in Russland gesehen hatte, war ich gespannt, ob es mir gelingen würde, diese Vogelart auch während… Continue reading Awash NP: Weihen im Winterquartier in Äthiopien

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

Identifcation of flying Chlidonias Terns in breeding plumage

 Looking at field guides like „ Collins Bird Guide“ from Peter Grant, Dan Zetterstrom, Lars Svenson and Killian Mullarney the ID look quite simple. But even in the breeding plumage Chlidonias – or Marsh – Terns can cause some headache identifying in the field. Then even the Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus) can be confused with… Continue reading Identifcation of flying Chlidonias Terns in breeding plumage

Black Terns catching flies in the Danube Delta

I was almost titeling Black Tern flycatching… but then I found an interesting nice article in Wikipedia, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawking_(birds)) to the meaning of feeding strategies of birds involving catching flying insects in the air. Wikipedia says, that the term “flycatching” refers to a technique of sallying out from a perch to snatch an insect and then… Continue reading Black Terns catching flies in the Danube Delta

Top Birds at Romania´s Black Sea Coast

South of the Danube Delta is a wide stretch of a sandy shoreline with shallow lagoons. This is part of Romania´s Black Sea coast. May is Migration and early breeding time. Whereas the association of the east Romanian countryside is normally with the core Danube Delta with its speciality birds like Pelicans, Black-necked and Red-necked… Continue reading Top Birds at Romania´s Black Sea Coast

Identification of Sternula Terns in Asia/Africa

When you are going to eastern Arabia in spring, you have good chances to see (and compare) 2 small terns of the genus Sternula. Sternula is a genus of small white terns, which is often subsumed into the larger genus Sterna. Saunder’s Tern, Sternula saundersi, was formerly considered to be subspecies of Little Tern but… Continue reading Identification of Sternula Terns in Asia/Africa

Bird Diversity in the Danube Delta

Bird Diversity in the delta of 2ndlargest river delta in Europe, after the Volga Delta is very high. Over 320 species of birds are found in the delta during the summer, of which 166 are breeding species. A group of bird-photographers decided to visit this site in May 2012 on a trip with Sakertours. Highlights of… Continue reading Bird Diversity in the Danube Delta

Great White Pelican takes flight in Danube Delta

The Danube Delta is home of two species of pelicans. The pelican is the symbol of the Delta. Here is home to Europe’s most important colony: 3.500 pairs live in the Danube Delta . we decided to visit this site in May 2012 on a photographer trip with Sakertours. One of the highlights were photoshots… Continue reading Great White Pelican takes flight in Danube Delta