News · 28. September 2015

As you can see I´m back. Having enjoyed a wonderful week in the Provence now everyday life starts again. Below you´ll find a collection of my best pictures of the birds and landscapes. France is a very good destination for a birdwatcher, but sadly I could only spend a few hours with birdwatching. So here are the highlights: The first interesting birds could be spotted along the river "Gard", which I explored by kajaking. Therefore the birds were coming quite near, though I can´t show you...

News · 14. September 2015

Since there had been quite strong showers this morning, I checked out on afternoon, if not some interesting birds would have been forced to rest. So I spent the next 90 minutes scanning the hedges for migrants, though altogether the result was normal with a cracking Lesser Whitethroat, numerous Blackcaps and also two Pied Flycatchers. Having already been on my way back and having almost reached the first houses I detected a long-winged bird coming directly towards me from the East. It was a...

News · 12. September 2015

Once again I´ve visited the "Kreuzberg" for my fourth migration count staying again for four hours. Altogether I´ve been quite successful with a total of at least 1036 birds. The major part formed almost 400 House Martins, which seemed to migrate permanently southwards. Barn Swallows however remained quite scarce with only 15 safely identified individuals. Though it has to be mentioned, that almost 150 Swallows could not be identified on species-level because of the great distances. Apart...

News · 11. September 2015

It doesn´t happen often, but one or two times in the year my favourite lake the "Große Wörth" is disappointing me. It could of course have been worse, but it was a bit shocking that there were almost no waders (1 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpipers). Instead the usual geese were lingering on the sandbanks. The most interesting bird however was a flying over juvenile Osprey. So I turned my attention to the surrounding fields and meadows hoping to see perhaps Wheatears, Tawny Pipits or something...

News · 08. September 2015

Since the last two days had almost stopped bird migration with the strong winds and showers, today was an extraordinary good migration day. I stayed for five hours on the "Kreuzberg" and I was hardly able to note any migrating bird. Especially fulminant were the migrating raptors with 96 Honey Buzzards, 13 Marsh Harriers, 9 Ospreys and 6 Black Kites. Interestingly the first raptors were passing by around 8:00 am flying quite low however because of the fog. The maximum was about 10:00 am, when...

News · 07. September 2015

Even when the weather wasn´t looking very inviting, I tried to visit the Lakes of Garstadt, a very profitable site, which will take you at least two hours of your time. Nevertheless it was worth trying, like you will see. Already from the observation tower numerous birds could be seen either dabbling on the water or feeding on the sandbanks. There were dozens of Gadwalls, good numbers of Cormorants, Grey and Great White Herons (though without even a single Purple Heron, which ought to breed...

News · 05. September 2015

Watching Bird Migration is always an interesting spectacle and to enjoy it a few things have to come together: A place with a good view, a spotting scope and good weather. The perfect location for observing migration near Bamberg is most likely the "Kreuzberg", at least I don´t know of any better place. Since the weather was nice as well, I thought I could have a nice morning up there. And I was not disappointed: Dozens of Tree Pipits, five Red Crossbills, four Ortolan Buntings and numerous...

News · 03. September 2015

Because of the intense rain in the morning and noon the most birds were not able to pick up migration again. Therefore I checked some interesting areas for typical resting passerines in the "Steigerwald" near Burgebrach. After a while the first target species could be detected, a Wheatear was sitting on a stubble. As it turned out it was just one of eight resting Wheatears, which were accompanied by at least five Whinchats. The other fields around were by far not so interesting and just one...

News · 01. September 2015

This morning hasn´t been very interesting. A brief visit at the southern quarry pond of Roßstadt had produced at least a single Goosander and about 20 Gadwalls but unfortunately no waders. Afterwards I went to the small water house for counting the migrating birds, though the result was quite poor: A male Marsh Harrier, 3 Buzzards, 2 Great White Herons and lots of Swallows and House Martins. When I was finally on my way back, I was not aware that the best bird of the day was still to come. So...