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

[Soukous]

2 minutes ago, Galana said:

Agreed. I would take this as a Willie Warbler but it ain't easy.

Anyway if he takes as many photos of these as he does of Bulbuls he has the law of probability working for him.

 

It is never easy to say what is dark and what is not, but the legs on the bird in question look more dark than pink to me. 

[Galana]

1 minute ago, Soukous said:

but the legs on the bird in question look more dark than pink to me. 

True but Willy can have dark legs too. The only 'rule' on legs is that Chiff chaffs are mostly very dark brown or black.

[xelas]

Darn, aren't you one demanding group of birders!! Let me try to convince you that I have all 3 warblers :

 

Chiffchaff - dark legs, it was singing

 

Willow Warbler - pale legs, it was singing (before the photo was taken)

 

Wood Warbler - it really is distinctive to other two

 

 

[xelas]

All three were photographed along the Kamniška Bistrica river. Main target here is Dipper, but usually there is a surprise or two found (once it was a Mandarin Duck!). Early spring when the hedge is not yet too dense, sightings are good.

 

 

 

 

 

[xelas]

Up in the sky several Barn Swallows were catching their breakfast, and I have worked on my BIF skill . I recon not bad for a reconvalescent .

 

 

[xelas]

There are several birds that are almost a guarantee sighting here. Below two I have seen on almost every visit.

 

BY 050 / SI 050

Goosander - Mergus merganser

 

female

 

male

Domžale, 22-Apr-2021

[xelas]

Another almost guaranteed sighting.

 

BY 051 / SI 051

Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

 

 

 

Domžale, 22-Apr-2021

[xelas]

And then there are surprises; some because often too small and too far away.

 

BY 052 / SI 052

Common Whitethroat - Sylvia communis

 

Domžale, 22-Apr-2021

[xelas]

Or because one does not expect them in this environment.

 

BY 053 / SI 053

Sedge Warbler - Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

 

Domžale, 22-Apr-2021

[xelas]

The last one was the biggest and most welcomed surprise for me. Usually seen either in Africa or in Austria (Seewinkel).

 

BY 054 / SI 054

 Common Sandpiper- Actitis hypoleucos

 

Domžale, 22-Apr-2021

[shazdwn]

Just catching up, some great birds there and glad to hear you are on the mend

[Dave Williams]

50 up, the race is on again Alex. Good to hear and see you have your mojo back!

[Soukous]

You're positively racing along now Alex

[xelas]

Indeed so, Dave and Martin. On top the internal borders are opened again so expect a steady inflow of new birds from Slovenia. 100 is our target . Before moving to next destination, a few duplicates/improvements taken along the Kamniška Bistrica (Domžale).

 

Song Thrush

 

Blackcap female

 

Blackcap male

 

Grey Heron

[xelas]

April 23rd was an important date for me. The numbers (of new COVID infections) were low enough for those in power to open the internal borders again. Tanja and I went to Cerknica Lake, main target being a Yellow Wagtail. Here a Black-headed subspecies feldegg has its nesting grounds. Based on the white chin this one is a female.

 

BY 055 / BY 055

Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava

 

 

 

 

Cerknica, 23-Apr-2021

 

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by xelas

[xelas]

Other birds were only those flying (faster then not) over our heads.

 

BY 056 / SI 056

Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis

 

Cerknica, 23-Apr-2021

[xelas]

BY 057 / SI 057

Sand Martin - Riparia riparia

 

Cerknica, 23-Apr-2021

[xelas]

BY 058 / SI 058

House Martin - Delichon urbicum

 

Cerknica, 23-Apr-2021

[PeterHG]

You are certainly on the move again, Alex. Lots of very good additions and photos and there appears to be nothing wrong with your swallows-in- flight capabilities!

[Kitsafari]

congrats on the half century with a beautiful female merganser! marvellous shots of the yellow wagtail too. 

[xelas]

Very kind words, @shazdwn, @Kitsafariand @PeterHG. Last days were indeed very prolific. And the weekend is not over yet!

[TonyQ]

Well done on reaching 50 with some excellent additions.

[Peter Connan]

Congratulations on the 50. Great photos!

[Zim Girl]

Well done on reaching 50, Alex.

[xelas]

Thanks, @TonyQ, @Peter Connan and @Zim Girl! Once past #50, #100 does not seems to be that far away .