Junge Kleinspechte sind aus dem Nest

Noch vorgestern wurden die Jungen an der Brutröhre gefüttert. Immer wieder steckten junge Kleinspechte (Dendrocopos minor) ihren Kopf aus dem Loch einer abgestorbenen, gar nicht so dicken Erle (Alnus sp.). Gestern war die Fütterungsaktivität an der Bruthöhle eingestellt. Das Brutloch schien aufgemeißelt, Rinde abgehebelt zu sein. Schnell kam die Befürchtung hoch, daß sich hier ein… Continue reading Junge Kleinspechte sind aus dem Nest

Kleinspecht beim Füttern an Bruthöhle

Im minütlichen Abstand kommen nun, Ende Mai, die Eltern des Kleinspechts (Dendrocopos minor) an einer abgestorbenen, gar nicht so dicken Erle (Alnus sp.). Hier befinden sich bereits mehrere Spechtlöcher, doch die Kleinspechte haben extra eine neue Bruthöhle in die Erle gemeißelt. Nun hört man die Jungen ganz leise rhythmisch rufen. Bei weitem nicht so laut… Continue reading Kleinspecht beim Füttern an Bruthöhle

Spechte und ihre Höhlen

Das Frühjahr wird geprägt von auffallenden, laut durch den Wald hallendem Trommeln. Au­fällig sind neben ihrem Trommeln die Rufe, die besonders im Frühjahr und Herbst zu hören sind und die Arten schon von weitem unterscheiden lassen. Wie keine andere Vogelfamilie stehen die Spechte in Mitteleuropa für den Lebensraum Wald. So ist es auch, wenn im… Continue reading Spechte und ihre Höhlen

After nesting: Young Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are out of the nest

The day before yesterday the young woodpeckers were fed at the brood tube. From time to time, young Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers (Dendrocopos minor) stuck their heads out of the hole of a dead, not so thick Alder tree (Alnus sp.). Yesterday the feeding activity in the breeding cave has been stopped. The breeding hole appeared… Continue reading After nesting: Young Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are out of the nest

Feeding at a breeding cave: a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker family

While the male of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor) usually approached the breeding cave in a lean Alder tree (Alnus sp.) approx. 10 cm below the lower edge and then took action a little later, i.e. to hatch, the female more often first flew first to a dry branch above the cave and then… Continue reading Feeding at a breeding cave: a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker family

Woodpeckers and their breeding cavities

Spring is marked by striking drums that reverberate loudly through the forest. In addition to their drumming, the calls, which can be heard especially in spring and autumn and allow the species to be distinguished from afar, are noticeable. Like no other bird family, the woodpeckers in Central Europe represent the forest habitat. It is… Continue reading Woodpeckers and their breeding cavities

Pirol in Obstbaumspitze

Ein leuchtendes Gelb ist aus einer Baumkrone im ersten Licht zu erkennen. Ein goldgelber Pirol (Oriolus oriolus) sitzt auf einem flechtenüberzogenen, spärlich belaubten Ast. Natürlich kann man einen Pirol auch in Deutschland entdecken. Denn in den warmen Sommermonaten, zwischen Anfang Mai und Ende August, leben und nisten sie fast überall. Doch häufig hört man nur… Continue reading Pirol in Obstbaumspitze

Orchards: home for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers (Dryobates minor) only rarely find a breeding ground under the flower roof of apple trees in Central Europe anymore, because there are hardly any orchards or other suitable habitats for this small woodpeckers. However, the structurally rich landscape of the Vordertaunus near Bad Soden close to Frankfurt am Main is an exception.… Continue reading Orchards: home for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Middle Spotted Woodpecker at Hainich National Park, Thuringia

A high-pitched call in early spring is heard from afar. An obtrusive väh-wäh-wäh – combination of calls can be heard after. A beautiful old mixed beech forest with several layers and plenty of dead wood is home of the Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius).  A small hiking trail passes the ground at Langes Tal in… Continue reading Middle Spotted Woodpecker at Hainich National Park, Thuringia

White-backed Woodpecker in the Croatian Karst Mountains

Soft contact calls reveal a woodpecker nearby. A view through binoculars: clearly a White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos). The white ribbons on the folded wings can be seen very well. He looks more like a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor). Only bigger. A short “giggle”. I realize that there are 2 birds. One is only a… Continue reading White-backed Woodpecker in the Croatian Karst Mountains

Young Whinchat on summer morning

A fresh morning. Thick layers of fog are lying over the wetlands of the Nuthe floodplain south of Berlin. The weather forecast was perfect and everywhere there were numerous motives. So I took advantage of every free minute in the morning to be outside. The meadows along the river offer a diverse habitat structure. One… Continue reading Young Whinchat on summer morning

Birding around Frankfurt Airport – NSG Lampertheimer Altrhein

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the gateway to continental Europe. Many airlines use the Airport as a hub for connecting flights all over the world. If you have some more spare time but only 2 hours between two flights, you might be interested to know, where you can find good places to stretch your legs, enjoy… Continue reading Birding around Frankfurt Airport – NSG Lampertheimer Altrhein