White-tailed Eagle census on Danube

Last Saturday of January is a date, when annual census of wintering White-tailed Eagles on Slovak section of Danube is taking place. I was one of few tens of volunteers who decided to spent 5 hours on the assigned observation point somewhere between Devín and Štúrovo. After previous years' censuses that I spent further down the stream of Danube below Bratislava, this year I was assigned to the point in the outskirts of Petržalka. It is less than 1,5 km from the nearest blocks of flats and less than 1km away from the sewage plant. 

It was snowing in the morning. Clouds were grey and low. Not the best conditions for birdwatching. Despite the fact, one of the first observed birds was a Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis). In following 1,5 hour I observed its several flyovers.

High voltage powerlines, distant chimneys of the Slovnaft oil refinery, mounds of gravel. One would say that nothing special could be seen here.

The skies were slowly clearing. On the surface of Danube were flocks of Tufted Ducks (Aythya fuligula), Common Goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula) and few Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) were diving for fish. 

Several Geese (Anser sp.) flocks were flying in the heights. Danube is an amazing highway for migrating birds.

It is a highway for cargo ships as well.

Tufties and Goldeneyes were flushed several time by the passing ships.

Four Great Egrets (Ardea alba) flew over. Another highlights were 3 Goosanders (Mergus merganser) and distant calling Raven (Corvus corax).

Beside Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) I spotted also some soaring Common Gulls (Larus canus). 

While waiting for White-tailed Eagles I observed few other birds of prey species - Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus).

 

After almost 4 hours of waiting there was finally a White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). It was flying towards my observation point.

 

Beautiful adult White-tailed Eagle with glowing white wedge-shaped tail started to soar over my head. In a while another White-tailed Eagle appeared. It was a brown-tailed juvenile. They were soaring together for a few minutes and were slowly flying away from me. After 10 minutes it was all over.

 

 

Finally time for writing down some precious data. Juvenile White-tailed Eagle showed itself again in 5 minutes and in a couple of minutes was gone from my sight. (Red arrow shows my observation point)

Bratislava offers plenty of possibilities for birdwatching. One can choose walk in the city parks or around urban lakes. But there is an amazing fact that Danube is a super highway for migrating birds and species such as White-tailed Eagle, Kingfisher, Goosander or Great Egret could be spotted so close to the center of the Slovak capital.

Short urbanbirding walk along Danube

I had some small duties in the city center. There was a bit of spare time so I got off from the tram 3 stops earlier and walked along the Danube river. One may think the grey waters of Danube can't show something special. But I've found a Kingfisher in the city center of Bratislava. Let's have a look on it and some other birds seen during that walk. 

riverbank near PKO

flock of Common Goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula)

pair of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)

common Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

winter guest Common Gull (Larus canus)

female Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

pontons along the bank

Kingfisher searching for fish from the anchoring cable of the ponton

November bike trip to Austria

Weather prediction showed no rain, no strong wind and temperature up to 10°C. Simply ideal conditions for having a bike ride in November. In group of four cyclists - Carolina, Lina, Martin and me we made approximately 60km long bike ride. We started in Bratislava, went under Devín castle, across Morava River to Schlosshof. Then we were crossing the fields and Danube to Hainburg and finished again in Bratislava.

morning in Bratislava - fog over Danube

next to the confluence of Danube and Morava Rivers

under the Devín castle

"Bike bridge of freedom", or better known as "Chuck Norris bridge"

one wheel in Slovakia, another already in Austria

crossing the line

in front of Schlosshof

I decided to celebrate it with a bikelift

our next direction

"empty" frame

rest time next to Engelhartstetten

we followed the upper bike trail

man can't be lost in Austria

medieval gate in Hainburg (photo by Carolina)

riding in to the fog (between Hainburg and Wolfsthal)

approaching border crossing between Berg and Bratislava

Marchfeld bike ride

Neighbouring Austria is always worth of a visit, especially if you are a bike tourist. On Saturday I crossed 3 bridges over 2 major rivers of the region - Danube and Morava. I rode few kilometres to the west along Marchfeldkanal bike trail and then turned back. In southeast direction I reached Stopfenreuth where I connected to the Danube bike trail and followed its path to Bratislava. First half was sunlit but the other one changed into the run ahead of the storm approaching from the west. 

Here are few pictures from the Saturday's afternoon:

Devín castle

bridge over Morava (Slovakia left, Austria right side)

in front of SchlossHof (palace Hof)

first metres of Marchfeldkanal bike route

Devínska Kobyla from different angle

small bridge over Russbach

picturesque Marchfeld region

plenty of information panels along the route

nearby storm

bridge over Danube near Hainburg

it is pretty hard to be lost

upstream Danube in Hainburg - storm is still approaching

back in Bratislava - Lafranconi bridge over Danube

Note for birders: I spotted my first Grey Partridges of the year. Just few metres from the road. Marchfeldkanal bike route goes along Great Bustard LIFE+ project protected area. It is estimated that in border region of Austria, Slovakia and Hungary there could be wintering more than 400 birds. I will check this site later in the autumn.

Useful information: Marchfeldkanal bike trail map