The sighting of an Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) with goslings on a lake is hard to beat! The sight of the proud parent, surrounded by its young, is a beautiful reminder that spring is full of life and renewal. The goslings, usually between 8-10 in number, are so small and fluffy that they look like… Continue reading Photographing Egyptian Geese with goslings on lake
Category: Birds of Western Palaearctic
Red-breasted Goose as a vagrant in Brandenburg
The Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) is a fascinating bird that appears as a rare visitor to Germany. Its striking coloration and unusual migratory behavior make it a special object of observation for ornithologists and bird enthusiasts. So, there was great joy when a sighting of even two geese appeared on ornitho.de in western Brandenburg. Anyone… Continue reading Red-breasted Goose as a vagrant in Brandenburg
Crowdy feeder in April weather
A male Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus) sits in a tree with a piece of ice on its beak. It was an unusually cool March day in the small village on the edge of the forest. Residents had hoped that spring was already in full swing, but nature seemed to have not yet made up its… Continue reading Crowdy feeder in April weather
Kummerower See: a lake in Mecklenburg´s Switzerland
The Great Rosin at the northwestern corner of See (lake) Kummerow is a detour to Mecklenburg. Our destination is located between the little towns of Malchin, Dargun and Demmin. Northern Shovelers (Spatula or Anas clypeata) are really common with almost 200 individuals and Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) as, but there are also 6 Garganey (Spatula… Continue reading Kummerower See: a lake in Mecklenburg´s Switzerland
Rare Spectacled Eider in Texel-Wagejot, Noord-Holland
Birdwatchers across the Netherlands and beyond have been buzzing with excitement over an extraordinary visitor: a male Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri) spotted at Texel-Wagejot, Noord-Holland. This remarkable sea duck, native to Arctic regions, has drawn thousands of birders eager to catch a glimpse of a species never before recorded in the Netherlands. The discovery of… Continue reading Rare Spectacled Eider in Texel-Wagejot, Noord-Holland
Discovering the Black Grouse in the Bohemian Ore Mountains
Discovering the Black Grouse in the Bohemian Rudné Hory, is a big challenge for ornithologists. In the heart of the Bohemian Rudné Hory (Ore Mountains), bird enthusiasts can still find a dwindling yet resilient population of Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix). Known for their unique courtship display and dramatic plumage, these birds represent a symbol of… Continue reading Discovering the Black Grouse in the Bohemian Ore Mountains
An unexpected visitor: first-year Long-Tailed Duck in Teltow-Flaeming/ Brandenburg
On a chilly winter day in Brandenburg, a small, seemingly inconspicuous pond became the setting for an extraordinary encounter. Among the usual array of waterfowl, a first-year Long-Tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) stood out—a rare visitor far from its typical Arctic and coastal haunts. Its presence, alongside more familiar duck species like Smew (Mergellus albellus), Gadwall… Continue reading An unexpected visitor: first-year Long-Tailed Duck in Teltow-Flaeming/ Brandenburg
Hiking and birding in Stelvio National Park in the Alps
A meeting of nature enthusiasts at dawn. In the heart of the majestic Alps, where rugged peaks rise into the sky and untouched landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see, lies the enchanting Stelvio National Park. Nestled in this breathtaking expanse lies the Stelvio Pass, a mountainous wonderland that attracts both adventurers and… Continue reading Hiking and birding in Stelvio National Park in the Alps
Bird photography in your own garden: use of a camouflage tent
At the beginning of last winter, I watched with interest the hustle and bustle around the bird table in our garden during breakfast. It was a beautiful morning with sunshine. A Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) kept coming to the bird feeder because he thought he would find sunflower seeds there. A little later, a… Continue reading Bird photography in your own garden: use of a camouflage tent
Pygmy Owl in CHKO Kokorin in Czech Republic
It is foggy and windless in the Kokorin Valley. The area is named after Kokorin Castle, which towers over the valley of the same name. Already at the southern end of the long valley there are impressive sandstone formations that are so typical of this area. The numerous pine trees give the wildly romantic landscape… Continue reading Pygmy Owl in CHKO Kokorin in Czech Republic
A Winter Visitor: Western Cattle Egret in Brandenburg
It’s not every day that you come across a Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) in the heart of Brandenburg, especially during winter. On a crisp afternoon, around 1:00 PM, this striking white bird was spotted on the edge of a village, fearlessly searching for food among a flock of sheep. Unlike other migratory species, this… Continue reading A Winter Visitor: Western Cattle Egret in Brandenburg
A Rare Sight: Observing a Spotted Sandpiper at Caputher Gemünde – Potsdam
Birdwatching often rewards patience with fascinating glimpses of avian behavior. On behalf of a bird call on Ornitho.de I rushed to Caputher Gemünde at the outflow of the Schwielowsee. With many observers already waiting, I encountered a vagrant Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius), a species typically found in the Americas. Its unique foraging habits and adaptability… Continue reading A Rare Sight: Observing a Spotted Sandpiper at Caputher Gemünde – Potsdam