mvecht's 2nd year

[mvecht]

Yesterday was a massive migration day at the local reserve in Nivaa, Denmark

An estimated 7000 Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) #110 and 7000 Greater white-fronted Goose (anser albifrons) #111 passed by in a few hours.

 

 

[Galana]

Always good to see the Migrating birds.

Should I perhaps mention that your first photo of mixed group of birds are Barnacle and what appear to me to be Greylags?

[mvecht]

@Galana Correct, the first photo is the one Barnacle Goose that was resting (injured?) and some Greylags. A few hundred Greylags were seen migrating as well as some Brent Geese but the majority of the migrating birds, that did not stop, were Barnacle and Greater white-fronted geese.

[Galana]

Thanks. I would not like you to miss ID your #111

[mvecht]

Another great day at the reserve in Nivaa, Denmark in terms of birding, not so much in terms of quality photos.

The day started with app 800 Common Cranes migrating.

A Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) #112 was resting  in the area.

 

Late in the afternoon a Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) #113 flew by. Unfortunately no decent photos.

 

Edited October 9, 2020 by mvecht
typo

[Kitsafari]

it is always such a special sight when the migrating birds are flying in formation in their hundreds in the skies. I so envy you the open skies to observe them. Over here, there are not such numbers, and even if they are, the concrete jungles get in the way. 

Such nice additions!

[mvecht]

@Kitsafari and yet I would love to spend some time in Singapore enjoying the fantstic food, people and exciting birds!

[Galana]

Good to see somebody still getting out and about. Keep them coming.

[PeterHG]

Must have been a great sight to see so many Cranes migrating! Little Gull is a good find, too. 

[mvecht]

Saturday I made a classical blunder and forgot to bring a memory card!

That potentially cost me quality photos of Grey Wagtail and Bearded tit.
I have however had some good birding over the last couple of days getting some nice photos of birds already posted.

Eurasian Jay, Arboretum, Hørsholm Denmark

 

 

Common Buzzard resting at the reserve in Nivaa and migrating at Rungsted Harbour, Denmark. The house of Karen Blixen, who wrote Out of Africa, is just next to the harbour.

 

 

Nice Crane migration over the house. At one point we had 450 Cranes take thermals very close to the house.

[Dave Williams]

Good to see you are still going strong! Winter starting to get a hold here in North Wales, we should be getting a few arrivals from further north soon.

[Galana]

Great Jay shot. Classic Buzzard pose too.

[mvecht]

Today was another great birding day with the focus on migration.

1000+ Cranes, 700+ Common Buzzards and lots of Geese.

A White - tailed Eagle was hunting for 10 minutes but no good pictures as it was always coming in with the Sun straight behind its back.

10 Bearded tits were resting/migrating at the reserve in Nivaa, Denmark.

#114 Bearded tit (Panurus biarmicus) are notoriously difficult to photograph as they spend most of their time deep in the reeds

 

 

[mvecht]

Another trip to the local reserve in Nivaa, Denmark

A distant Great Egret (Ardea alba) #115

Still an uncommon bird in Denmark but the population is growing steadily.

[mvecht]

Still in Nivaa, Denmark

#116 Dunnock (Prunella modularis)

[mvecht]

Nivaa, Denmark

#117 Twite (Linaria flavirostris)

[mvecht]

Today my wife and I went to the North coast of Zeeland, Denmark

Not intended as a birding trip.

The area is great for Porpoises and we did see quite a few.

The place can  also be good for Razorbills and similar birds but today they were quite far away from the coast so I will have to go with an EBC photo. On a good day they can be seen swimming underwater close to the coast-

#118 Razorbill (Alca Torda)

[mvecht]

Nivaa, Denmark

#119 Rook (Corvus frugilegus)

I see them almost every day but have forgotten to take pictures!

 

#120 Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) is a winter visitor to Denmark that unfortunately is becoming more uncommon.

The easiest way to differentiate from common Buzzard is the white rump so a shot from behind is not really an EBC

 

A bonus shot of a common Kestrel.

[shazdwn]

Love, love, love the first bearded tit shot 

[mvecht]

The last 4 weeks have been very quiet including some not so nice weather. 

The big excitement at the localreserve in Nivaa, Denmark is the White-taled eagles.

A young male 4+ cy and an adult female are visiting the reserve every day and when not in the reserve they sit in some trees in the forest behind.

They have made some flights indicating that they could be a breeding pair next year and yesterday I saw them chasing away an intruder.

Hopefully we will get some sunshine soon so I can get nicer pictures.

This is the young male

and below is the female

[mvecht]

A trip to the local Harbour gave a bird that should be long gone by now.

A typical December day with rain and wind so 1/640 and ISO 6400.

#121 Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), Rungsted Havn Denmark

[mvecht]

I have been seeing these several times this year but typically very distant.

#122 Gadwall (Mareca stepera) Arboretum, Hørsholm, Denmark

[mvecht]

This was not an easy year. No travel at all except a half day trip to Sweden.
who knows what next year will bring?

I had a target of 100 birds in Denmark and made 120, so that part was not too bad.

Now it is time to make plans for 2021. Mid February we will be moving to a small Island called Møn. The Island is connected to the much larger Island of Zeeland (home to Copenhagen) by a two bridges so not isolated at all. I will have a personal challenge with @Galana for IOM (Island of Man/Møn) and will also try to beat my 120 species for Denmark.

Travel outside Denmark is not even in the planning stages yet so dont expect me to win the Big Year 2021.

[michael-ibk]

Well done with making your target number - and then some more. Good luck for next year, I look forward to the IOM contest. 

[PeterHG]

Good luck with the move and the interesting challenge!