Zvezda & Alex 4th time: Just birdin'

[xelas]

OK, this one I would be able to find and ID also myself .

 

BY 330 / IT 029

Dunlin - Calidris alpina

 

[xelas]

We have not found bee-eaters but at the same hide we have had the sighting of the day, the week and the month!

 

BY 331 / IT 030

Spotted Crake - Porzana porzana

 

 

 

 

[Galana]

52 minutes ago, xelas said:

we have had the sighting of the day, the week and the month!

More like the year if not 'Lifer'. To see an infamous skulker (the bird, not @xelas) so clearly was/is a great treat that does not come often.

Anybody got a better one? We'll show you our's if you show me yours!

Have no fears Mr Tortoise.  Count the watermarks. I am up against a team before I even grab my camera.

It's only a game and he is only 50 ahead..

 

[xelas]

10 hours ago, Galana said:

It's only a game and he is only 50 ahead..

 

Dave is not nervous, he is already 100 upfront, as Kruger will give him that number easily. But next year, well, that will be another story altogether 

[PeterHG]

Beautiful photos of a mostly uncooperative model!

[Dave Williams]

The Crake is indeed very, very impressive.  Fred must have almost wet himself in excitement!! I would have!!

 

PS Remember I have already been to the Gambia so many Kruger birds are likely to be duplicates Alex.

Edited September 9, 2019 by Dave Williams

[Galana]

37 minutes ago, xelas said:

he is already 100 upfront, as Kruger will give him that number easily.

The British have a saying "Don't count your chickens before they are hatched!"

It could be re-phrased for BY as "Don't make up your score until you get home!" Viz. Certain visit to Namibia springs to mind. But of course you wish him well which is nice on Safari Talk.

[Galana]

48 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

 Fred must have almost wet himself in excitement!!

Hmmm! At my age one learns to avoid such accidents or the buggers will have you under the knife faster than you can say Eastern Orphelian Warbler! And Redshank takes on an entirely new meaning!

[xelas]

Birding with @michael-ibk and @AndMic at Seewinkel is always a pleasant experience. This time around, we have had better luck with ice cream then with new birds yet somehow, there is always something spectacular to be seen there. Like this high-flying maestro of the winds.

 

 

BY 332 / AT 042

White-tailed Eagle - Haliaeetus albicilla

 

 

 

Seewinkel, 14-09-2019

[xelas]

However, the stars of this week-end were these two. Birders from near and far were flocking to the place to see them.

 

BY 333 / AT 043

Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpress

 

 

 

Seewinkel, 15-09-2019

[TonyQ]

Lovely additions, and a fantastic Spotted Crake!

[Peter Connan]

Lovely shots of the Turnstone!

[Galana]

Good call to head for Seewinkel.

[xelas]

As it was a good call to visit Škocjanski Zatok yesterday. It was a beautiful day in this part of Europe thus it was difficult to decide where to go birding. 

Early start paid off when Zvezda noticed some action in the reed from the first hide we have stopped. And it was also good to be patient. Eventually this skulker came out on the sun.

 

BY 334 / SI 058

Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus

 

 

 

Škocjanski Zatok, 21-Sep-2019

[xelas]

The water level was very low, so waders were far away. They all have been spotted in the spring, luckily. It is very difficult to score in the autumn.

This one I hope is a proper ID. It looks exactly as a 1st winter bird; but I am known to be mistaken, not only with Curlew Sandpiper. Comments appreciated.

 

BY 335 / SI 059

Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus

 

 

 

Škocjanski Zatok, 21-Sep-2019

[xelas]

After 3 hours at Škocjanski Zatok, I have decided to finally visit also Sečovlje salt pans. The approach road is just after the border control, so I was avoiding this location from June onward, as there are just too many cars waiting to enter Croatia. Most of the pans were dry. And a few waders were keeping themselves away from our camera. The path long the canal is 4.2 kms long, until it reaches the sea. Not even gulls were seen there. I have calculated an average of 1 bird seen / 1 km walked. Yet the weather was lovely, and doctor says walking is good for health. The one new bird we have scored, immediately after parking the car. Heavy crop but in autumn, one does not have the privilege to be picky.

 

BY 336 / SI 060

(Eurasian) Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

 

 

Sečovlje, 21-Sep-2019

[xelas]

The title of The Bird Of The Day was unanimously given to this one. It was a bit of pure luck for me, to have the camera in my hand when the kingfisher flew to the branch, and that it sits there long enough for an interrupted series of 15 photos in 3 secs. Not all of them are of the same quality, so when having such a sight, it pays of not to move the finger from the shutter too early.

 

 

Common Kingfisher from Škocjanski Zatok

 

Edited September 22, 2019 by xelas

[michael-ibk]

Nice! 

[Galana]

Good to see patience was rewarded.

Lovely Water Rail. I know you are a walker rather than a hider but they do have their uses whatever the Doctor may advise!

What else do you offer for your Willow Warbler?

[xelas]

41 minutes ago, Galana said:

What else do you offer for your Willow Warbler?

 

A Chiffchaf maybe? But legs are paler on our bird. Wood Warbler should have whiter belly. What would you suggest?

[Galana]

Just now, xelas said:

What would you suggest?

Willow Warbler although the ear coverts and lack of much of a black eye-stripe are puzzling. Just wanted your thoughts.

[Alex Rogers]

Love your kingfisher - superb photo of a lovely bird

[Zim Girl]

Wonderful kingfisher, Alex.

[Peter Connan]

Great Sparrowhawk and Kingfisher!

[Kitsafari]

 

Lovely kingfisher shot