Galana's. Third big year.

[Galana]

@Dave Williams @Kitsafari and @xelas

Still grinning next morniing. Worth the darn drive just for that but it was not just for that....

Not a lifer as I had seen one at about a mile distant in reeds at North Cave some years back but this couple were up close and personal so a mega tick forf me nevertheless.

Dave, hitch up the tortoise and get out of the darn car. No dull lethargy allowed.

Back soon. Battery low and the charger is in my car, in the boot, at some distance and if Alex reads this he may bring it. Black bag in book box. And my Bird book would be nice too. Drivers door pocket.

I won't know that other bird without it.

[xelas]

Yes, Safaritalk is also used instead of a phone . 

[Galana]

On 9/6/2019 at 10:58 AM, Dave Williams said:

An habituated caged bird is another kettle of fish though, I won't stoop that low !!

Have a great trip, let's hope @xelas has regained his missing legs and can give both your scores a boost!! 

@Dave Williams Well I got one out of the cage yesterday. Still habituated to feeds though but seeing the location was another member's garden I suppose it is an improvement. Not sure about @xelas's legs though but he seems mobile enough to walk me off mine.

[Galana]

OK. On with the Motley.

Having reached lovely Slovenija it was only natural to head out to Italy for a reserve with some waders. My kind host drove well and after another pre-dawn start, will I ever have another lie in morning?? We arrived at wherever @xelas says it was. The only reason I know it was in Italy was that I could read the bloomin road signs. Avante,

So we arrived to blue skies and sunshine. Italy.

After a brief pause for my caffeine addicted friend to swear at the "chioso" Coffee shop sign, we tried the first hide/screen and made the first discovery.

Italian birders are either giants or dwarfs. The eye slots are either too high or too low giving a choice of unstable tip toe posture or sciatica inducing stoops.

And of course that lovely sunshine was right in my eyes..

But a bird is a bird whatever the quality.

274. Squacco Heron. A first for me in Europe but common enough in Africa.

As is..

275. Pygmy Cormorant.

You can see I list these as they come as the species are all over the place. Another walk some more birds.

[xelas]

The sign said Chiuso ; imagine an Italian coffee shop that opens only at 12:00 .

[Galana]

Sp.    

Just now, xelas said:

imagine an Italian coffee shop that opens only at 12:00 .

Probably some diktat from you know where!

[Galana]

Another hide was yielding more Common Snipe than I have ever seen in one place. Every little wader that grabbed my attention turned into a Snipe. Lovely birds they are too.

But they don't count as seen already polesitting in the Hebrides.

The next to count is a dodgy ID. I may have misled my host as it was called as Green Sandpiper but on getting more closely aquainted I think it may be its Wooden cousin.

276. No matter for me. A tick is as good as another. Wood Sandpiper.

One bird to attract early attention was several metres away over the water. A Ruff.But close scrutiny produced a smaller cousin.

 

277. Little Stint.

The door bell has just rung. I must go. More to follow.

[Galana]

The doorbell as not Double glazing or Bible salemen but my host and hostess asking to go for an Icecream.

What could I say? 

Now to continue.

The Stint was with a Ringed Plover and a Ruff. Thus:-

So here is the Ruff,

278. Ruff. I totally missed the breeding males this year in Hebrides so at last I caught up with one.

 

While my host was banging on the Chiuso Cafe I saw these long distance amongst some BW Stilts. Hmmm. Godwits?

Got them home and not Godwits but very welcome Spotted Redshanks.

 

279. Spotted Redshanks.

And to finish this session of Waders:-

280. Curlew Sandpipers.

I realise at least one bird is to come but I am not risking enuresis just yet for everyone's sake.

Maybe later along with my humble offerings of Orphean Warbler and Marsh Warbler.

Too much excitement is just not good for one of my years on top of Banana Split let alone a comparison of P900 Compact with big brother D7000.

 

 

 

[xelas]

1 hour ago, Galana said:

a comparison of P900 Compact with big brother D7000.

 

or even bigger brother D7200 !

 

I must have been banging really loud as I have totally missed you noticing me about the Redshank. Luckily I have got one at Seewinkel in the spring.

And, thank you so much for that delicious ice cream. Njami!

[Alex Rogers]

How funny that we both post a Curlew Sandpiper on the same day from opposite sides of the world! Looks like you had a great day birding. The P900 is great for capturing far away birds for later examination and ID - but I find it really struggles up-sun. 

[Galana]

@Alex Rogers I agree about the coincidence and am surprised how often it happens even within Europe or even British Isles.

Your remarks regarding performance up sun are borne ouy by my miserable shots of of the Squacco and Spotted Redshank.

Stay tuned for a comparison twixt P900 and "the other Alex" @xelas's D7200 on the same bird at the same time and place.

We, all three of us, Zvezda, Alex and I were in this screen/hide looking at a myriad Mallard, Gazillions of Gadwall and pick a number of Snipe, plus a Coypu when the reeds parted and out stepped this beauty:

it slowly emerged to full view, apart from the legs to give us all a great treat..

281. Spotted Crake. Marvellous. Not a lifer but a life changing close view of a rare and renowned skulker. I was prepared to be happy for a Water Rail but had a bad outbreak of birder's twitch when the truth dawned of what we had seen.

Close enough for good detail, excellent light and no bloomin obstruction such as grass stems. Well, to be truthful there were some shots of those too, lots, but who needs them now?

We were all well pleased with this and were still smiling over lunch later. The Eastern Orphean Warblers were yet to come.

Who really cared about the rain-lashed Autostrada on the drive home? We were flying already!!

