Zwergschnäpper an der „Grossen Treppe“ auf Helgoland

Zunächst verrät nichts die Anwesenheit eines Zwergschnäppers (Ficedula parva). Aber heute früh ist er von der „Großen Treppe“, der Verbindung von Ober- zu Unterlang auf Helgoland gemeldet worden. Zuerst sind nur die Zilpzalpe (Phylloscopus collybita) und der Zaunkönig (Troglodytes troglodytes) im Hang zu hören. Von der Empore auf mittlerer Höhe der Großen Treppe lausche ich… Continue reading Zwergschnäpper an der „Grossen Treppe“ auf Helgoland

Hovering Phylloscopus – Warblers

Every now and then several species of old-world Warblers of the genus Phylloscopus are observed feeding on pollen and nectar. This habit is usually found during migratory periods and is thought to be associated by scientists as a means of building energy after or before long-distance flights. So far, migratory Phylloscopus warblers have been observed… Continue reading Hovering Phylloscopus – Warblers

Grünlaubsänger im Old-Growth-Forest von Oandu

Toller Taigawald ist hier nahe dem Örtchen Oandu im Lahemaa Nationalpark im Norden Estlands erhalten geblieben. Ein sogenannter Old-Growth-Forest-Trail verläuft zwischen uralten Laub- und Nadelbäumen. Immer wieder wird der Pfad über Bohlen geführt. Der Trail ist ein Waldlehrpfad. Verschiedene Info-Tafeln informieren über den alten Taigawald, seine Flora und Fauna. Im Verlauf der kleinen Wanderung konnten… Continue reading Grünlaubsänger im Old-Growth-Forest von Oandu

Buschrohrsänger: Sommergast in Estland

Trotz des frühen Morgen beuteln Windböen die Sträucher und Bäume. Das hilft zwar gegen die Mücken. Aber es führt eben auch dazu, daß die Blätter der Büsche auch ganz ohne die Aktivität von Grasmücken und Rohrsängern bewegt werden. Das wird die Entdeckung des von mir an diesem Morgen gesuchten Buschrohrsängers (Acrocephalus dumetorum) nicht unbedingt einfacher… Continue reading Buschrohrsänger: Sommergast in Estland

Siberian Vagrants: The Yellow-browed Warbler

Soft evocative calls in tall herb. Every year there is a pronounced migration of Goldcrest (Regulus regulus). But it is worth to risk a closer look. In the mixed flocks sometimes there are representatives of small Phylloscopus-Warblers. One of them, the Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus), comes from the forests of the taiga between Sea of… Continue reading Siberian Vagrants: The Yellow-browed Warbler

Lowland birds in and around Kuehkopf

The nature reserve Kuehkopf-Knoblochsaue (in German: Naturschutzgebiet or NSG Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue) is one of the best sites of riparian forest along the river Rhine. The reserve is the largest protected area in Hesse, with 2,369 hectares. It is located on the right bank of the upper Rhine. Towns nearby are Leeheim, Erfelden, Stockstadt and Biebesheim all… Continue reading Lowland birds in and around Kuehkopf

Bird migration at the Stockert in the Eifel hills

A beautiful autumn day. Indian Summer, as written in the books. This time it is to go to the Eifel to hill Stockert south of Euskirchen where bird migration at day can be observed. It was still dark when I arrived. The first bird whispers were heard already . It was mainly chickadees whose calls… Continue reading Bird migration at the Stockert in the Eifel hills

Keoladeo National Park, a paradise also for Western Palearctic birds

Is it possible to combine business and birding in India? The country is large, the distance too and most business is performed in a metropolitan area – New Delhi. Although supposedly in the area of New Delhi only 250,000 people live after the Indian census of 2011, but there are at least several million in… Continue reading Keoladeo National Park, a paradise also for Western Palearctic birds

Fall migration at the Black Sea Coast/ Romania

Spectacular numbers of Pallid Harrier, Circus macrourus, and Red-footed Falcon, Falco vespertinus, were the highlight of the first day. Having spent 3 days in May north of Constanta at Romania´s Black Sea coast, it was decided to try our luck with birds again in the area around the village of Vadu. The target was, to… Continue reading Fall migration at the Black Sea Coast/ Romania

Migration of raptors over the Macin Mountains National Park

Because Macin Mountains is famous as an important migration hotspot for raptors in autumn, we decided to visit this site after a visit in May again at the end of September. An excellent choice. Arriving only at around 11:00h the activity of the “normal” birds were low. But the highlight, we were looking for, was… Continue reading Migration of raptors over the Macin Mountains National Park