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
Tag: birdwatching
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
At short tripreport to Colombia in January 2026 with special focus on accommodation used
January is a good month to escape winter and recalibrate the senses. This year I spent two weeks birdwatching in Colombia, traveling through the western and central Andes without spending too much time driving. The trip wasn’t characterized by long car journeys or ticking off sightseeing lists. The focus was on getting to know the… Continue reading At short tripreport to Colombia in January 2026 with special focus on accommodation used
Hotel Mandalay 1941 near Pereira: the base for Otún Quimbaya
Arriving at Hotel Mandalay 1941 feels less like checking in and more like stepping into a pause between forest edges. The road from Pereira winds through coffee farms and humid green folds, and by the time the hotel appears, bird calls already dominate the soundscape. Mornings begin with mist lifting off the hills and movement… Continue reading Hotel Mandalay 1941 near Pereira: the base for Otún Quimbaya