Urban Blackbird

This Blackbird pair is truly urban breeder. I found its nest 3 years in a row in the same section of Poštová street in the centre of Bratislava. In 2011 in letter "C", in 2012 40m away on the other side of street on the top of small electronic box and in 2013 in letter "E". The meaning of the sign is "Paper store".
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Note: I reviewed some older observations of my friend and colleague Ján Dobšovič and I found out, that in 2010 Blackbird was breeding in letter "E" too. Link to that sighting.

Spring flowers at Devínska Kobyla

We had a walk this afternoon around Sandberg, Bratislava. We hoped to spot finally some spring flowers. It is a 4 weeks later than usually but the joy was even greater. Have a look!

Pheasant's Eye (Adonis vernalis)

meadow in bloom

Pheasant's Eye and Morava River

Mahaleb cherry in bloom (Cerasus mahaleb)

Ladybird (Coccinella sp.)

Iris pumila

typical Iris ring

Iris pumila

Iris pumila - purple variety

Iris pumila - blue variety

Iris pumila - yellow variety

White Stork nest in Devínska Nová Ves fully occupied

After Thursday's observation of lonely White Stork in the nest just next to the bridge over Morava River near Devínska Nová Ves we are full of joy. As I was guiding birdwatching walk yesterday I and other nature lovers observed two White Storks on that nest. We also saw them mating. Great news in this chilly spring.

White Storks are standing next to each other just while after they finished mating

Birdwatching at Devínska Nová Ves

Surroundings of Devínska Nová Ves, Bratislava is great birdwatching site in every season of the year. Man can spent here one hour or whole day. Spring should be already here, but gloves, cap and snow blanket were saying that winter doesn't want to retreat. Despite this I observed my first White Storks of the year. Luckily one of them is local and already on the nest waiting for its partner. I took a walk across the bridge to Austria and back. Later I met my colleague and went to check slopes of Devínska Kobyla for first spring flowers but we need to wait few more days as they are still under snow, very unusual for this time of year. I made a few photos:

male Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)

one of  three Teals (Anas crecca)

Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) on Morava River

my first White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) of the year, check Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus) under the nest

European Hares (Lepus europaeus) preparing for box fight

Sandberg - breeding site of Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster); first birds should arrive in a month

List of observed bird species:

Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
unidentified Goose (Anser sp.)
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Garganey (Anas querquedula)
Teal (Anas crecca)
White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
Coot (Fulica atra)
Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
large Gull (Larus cachinnans/michahellis)
Feral Pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica)
Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)
Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)
Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)
Common Magpie (Pica pica)
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
Great Tit (Parus major)
Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Common Skylark (Alauda arvensis)
Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris)
Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)
Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)
Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)