Zvezda & Alex are still in the game - BY #9

[xelas]

The Spoonbill concludes our list of Big Year additions from a 9-day birding trip to Oman. 140 counted and 12 more that has been already counted makes a total of 152 birds between Zvezda and I. Michael's total is just shy of 170 birds, but there might be more after he will process all of his photos. So do follow him as I will do, to correct any of my wrong IDs.

[Soukous]

1 hour ago, xelas said:

They might be stunning, and many were lifers to us, but they lack colours.

 

Nah, the colours were just subtle. 

[Soukous]

A super collection from Oman. So many birds I've never seen. But then I try to stay away from waste disposal sites. 

[TonyQ]

An excellent total from a short trip, and some beautiful photos.

[BRACQUENE]

A fantastic Oman collection Alex and Zvezda ; Congratulations!

[PeterHG]

Like before, your last batches have many superb photos! A worthwhile trip, so it appears.

[xelas]

After 10 days of dry landscapes and washed-out colours, the green, green grass of home was a welcoming sight! The spring was in full swing. This year three species makes their nests in the garden: a Blackbird, a Collared Dove and a Nuthatch. We can observe them daily, together with other regulars like Tree Sparrows, Tits (Big, Marsh and Long-tailed) and Robin. A few non-regulars also comes to the feeder, most notably a Great Spotted Woodpecker couple. Even a lonely Pheasant female wandered around. But the highlights of the backyard were these two.

 

 

BY 191  /  SI 051    

European Serin  -  Serinus serinus

 

BY 192  /  SI 052    

Hawfinch  -  Coccothraustes coccothraustes

 

Edited April 17 by xelas

[pedro maia]

Great collection of birds from Oman Alex, even if most of them aren´t too colorful there are some species I really like, such as the sandgrouses.

 

How did you manage to hide that caracal from Michael?

[Soukous]

I'm very jealous of your Serin Alex

[michael-ibk]

And I of the Hawfinch!

[xelas]

1 hour ago, pedro maia said:

How did you manage to hide that caracal from Michael?

His story might be a different one; this is my recollection of that event:

while he was chasing some nondescript LBJs a few meters away, I have taken a well deserved break in a pavilion, and that caracal decided to slowly stroll past me. I could yell to Michael but that would only startled the cat, right ?! I did noticed him (and Zvezda) but it was a bit too late. Anyway, Michael is much more into the birds so I am sure he is not missing the cat all that much  ... 

[xelas]

27 minutes ago, Soukous said:

I'm very jealous of your Serin Alex

 Don't be, it is such a plain looking bird. If on my own, I would probably took one shot and moved on ...

What about my bulbuls?! They are much nicer, aren't they?

Edited April 17 by xelas

[TonyQ]

Some great garden birds on your return home

[pedro maia]

21 minutes ago, xelas said:

His story might be a different one; this is my recollection of that event:

while he was chasing some nondescript LBJs a few meters away, I have taken a well deserved break in a pavilion, and that caracal decided to slowly stroll past me. I could yell to Michael but that would only startled the cat, right ?! I did noticed him (and Zvezda) but it was a bit too late. Anyway, Michael is much more into the birds so I am sure he is not missing the cat all that much  ... 

 

Sounds like a sensitive issue...

[Zim Girl]

Beautiful close-up of the Hawfinch.

[xelas]

Visiting Seewinkel area for spring and autumn birding is now a regular affair. Last year we were afraid it would be the last visit as water level in soda lakes drops down substantially, yet this year rains were abundant and the lakes were again full. That was a big relief as the area has a special vibe, and a special place we love to go: Dolce Vita cafe ! The weather was sunny and with above average temperatures for this time of the year. The only downside was we were not accompanied by Michael and Andreas as Michael has had to be at a different place. 

 

Missing Michael also meant we have probably missed a number of smaller birds. We were also too early for some of the migrants that has not arrived yet. Despite this, Zvezda and I have a great 2 days of relaxed birding at Seewinkel, Austria.

