Hungarian Grey Bull

Whilst looking for Great Bustards yesterday in the Kiskunság NP, Hungary, we came upon this magnificent Hungarian Grey Bull. OK, not a bird, but worth a picture!

A new book entitled simply WOODPECKER is due to be published this summer by Reaktion Books, London, in their acclaimed Animal Series. Written by Gerard Gorman the book examines not only the natural but the cultural history of the animal... how it has been viewed by people from ancient times to the present day, and examines the woodpecker in art, literature, media, religion, mythology, legend and folklore. 

Great Capricorn Beetle

Yes, not a bird, but we admire all wildlife. Here is a pair of mating Great Capricorn Beetles (Cerambyx cerdo) found in woodland near Zagreb, Croatia, on a recent tour. This magnificent species is also known as the Oak Cerambyx. 

Blue Rock Thrush

We have just finished another great birding trip around Croatia. Here is one of the typical birds of rocky habitats in Dalmatia that we saw, and heard singing, daily... Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius.

Owls!

Owls are popular with all birders and even with many non-birders. On our tours in Central and Eastern Europe a great selection of owl species can be seen, including this stunner, Ural Owl! This is a bird that many visitors often have high on their lists of wants.

White-fronted Bee-eater

Another popular bird from our recent tour around South Africa: the colourful White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides by Gerard Gorman. 

Tour to South Africa

In the European winter we often head off overseas, to warmer climes. We have just returned from a small group tour around the east of South Africa. We observed the BIG FIVE (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo) and many more mammals, including great views of African Wild Dogs. Of course, there were a great many birds, too. Here is one, the outrageous looking Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis.