The day is just beginning. A thick veil of mist still hangs over the marshland, with its mudflats and sparse reeds. At first, there is barely a sound—save for the early call of a cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). Then, suddenly, a soft, metallic song breaks the morning silence. A Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)! Singing first from among… Continue reading Song in the Early Morning Mist of Summer: the Bluethroat
Category: Birds of Western Palaearctic
Black-winged Stilt Pulli escape to Sheep Pasture
Sometimes it pays to simply stop and observe. On a road near Blankensee, right on the border between the districts of Teltow-Fläming and Potsdam-Mittelmark, I pull over on a slight rise near the Gut Breite estate. Two Black-winged Stilts (Himantopus himantopus) fly directly toward and over me, calling loudly. To my delight, I spot four… Continue reading Black-winged Stilt Pulli escape to Sheep Pasture
Birding Yelkouan Shearwater in Sicily
The light over the Sicilian coast is even softer in the early morning. And the sea has only just begun to shift its hue from a deeper, metallic gray to an ever-brighter blue. I stand on a rocky headland facing the Isola delle Correnti, scanning the horizon where the boundary between water and sky blurs.… Continue reading Birding Yelkouan Shearwater in Sicily
Notable Bird Migration Along the Pomeranian Coast
On a windy June day along the Pomeranian Baltic coast near Dziwnów (formerly Dievenow), there was suddenly plenty to see. A strong westerly wind was blowing across the sea, and several species of ducks and waders were migrating from east to west along the narrow coastal strip. At first, 8 Northern Shovelers (Spatula clypeata) in… Continue reading Notable Bird Migration Along the Pomeranian Coast
Clumsy, young Great Spotted Woodpecker in pine forest
If you’re strolling through a sparse pine forest in early summer, with a bit of luck you might witness an enchanting moment: After days of curious gazing, a young Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) ventures out of its round nest hole high above the ground. Still slightly clumsy, it flutters from trunk to trunk, its… Continue reading Clumsy, young Great Spotted Woodpecker in pine forest
Why a Once-Common Bird Is Disappearing: the Eurasian Tree Sparrow
In the past, it was simply part of the scenery. Anyone walking along village streets, passing by barns, or traveling through the countryside would hear the lively chirping of small sparrow flocks almost everywhere. Amidst hedges, fruit trees, and stables, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) was a familiar companion of daily life. Today, however,… Continue reading Why a Once-Common Bird Is Disappearing: the Eurasian Tree Sparrow
European Robin and Its “Quiet” Song
By June, the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) is heard only faintly in the background. The demands of the breeding season and the need to remain inconspicuous while incubating eggs cause it to fall quiet and keep a low profile. In contrast, anyone strolling through a garden or park on a spring morning usually knows the… Continue reading European Robin and Its “Quiet” Song
The song of spring: the Common Nightingale
Anyone strolling through a park, riverside thicket, or open floodplain forest on a mild May evening may occasionally experience a truly special moment. From deep within the dense undergrowth rings out a song—so varied and powerful that even those who otherwise take little interest in birds are compelled to stop and listen. The Common Nightingale… Continue reading The song of spring: the Common Nightingale
Black-winged Stilt in one of Brandenburgs meadows
Amidst shallow pools, wet meadows, and resting wading birds, two elegant birds with strikingly long, red legs suddenly catch the eye. Wandering along the Ungeheuerwiesen near Trebbin you can perform an extraordinary sighting. A Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) is spending time here together with its mate. The scene does not go unnoticed: a Northern Lapwing… Continue reading Black-winged Stilt in one of Brandenburgs meadows
Common Redstart with Nestling Down
A young bird with distinctive, light-colored feathers on its head crouches low in a Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris). It’s barely out of the nest when its first flight into freedom begins. The young Common Redstart still wobbles a bit as it releases itself from the fork in the branch. Its feathers are almost like those… Continue reading Common Redstart with Nestling Down
Rock Partridge in the breathtaking Nockberge in Austria
Last weekend, I embarked on a hiking adventure in the beautiful Nockberge region of Austria, driven by the hope of catching a glimpse of the elusive Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca). Known for its northern distribution limit in the Alps, the Rock Partridge makes its home on the steep, rocky, south-facing slopes of this unique area.… Continue reading Rock Partridge in the breathtaking Nockberge in Austria
Birdwatching in Sicily: Lago Preola e Gorghi Tondi NR
The wetlands lie hidden amidst intensively farmed land. When traveling in western Sicily and suddenly finding yourself before a still expanse of water framed by reeds and dense undergrowth, everything seems almost unrealistically peaceful for a moment. Only the rhythmic calls of the Hoopoe (Upupa epops) provide a background sound. This is exactly what a… Continue reading Birdwatching in Sicily: Lago Preola e Gorghi Tondi NR