In the heart of western Kenya, where the sun bathes the landscape in shades of gold, lies the Kakamega Forest – a realm full of ancient trees, vibrant birdlife and secrets that whisper in the rustling of leaves. Before dawn, in the light of the moonlight, I make my way to a small hill on… Continue reading In the heart of western Kenya: a trip to the Kakamega Forest
Category: Posts in English
Western Orphean Warbler: a vagrant on the North Sea coast of the Netherlands
The morning sun keeps coming out. In the vicinity of Poppendamme I manage to photograph quite a dark Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) and even a single Dunnock (Prunella modularis). Then I drive in the direction of Middelburg, to the Arnestein industrial area. The area cannot be missed with the Kuipersweg. The whole street at the described… Continue reading Western Orphean Warbler: a vagrant on the North Sea coast of the Netherlands
Snipes: Courtship in the air
A flooded area in the middle of the swampy lowland of the Nuthe, south of the Fläming in southern Brandenburg only 30 km south of Berlin. As soon as I arrive at the wetland at dawn, snipes (Gallinago gallinago) start flying. The area was heavily flooded in the winter. Now the highest water levels have… Continue reading Snipes: Courtship in the air
Bornean Banded Pitta at the montane hill forests at Trus Madi Forest Reserve
Eventually a Bornean Banded Pitta (Hydrornis schwaneri) shows up in the arena of a shady wood on a steep slope. We sit side by side in a dark hideout that barely has slots for camera lenses. We’ve been waiting for a good 1 hour. There she is: the beauty. The Bornean Banded Pitta is a… Continue reading Bornean Banded Pitta at the montane hill forests at Trus Madi Forest Reserve
Pygmy Owl in the upper Harz Mountains
A hike in the highlands around the Brocken, the highest mountain far and wide. It’s foggy and windless. It also snowed for a few days. Then suddenly a rhythmic song, a scale, can be heard. It is a Eurasian Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum), which sits a little later on a dead, thickly icy spruce tree… Continue reading Pygmy Owl in the upper Harz Mountains
Wintering Stonechat in southern Brandenburg
A Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) sits on a newly erected metal fence in a renaturation area in one of the peatbog areas in southern Brandenburg. It is winter and there has already been a few days of permanent frost. Snow lies partly thick on the posts and the ground. Nevertheless, the male Stonechat obviously finds food.… Continue reading Wintering Stonechat in southern Brandenburg
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: an often overlooked winter visitor
What is this miniature version of a woodpecker in the garden in winter? He’s hanging on a fat ball. It’s lucky that we get a visit from a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor). Although the smallest native woodpecker is actually an insect eater, it doesn’t miss out on such a nutritious calorie bomb in the… Continue reading Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: an often overlooked winter visitor
Redwing in hawthorn
A park cemetery that is not overly maintained is ideal for birds in winter. Fruit for Blackbirds (Turdus merula), but also Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) is available in addition to what lies under leaves and litter, for example Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). The Hawthorn and the Common Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), also known just as Barberry, are colorful… Continue reading Redwing in hawthorn
A rarity in Krkonoše-Mountains: the Alpine Accentor
We actually see the first Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris) at the summit of Sněžka, the highest peak in the Krkonoše, or Karkonosze – Moutains, which are also called „Giant Mountains“. As we were just leaving the plateau we see 9-12 individuals of this species calling and flying around the houses in the immediate vicinity of… Continue reading A rarity in Krkonoše-Mountains: the Alpine Accentor
Wet Greater Coucal after rain
A black and brown bird stands soaking wet on a branch in the curve of the country road. A Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) was completely rained on by the tropical storm. Now he stands uncertainly on his branch in front of the approaching car and actually wants to shake himself thoroughly and dry himself. The… Continue reading Wet Greater Coucal after rain
Bornean Banded Pitta with an annoying guest on beak
A Bornean Banded Pitta (Hydrornis schwaneri) has been standing in front of the hiding place in a shady area of the forest already for a while. The Borneo Banded Pitta skillfully catches the delicacies – mealworms – that our guide has scattered. Suddenly an insect, an ant or a termite, can be seen beautifully on… Continue reading Bornean Banded Pitta with an annoying guest on beak
Late winter migration of Comon Cranes
„Gru,Gru“, „Gru, Gru“. In between, a hoarse whistle. Their calls and their wedge-shaped flight formation are as much a part of autumn as the colorful foliage on the trees. Every year the migration of the Common Cranes (Grus grus) is an unmistakable sign that the cold season is approaching. Despite the frost and snow, several… Continue reading Late winter migration of Comon Cranes