Mist has settled once again over the western slopes of the Andes in Tatamá National Park. At the highest point, near the entrance to the Montezuma military base, the low-lying forest of Paramo-style hums silently, its sound interrupted only by the sharp, metallic beat of wings. A flash of green and blue cuts through the… Continue reading Collared Inca in dispute
Category: Where to watch birds
Common Cranes gather on ice
A single patch of open water holds its ground on the lake. Around it, winter tightens its grip. Early in the morning, a light haze drifts across the wide ice surface, softening edges and muting sound. For weeks, temperatures did not rise above freezing. The cold feels settled, confident it will not be chased away… Continue reading Common Cranes gather on ice
Antbirds & Ants at lowland rainforests along the Madre de Dios River
For bird enthusiasts visiting the lowland rainforests along the Madre de Dios River in eastern Peru, experiencing an army ant swarm is one of the most exciting spectacles. Following a raiding column of Burchell’s Army Ant (Eciton burchellii) not only reveals the fascinating behavior of these relentless predators but also provides a rare opportunity to… Continue reading Antbirds & Ants at lowland rainforests along the Madre de Dios River
Grayleg Geese in the Misty Embrace of the Lake
In the calm of the misty dawn, in which the mist, like wet veils, weaves a mysterious cloak around the still waters of a calm lake, a flock of birds appears – they are Greylag Geese (Anser anser). In this atmospheric environment, the connection between the grace of birds and the enigmatic beauty of nature… Continue reading Grayleg Geese in the Misty Embrace of the Lake
Ponta Poranga Jungle Lodge: a birders paradise
At sunrise, the chorus begins. Perched in the canopy above Ponta Poranga Jungle Lodge, a haunting cry from the Screaming Piha (Lipaugus vociferans) breaks the silence, echoing like a call from the forest itself. This lodge, tucked deep in the rainforest near Manaus, isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a front-row seat to one of… Continue reading Ponta Poranga Jungle Lodge: a birders paradise
Photographing the Versicolored Emerald in a Moment in the Tropical Light
It happens in an instant. Deep in the humid air of the Amazon, surrounded by vines and insect noise, a shimmer of green slices through the shade. A Versicolored Emerald (Chrysuronia versicolor) hovers before a yellow blossom, motion suspended, wings invisible. For a second, everything aligns—light, color, movement—and then it’s gone, leaving only the echo… Continue reading Photographing the Versicolored Emerald in a Moment in the Tropical Light
Ferruginous Partridge in the Japanese Garden in Bukit Tinggi
A local guide growls at me, asking if I’ve already scattered anything edible. I don’t understand him at first. Yes, I say: but only mealworms. Then he scatters grain. Then we take a seat. Half of his group stands at the net further up. The other guests are very nice and readily tell me that… Continue reading Ferruginous Partridge in the Japanese Garden in Bukit Tinggi
Recommendations for a stay in the Stelvio National Park
On the edge of the majestic Alps, where rugged peaks rise into the sky and – supposedly – untouched landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see, lies the enchanting Zugspitz region. Embedded in this breathtaking expanse lies the Eibsee, a green-blue sparkling jewel in the middle of the mountain forest. In the early,… Continue reading Recommendations for a stay in the Stelvio National Park
Eleonora’s Falcon: The Spring Return of a Master Predator
As spring breathes new life into the landscapes of the Mediterranean, it also marks the return of one of the region’s most remarkable avian inhabitants: Eleonora’s Falcon. Named after Eleonor of Arborea, a 14th-century Sardinian ruler known for her progressive conservation laws, this falcon is not only a symbol of natural beauty but also of… Continue reading Eleonora’s Falcon: The Spring Return of a Master Predator
Migrating Birds at the Mullet Peninsula in County Mayo
As the cool autumn air begins to settle over Mayo, the windswept landscapes of Annagh Head and the Mullet Peninsula come alive with the flutter of wings. These coastal areas, known for their rugged beauty, become a haven for both passing and wintering birds, drawing bird enthusiasts from far and wide. The Mullet Peninsula and… Continue reading Migrating Birds at the Mullet Peninsula in County Mayo
Harlequin Antbird, a jungle jewel of the PN da Amazônia
The group is pushing through low vines already the whole morning, the air dense with the perfume of rotting leaves and flower sap. A distant rustle betrays something moving just off the trail. The leader stop. Wait. The silence thickens. Then—there it is. Indeed. Suddenly, a Harlequin Antbird (Rhegmatorhina berlepschi) clings to a hanging vine.… Continue reading Harlequin Antbird, a jungle jewel of the PN da Amazônia
Extensive preening of a Versicolored Emerald
This morning, in front of the shaded veranda of a small pousada just outside Manaus, the rainforest decided to offer me a front-row seat to a private grooming session. Perched barely three meters away on a low branch was a Versicolored Emerald (Chrysuronia versicolor), resting as if the world had slowed just for him. His… Continue reading Extensive preening of a Versicolored Emerald