February in the area of Lake Neusiedler See and nearby Seewinkel region is great for geese and birds of prey. Both groups brought a lifer for me today.
On our way from Bratislava to Neusiedler See - Seewinkel National Park we were "forced" to stop behind Gattendorf as unknown large raptor was sitting on a branch. In short time we realized that it is a juvenile Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca). Weather just started to get worse but it didn't any matter to us as we had great birdwatching start. This great entrée was followed by Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) near Illmitz - Hölle. Male Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) was gliding over Hochstätten. We stopped to check the geese flock in the field and another Sparrowhawk just flew around. I tried to find it but I spotted "only" Merlin (Falco columbarius). Finally connected with this small falcon. My first lifer of the year. Another stop was in the hide next to the national park information centre in Illmitz. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) was soaring over the reeds. Another bird of prey was slowly gliding over the reeds around Zicklacke but it was not usual Hen Harrier. It was female Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) that is much rarer in winter in the area. As I was scanning the flock of Greylag and White-fronted Geese in Sandeck - Lange Luss I spotted my only one Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) of the day in Austria.
Several thousands of geese are wintering in the flatland of Seewinkel. Flocks mostly consist from Greylag Geese (Anser anser) and White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons). I hoped to tick Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) from my yearlist but I need to try again. I read reports of some Barnacle (Branta leucopsis) and Red-breasted Geese (Branta ruficollis) in the area. Search for these species is sometimes harder than looking for a needle in a haystack. We were satisfied with 7 different birds of prey and plenty of geese, some of them only few meters from the road. On our way back, as we were approaching Podersdorf I spotted small flock of Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) in the field. I realized that there was Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) reported in such small flock next this village. I asked for another quick birding stop. I checked that flock and it there it was - my another yearlist tick, and lifelist of course. Beautiful Canada Goose with 5 Mute Swans.
How can you name the day that you start with Imperial Eagle and end with Canada Goose? Small birdwatcher's heaven?
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| Illmitz - Zicklacke |
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| Greylag (Anser anser) and White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) at Illmitz - Lange Luss |
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| Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) - another not very usual winter inhabitant of the area |
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| lifer Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) in Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) flock |
Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
Greylag Goose (Anser anser)
White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 1 Podersdorf - Zeiselfeld
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 10+ Illmitz - Zicklacke
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Great Egret (Egretta alba) 1 near Berg
Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) 2f; 1 Illmitz - Zicklacke, 1 reed belt on the road to Illmitz - Seebad
Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 1m Hochstätten
Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) 2; 1 Illmitz - Hölle, 1 Untere Luss
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) 1 Illmitz - Zicklacke
Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) 1juv between Gattendorf and Neudorf
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) 1 Sandeck - Lange Luss
Merlin (Falco columbarius) 1 Untere Luss
unidentified Gull (Laridae sp.)
Feral Pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica)
Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
unidentified Woodpecker (Dendrocopos sp.)
Rook (Corvus frugilegus)
Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
Great Tit (Parus major) 1 Sandeck - Lange Luss
Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) 3 reed belt on the road to Illmitz - Seebad
Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) 1 Illmitz - Hölle
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) 1 Illmitz - Kirchsee
Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) 2m, Darscho
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