Zvezda & Alex Part V: The Hare Strikes Back

[xelas]

Still on the same day walk, another pretty bird was spotted.

 

BY 389 / SI 046

Yellowhammer - Emberiza citrinella

 

Ljubljansko Barje, 24-Apr-2020

[xelas]

Best sighting of the day!

 

BY 390 / SI 047

Common Whitethroat - Sylvia communis

 

Ljubljansko Barje, 24-Apr-2020

[Soukous]

nice additions Alex. 

[TonyQ]

Excellent additions, getting close to 400!

[Zim Girl]

Lovely Yellowhammer

[Peter Connan]

Just the other day I started the countdown to 300!

 

10...

[xelas]

Our first post-lockdown trip was to Cerkniško jezero. Some eBirders have counted 52 birds a few days before our visit. They must have scared them all away as we (Tanja and me) have only found 2, and even these were more luck then knowledge.

 

I have seen what looked like a Common Kestrel harrasing a Common Buzzard. This is the photo, not edited:

 

 

Experienced birders will immediately noticed that one was a Buzzard already, but not a Common. For the other bird, even at maximum crop it was a tough choice between two options. 

 

BY 391 / SI 048

European Honey Buzzard - Pernis apivorus

 

Cerkniško jezero, 21-May-2020

 

 

BY 392 / SI 049

Eurasian Hobby - Falco subbuteo

 

Cerkniško jezero, 21-May-2020

Edited May 28, 2020 by xelas

[lmSA84]

What a sighting!
 

I’d be happy with a Buzzard at this point

 

Personally I would have guessed your Peregrine as a Hobby - I think I can just make out some red at the tail base but it’s tough 

[TonyQ]

Great sighting.

I would also guess a Hobby. It has stripes going along the chest. Peregrine has bands across the chest (although juvenile may have streaks along)

[michael-ibk]

A really cool sighting. I´d also go with Hobby, I think the size difference should not be that obviuos with a Peregrine.

[xelas]

Indeed the Hobby was the other option. I will wait for one more "vote" for Hobby before changing its ID .

[Soukous]

I also think it is a Hobby.   (which probably means it is a Peregrine)

[Galana]

Confession is good for the soul ( although some would say I don't have one!)). It was I that suggested Peregrine (juv) due to lack of red thighs and undertail. Also size. However I winced when I saw @Soukous Hobby yesterday as there is little evidence of red on that one either.

[Dave Williams]

It's only a Hobby so it doesn't really matter!!! Seriously, my immediate thoughts too and I have only ever seen a few. The narrow wings caught my attention.

 

Anyway, caught up with you at last Alex, but not in my numbers just yours. A fabulous trip to Uganda and in hindsight... well I didn't know we'd be locked down for 10 weeks here in Wales and not too much signs of that much freedom being granted anytime soon either! 

What impressed me most was not the numbers but the overall quality of the images you got but avid photographer that I am, I must admit that there is more to a trip than photography alone and you can't have had much time for anything else!! I'll get around to reading the TR soon but I have been very busy in the garden of late and the weather here has been incredible. 

keep it going , lets see were you end the year!

[xelas]

4 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

you can't have had much time for anything else!!

 

which was not the case as we have had plenty of time to soak in the nature, and quality time together!

[xelas]

While a relatively unproductive morning we have stopped for a lunch at Podpeško jezero where this b&w bird posed nicely.

 

BY 393 / SI 050

Eurasian Magpie - Pica pica

 

Ljubljansko Barje, 21-May-2020

[xelas]

Podpeško jezero is part of Ljubljansko barje, my usual birding grounds. Tanja was behind the wheel, a very unusual situation for me  yet that strategy get us a three new clicks for the Big Year.

 

BY 394 / SI 051

European Stonechat - Saxicola rubicola

 

female

Ljubljansko Barje, 21-May-2020

 

 

BY 395 / SI 052

Red-backed Shrike - Lanius collurio

 

Ljubljansko Barje, 21-May-2020

 

 

BY 396 / SI 053

White Stork - Ciconia ciconia

 

Ljubljansko Barje, 21-May-2020

[Galana]

Tanja should drive more often.

[xelas]

7 hours ago, Galana said:

Tanja should drive more often.

 

Including the bakkie !

[Kitsafari]

lovely additions! just four more to the 400th and it's not even June yet. 

[xelas]

10 hours ago, Kitsafari said:

just four more to the 400th and it's not even June yet. 

 Yeah but the summer months will be pretty dry. Hopefully autumn will bring more.

[xelas]

Next day target was a Dipper. No luck as the water level was too high (again) but came back with one new click.

 

BY 397 / SI 054

Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

 

Domžale, 22-May-2020

[xelas]

In past weeks there were some changes noticed related to our garden birds. While Long-tail Tis and Robins are no more to be seen, new birds have arrived.

 

 

BY --- / SI 055

Spotted Flycatcher - Muscicapa striata

 

 

Ljubljansko Barje, 22-May-2020

 

 

BY 398 / SI 056

Marsh Tit - Poecile palustris

 

 

Ljubljansko Barje, 22-May-2020

[Galana]

Two more. Can't wait to see what you are holding.

[xelas]

5 hours ago, Galana said:

Two more. Can't wait to see what you are holding.

 Nothing special. But then, every bird is a special bird !