Mata Atlantica

The Atlantic Forest or "Mata Atlantica“ stretches along the eastern coast of Brazil, inland to Paraguay, and in the province of Misiones in northeastern Argentina and a bit of Uruguay. The biodiversity of this rain-forest is high. But sadly it is said to be just 7% of the size that it was 500 years ago. Many plants and animals here are endangered. I have been to parts of this wonderful forest before (in SE Brazil, see photo) and will soon be there again, in Misiones, spending a week. My main aim is to observe Helmeted Woodpecker Dryocopus galeatus, a relative of Black Woodpecker, a very localised species, classified as vulnerable... I will let you know.

Argentina

I am preparing for a trip to Argentina, an amazing birding destination with a diverse range of habitats and some very special species. My main targets will be the 29 species of woodpecker in the country, including the likes of Mottled Piculet, Andean and Chilean Flickers, Helmeted Woodpecker and the superb Magellanic Woodpecker... watch this space!

Woodpeckers.... again!

Please do not forget to look at this other blog of mine... Woodpeckers of the World. I think it is coming along nicely. And please do contribute photos...

More Common Cranes

More Common Cranes from eastern Hungary... it really is, was, a great event. Thanks Nigel!

Autumn

So that's it... autumn is here proper and my tours in Hungary are done for another year. Even the Common Cranes are heading further south now. This photo of cranes at dusk was taken by Nigel Sprowell on a recent trip in the Hortobagy.

New Zeiss Telescope

Those nice people at Zeiss in Germany have just sent me a brand new telescope. To be exact it's the new model, the Victory DiaScope 85 T* FL. And it is excellent with powerful magnification, high resolution and superb brightness due to an objective lens with fluoride glass and a water shedding coating of LotuTec. It's waterproof, rubber armoured and designed to stand any day in the field, is also dust-proof but at the same time quite light. Put it this way... I am very pleased with it!