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)

Hooded Crow having an urban feast

At first piece of pizza:

and then McCafe drink:

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)

Afternoon walk along Danube

Karloveské rameno - Danube's river arm

one of two male Goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula)

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Black-headed (Larus ridibundus) and Common Gulls (Larus canus)

Danube near center

hybrid Crow (Corvus corone x cornix) with some food, Common Gull (Larus canus) tried to steal it

pair of Jackdaws (Coloeus monedula)

List of observed bird species:
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 26
Pochard (Aythya ferina) 1
Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) 1
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 2
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) 1
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) 250
Common Gull (Larus canus) 30
large Gull (Larus cachinnans/michahellis) 1
Feral Pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica) 4
Common Magpie (Pica pica) 1
Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) 6
Rook (Corvus frugilegus) 3
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) 6
Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris) 2
Great Tit (Parus major) 8
Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) 2
Blackbird (Turdus merula) 3
Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) 5
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) 1
Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) 1
Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) 4

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)