Saih al-Salam, paradise in the midst of semi-desert and acacia savannah in the Emirates

The first chains of Sandgrouse appear early in the morning. Still, it is remarkably cool. But very soon, the air will be heatened up to the highest degrees. Sandgrouses do not only arrive quenching their thirst on the extensive waters. Species such as the Arabian Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles exustus erlangeri) and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata)… Continue reading Saih al-Salam, paradise in the midst of semi-desert and acacia savannah in the Emirates

Erster Erfahrungsbericht mit der Canon EOS 1 DX Mark II

Als zufriedener Canon EOS 1D X und ehemaliger EOS 1D Mark IV – User wollte ich irgendwann natürlich auch die nächste Generation dieses Profimodells testen. Über die Jahre hatte ich festgestellt, daß mich sowohl die Canon EOS 1D Mark IV oder auch die D1 X fast immer voll überzeugte, aber eben auch nur fast immer.… Continue reading Erster Erfahrungsbericht mit der Canon EOS 1 DX Mark II

Junge Rohrweihe am Köder

Ein traumhafter Hochsommermorgen mit Morgennebel über den Feldern. Die Tage im Sommer scheinen manchmal vogelleer. Doch am frühen Morgen ist die Aktivität unübersehbar.  Die Reste eines Rehs liegt gut 25 Meter vor dem tonnenförmigen Hide. Gespannt warte ich auf die Ankunft des Schreiadlers (Aquila pomarina). Diese mittelgroßen Greife sind im Osten Deutschland, vor allem in… Continue reading Junge Rohrweihe am Köder

Pallid Harrier: First-summer individual in post-juvenile moult in Havelland

Described in old literature as a rare vagrant, the Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) is much less rare in NW Europe nowadays. It is not yet clear, whether this is due to the numbers of birders in the field, increasing knowledge of the immature and adult female plumage, migrations watchpoints or due to a change in… Continue reading Pallid Harrier: First-summer individual in post-juvenile moult in Havelland

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

All 4 Sylvia – Warblers in Weilbacher Kiesgrube near Frankfurt

This morning all 4 species of Sylvia-Warblers which regularly occur in Germany could be seen. First the male of a Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) showed up in the first light of this chilly but sunny morning. Then a beautiful singing individual of a Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) could be seen very near to a observation tower… Continue reading All 4 Sylvia – Warblers in Weilbacher Kiesgrube near Frankfurt

Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) on Norderney

Norderney, the most densely populated island in the german Wadden Sea is with good reason called a bird paradise. Terns, Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), Common Redshank (Tringa tetanus) , Brent Geese (Branta bernicla), Greylag Geese (Anser anser)and many other birds of water are to be found there, as well as the rare Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea… Continue reading Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) on Norderney

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