Alex & Zvezda's Big Year 2021: Version 6.0 Limited Edition

[xelas]

And then there was this guy. Must be a hybrid as other option, Redhead, would be as rare of a sighting as the Grey-headed Plover. What are your opinions?!

 

 

 

 

[Galana]

Welcome back from me too. Good to see that at last you found a male to illustrate one of your species. I was beginning to worry.

[TonyQ]

Some great additions @xelas

All are welcome in this slow year!

[xelas]

Prekmurje region is largely agricultural area, and I was expecting some decent birding. Which did not happen. However, if not the quantity then the quality (of the bird, not of the photos) .

 

At Hodoš water reservoir we have heard and see a large group of loud Common Ravens, as they were chasing a much larger bird. An unexpected and quite rare sighting!

 

 

BY 125 / SI 125

White-tailed Eagle - Haliaeetus albicilla

 

 

Hodoš. 29-Sep-2021

[Peter Connan]

Beautiful!

[michael-ibk]

Very cool to see a WT-Eagle like that. Also a great female Shoveler!

[Kitsafari]

what a stunner that eagle is! for once, much appreciation to the ravens for this capture. 

 

[elefromoz]

I always think you have such attractive 'ducks" over your way. Fantastic to get the WTE

[TonyQ]

What a great Eagle!

[xelas]

Almost 3 months have passed since our last visit to Škocjanski zatok. We have arrived with 3 target birds; all three were seen but only 2 were photographed. Below was not among the target birds.

 

BY 126 / SI 126

Common Reed Bunting - Emberiza schoeniclus

 

 

Škocjanski zatok, 17-Oct-2021

[xelas]

A Sardinian Warbler was reported on the "Latest sightings" table at the entrance; could it be this bird? The general shape is right but unfortunatelly the bird looks the wrong direction.

 

 

 

This one is of course easily recognisable; Blue Tit already reported. Weather was sunny and warm for mid October.

 

 

 

[TonyQ]

@xelasI have only seen a couple of Sardinian Warblers, but I think the colours of your bird do not look right for a Sardinian (to me!)

[Galana]

I share @TonyQ's misgivings here. Your subject looks like a Chiff Chaff to my untrained tired and out of practice eye.

 

So where are the target birds?

Edited October 19, 2021 by Galana
added text.

[Dave Williams]

I think you already knew it wasn't the Sardinian Alex! Never mind, the footy is going well! Interesting game last night!!

[xelas]

Indeed so, @Dave Williams. And here are the target birds, @Galana. Often spotted at Škocjanski zatok but not yet photographed this year and on my target list were Snipe, Kingfisher and Water Rail.

 

BY 127 / SI 127

Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago

 

 

Škocjanski zatok, 17-Oct-2021

[xelas]

BY 128 / SI 128

Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis

 

 

 

Škocjanski zatok, 17-Oct-2021

[xelas]

We did spotted a Water Rail, not once but twice in Škocjanski zatok yet the bird was too quick for taking a photo. We then moved from Škocjanski zatok to Sečoveljske soline, not having high hopes as waders there tends to keep themselves at long distance. However, there was an unexpected sighting, right by the parking lot! And the bird was there also after our 3 hrs walk!! 

 

BY 129 / SI 129

Spotted Crake - Porzana porzana

 

 

Sečoveljske soline, 17-Oct-2021

[Zim Girl]

Fabulous pictures of the Snipe and the Kingfisher, and great find with the Spotted Crake.

[Soukous]

Beautiful, very beautiful. I've not found any of those 3 this year. 

 

Just to be picky, on your second photo of the Kingfisher (the one with the blue sky) there are 3 dark spots around the Kingfisher's head, To the left and above the head. Don't know if this is due to spots of dust/dirt/rain on the lens or dirt on the mirror. 

[Dave Williams]

Wow, the Spotted Crake is a bit special!!

[Galana]

Wello done. I think I would swap a Spotted Crake sighting for one of a Water Rail.

(I remember the pair we saw together in Italy which made the trip for me.)

[xelas]

1 hour ago, Soukous said:

Don't know if this is due to spots of dust/dirt/rain on the lens or dirt on the mirror. 

 Dust on sensor. Should remove it in postprocessing stage . 

[Tdgraves]

Beautiful shots @xelas

[Peter Connan]

Wonderful sightings and lovely photos!

[xelas]

3 hours ago, Tdgraves said:

Beautiful shots @xelas

 

2 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

Wonderful sightings and lovely photos!

It makes a world of difference when camera is back in the hands of Zvezda