 

 

Seewinkel    13-Apr-2024
 

 

BY 193  /  AT 001    

Pied Avocet  -  Recurvirostra avosetta

 

BY 194  /  AT 002    

Little Gull  -  Hydrocoloeus minutus

 

BY 195  /  AT 003    

Common Starling  -  Sturnus vulgaris

 

BY 196  /  AT 004    

Great Bustard  -  Otis tarda

 

BY 197  /  AT 005    

Eurasian Skylark  -  Alauda arvensis

 

BY 198  /  AT 006    

Red-crested Pochard  -  Netta rufina

 

BY 199  /  AT 007    

Great Crested Grebe  -  Podiceps cristatus

[xelas]

Seewinkel    14-Apr-2024
 

 

 

BY 200  /  AT 008    

Northern Lapwing  -  Vanellus vanellus

 

BY 201  /  AT 009    

Rook  -  Corvus frugilegus

 

BY 202  /  AT 010    

Common Linnet  -  Linaria cannabina

 

BY 203  /  AT 011    

Yellowhammer  -  Emberiza citrinella

 

BY 204  /  AT 012    

Grey Partridge  -  Perdix perdix

 

 

BY 205  /  AT 013    

Eurasian Jackdaw  -  Corvus monedula

 

BY 206  /  AT 014    

Corn Bunting  -  Emberiza calandra

 

Edited April 19 by xelas

[michael-ibk]

Lovely to see "my" Seewinkel birds. Great shots. Lucky with the Partridge.

 

And congrats on #200 already, well done!

Edited April 19 by michael-ibk

[PeterHG]

Yes, also congrats on reaching #200! Good birds from Seewinkel even without Michael !

[xelas]

1 hour ago, michael-ibk said:

Lovely to see "my" Seewinkel birds.

It was not as good as when you are with us!

 

1 hour ago, michael-ibk said:

Lucky with the Partridge.

Luck has nothing to do with finding the bird twice in a row!

[TonyQ]

Well done on passing 200

[BRACQUENE]

Congrats with your second century!

[Kitsafari]

well done on the 2nd century. and awesome sighting of the big small cat!

[xelas]

There is one more bird from Oman to be counted in Big Year!

 

Mudday    2-Mar-2024
 

 

BY 207  /  OM 141    

African Collared Dove  -  Streptopelia roseogrisea

[xelas]

This also gave me the opportunity to show also the rest of the birds from Oman, which has been already been posted this year.

 

 

OM 142    

Sandwich Tern  -  Thalasseus sandvicensis    

Muscat River - mouth    24-Feb-2024

 

 

OM 143    

Black-headed Gull  -  Chroicocephalus ridibundus    

Riyam Park    24-Feb-2024

 

 

OM 144    

Common Moorhen  -  Gallinula chloropus    

Wadi al-Udhaiba    25-Feb-2024

 

 

OM 145    

Common Sandpiper  -  Actitis hypoleucos    

Quriat Salt Pans    26-Feb-2024

 

 

OM 146    

Little Egret  -  Egretta garzetta    

Al Ansab Lagoons    27-Feb-2024

 

 

OM 147    

Little Grebe  -  Tachybaptus ruficollis    

Al Ansab Lagoons    27-Feb-2024

 

 

OM 148    

Eurasian Curlew  -  Numenius arquata    

 

Muscat    27-Feb-2024

 

 

OM 149    

Grey Heron  -  Ardea cinerea    

East Khawr    28-Feb-2024

 

 

OM 150    

Grey Wagtail  -  Motacilla cinerea    

Ayn Tabraq    1-Mar-2024

 

 

OM 151    

African Sacred Ibis  -  Threskiornis aethiopicus    

Khawr Raysut    3-Mar-2024

 

 

OM 152    

Northern Shoveler  -  Spatula clypeata    

Khawr Raysut    3-Mar-2024