Eastern Orphean Warbler

One of the sought-after birds on trips in Croatia is Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris. Earler this week we found several singing on scrubby and rocky hillsides in Dalmatia and I managed to grab a shot of this one.

Croatia... Rock Bunting

A great day in the Velebit Mountains in Croatia today! All agreed that this stunning male Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia) was one of the highlights.

It's April... it must be Croatia!

Probirder heads off soon to Croatia! Every April we go to this great country, spending much time in Dalmatian, with birds of rocky Mediterranean habitats the main targets. The likes of Blue Rock Thrush, Black-eared Wheatear, Rock Nuthatch, Crag Martin, Alpine Chough and Rock Partridge all wait us. Here is a view of the Paklenica NP, one of the areas we explore.

Woodpeckers and loggers

We went out into the forests in NE Hungary over Easter to check a few sites. Sadly, we came across some recent logging in one good forest for owls and woodpeckers, and it is spring! Logging in the breeding season is not good at all, and probably illegal, too. For example, this woodpecker hole looked new, freshly excvated, but the tree was cut. Thankfully, it is doubtful that the hole was occupied, probably just being made, as it is still early days, so the birds would have moved on and tried elsewhere.

After months away in warmer places the White Storks are back! Some, like this one in a village in NE Hungary yesterday, are already on their huge nests.

Smallest bird in Europe

We came across this poor chap struggling in the cold and snow a few days ago in the hills. Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) at 8.5- 9.5cm in length it is the smallest bird in Europe.

Tawny Owls... breeding early

There is an urban park Budapest where Tawny Owls already have fledged young! That is rather early. Here is one of the chicks already out of the nest yesterday, on March 2nd.