The aim of a trip in April 2023 was to visit Egypt again after a long time. On the one hand to round off the list of birds in the western Palaearctic and on the other hand to observe the bird migration along the Nile. During our previous stays we had mostly been to the… Continue reading Southern Egypt: a worthwhile birding destination for the Western Palearctic?
Tag: European Bee-eater
Red-backed Shrike with a wasp in its beak
A young, rain-soaked Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) has taken advantage of the rain to snag a stunted wasp and proudly display it to the photographer. During the recording, the juvenile red-backed shrike made no attempt to smack the prey against a branch in the manner of many other insectivorous birds – just to mention the… Continue reading Red-backed Shrike with a wasp in its beak
Egypt- a birding trip in spring migration time
INTRODUCTION With the lifting of the corona restrictions, “normal” trips are now possible again. From the end of 2022, I was planning a vacation in April next year. The aim was to visit Egypt again after a long time, on the one hand to round off the West Palearctic bird list and on the other… Continue reading Egypt- a birding trip in spring migration time
European Bee-eater: life in Germany
European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) lead a short, eventful life in Germany. The iridescent birds only arrive in our latitudes in the second half of May, and in August they migrate back to the south. In between, they have just enough time to raise their young and prepare them for the long way to the winter… Continue reading European Bee-eater: life in Germany
Young Red-backed Shrike with wasp from apple compote
A young Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) has snatched a wasp and is holding it in its beak before eating. During the photo session, the juvenile Red-backed Shrike made no attempt to smack the prey against a branch to expel the stinger from the insect’s body, in the manner of many other insectivorous birds such as… Continue reading Young Red-backed Shrike with wasp from apple compote
Bienenfresser: Zwischen Himmel und Erde
In der Mittagshitze werde ich zu meinem Versteck geführt. Am Abend steht die Sonne am besten und gibt ein schönes Rückenlicht. Es ist Juni, die sanften Hügel an der bulgarischen Küstenebene sind mit blühenden Sonnenblumen bedeckt. Im Dorf tuckert ein Traktor. Sonst ist alles still. Ich schlüpfte in das Zelt und mache mich unter dem… Continue reading Bienenfresser: Zwischen Himmel und Erde
Wie und wo kann man Bienenfresser fotografieren
Ein dünnes Ästchen im schönsten Abendlicht und darauf ein Bienenfresser (Merops apiaster). Das ist ein Bild, das viele Naturfotografen schießen wollen. Da stellt sich natürlich die Frage, was die Gewohnheiten und Vorlieben des Bienenfressers sind. Wenn man sich intensiver mit der Bienenfresserfotografie auseinandersetzt, fragt man sich wie z.B. ein Lieblings-Ansitz aussehen muß, wie ein perfekter… Continue reading Wie und wo kann man Bienenfresser fotografieren
European Bee-eater: life in Germany
European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) lead a short, eventful life in Germany. The iridescent birds only arrive in our latitudes in the second half of May, and in August they migrate back to the south. In between, they have just enough time to raise their young and prepare them for the long way to the winter… Continue reading European Bee-eater: life in Germany
European Bee-eaters between heaven and earth
In the midday heat I am led to my hiding place. In the evening the sun is best and gives a nice backlight. It is June and the rolling hills of the Bulgarian coastal plain are covered with blooming sunflowers. A tractor is chugging in the village. Otherwise everything is quiet. I slipped into the… Continue reading European Bee-eaters between heaven and earth
Population developments in Germany for European Bee-eater
Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster): They cover thousands of kilometers between the winter quarters and the breeding area. It is summer and most migratory birds have long returned from their winter quarters. Their breeding business is in full swing. One bird species is already thinking about the return flight: Merops apiaster, the European Bee-eater. The colorful birds… Continue reading Population developments in Germany for European Bee-eater
Bee-eaters in Majete Game Reserve near Lengwe NP
The trip to the Majete Game Reserve makes me stop at a bush. A remarkable bird party can be seen here. After some minutes I can detect Fork-tailed Drongos (Dicrurus adsimilis), Livingstone’s Flycatcher (Erythrocercus livingstonei), Red-capped Robin-Chats (Cossypha natalensis), Bearded Scrub-Robins (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata) and a Holub’s Golden-Weaver (Ploceus xanthops) – with a strikingly flesh-colored beak… Continue reading Bee-eaters in Majete Game Reserve near Lengwe NP
Prey and spectrum of food of European Bee-eater
The name already reveals part of the food spectrum of the magnificent birds. Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) lead a short, eventful life in Germany. The colorful birds only arrive in our latitudes in the second half of May. Bee-eaters feed exclusively on insects, specializing in the hunting of large and medium-sized flying insects. Bees, bumblebees, beetles,… Continue reading Prey and spectrum of food of European Bee-eater