On an afternoon along a rushing river near Turrialba in Costa Rica, a tiny bird flits through the understory, pausing just long enough to snatch a passing insect. This is Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris), a small but resilient traveler that has escaped the cold grip of North America to find refuge in Central America’s tropical… Continue reading Winter Hideaway of the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Category: Bird Migration
Observations of migration birds, aspects of migration
Northern Mockingbird in the Countryside of Rheidt near Bonn
Strolling through the countryside near Rheidt, Niederkassel, the crisp air carried a melody of birdsong, interwoven with the sharp, repetitive calls of a single bird only some days ago. It was the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos). This rare vagrant has now not been observed for some time. Even thorough searches were unsuccessful, although the conditions… Continue reading Northern Mockingbird in the Countryside of Rheidt near Bonn
An unexpected visitor: first-year Long-Tailed Duck in Teltow-Flaeming/ Brandenburg
On a chilly winter day in Brandenburg, a small, seemingly inconspicuous pond became the setting for an extraordinary encounter. Among the usual array of waterfowl, a first-year Long-Tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) stood out—a rare visitor far from its typical Arctic and coastal haunts. Its presence, alongside more familiar duck species like Smew (Mergellus albellus), Gadwall… Continue reading An unexpected visitor: first-year Long-Tailed Duck in Teltow-Flaeming/ Brandenburg
A Winter Visitor: Western Cattle Egret in Brandenburg
It’s not every day that you come across a Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) in the heart of Brandenburg, especially during winter. On a crisp afternoon, around 1:00 PM, this striking white bird was spotted on the edge of a village, fearlessly searching for food among a flock of sheep. Unlike other migratory species, this… Continue reading A Winter Visitor: Western Cattle Egret in Brandenburg
Stilt Sandpiper: A Winter Visit to the Guaporé River Wetlands
When the sun rises over the lowlands of eastern Brazil, painting the Guaporé River in hues of gold, I catch a sight of slender-legged birds wading gracefully in the shallows. First I think of a Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca). And one of the bird is a Greater Yellowlegs. But among the other waders I identify… Continue reading Stilt Sandpiper: A Winter Visit to the Guaporé River Wetlands
A Rare Sight: Observing a Spotted Sandpiper at Caputher Gemünde – Potsdam
Birdwatching often rewards patience with fascinating glimpses of avian behavior. On behalf of a bird call on Ornitho.de I rushed to Caputher Gemünde at the outflow of the Schwielowsee. With many observers already waiting, I encountered a vagrant Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius), a species typically found in the Americas. Its unique foraging habits and adaptability… Continue reading A Rare Sight: Observing a Spotted Sandpiper at Caputher Gemünde – Potsdam
Peregrine Falcon at the Pacific coast of Peru
An early morning at 5:50 am. My trip from Chala to Atico on the Pacific continues along a beautiful and sometimes quite winding coastal road. Then the road leads again and again directly along the coast or climbs up the coastal mountains, sometimes at a considerable height, to avoid cliffs. So I make good progress… Continue reading Peregrine Falcon at the Pacific coast of Peru
Common snipes on fall migration in Brandenburg
As soon as I arrived at the wetland at dawn, 6 Common Snipes (Gallinago gallinago) suddenly flew up. It takes about half an hour until the first one flies in fluttering and then stands quietly, relying on the camouflage of its plumage, between dead grass and willow branches. A little later the next Common Snipe… Continue reading Common snipes on fall migration in Brandenburg
The Taxonomic Split of Cory’s Shearwater: What It Means for Your Bird Life List
Birdwatching is an endlessly rewarding hobby, especially when you manage to tick off a new species on your Life List. But what happens when one species becomes two? That’s exactly what happened with Cory’s Shearwater, a bird many of us have enjoyed spotting over the open ocean. Recently, a significant taxonomic split occurred, dividing Cory’s… Continue reading The Taxonomic Split of Cory’s Shearwater: What It Means for Your Bird Life List
An immature Pallid Harrier in the Niederer Fläming
On sunday, 13th of October, I had the unique opportunity to observe an immature Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) in the Niederer Fläming region of Brandenburg, a truly exciting find for any birdwatcher. With its distinct features and behavior, this raptor should be unmistakable in good observation conditions. But identifying immature and femlae individuals can be… Continue reading An immature Pallid Harrier in the Niederer Fläming
A Pair of Red-breasted Mergansers passing the cliffs of Kilcummin Head
Standing on the windswept cliffs on the rugged coastline of northwestern Ireland, I gaze out over the open water, scanning the horizon for signs of life. Standing on Kilcummin Head, called Benwee Head also, I watch long chains of shearwaters skimmed the surface of the ocean, riding the wind effortlessly. Among the species present, the… Continue reading A Pair of Red-breasted Mergansers passing the cliffs of Kilcummin Head
Exploring the Pelagic Birds of the Atlantic: A Glimpse at Leach’s Storm-Petrel
We are on a seabird watching tour west of Ireland with Blacksod Sea Safari. On the trip to the Atlantic we pass the island of Inishkea, which my skipper, Toby, highly recommends to me because of the many breeding birds – probably also Storm Petrels – in summer. But I’m not in the mood for… Continue reading Exploring the Pelagic Birds of the Atlantic: A Glimpse at Leach’s Storm-Petrel