Morning in Austria

A good morning here in Austria... how about Grey-headed, Green, White-backed, Great Spotted and Black Woodpeckers, singing Wood and Bonelli's Warblers, Willow, Marsh and Crested Tits and a male Capercaillie exploding out of the forest ?

Weather and Owls

Just finished a week's birding with two guys from England. But it was tough, as it rained and was windy, but we still hit our main targets in eastern Hungary. Namely Ural and Eagle Owls and Saker. The warblers are now in, too, River and Barred singing everywhere. Also Lesser Grey Shrike and Rollers and 8 species of woodpecker! 

Kiskunsag to Zemplen

Here is another Syrian Woodpecker pic from last week's lowland trip. We watched this one whilst sipping drinks and eating ice-creams! But now it's off again... this time to the hills. Main targets: Ural Owl, Eagle Owl, White-backed Woodpecker, Eastern Imperial Eagle... watch this space. 

Birding with Liverpudlians

That was another great trip, 4 days with a group of birding friends from Liverpool (Reds and Blues and some not bothered) in Hungary. Highlights were Great Bustards, Sakers, all 3 'marsh terns' on the same wetland, ducks and waders galore, Golden Orioles perched in the open, and a host of woodpeckers including a pair of Syrians at the nest. All great fun like...   

Great Trip in Estonia

Back from guiding a nice group of birders from the UK in Estonia. We recorded 158 species. Highlights were deemed to be a magnificent Short-eared Owl in display flight, a Nutcracker that posed in the open, prolonged views of a Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, a flock of Waxwings as we ate a picnic, Black Grouse and Capercaillies, bright male Citrine Wagtails and a singing Thrush Nightingale on the last day. Estonia is also a great place for signs, like this one!

Here in Estonia...

... it is going well. Highlights so far include a flock of 45 Waxwings, a confiding Nutcracker, great views of female Capercaillies and male Black Grouse, 7 species of woodpecker, and a superb Lesser Spotted Eagle that was found by our driver!