Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) is said to be on its northern limit in Finmark/ northern Norway. It is described as a scarce and sparse breeding bird in Finmark. First breeding records date back to the 1960s. The bird breeds in small colonies normally in western Finmark and the Porsanger Fjord. The population in Finmark… Continue reading Lesser Black-backed Gull in Mehamn, Finmark in early May
Category: Bird Migration
Observations of migration birds, aspects of migration
Great Grey Shrike – a winter surprise in Lapland
During a trip to see the first spring birds in Lapland and Finmark in northern Norway, I discovered a Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor) which is called Great Grey Shrike, too. The bird was remoteless sitting in a snowstorm in a low birch wood along a road. It was still early May and the landscape was… Continue reading Great Grey Shrike – a winter surprise in Lapland
The Woodlark – a welcome sign for spring
Almost everyone probably knows the warbling of this tireless champions of the songs in the sky. It is such a welcome sign of spring, that we all must look up in the sky involuntarily and have a look after the singer. That’s not that simple. And how many of us have seen recently larks in… Continue reading The Woodlark – a welcome sign for spring
Sandhill Cranes in Bosque Del Apache NWR at Sunset
Every evening a very special spectacle occurs in this beautiful Wildlife Refuge in the south of New Mexico. Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) arrive at the “crane pools” at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge each evening. Having spent the day feeding in nearby corn fields, they will overnight standing in the shallow pools of… Continue reading Sandhill Cranes in Bosque Del Apache NWR at Sunset
Forster’s Tern, Sterna forsteri, as a vagrant for the Western Palearctic
Terns in general are excellent fliers, which may, from time to time, appear as vagrants outside of their home range. Forster’s Tern, Sterna forsteri, are no exception in that. Only some days ago, a Forster’s Tern was found on the coast of Ireland. An adult winter Forster’s Tern could be observed at Corronroo along with… Continue reading Forster’s Tern, Sterna forsteri, as a vagrant for the Western Palearctic
Birding around Berlin: former lignite mining lakes in southern Brandenburg
Lignite mining has a high impact on bird habitats and during the process of mining vast areas are devasted. After exploitation, the question how to deal with the moon-like landscape is often answered by filling the holes with water. Some of these waterbodies represent valuable habitat for endangered bird species as well as for other… Continue reading Birding around Berlin: former lignite mining lakes in southern Brandenburg
Birding around Berlin: The Guelper See
Berlin might not sound like a birdwatcher’s paradise but the capital of Germany offers surprisingly good birding. Berlin is already a top tourist destination. But it is a great place to combine a city trip with a birding excursion, too. Many airlines use the Airport of Berlin, but it is possible to take a flight… Continue reading Birding around Berlin: The Guelper See
On migration: a Siberian Rubythroat on Happy Island
Happy Island is considered to be (one of) the best location to watch the East Asian migration. This turned out to be already on the first – very successful – photo morning of my stay on a late autumn day on Happy Island. Wow, a real hotspot for migratory bird observation on China’s south-east coast.… Continue reading On migration: a Siberian Rubythroat on Happy Island
Hobbies pull over the Nyika Plateau – Malawi
The Nyika National Park, in the north-western corner of Malawi is the largest National Park in Malawi. It spreads over 3,000 sq km. On the Nyika Plateau at an altitude of approx. 2,000 m asl and above you can find typical grassland and mountainous vegetation. Wide gently rolling grasslands alternate with valleys covered with fern.… Continue reading Hobbies pull over the Nyika Plateau – Malawi
Birding around Berlin – Reckahner Teiche
Berlin, the capital of Germany is a top tourist destination. Many airlines use the Airport of Berlin, but it is possible to take a flight to Frankfurt/ Main as well and drive with a rented car in roughly half a day. If you have spare time between two tourist attractions, are fed-up with the museum… Continue reading Birding around Berlin – Reckahner Teiche
World Shorebirds Day
The World Shorebirds Day is anounced for September, 6th 2014. Shorebirds Unite Us | World Shorebirds Day. The International Shorebird Counts will be held as a part of the event series of the World Shorebirds Day. We’d be thrilled if lots of birders would support this idea and would join this global event, supported by… Continue reading World Shorebirds Day
Pallid Harrier on the Schroecker Feld north of Frankfurt/ M
At least since Saturday, July 19, 2014, a plateau east of Marburg, the Schroecker Feld, is home to a male Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) on. The Schroecker Feld near Marburg is roughly 100km distant from downtown Frankfurt/ Main. This Pallid Harrier male has very pale grey upperparts and is white below. In flight, the distinctive… Continue reading Pallid Harrier on the Schroecker Feld north of Frankfurt/ M