How to spot a Wallcreeper in Bratislava

Take a ride by busline 28 or 29 from the bus stop under the Most SNP bridge (a.k.a. UFO bridge). Get off in Devín. Have a short walk to the confluence of Danube and Morava Rivers. Have a seat on a bench under the majestic Devín castle rock. Just patiently observe the surface of the steep rock and its crevices and a Wallcreeper will appear. Or two birds as it was last winter. Hopefuly it will spend its winter season here until the end of March. If lucky Alpine Accentor, Grey-headed Woodpecker or Peregrine Falcon could appear as well.

bench under the castle rock

Devín castle rock - usual wintering site of  Wallcreeper

record shot of Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria)

another record shot of Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria)

Wallcreeper - always a stunner!

As the spring is very near we met this afternoon under the Devín castle rock. We came to give a farewell to one small stunning winter guest. Or better said, two of them. Two Wallcreepers (Tichodroma muraria) use the castle rock as a wintering site. We are happy that more than 50 people had today an opportunity to spot these little creatures that are commonly found only in higher altitudes of Alps or High Tatras. Bratislava has that luck to host them almost every winter.

birdwatchers are searching for Wallcreepers

phonescoped Wallcreeper using cheap spotting scope

"Iron Curtain" memorial under Devín castle

Devín castle rock - Wallcreeper's winter holiday resort