Sperbergrasmücke mit Zecke am Fertő-tó (Neusiedler See) – Ungarn

Das Weibchen der Sperbergrasmücke (Sylvia nisoria) ist jetzt endlich aus dem dichten Holunderbusch hervor gekommen. Die ganze Zeit schon hatte ich auf der Suche nach der Sperbergrasmücke aufmerksam die Gegend abgehört. Es ist aber ziemlich heiß und allein der Warnruf der Mönchsgrasmücke (Sylvia atricapilla) ist zu hören. Dann ist auch mal ein Männchen vom Neuntöter… Continue reading Sperbergrasmücke mit Zecke am Fertő-tó (Neusiedler See) – Ungarn

Irish Bird Trip to the Frankfurt area in Germany; 16thMay-19th May 2014

We flew in from Kerry airport Ireland and landed at Hahn to met by Johannes Ferdinand from Bird-Lens our bird guide.  During our stay we had no rain, some cloud in the mornings and plenty of sunshine all day. We saw a total of 113 birds including lifers Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris), Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus… Continue reading Irish Bird Trip to the Frankfurt area in Germany; 16thMay-19th May 2014

A gravel pit: home for Sand Martins

Occasionally, I drive a lonely country road along. Right beside the road a gravel pit, excavated only in the back part, can be found. The mine is located in a flat agricultural area. Scenic beauty is only revealed to the connoisseur . Many walkers or joggers therefore do not pass by. Once, I passed by… Continue reading A gravel pit: home for Sand Martins

Sparrowhawk at Wallcreeper cliff in Alquezar in Northern Spain

For long I have been looking for Wallcreepers (Tichodroma muraria). Observations – or even photos – from the Wallcreeper are my dream. I’ve been days hiking in the Alps in the Karwendel mountains, in the Tien Shan in Kyrgyzstan, in the Carpathian Mountains. I was hiking at high altitudes and took a lot of efforts,… Continue reading Sparrowhawk at Wallcreeper cliff in Alquezar in Northern Spain

Bird migration at the Stockert in the Eifel hills

A beautiful autumn day. Indian Summer, as written in the books. This time it is to go to the Eifel to hill Stockert south of Euskirchen where bird migration at day can be observed. It was still dark when I arrived. The first bird whispers were heard already . It was mainly chickadees whose calls… Continue reading Bird migration at the Stockert in the Eifel hills

All 4 Sylvia – Warblers in Weilbacher Kiesgrube near Frankfurt

This morning all 4 species of Sylvia-Warblers which regularly occur in Germany could be seen. First the male of a Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) showed up in the first light of this chilly but sunny morning. Then a beautiful singing individual of a Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) could be seen very near to a observation tower… Continue reading All 4 Sylvia – Warblers in Weilbacher Kiesgrube near Frankfurt

Migratory birds herald spring

Last weekend, you could observe heavy traffic in the skies over Frankfurt/ Germany. Although winter is not ready to lower its grip the first returning migrants already point to the imminent end of the cold season. In recent weeks, Eurasian Skylarks  (Alauda arvensis), and Northern Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus), were seen already on their return. Particularly… Continue reading Migratory birds herald spring

Birding around Frankfurt Airport – Schwanheimer Duene

There are not too many foreign birdwatchers coming to the middle of Germany for just birding. But Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the gateway to continental Europe. Many airlines use the Airport as a hub for connecting flights all over the world. If you have spare time between two flight and you are a birdwatcher, you… Continue reading Birding around Frankfurt Airport – Schwanheimer Duene

Birding in & around Frankfurt: The Palmengarten

Frankfurt is the financial capital of Germany. It is well known although the city limits inhabit only roughly 600,000 people. But the greater Frankfurt area of course is much more populated. If you are on business in Frankfurt and have some spare time between two meetings and you are a birdwatcher, you might be interested… Continue reading Birding in & around Frankfurt: The Palmengarten

Fall migration at the Black Sea Coast/ Romania

Spectacular numbers of Pallid Harrier, Circus macrourus, and Red-footed Falcon, Falco vespertinus, were the highlight of the first day. Having spent 3 days in May north of Constanta at Romania´s Black Sea coast, it was decided to try our luck with birds again in the area around the village of Vadu. The target was, to… Continue reading Fall migration at the Black Sea Coast/ Romania

Common Wood-Pigeon & other birds in elderberry shrub

The elder of the species Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) in my garden right outside my work room window is a special attraction. Not only for birds but also for insects and small mammals such as mice. In the elder I’ve seen birds the size of a Common Wood-Pigeon (Columba palumbus) to the smallest passerine species… Continue reading Common Wood-Pigeon & other birds in elderberry shrub