Michael´s Fifth Year

[michael-ibk]

304/T262.) Cinnamon-Breasted Rock Bunting (Emberiza tahapisi) /

 

Regularly seen in the Selous especially.

 

 

And that´s a wrap for Tanzania. Let´s see what the rest of the year will bring, what will be possible. But in any case I feel very fortunate that I was lucky enough to have this holiday at all before ... well, you know.

[Tdgraves]

Congratulations on 300 @michael-ibk

[PeterHG]

Congratulations on reaching 300, Michael and with a beautiful bird, too! Another great set of waxbills, whydahs and widowbirds. And even three bishops, which come in handy for the Easter weekend ;). 262 photographed species in Tanzania is an impressive total.

[xelas]

And next one who passed by #300! Congratulations, Michael! And 262 birds from Tanzania is a very good achievement for only 2 weeks. Now, go and start posting the trip report .

[shazdwn]

Finished Tanzania with a flourish @michael-ibk. More winning birds and winning images. I’m even more excited for my 2022 return to Africa now (assuming we can travel again by then 🤞). 

[TonyQ]

Congratulations on reaching 300. I particularly liked the Wydahs and the Mannekins in your latest additions.

You did time your trip well, and we are fortunate to see the results.

[Galana]

17 hours ago, michael-ibk said:

But of course I always knew that and just wanted to test you - you all failed!

And of course I spotted it but did not wish to spoil your fun!

Congratulations on hitting the 300+ mark. Well deserved.

You did well with your lifers. Enviably so.

I may have good news for you. Your 'middle' Indigobird may well be Variable. Legs are pale enough and there is a slight brown tinge to the primaries. I would not take much convincing to give you your point back.

I would grab Red-backed Mannikin (nigriceps) too as if I make it to TZ this December I certainly will, having scored poensis already.

 

[pedro maia]

Congrats on the 300 Michael, I hope you start the TR soon!

[Peter Connan]

Congratulations. Really special birds and great photos in this batch!

[Dave Williams]

300 up, well done. Not too many will hit total that this year Michael. @Galana seems to think the danger of being passed is coming from our furry friend who is playing his cards very carefully at the moment!!

[Galana]

41 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

@Galana seems to think the danger of being passed is coming from our furry friend who is playing his cards very carefully at the moment!!

Some are of the opinion that he is dragging the TR out to allow time for the 2798 AFBs to morph into Striped Kingfishers!

[Soukous]

Fantastic haul from Tanzania Michael, so many lifers too. I'm lamenting the fact that I did not make the most of my trip through the Udzungwa's a few years back; but it was before I'd starting taking more than a passing interest in the birds. Time for a return trip? 

[michael-ibk]

On 4/11/2020 at 12:54 PM, Galana said:

Your 'middle' Indigobird may well be Variable. Legs are pale enough and there is a slight brown tinge to the primaries. I would not take much convincing to give you your point back.

 

Ok, then I´ll grab it. Every bird counts.

 

305/T263.) Variable aka Dusky Indigobird (Vidua funerea) / Trauerwitwe

 

 

On 4/11/2020 at 12:54 PM, Galana said:

I would grab Red-backed Mannikin (nigriceps) too as if I make it to TZ this December I certainly will, having scored poensis already.

 

Quite right, I´ll edit that post - ebird going by Clements still has both as Black-and-White Mannikin, so that split is not generally accepted. But I´ll go with xeno-canto and IOC, especially since the two races look so very different.

 

And thanks everybody!

 

@Soukous, I really enjoyed it a lot, so yes you should. Birding in the forest is incredibly difficult (but gorgeous!) but the surrounding areas are very productive.

Edited April 13, 2020 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

Onwards with a few locals - since we are allowed to go out again (alone or with somebody you´re living with) and also leave our villages I´ve made use of that and did some birding. Tirol is anything but a birding hotspot and we don´t get much of migration unfortunately -but still, great to be out again.

 

306/E46.) Blackbird (Turdus merula) / Amsel

 

Inzing, Tirol, 9/4. The boldest gardenbird. But I have standards and am picky with my perches - I´ll only take them sitting on a dungheap.

 

[michael-ibk]

307/E47.) Eurasian Linnet (Linaria cannabinea) / Bluthänfling

 

Inzing, Tirol, 11/4. Delighted to find this bird - the first time I´ve seen them in Tirol. A flock of about 30 birds is present in some fields right now, undoubtedly resting before they´ll move on.

 

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

308/E48.) Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) / Elster

 

Inzing, Tirol, 8/4. A common (but wary) bird in that area in the main Inn valley. I live a bit higher, in one of the tributary valleys - never seen one up here.

 

 

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

309/E49.) Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis) / Feldlerche

 

Inzing, Tirol, 9/4. My first photo of this bird in Tirol! It´s a tragedy about Larks here, when I was a child the meadows were full with their song, now it´s very difficult to find one at all, there are few areas left where some are still present.

 

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

310/E50.) Dunnock (Prunella modularis) / Heckenbraunelle

 

Telfes, 11/4. UK members may laugh why I was so delighted about this bird  - but Big Year regulars will remember Dunnocks are actually pretty rare here and a tough find - I´ve had several Big Years without them. So how cool to find an accommodating singing poser in the forest!

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

311/E51.) Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) / Feldsperling

 

Inzing, 12/4. Still a very common bird here in Austria, we have them in the garden.

 

[michael-ibk]

-/E52.) Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) / Fitis

 

Inzing, Tirol, 8/4. Already seen in Tanzania, and who knows it might be the same bird? Slim chance, but nice to think that. Only saw it because it was singing quite loudly and I was puzzled which song was that at first - so definitely not a Chiff! Not a common bird here, I only see a handful of them each year.

 

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

312/E53.) Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) / Sperber

 

Inzing, Tirol, 8/4. I don´t see Sparrowhawks all that often, and it´s even rarer I get a chance at a photo.

 

[michael-ibk]

313/E54.) Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) / Singdrossel

 

Inzing, Tirol, 9/4. The forest is full of their song now. Quite an inconspicuous bird in other seasons but now in spring they are often seen on treetops, trying to attract a female.

 

[michael-ibk]

314/E55.) European Serin (Serinus serinus) / Girlitz

 

Inzing, Tirol, 10/4. Another good bird to see in my area - Serins are very common in Southern Europe especially, but this is my very first photo of one taken locally. Cute little birds.

 

 

 

And while I´m in the process of posting yellow birds here´s a double of a Yellowhammer - they are posing so nicely right now. This little spot I bird a lot is full of their song at the moment. So many other species are joining in in the morning, and I really love this concert.

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

315/E56.) Black Kite (Milvus migrans) / Schwarzmilan

 

Inzing, Tirol, 10/4. They have returned from Africa. I´ve seen a pair (and a 2nd year bird) quite regularly recently, and do think (and hope) they might be breeding.

 

 

Their red cousin is also present in the area, I see them even more often:

 

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

316/E57.) Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) / Star

 

Inzing, Tirol, 9/4. Similar as the Magpies I don´t get them around my home but some (not too many) are present down in the main valley.