Austria and Hungary

And yet another great birding tour completed. This time with two South African birders, taking in parts of Austria and Hungary. We saw 150 species, upland, lowland and wetland, including many raptors and woodpeckers. Here is a favourite, a Crested Tit which is common in Austria's conifer forests.  

So after the global travels, back to Hungary

Off soon guiding a group from the UK on an all-round natural history tour in Hungary. Birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, plants.. all will be sought and looked at... watch this space! Here is one, a Lesser Purple Emperor, from the last such trip.

Camouflage

A Goat Moth blends in well with this wooden background. Camouflage ? Photo taken in Hungary, June 2014, by Gerard Gorman.

Prepublication copy of new book

I have just received a copy of my forthcoming Pocket Guide to Tracks & Signs. It's due out in September. Here is a sample.

Back in Europe

Probirder is back at his desk in Europe after a very good USA trip! Here is another photo from Arizona, which is a great birding and wildlife destination! This shows a 'granary' or 'larder' of an Acorn Woodpecker in a tree. The birds excavate these holes and store acorns or other seeds in them, one acorn to one hole.  

Oregon

After a very successful trip to Arizona, I flew to Oregon in the NW USA. This is a tremendous birding destination, particularly for forests species. Here is one of the many woodpeckers found in the last few days, the handsome White-headed Woodpecker.

Arizona

Arizona proved to be a great success. My main targets were Gilded Flicker, Arizona Woodpecker and Elf Owl, and all were found and seen. Arizona is a superb birding destination. Here is a shot of Arizona Woodpecker from Cave Creek Canyon, near Portal.