A Film Of Budapest Birding

You might recall that David Lindo (The Urban Birder) from London came out to Budapest last year. Well, he and his pals have produced a short film about his visit. It includes time with me birding in my local patch and talking about woodpeckers. Take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avyFUemxkn8

Black Woodpecker monograph

After years of working upon it I am now within weeks of finishing my manuscript on the Black Woodpecker. Yes, one of my greatest ambitions is about to be achieved: a monograph on this wonderful bird. The publisher's deadline is approaching fast. Watch this space.

Red Squirrel in Moravia

Another photo from South Moravia. But this time not a bird but a mammal. A Red Squirrel which is common and widespread in central Europe. They are all RED but come in a range of shades, some almost all black, this one very pale. Photo Phil Briggs.

Spring In South Moravia

Nesting White Storks are always a great sight, and a sight that shows spring is definitely here. But those that nest on trees (like these in South Moravia on the old oaks in the flood-plain along the Austrian border) are especially popular. More so I'd say then those that nest on telephone poles. That's presumably how most nested before modern man came along. Photo Phil Briggs.

Lednice

In South Moravia we visited the grounds of the Lednice Chateau. Here the ponds and woods, especially the big old oaks, invariably produce good birds. One huge highlight here was watching a Grey-headed Woodpecker drumming above us whilst a Wryneck called in the adjacent tree. The minaret in the grounds (in this photo) is a folly by the way, not the real deal.

South Moravia Mixed Bunch

Another trip successfully completed! This time to South Moravia in the Czech Republic, one of my favourite European destinations. I guided a gang from London who had a wide range of interests... birds, butterflies, mammals... even wine. On the bird front we saw 7 species of woodpecker, Black and White Storks, Black and Red Kites, Osprey, White-tailed Eagle, lots of superb drake Red-crested Pochards and many songbirds which had just arrived. This photo of a Black Kite and Peregrine over Soutok near Breclav was taken by group member and bat enthusiast Phil Briggs.

Rock Partridge Snapshot

I know this is not the best quality photo, just a quick snapshot taken through my 'scope of a Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca. The bird called from a rock in the Paklenica National Park, Croatia, and was a "lifer" for all in my group (except myself) before heading off into cover... as they do!

Back from Croatia

Just finished another successful tour to Croatia. We were mainly in Dalmatia and saw all of our the target birds. The likes of Rock Partridge, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Black-eared Wheatear, Alpine Chough, Sombre Tit and Scops Owl. Once again the landscapes were stunning, too, including the snow-capped Velebit Mountains.