Two comparatively birdless days followed but who cares?

[PeterHG]

A memorable sighting and photos. Such a special bird to see!

[Galana]

5 hours ago, Galana said:

Two comparatively birdless days followed but who cares?

Does quoting myself have some freudian significance or is it normal?

 

All I wish to clarify is that the 'birdless days' was perhaps a misnomer. Of course we saw birds, loads of Buzzards, fewer Kestrels, a suspected Eagle and the usual small stuff from Nuthatches, Spotted Flycatchers and wagtails. Even some lovely Roedeer.

What we did not 'see' or photograph were birds that I had not already got listed. So maybe Less birds but not Birdless.

I aim to put that right before the Moon is full. 

Tomorrow we leave Llubjana and our delightful hosts with heavy hearts to continue our Odyssey through Europe. Just a short drive within Slovenija to Bohinj in the Triglav National Park.

Thanks Tanya, Zvezda and @xelas for your kind and generous hospitality that made our stay such a delight.

[xelas]

1 hour ago, Galana said:

Thanks Tanya, Zvezda and @xelas for your kind and generous hospitality that made our stay such a delight.

The pleasure was all ours! And I was lucky that a Spotted Crake has decided to show up, instead of European bee-eaters . Enjoy the rest of your days here in Slovenia and later in Europe.

[Dave Williams]

@Galana And do post something on the Safari pals page too, considering how many ST'ers there are, not many are as forthcoming as @xelasand his family at offering members the opportunity of a local guide. 

[Galana]

@xelas

Is going to love this.

We arrive in Bohinj and what do we find?

 

282. European Dipper. Slapica Sava. Sorry about the lighting but it is in a gorge and the ISO had to be cranked up. But we got it. One of two.

Writing this in the Tourist INfo Office as my new host has no WIFFY!

Communicating may be harder from now on.

But I just had to send that Dipper.

 

[Galana]

1 hour ago, Dave Williams said:

And do post something on the Safari pals page too

I will. Currently having difficulty finding it. Link please.

[Dave Williams]

http://www.safaritalk.net/forum/302-safaritalk-local-safari-pals/

 

It's here Fred, maybe it's so hidden no one knows it's there!!

[xelas]

I see your spell of good luck with birds is following you, @Galana! Looking forward to more exciting birds from Slovenia.

[Galana]

Well I am back from WIFFYless places but we did not miss much. The Dipper was a flash in the pan I regret to say.

Triglav was not the place I remember from previous visits. Far too many people. NP seems to be for those who shin up or leap off mountains, rides bikes on footpaths and generally make a noise. And when they tire of that they go off in the woods and splat each other with paintballs. One would have to do some serious climbing to avoid people plagues.

It was not all doom and gloom.

An obliging Jay patiently waited whilst I sorted out the settings on my camera. I had been set on ISO100 as it was so sunny and of course the Jay came out of shady woodland to check me out. I also had to shoot throught the windscreen so what could have been a decent photo was less than perfect.

Nevertheless here it is,

283. Eurasian Jay. Bohinj.

I saw lots of other birds of course to improve the base quality such as these:-

S

Black Redstart. Seen in Spain and IOM.

Kestrel. Seen most places.

Whinchat. Spain and Scotland.

But no new birds. I did think I had a Red-breasted Flycatcher but I fear it was just a scruffy Robin.

And that was the result of my 5 days in Bohinj.

We then left SLO for a scenic route throough Austria to a nice Alpine Hutte in East Tyrol just before the Italian border where we had three nights clinging to an Alpine meadow along a logging track.

No TV, No Wiffy but lots of peace and quiet after Bohinj.

Now back in Italy, a night in Senales where they found Otzi. I was offered a ride up to see the place but settled for an Ice cream.

Nice digs, great food. Recommended.

On to Val di Muta for the next five nights. I hope at least my regular Dipper family will be around tomorrow,

[xelas]

The weather looks mighty good. But I am afraid it will be cold in the mornings. Hopefully no snow. Have fun!

[michael-ibk]

Where in Osttirol was that, Sillian?

[pedro maia]

Osttirol, Val Senales, Val di Muta, those places bring back very nice memories of family skiing trips .

[Galana]

8 hours ago, michael-ibk said:

Where in Osttirol was that, Sillian?

Ausservillgraten? Just by Sillian. Idyllic but the track taxed my poor Alfa. Long walk to buy loaf of bread!

But a great lady's shop in Sillian did not deter my companion.I do know how to show a lady a good time.

Now in Val di Muta with a lunch stop here today. Had to work hard for my two ticks.

Can I add that in no way was I criticising Slovenia. I was just disappointed at the crowds in Bohinj. Previous visits there were excellent with regular sightings of Slowworm and squirrels plus birds. This time roadkills from uncaring tourons!

Sad.

 

Edited September 21, 2019 by Galana

[Galana]

The two ticks for today.

One anticipated and one longed for but unlikely. Both nice to have.

With today forecast to be the last of the fine weather we opted for a climb to Melager Alm where one bird was always obvious but hard as always to nail down.

Two almost obliged. ONe up sun and the 2nd turned his/her back.

284. Spotted Nutcracker. I did manage to get some detail on the into sun shots.

Now for some serious contenders for EBC.

Come out!!!!

 

Well not so fast....

 

Gotcha! Even if not the most clear pose of the year.

285. Crested Tit. Extracted from the usual fast moving feeding flock.

 

Tomorrow is said to snow or rain and a Film crew has set up over the road. They better keep away from birds or I might get a starring role in a short feature.