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)

Walk on Danube's right bank

[Monday, February 20, 2012]

I had spare time around noon, so I decided to make a walk to the right bank of Danube. Man can find 3 bridges in downtowns Bratislava. I crossed river walking the Old bridge. Tens of Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) were swimming on Danube. I have spotted two Little Grebes (Tachybaptus rufficolis) and few Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo). In the grove under the Old bridge I saw some Tits - Great Tit (Parus major), Marsh Tit (Parus palustris), Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) and heard Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius). Then I walked into the park "Sad Janka Kráľa", where man can spot some woodpeckers and passerines that like large canopies of old trees. I saw my first Green woodpecker (Picus viridis) of the year. In the tree-tops were hiding Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorius), Jackdaws (Coloelus monedula), Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) and 4 Greenfinches (Carduelis chloris). I was checking also the undergrowth for same Wrens or Robins, but I found a surprise. Male Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) was hopping and feeding on the ground. I realised immediately that I've found a lifer right in the center of the city. It persuaded me to be not afraid to explore the places that man thinks he already knows. Here are few photos and videos from that walk and in the end you can find the full list of observed bird species.

Bratislava - Šafárikovo námestie

Nový most - New bridge

Danube

Danube - right bank

grove along Danube

Apollo bridge

river port

in the park

in the park

Hawfinch - Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Hawfinch - Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Jackdaw - Coloelus monedula

Green Woodpecker - Picus viridis

Mistle Thrush - Turdus viscivorus

Black-headed Gull - (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

 

List of observed bird species:
Mallard  (Anas platyrhynchos)
Pochard  (Aythya ferina)
Tufted Duck  (Aythya fuligula)
Common Goldeneye  (Bucephala clangula)
Goosander  (Mergus merganser)
Little Grebe  (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Great Cormorant  (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Black-headed Gull  (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Feral Pigeon  (Columba livia f. domestica)
Collared Dove  (Streptopelia decaocto)
Great Spotted Woodpecker  (Dendrocopos major)
Black Woodpecker  (Dryocopus martius)
Green Woodpecker  (Picus viridis)
Common Magpie  (Pica pica)
Jackdaw  (Coloelus monedula)
Rook  (Corvus frugilegus)
Hooded Crow  (Corvus cornix)
Marsh Tit  (Poecile palustris)
Great Tit  (Parus major)
Blue Tit  (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Long-tailed Tit  (Aegithalos caudatus)
Nuthatch  (Sitta europaea)
Blackbird  (Turdus merula)
Mistle Thrush  (Turdus viscivorus)
House Sparrow  (Passer domesticus)
Tree Sparrow  (Passer montanus)
Chaffinch  (Fringilla coelebs)
Brambling  (Fringilla montifringilla)
Greenfinch  (Carduelis chloris)
Goldfinch  (Carduelis carduelis)
Hawfinch  (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)