Weekend in the field

All but last photo were made on Saturday during my first day of winter waterbird census on my counting section along Danube. Mixed pair of Crows was found on Sunday's guided walk in city parks of Bratislava.

Danube canal near Hamuliakovo

resting White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)

Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) and Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)

From port to park

I made another walk in urban areas of Bratislava. Started home, walked through old Ružinov where I found 130 Waxwings roosting in the tree. Then I checked the basins of port on Danube. I spotted just one Coot, male Pochard, male Mallard and Great Cormorant flew along. I crossed the river and walked on the embankment upstream to the Sad Janka Kráľa public park. There was European Hare pair running across thin strip of floodplain forest that lies between the Danube and embankment. At first I just heard some knocking on the wood, then I found fresh holes in the tree and male Black Woodpecker appeared in the moment. Great Spotted Woodpecker sat on the top of dry tree. The park showed its usual  inhabitants and seasonal guests: Great Tit, Nuthatch, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon and few others. Squirrel was hiding just two meters from the park sidewalk.

Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)

Danube river port

Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)

Feral Pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica)

Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)

Blackbird (Turdus merula)

Great Tit (Parus major)

Nuthatch (Sitta europea)

Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)

Squirrel

List of observed bird species:
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Pochard (Aythya ferina)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Coot (Fulica atra)
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Common Gull (Larus canus)
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)
Magpie (Pica pica)
Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula)
Rook (Corvus frugilegus)
Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)
Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris)
Great Tit (Parus major)
Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)
Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus)
Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)
Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)

Corvids in Sad Janka Kráľa public park.

Large flocks of Rooks and Jackdaws are using eastern side of public park as gathering site before they move on to their night roost site below Bratislava. It is great opportunity to compare these overlooked birds. Man can spot here Rooks (Corvus frugilegus), Jackdaws (Coloeus monedula), Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix), if lucky its western brother Carrion Crow (Corvus corone). In addition Magpie (Pica pica) and even Jay (Garrulus glandarius) can be found near this eastern side of park. That makes 6 different Corvids in small area during the winter months. Another reason to explore Sad Janka Kráľa public park that lies on opposite side of Danube just next to the city center. (all photos were made yesterday afternoon)

Rook (Corvus frugilegus)

Rook (Corvus frugilegus)

Rook (Corvus frugilegus) and two Jackdaws (Coloeus monedula)

Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix)

Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix) and Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula)

mixed flock of Rooks and Hooded Crows

mostly Hooded Crows

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)