Acorn Woodpecker

Here's a great bird for you, Acorn Woodpecker,which I photographed yesterday in central Costa Rica. Looks comical, with its distinct, bold facial pattern, but also quite confiding and often vocal!

Costa Rican targets

Loads of "lifers" on the cards in Costa Rica, including a few woodpeckers. And yes, it will come as no surprise to those of you who know me that the woodpeckers will be my personal priority. And the main target ? If I have to choose ? Well, I think Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis is a strong candidate. Then again Chestnut-coloured and Cinnamon Woodpeckers are both relatively range-restricted, and who knows when I will be back in that region again ? Best bet will be to get them all!

Critically Endangered Birds

If you do not already know of this Facebook page, then take a look: Critically Endangered Birds. Excellent and important stuff from my Swedish pal Erik.

An awful lot of coffee in Costa Rica

Right folks... next up... COSTA RICA !!! I am well into my preparation. Looks like it is going to be wonderful, several "new" woodpeckers on the cards for me there... and I like coffee, too.

Tracks and Signs

Yes, I know I post a lot of stuff on woodpeckers, but there is another subject that fascinates me... tracking. Being out and about birding one sees all kinds of tracks and signs left by animals. Some of them stare you in the face, others need searching for. Anyway, I have a blog on this subject, too, with photos of my own and those of friends. If you have any snaps you'd like to contribute, then please send them to me. Take a look: TRACKS & SIGNS.

British and American names

Went out today, around the Kiskunsag region, with 2 guys from the USA. First up were 17 Great Bustards, great views in good light. Later a couple of Rough-legged Buzzards (Rough-legged Hawks to the Americans), a few superb male Hen Harriers (Northern Harriers to the Americans), then Great Grey Shrikes (Northern Shrikes to the Americans), Great White Egrets (Great Egrets to the Americans) and so on. What did Churchill say? Two nations separated by a common language?

This year's achievement!

This was another good year. In fact, 2011 was the year that I achieved another personal goal. I saw my 7th, and final, species in the Dryocopus genus... Andaman Woodpecker.