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

In the rain: Spotted Flycatcher at rest

At first glance, Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) may look dull mouse-gray-brown and a bit boring. The light pink eye ring at least is often striking in the field. In this photo in a light late summer rain, the little colored eye-ring and the pink to horn-colored base of the lower beak, can be clearly seen.… Continue reading In the rain: Spotted Flycatcher at rest

Red-backed Shrike in the Nuthe-Nieplitz region

Forest edges and small trees – especially small ones – are the habitat of the Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio). A male, clearly visible, secures the half-open habitat. From time to time he calls out his unspectacular call, jumps to the ground and then flies back with or without prey on his favorite perch with a… Continue reading Red-backed Shrike in the Nuthe-Nieplitz region

Song Thrush during nest building

The Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) is a secret species. After a cold winter, the birds distinctive rather melancholy singing can be heard at some point. At first cautious, its songs and calls sounds a little later high from the treetops of many forests. This is also the case in the pine forests of Brandenburg. In… Continue reading Song Thrush during nest building

Thrushes feeding on fruits in winter

A beautiful Redwing (Turdus iliacus) roam on the lichen-covered branches of the Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) to enjoy the red berries in thick fog. A bush of the European Holly (Ilex aquifolium) – also simply called Ilex – in the back of my front yard has been glowing full of red fruits since autumn, too. But… Continue reading Thrushes feeding on fruits in winter

Junges Habichtweibchen im Zuggeschehen von Turmfalke attackiert

Bei einer Beobachtung des Zuggeschehens am Bürvenicher Berg am Rand der Eifel am süd-östlichen Ende der Zülpicher Börde konnte ich einen elegant tief über einen Acker fliegenden jungen Habicht (Accipiter gentilis) sehen. Auffallend waren die Größe und das oberseitige Flugbild, das von einer braunen Farbe und dem recht breiten, am Hinterrand ausgeprägt geschwungenen Flügel bestimmt… Continue reading Junges Habichtweibchen im Zuggeschehen von Turmfalke attackiert

Bird migration on the edge of the Eifel

Beginning of October is the best time to observe migratory birds near a hill called Tötschberg or Toetschberg in the Eifel. It was still twilight when I arrived at the Bürvenicher Berg which is opposite to the Tötschberg, located at about 246m above sea level. In front of me the expanse of the Zülpicher Börde,… Continue reading Bird migration on the edge of the Eifel

Erste Nachtigall des Jahres 2021

Warme Luftströmungen haben den lang anhaltenden Strom polarer Luft im Spätfrühling abgelöst. Die ersten Singdrosseln (Turdus philomelos) sind schon mit ihrem markanten, melancholischen Gesang zu vernehmen. Die Amseln (Turdus merula) bauen schon fleißig am Nest. Der Zilpzalp (Phylloscopus collybita) ruft sein eintöniges Lied. Die Stare (Sturnus vulgaris) fliegen laut schwätzend zwischen den Gärten hin und… Continue reading Erste Nachtigall des Jahres 2021

Common Cranes over Brandenburg

Migration of the Common Crane (Grus grus) has started. Thousands of these birds, also known as “birds of luck”, can currently be observed in Brandenburg on their way to the southern wintering sites under distinctive and loud trumpet calls. The unforgettable nature experience is offered in September and October every year. With their legendary trumpet… Continue reading Common Cranes over Brandenburg

Young female Goshawk attacked by Kestrel in the Eifel

While observing the bird migration on the Bürvenicher Berg at the edge of the Eifel, I could see a young Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) flying elegantly low over a field. Striking were the size and the flight pattern on top, which was determined by a brown color and the rather broad, curved wings at the… Continue reading Young female Goshawk attacked by Kestrel in the Eifel

Waldwasserläufer (Tringa ochropus) im Spreewald

Der Waldwasserläufer befindet sich in Deutschland am Rand des süd-westlichen Verbreitungsgebiets. Bekannt ist sein Brutvorkommen in der Uckermark. Ich wollte aber auch mal Meldungen von Waldwasserläufern in der Brutzeit deutlich weiter südlich, nämlich im Spreewald, nachgehen. Ausgesucht wurde eine abwechslungsreiche leicht hügelige Kiefernlandschaft am Ostrand des Spreewalds, die abgelegen und daher relativ ungestört ist. Am… Continue reading Waldwasserläufer (Tringa ochropus) im Spreewald

Helgoland, die Vogelinsel

Die Abendsonne intensiviert das Rot der Helgoländer Klippen. Basstölpel (Morus bassanus) sind vom Klippenrand oder auf einer der angebotenen Führungen gut zu beobachten und zu fotografieren. Formatfüllende Aufnahmen gelingen bereits mit einer 300 mm Brennweite. Diese Brennweite ist für Flugaufnahmen sogar perfekt geeignet. Nur um die Nester mit den Seevögeln groß genug abzubilden, sind manchmal… Continue reading Helgoland, die Vogelinsel