Michael´s Fifth Year

[michael-ibk]

334/E76.) Three-Toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) / Dreizehenspecht

 

Langkampfen, Tirol, 17/4. An unexpected bonus and another lifer for me, a bird I had long wanted to see. A surprise since mixed forest is not really their thing, they like pure spruce areas (again with lots of dead wood). A very accommodating individual. Very happy with a mission achieved, now I´ve seen all European Woodpeckers (only need a photo of Iberian Green still).

 

 

[michael-ibk]

And a bonus bird - we now have a pretty unusual Stonechat in the area with lots of features of a Siberian Stonechat. Our experts are still discussing, if true it would have seriously lost its way from its home.

 

[TonyQ]

Two wonderful new Woodpeckers- well done!

[xelas]

Beautiful birds ... but aren't you under a lockdown ?!

[michael-ibk]

No more lockdown thankfully - we are allowed to be outside without time restrictions as long as we are alone or with somebody we´re living with. From everybody else we have to keep the (in)famous distance.

[xelas]

1 minute ago, michael-ibk said:

we are allowed to be outside without time restrictions

 So you are allowed to cross the community border? That is a great news as our government is following Austria steps. So looking forward to get to the sea and find some late migrants there.

[michael-ibk]

Yes, indeed we are. Under quarantine we were only allowed out for a very short time and not too far away from home (nobody knew what that meant exactly of course) and leaving community borders was strictly forbidden. Much, much better now - and while birding not even masks are needed.

[PeterHG]

Two really special Woodpeckers and you even managed to get very good shots! It must feel good to be able to go out again.

[shazdwn]

Fantastic woodpecker shots. Glad you are able to get out and about again. 

[Dave Williams]

The 'peckers were taken full advantage of too, cracking shots!

Good to see you are enjoying your new found freedoms, I am still reluctant to take a camera with me on my daily walk but as the definition of the "rules' here in the UK are getting more ridiculous and are being decided by the police it seems I might decide to start my own instead. I have as much power to decide as any policeman whose job is to ensure the rules are stuck to, not make them.

[michael-ibk]

Fully sympathise @Dave Williams, there´s a lot of confusion here as well what is allowed and what is not - even some ministers are spouting nonsense about it. I prefer to read the laws passed and adhere to that.

 

335/E77.) Whinchat (Saxicola rubeta) / Braunkehlchen

 

Gaisau, Tirol, 18/4. I´ve realized that the fields down in the main valley are a bit more interesting for migration than I´ve always thought. We do get some stuff moving through - in this case some Whinchats, another species I´ve never before seen in Tirol.

 

 

[michael-ibk]

336/E78.) Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) / Klappergrasmücke

 

Gaisau, Tirol, 18/4. A rare breeder in montane areas in Tirol - this one was probably on the move.

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

337/E79.) Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris) / Felsenschwalbe

 

Zirl, Tirol, 18/4. A very localised breeder, either on almost vertical rock walls (which we have plenty of), or on very high buildings for about 20 years, like our University.

 

 

 

 

Sharing their habitat with Ravens. Not a bird I am particularly fond of (although I should probably appreciate them more since they are clever and interesting) but posting a repeat because the photo shows the characteristic wedge-shaped tail nicely:

 

Edited April 18, 2020 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

338/E80.) Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia) / Zippammer

 

Zirl, 18/4. There´s a quarry in the area which just closed shop a few years ago. Nature is reclaiming this area, again we have some Alpine Swifts here (the only colony in Tirol), and today I was lucky enough to also find a pair of this rare species - an "Austrian lifer" for me, have only seen them before in Greece. I mainly went to that place for them so very pleased that plan worked out.

 

 

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

339/E81.) Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) / Waldlaubsänger

 

Inzing, Tirol, 20/4. Another one moving through. The nicest of the Chiffchaff-type bunch IMO. Good birding morning today - 54 species seen!

 

 

 

[PeterHG]

It's been years since I last saw a Wood Warbler. Great photos with the flowers!

[xelas]

2 hours ago, michael-ibk said:

Good birding morning today - 54 species seen!

 

And excellent birding morning! Wish I was there!

[Dave Williams]

Lovely Wood Warbler, I'd been looking forward to their return here too as I have found a good spot for them. Alas, it won't happen this year.

[Galana]

Great photo. I too will miss the Wood Warblers I see each year in Scotland.

[michael-ibk]

340/E82.) Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) / Schwarzspecht

 

Walderalm, Tirol, 22/4. Finally - one of the toughest Woodpeckers to get. While I hear them in the forest from time to time I´ve never managed to get a picture in Austria.

 

 

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

341/E83.) Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus) / Ringdrossel

 

Walderalm, Tirol, 22/4. The one that caused a Corona birding scandal: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-52047532

Could not happen here, nobody but me cares for poor Ring Ouzels in Austria.

 

 

 

[Soukous]

Black Woodpecker - WOW!

I'd love to grab one of those

[PeterHG]

Just now, Soukous said:

Black Woodpecker - WOW!

I'd love to grab one of those

+1. Great species to get!

[Kitsafari]

stunning black WP!

 

a belated congrats on the 300th . took me a while, but I finally caught up with one of the leaders. 

[shazdwn]

Interesting link, I had no idea the UK has “wildlife crime officers”. Is the wildlife particularly badly behaved there 😂?