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

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

Eurasian Pygmy-Owl in Saxon Switzerland National Park south of Dresden

As the sun sinks behind the horizon and casts long shadows across the forest floor, the kingdom of owls in the “Saxon Switzerland” National Park should be visited. In the mysterious hours between dusk and dawn they come to life. With every step the forest shines into the observer to envelop a symphony of rustling… Continue reading Eurasian Pygmy-Owl in Saxon Switzerland National Park south of Dresden

Andean Cock-of-the-rock at Tunquini Field Station near La Paz

The caravan that sets off from Chailo over a swaying suspension bridge could be perfectly captured in any slave film. It is a humid midday heat when we arrive on an November day at the place that lies at the entrance to the Tunquini Field Station – Chailo. But the legendary Andean Cock-of-the-rock is said… Continue reading Andean Cock-of-the-rock at Tunquini Field Station near La Paz

Yellow-browed Warblers as vagrants in Middle Europe again!

High-pitched calls shout from the bushes along the banks of an oxbow of the Havel River a little river in northern Brandenburg in Germany. In the willows you can quickly spot Goldcrests (Regulus regulus), scurrying through the bushes inconspicuously but in large numbers. But it’s worth taking a closer look. And really, in this case… Continue reading Yellow-browed Warblers as vagrants in Middle Europe again!

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 putative Hybrid Herring x Caspian Gull at Lake Gülpe in Brandenburg: A Detailed Observation

It was already evening at the outlet of the Gülper See into the Havel. The air was filled with the calls of migrating water birds. A white-headed gull sat on a boat bollard. In addition to the familiar sight of swans and ducks, this gull caught my attention. The first thing I noticed were its… Continue reading A putative Hybrid Herring x Caspian Gull at Lake Gülpe in Brandenburg: A Detailed Observation

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

Spotted Nutcracker in the Nockberge in Austria

One afternoon we almost finished our hike through the Nockberge-mountains.  In some spruce trees, we saw a family of Spotted Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes). The followed us for several minutes and gave excellent views. The term “Nocke” refers to the rounded shapes of the mountains in the southern Austrian Alps, which reach up to 2,400 meters… Continue reading Spotted Nutcracker in the Nockberge in Austria

Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) on Mallorca

Spotting Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) in mid-April can be quite futile. By then, these falcons are still en route to their summer destinations in the Mediterranean, typically arriving in late April and May. Although I have never visited the island due to its popularity among tourists, a friend shared a memorable experience. During his visit,… Continue reading Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) on Mallorca

Torrent Duck on a rock washed by waves in the Rio Huallaga/ Peru

The journey through the Huallaga Valley in Peru can be quick due to the good condition of the roads. And, the many mining towns do not invite you to linger. But sometimes the journey through these rough landscapes holds surprises, such as an encounter with a Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata). These impressive birds are known… Continue reading Torrent Duck on a rock washed by waves in the Rio Huallaga/ Peru

Common Snipe: Air transport in case of danger

Still completely disheveled and barely freed from the eggshell, the tiny Common Snipe chick (Gallinago gallinago) sets off to explore the surrounding area of a peat bog. With every step the little precocious bird becomes safer and braver. A little too brave, supose its mother. Because the little one steps out into the open meadow.… Continue reading Common Snipe: Air transport in case of danger