Michael´s Second Year

[michael-ibk]

542/E195.) Wigeon (Anas penelope) Pfeifente

 

Vasche di Maccarese, Italy, 4/3. Not sure I´ve seen this bird in Austria this year.

 

[michael-ibk]

543/E196.) Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) / Rabenkrähe

 

Fulpmes, 6/7. Another bird I kind of forgot about.

 

[michael-ibk]

544/E197.) Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) / Saatgans - NEW

 

Maria Elend, Carinthia, 28/3. A rarity in Austria.

 

[Dave Williams]

Onwards and upwards! Another milestone within reach.

[michael-ibk]

545/E198.) Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus) / Schwarzkopfmöwe

 

Lake Constance, 30/04. Another rarity in Middle Europe. Blacker head, redder bill than the Black-Headed Gull.

 

[michael-ibk]

546/E199.) Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) / Tafelente

 

Stausee Reißeck, Carinthia, 24/12. (With some Tufted Ducks.) Not uncommon in winter, I really should have gotten a better photo of this species.

 

[michael-ibk]

547/E200.) Spotted Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes) / Tannenhäher

 

Valser Tal, Tyrol, 5/8. Not uncommon in our forests.

 

[michael-ibk]

548/E201.) Willow Tit (Poecile montanus) / Weidenmeise

 

Winklern, Carinthia, 25/12. Another pretty common forest bird and normally not a bird to frequent feeders but fortunately they do at my father´s house. Still find it pretty much impossible to tell them apart from Marsh Tits visually but I´ve learned to do it by song.

 

 

[michael-ibk]

549/E202.) Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) / Wintergoldhähnchen

 

Valser Tal, 5/8.

 

 

With a "kill":

 

[michael-ibk]

550/E203.) Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) / Haubenmeise

 

Fulpmes, 19/11/2017. And I conclude my Big Year 2017 with my favourite tit.

 

 

 

I did not manage my 2016 totals but (barely) got more than 200 birds in Europe which was a goal of mine, so I´m happy about that. Targets for 2018: Caipercaillie, Black Grouse, Hazel Grouse, Wallcreeper, Snowfinch, Hawfinch - can´t believe I still haven´t found those after two years of birding.

[Peter Connan]

Well done! 550 is a fantastic effort. To do so two years running is a huge achievement to my mind!

[Dave Williams]

Job done!

[Tdgraves]

Well done on 550!

[xelas]

Impressive, as expected, @michael-ibk! Vist me for the Hawfinch, they might be at my garden again .

[TonyQ]

Magnificent! Well done on achieving a wonderful total. It has been a real pleasure following you thread throughout the year.

[PeterHG]

Congratulations on reaching this amazing total! And what a beautiful little bird to do this with. Love the nutcracker, too, a bird I’ve never managed to set eyes on. Well done!

[Galana]

Please add my name to the list of well deserved congratulations coming in on your total for the second year. A hearty well done indeed.

[Kitsafari]

phew, what an achievement still. onwards and upwards next year Michael!

[Dave Williams]

Well done indeed. No mean feat. 

[screentraveller]

The vultures in p409f are the embodiment of danger. Great shots!

[screentraveller]

I am awed by nature‘s  infinite variety of sizes, shapes, colours, designs and movements. Love how you captured all this,  ranging from deadly dangerous raptors  to enchantingly harmless tits. 

[lmSA84]

Congratulations! Another brilliant BY

[screentraveller]

I would hate to meet the two hooded vultures in p. 530, simply scary!