Michael´s Second Year

[michael-ibk]

-/E128.) Common Greenshank ( Tringa nebularia ) / Grünschenkel

 

Very common in Matsalu National Park. Already in the count from Ethiopia. 14/8/17

 

 

 

Edited August 21, 2017 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

356/E129.) Greater Black-Backed Gull ( Larus marinus ) / Mantelmöwe

 

The largest member of the Gull family. Quite common, but not as tame in Estonia as the Herring Gull.

 

Poosaspea, 13/8/17

 

 

Matsalu NP, 15/8/17

 

[michael-ibk]

357/E130.) Bar-Tailed Godwit ( Limosa lapponica ) / Pfuhlschnepfe

 

Distinguished from the more familiar Black-Tailed by its barred (duh!) tail and lack of white wing bars. Somewhere in NW-Estonia, 13/8/17

 

Edited August 21, 2017 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

358/E131.) European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) / Silbermöwe - NEW

 

Abundant in the city and very bold - both photos were taken with a small lense. Tallinn, 11/8/17

 

 

And a first year bird (at least I think so because of the the still dark eyes which should turn clear in its second year):

 

[michael-ibk]

359/E132.) Eurasian Sparrowhawk ( Accipiter nisus ) - NEW

 

Not a bird I see very often back home, and never had a photo opportunity so far. In Estonia they seem to be far more common (or only visible?), we saw at least five of them. Somewhere near the West Coast, 13/8/17

 

 

It was mobbing a Buzzard.

 

 

[michael-ibk]

360/E133.) Curlew Sandpiper ( Calidris ferruginea ) / Sichelstrandläufer - NEW

 

A very rare migrant in Austria, so I´m including this ebc-photo since I do not think I will get another shot at it. Somewhere at the NW-coast, 13/8/17

 

[michael-ibk]

361/E134.) Common Gull ( Larus canus ) / Sturmmöwe - NEW

 

A few of them can be found in Austria but I´ve yet to see them here. Paljassaare, 12/8/17

 

 

And a first year bird, Matsalu National Park, 15/8/17

 

[michael-ibk]

362/E135.) Common Crane (Grus grus) / Kranich - NEW

 

I was very happy to see so many of them in Estonia - they are very common. Truly majestic birds, and I simply love their song. Very cautious.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 21, 2017 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

363/E136.) Hen Harrier ( Circus cyaneus ) / Kornweihe - NEW

 

We saw two of these, only males, and unfortunately never very close. Somewhere on the way to Matsalu NP, 13/8/17

 

[michael-ibk]

364/E137.) Lesser Spotted Eagle (Clanga pomarina) / Schreiadler - NEW

 

Even more distant but at least the weather was better. We searched quite long for this bird. Matsalu NP, 14/8/17

 

[michael-ibk]

365/E138.) Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematops ostralegus) / Austernfischer - NEW

 

Delightfully common along the Northern coast. Very rare vagrants in Austria, I saw three this year at Lake Constance. Haapsalu, 13/8/17

 

 

And a flock from Poosaspea, 13/8/17

 

 

This was where we also saw some Scoters and Velvet Scoters farther out in the sea but I won´t include them in the count - here is why ...

 

[michael-ibk]

366/E139.) Sandwich Tern ( Thalasseus sandvicensis ) / Brandseeschwalbe

 

Only one sighting of this bird, and at a surprising spot, flying over a city. Haapsalu, 13/8/17

 

[michael-ibk]

367/E140.) Slavonian aka Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) / Ohrentaucher - NEW

 

Some of these are breeding in the city lake of Haapsalu every year and are very confiding. Unfortunately the striking adults have already moved on, but at least their offspring still was there for us.

 

[michael-ibk]

368/E141.) Red Knot (Calidris canutus) / Knutt - NEW

 

A bird with impressive migration routes, they can fly more than 5.000 km. Matsalu National Park, 14/8/17

 

[michael-ibk]

369/E142.) Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) / Rebhuhn - NEW

 

One of the prime victims of modern agriculture. All over Europe their numbers have declined dramatically because of habitat loss - almost 80 % in Austria! Unfortunately the trend is very similar in Estonia. Matsalu NP, 14/8/17

 

[michael-ibk]

370/E143.) Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) / Wiesenpieper

 

Pipits are always giving me a headache but this one looks exactly like drawn in the birdbook - a tinge of olive on the breast and flanks, stripes equally distinct on flanks as breast (which is a distinguishing feature from the Tree Pipit). Matsalu NP, 14/8/17

 

[michael-ibk]

371/E144.) Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) / Kiebitzregenpfeifer

 

I have seen these birds before but never in their striking breeding plumage. Matsalu NP, 14/8/17

 

 

 

Three waders - Knot, Grey Plover and Lapwing.

 

Edited August 21, 2017 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

372/E145.) Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) / Raubseeschwalbe

 

This is the world´s largest tern. Matsalu NP, 15/8/17

 

[michael-ibk]

373/E146.) Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) / Eiderente - NEW

 

A classic seaduck. The largest duck found in Europe. Paljassaare, 12/8/17

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

374/E147.) White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) / Seeadler

 

A wonderful bird to see, and they are pretty common in Matsalu National Park - I believe we saw almost 10. A close cousin of the iconic US Bald Eagle. They had been almost gone in Middle Europe but are fortunately making a bit of a come-back these days.

 

Matsalu NP, 15/8/17 - a good bye present, just before driving back to Tallinn

 

 

Matsalu NP, the day before

 

 

And one flying over Haapsalu, mobbed by a Gull, 13/8/17

 

 

 

And that´s all for Estonia.

 

[xelas]

Bird photography is such an addictive hobby . Excellent photos, and I like also those of Estonia.

[TonyQ]

A very productive few days in Estonia - it must be wonderful to see so many cranes!

[Dave Williams]

@michael-ibk  Very interested to see what species you have in your Estonia shots as I'm heading that way next May for my first visit. Hope to see the Grey Partridge,Common Crane as well as a couple of other lifers.

[Galana]

Looks like a very worthwhile trip with some excellent photographs and memories to bring home.

[michael-ibk]

On 22.8.2017 at 11:08 AM, Dave Williams said:

Very interested to see what species you have in your Estonia shots as I'm heading that way next May for my first visit. Hope to see the Grey Partridge,Common Crane as well as a couple of other lifers.

 

I´m sure you will enjoy it a lot, maybe I should do the same.