Thursday, May 1, 2014

Terns and Orchids

Early May is ideal time to spot the species of Marsh Terns on Danube below Bratislava. The number of Black Terns could be as high as 1000 birds. In their flocks also could be found few specimens of White-winged and Whiskered Terns.

During my Thursday's bike trip I observed c470 Black Terns (Chlidonias hybrida). There were also at least 10 White-winged Terns (Chlidonias leucopterus). Unfortunately no Whiskered Tern. On the other hand I was glad to spot 5 Black-necked Grebes (Podiceps nigricollis), 7 Dunlins (Calidris alpina) and 3 Greenshanks (Tringa nebularia). I heard my first Golden Orioles and Reed Warblers of the year. Yearlist after this bike trip stands on 168 bird species. On the way home I found a big group of blooming Military Orchids (Orchis militaris).
Danube below Bratislava
roosting Black Terns
distant Black-necked Grebes
recordshot of Black-necked Grebes
Military Orchid
Military Orchid