Sunday, March 15, 2015

Bad weather birding

Low grey clouds were hanging over Bratislava. Occasional showers, last gasps of leaving winter. In spite of that I decided to take a walk on Sunday afternoon. And it was worth of it. I observed first Blackcap of the year. I found Coal Tits on two different places. And enjoyed bathing Blackbird and House Sparrows. Every day is a fine day for birding. Sparrows, Blackbirds or Hooded Crows deserve our attention too!
male Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Coal Tit (Periparus ater)
Coal Tit (Periparus ater)
Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
bathing Blackbird and House Sparrows
House Sparrow is having a drink while Blackbird is enjoying bath
Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix)

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Small Austrian circuit

Few free hours between two bike delivery stints in Bratislava. Why not to have a ride to nearby Austrian fields. When you are in Bratislava you needn't go into the Small Carpathians, along the Danube or visit Morava floodplain. Even the flat landscape to the south from Bratislava offers fine opportunities for a bike ride and even a birder can have an interesting sightings. My route went through Kittsee across Pama to Gattendorf. Then I turned to the southeast direction along Leitha River to Zurndorf and then another 90° turn towards Deutsch Jahrndorf. From Deutsch Jahrndorf I rode back to Pama and have reached Bratislava across Kittsee and Petržalka. It's approximately only 50 km all together with the start and end in the Bratislava city center. Bike trails in Austria are well marked so it's easy to find your way.

My main intention was to find out if there are any flooded fields or meadows after the winter. These wet habitats are attracting wader bird species during the spring migration. And sometimes even flocks of gulls or ducks. I had a nice spring feeling while I was riding between Kittsee and Pama. Skylarks and Crested Larks were singing in the skies, European Hares were running all around. I was hoping to observe my first Marsh Harrier of the season, but only few Kestrels and Common Buzzards appeared. Next to the Zurndorf I turned my eyes up to the sky and spotted 3 White-tailed Eagles soaring really really high. On the road to Deutsch Jahrndorf I finally found some flooded fields. Few hundreds of Lapwings accompanied by Starlings were enjoying these pools of water. I observed my first Eurasian Teal of the year that was swimming in the flooded field with Mallard couple. I moved towards Deutsch Jahrndorf and another flooded fields and meadows appeared. Three hunting Great Egrets, another flocks of Lapwings, resting gulls but unfortunately Lapwings remained the only wader species to be observed that day. I was running out of the time because of my afternoon bike delivery job, but I managed to spot Red Kite flying over the fields close to Pama.
it is easy to follow the signs
soaring Common Buzzards
Crested Lark next to the highway
fields between Kittsee and Pama
European Hare running for cover
Leitha River near Zurndorf
flooded fields
flooded fields
Northern Lapwing
Lapwing in flight
couple of Mallards followed by a male Eurasian Teal
fields and meadows between Zurndorf and Deutsch Jahrndorf
another flooded area
another flock of Lapwings
Red Kite near Pama

Monday, March 2, 2015

Close encounter with Sparrowhawk

I was just starting my day of bicycle delivery service in the streets of Bratislava center. I entered wrong courtyard by mistake (I was supposed to go to the neighbouring house). Surprisingly I found Sparrowhawk on the ground as it was tearing feathers from caught Feral Pigeon. I took few photos, short video and I went to make my delivery. It was short but amazing encounter with the beauty and cruelty of nature in the urban environment.