In the heart of western Kenya, where the sun bathes the landscape in shades of gold, lies the Kakamega Forest – a realm full of ancient trees, vibrant birdlife and secrets that whisper in the rustling of leaves. Before dawn, in the light of the moonlight, I make my way to a small hill on… Continue reading In the heart of western Kenya: a trip to the Kakamega Forest
Category: Rare Bird sightings
Specialities
Western Orphean Warbler: a vagrant on the North Sea coast of the Netherlands
The morning sun keeps coming out. In the vicinity of Poppendamme I manage to photograph quite a dark Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) and even a single Dunnock (Prunella modularis). Then I drive in the direction of Middelburg, to the Arnestein industrial area. The area cannot be missed with the Kuipersweg. The whole street at the described… Continue reading Western Orphean Warbler: a vagrant on the North Sea coast of the Netherlands
Wintering Stonechat in southern Brandenburg
A Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) sits on a newly erected metal fence in a renaturation area in one of the peatbog areas in southern Brandenburg. It is winter and there has already been a few days of permanent frost. Snow lies partly thick on the posts and the ground. Nevertheless, the male Stonechat obviously finds food.… Continue reading Wintering Stonechat in southern Brandenburg
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: an often overlooked winter visitor
What is this miniature version of a woodpecker in the garden in winter? He’s hanging on a fat ball. It’s lucky that we get a visit from a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor). Although the smallest native woodpecker is actually an insect eater, it doesn’t miss out on such a nutritious calorie bomb in the… Continue reading Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: an often overlooked winter visitor
Redwing in hawthorn
A park cemetery that is not overly maintained is ideal for birds in winter. Fruit for Blackbirds (Turdus merula), but also Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) is available in addition to what lies under leaves and litter, for example Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). The Hawthorn and the Common Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), also known just as Barberry, are colorful… Continue reading Redwing in hawthorn
A rarity in Krkonoše-Mountains: the Alpine Accentor
We actually see the first Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris) at the summit of Sněžka, the highest peak in the Krkonoše, or Karkonosze – Moutains, which are also called „Giant Mountains“. As we were just leaving the plateau we see 9-12 individuals of this species calling and flying around the houses in the immediate vicinity of… Continue reading A rarity in Krkonoše-Mountains: the Alpine Accentor
Rhinoceros Hornbill on the Kinabatangan River
A successful day of bird watching begins with the sighting of a pair of Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) feeding at one of the Fig tree on the banks of the Kinabatangan River together with Pink-necked Green-Pigeon (Treron vernans) and Green Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula aenea) and many more birds at Kinabatangan River. Later we had Bushy-crested Hornbill… Continue reading Rhinoceros Hornbill on the Kinabatangan River
Buffy Fish-Owl with rat
After successful daytime birding, we go on the night drive around 8 p.m. The boat trip will be undertaken with a total of 3 employees from the lodge – including Nelson. One holds the lamp, one drives, and Nelson adds his two cents. The hit of the evening should be of course the Buffy Fish-Owl… Continue reading Buffy Fish-Owl with rat
In search of the Eurasian Dotterel in Krkonoše-Mountains of Poland
A small gray bird walks shyly in the heath vegetation on the edge of the talus cones. It is a bird of the Krkonoše or Giant Mountains, which otherwise has its main distribution in Northern Europe, Northern Asia and Central Asia. In Poland, the Eurasian Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) nests sporadically in high mountain grasslands and… Continue reading In search of the Eurasian Dotterel in Krkonoše-Mountains of Poland
Trus Madi Forest Reserve as homestad of Bulwer’s Pheasant
One of the heart stopping birding moments I remembered was hearing the calls of the the majestic, if elusive, Bulwer’s Pheasant (Lophura bulweri) A beautiful Pheasant that has long eluded many birders. A single male emerged Bulwer’s Pheasant appeared right in front of our hide at the Trus Madi montane forest of the Crocker Range… Continue reading Trus Madi Forest Reserve as homestad of Bulwer’s Pheasant
Eurasian Nightjar on the North Sea beach near St. Peter-Böhl
in the middle of broad daylight at the beginning of June, a dark brown something flies over the water in the glistening sunlight. It then lands in the middle of a sandy beach near St. Peter-Böhl on the german North Sea coast 100 km north-west of Hamburg. The surprise is great: it is a Eurasian… Continue reading Eurasian Nightjar on the North Sea beach near St. Peter-Böhl
Plain Martin Riparia paludicola, new to Egypt birdlist
Shortly, after we have left the jetty in Abu Simbel, we drive along high reeds. The reed seems impenetrable. Nevertheless, the tall stalks of reeds are full of life. Filled with the sonorous rattling of the Clamorous Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus), buzzed around by masses of Sand Martins (Riparia riparia) and Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica), all… Continue reading Plain Martin Riparia paludicola, new to Egypt birdlist