Eurasian Hobby on the migration along the Black Sea coast of Türkiye

After the thick cloud cover has broken up a bit and the sea is no longer too stormy, I can take really good pictures of a low-flying Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo) in the early morning lights. It’s already the second of its kind. The first was so fast that it simply passes. But the second… Continue reading Eurasian Hobby on the migration along the Black Sea coast of Türkiye

Dusky Thrush near airport Berlin-Brandenburg

Around 11:30 a.m. the sun sent the first tentative rays through thick clouds which contained heavy rain only minutes before. In the afternoon of the previous day, a Dusky Thrush (Turdus eunomus) was sighted in a flock of Fieldfares (Turdus pilaris). In a 3rd attempt and after a good 2 hours of waiting the salvation… Continue reading Dusky Thrush near airport Berlin-Brandenburg

A little alcid in californian harbor

Alcids are a very diverse family; six species of which are found in European waters. The variety of forms of the alke ranges from the small Dovekie (Alle alle) to the extinct Great Auk (Alca impennis). Whithin the family there are types of “normal” awl-shaped beaks up to the puffin (Fratercula arctica) – shaped bills.… Continue reading A little alcid in californian harbor

Sykes’s Warbler wintering in Sri Lanka?

During a stay at the western coast of Sri Lanka, bird-lens.com shot images of an alleged Acrocephalus-Warbler in Briefs Garden, an ornamental garden near the west coast. Immediately I was thinking of a Blyth’s Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum) but could not really confirm ID not at least because the habitat – a garden hedge – was… Continue reading Sykes’s Warbler wintering in Sri Lanka?

Northern Gannets and other seabirds on Heligoland

A deafening screeching can be heard from afar. The colors shine in a unique soft pink on the horizon. The sun is obscured by light clouds. What a great light! We are standing on Lummenfelsen near the Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus). The conditions are beautiful. With a wonderfully diffuse light you could take pictures all… Continue reading Northern Gannets and other seabirds on Heligoland

Steppenspötter oder Buschrohrsänger in Sri Lanka?

Während eines Aufenthalts an der Westküste Sri Lankas schoss bird-lens.com Bilder von einem mutmaßlichen Acrocephalus-Rohrsänger im Briefs Garden, einem Ziergarten in der Nähe der Westküste. Sofort dachte ich an einen Buschrohrsänger (Acrocephalus dumetorum), konnte aber die Art nicht wirklich bestätigen. Das lag nicht zuletzt daran, dass der Lebensraum – eine Gartenhecke – für die Art… Continue reading Steppenspötter oder Buschrohrsänger in Sri Lanka?

Atlantic Puffin on Hornöya in Norway

A strong wind from the east drives the whitecaps over the sea. Even in spring, the wind lets the photographer freeze to the bone. The sky is overcast and the persistent strong wind whirls the sand up to the edge of the cliffs. First, it is a steep, narrow stairs to climb up to the… Continue reading Atlantic Puffin on Hornöya in Norway

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

Red-throated Diver: Migration in May in front of Nordkyn/ Norway

A moment ago it had rained. Now again, you are standing in the most beautiful sunshine. Well, that one is on the lee side of the lighthouse, because the east wind whistles pretty much. In a distance on the horizon you see migratory birds flying ahead against the heavy wind towards the Barents Sea. In… Continue reading Red-throated Diver: Migration in May in front of Nordkyn/ Norway

Puffins, the black-red-white clowns of bird rocks

A high level of  noise prevails especially in the breeding season on a typical bird cliff. Right in the middle an attentive observer might discover a colorful, stocky fellow with bright orange feet and beaks. Resting on the edge of the cliff, as if it is not concerned of all the fuss. This is the… Continue reading Puffins, the black-red-white clowns of bird rocks

Black-capped Petrel in the western Palearctic

A report of a Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) from the Northern Sea, maybe Heligoland, would be the Mega of the year. Even better, than the Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) which spend several weeks around the sea bird colony along the red cliffs on this sole off-shore island of Germany. In general observations of pelagic or… Continue reading Black-capped Petrel in the western Palearctic

Cranes on China’s Helgoland, PART II

I was happy to experience a trip to Happy Island at the end of October. A 10-day trip in 2007. So far so good concerning the character of Happy Island in comparison to the vagrant hotspot Helgoland. What Helgoland does not have are resting cranes. But on Happy Island you could see a total of… Continue reading Cranes on China’s Helgoland, PART II