Early morning in December 2001, as the mist still clung to the coastal thickets of Cananeia, São Paulo, I caught a glimpse of movement—a flash of rust, black, and slate. Raising my binoculars, I focused in and confirmed what I’d hoped for: Squamate Antbird (Myrmoderus squamosus). It’s not a species one stumbles upon casually, especially… Continue reading Squamate Antbird in Cananeia, São Paulo
Category: Where to watch birds
Lapwing chicks: precocial right after birth
A tiny chick runs directly on the shore of a lake on Lake Neusiedl. Still completely disheveled and barely freed from the eggshell, the tiny chick from the offspring of the Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) trips off into the surrounding area on an exploratory tour. With every step the little precocious bird becomes safer and… Continue reading Lapwing chicks: precocial right after birth
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
Winter Hideaway of the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
On an afternoon along a rushing river near Turrialba in Costa Rica, a tiny bird flits through the understory, pausing just long enough to snatch a passing insect. This is Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris), a small but resilient traveler that has escaped the cold grip of North America to find refuge in Central America’s tropical… Continue reading Winter Hideaway of the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Andean Cock-of-the-rock at Tunquini Field Station near La Paz
The caravan that sets off from Chailo over a swaying suspension bridge could be perfectly captured in any slave film. It is a humid midday heat when we arrive on an November day at the place that lies at the entrance to the Tunquini Field Station – Chailo. But the legendary Andean Cock-of-the-rock is said… Continue reading Andean Cock-of-the-rock at Tunquini Field Station near La Paz
Dance of Dolphins and Seabirds
This time the off-shore waters of the west coast of Ireland with Blacksod Sea Safari is going on. On the trip to the Atlantic we pass the island of Inishkea. Eventually we are surrounded by the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean.In the distance, I spot the distinctive white wings of Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) diving… Continue reading Dance of Dolphins and Seabirds
Birdwatching at Downpatrick Head: A Seabird Spectacle in Ireland
Perched on the wild and rugged coastline of County Mayo, Downpatrick Head offers bird enthusiasts a front-row seat to one of nature’s most captivating spectacles. Whether you’re drawn to the thrill of seabird colonies in summer or the dynamic migration activity in autumn, this iconic location promises a rewarding experience. During the summer months, the… Continue reading Birdwatching at Downpatrick Head: A Seabird Spectacle in Ireland
Hoopoes in the Kaiserstuhl
Almost everyone knows the Hoopoe (Upupa epops) with its unusual headdress and friendly face. But there are only a few places in Germany where you can observe it quite easily. The Kaiserstuhl in the south-western corner of Germany is one of these special places, with one of the highest population densities in Germany. But that… Continue reading Hoopoes in the Kaiserstuhl
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
Little Gull at Cape Gilazi in Azerbaijan
Out car stops on the edge of a wide sandy beach. The wind dies down for a moment. The sea stretches wide and overwhelming, outlined by black and white foam caps and a distant, dark gray horizon. Dozens of Little Gulls (Hydrocoloeus minutus) dot the white of sky and earth. On the way back from… Continue reading Little Gull at Cape Gilazi in Azerbaijan
Lesser Spotted Eagle in Brandenburg
Scientific research on the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Clanga pomarina) shows the facts. A good occurrence of the Lesser Spotted Eagle is mainly in the Randow-Welse lowland in Brandenburg or in or around the Feldberger Seenlandschaft. The exact locations of nest are top secret. But in the Randow-Welse lowland it might be possible to observe a… Continue reading Lesser Spotted Eagle in Brandenburg
Wallcreeper on a barren rock in Turkey
Anyone who discovers a Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria) flapping and climbing up a rock face is immediately enchanted by its beauty. With the jerky spreading of the crimson bright wide wings, he resembles a butterfly. Unmistakably, the Wallcreeper climbs up the vertical rocks and keeps flashing its bright red feathers. The Wallcreeper is usually difficult to… Continue reading Wallcreeper on a barren rock in Turkey