Zvezda & Alex Big Year 2016 - first attempt

[Alexander33]

And then there will be Sri Lanka coming up, if memory serves me correctly?

[xelas]

@@Alexander33

 

And then there will be Sri Lanka coming up in August, and fingers crossed, maybe even Kruger NP in October ....

[xelas]

Yet first back to local birding spots. A few photos were already posted from Arboretum Volčji Potok. More from that site in following posts.

 

 

 

154. Chaffinch - Fringilla coelebs - Ščinkavec

 

 

Male

15/05/16 - Arboretum Volčji Potok

 

Female

15/05/16 - Arboretum Volčji Potok

 

Singing

15/05/16 - Arboretum Volčji Potok

[xelas]

155. Marsh Tit - Parus palustris - Močvirska sinica

 

 

15/05/16 - Arboretum Volčji Potok

 

 

 

[xelas]

156. Nuthatch - Sitta europaea - Brglez

 

 

Male

15/05/16 - Arboretum Volčji Potok

 

Female

15/05/16 - Arboretum Volčji Potok

 

Juvenile

15/05/16 - Arboretum Volčji Potok

 

 

 

[xelas]

157. Woodpigeon - Columba palumbus - Golob grivar

 

 

15/05/16 - Arboretum Volčji Potok

 

15/05/16 - Arboretum Volčji Potok

[xelas]

Below photos would benefit from Dehaze tool which I do not have .

 

 

158. Black-headed Gull - Larus ridibundus - Rečni galeb

 

 

12/06/16 - Barje

 

12/06/16 - Barje

[Tdgraves]

Birding in the rain @@xelas ? That's dedication for you!!

[xelas]

Cerkniško jezero (Cerknica Lake) is a Karst phenomena, and a popular birding location.

 

 

159. Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava - Rumena pastirica

 

 

Male

22/05/16 - Cerknica

 

Female

22/05/16 - Cerknica

 

Singing

04/06/16 - Cerknica

[xelas]

160. Fieldfare - Turdus pilaris - Brinovka

 

 

22/05/16 - Cerknica

 

22/05/16 - Cerknica

 

22/05/16 - Cerknica

 

 

[TonyQ]

@@xelas

It is really interesting how different your Yellow Wagtail subspecies is to the on we see in the UK.

Lovely photos!

[Galana]

Wow Xelas , you have really got the bug now. No cure and not much remission from now on.

@@TonyQ. Yellow Wags. Slovenija is at an avian crossroads for these beauties. Four ssp. occur in that unpronounceable small coastal park xelas went to.

Perhaps we could encourage him to snap them all and even allow him a bonus point (Not 4)?

 

Xelas. Maybe you could revisit #111. That is not a Whitethroat. Go back one point.

138. Not Hen Harriers but you keep the point.

148. I am happy with Mistle Thrush so your Songthrush stands good for the point.

153. These are now 'officially' White Wagtails but I like Pied too.

 

Good to see this getting you out and about and enjoying your own patch.

[xelas]

@@Galana

 

Thank you for your insight! Now help me keeping my count by identifying #111

Same with #138; photo only is not enough to keep the points, I need a positive ID (even if given by an outside expert source)

 

I will change the name to White in my database.

 

 

As I might keep that #111 point eventually, I will continue with actual count. With a big help of above mentioned bird expert:

 

 

 

161. Water Pipit - Anthus spinoletta - Vriskarica

 

 

02/04/16 - Škocjanski zatok

 

02/04/16 - Škocjanski zatok

 

 

 

 

[xelas]

162. Meadow Pipit - Anthus pratensis - Mala cipa

 

 

11/06/16 - Barje

[Galana]

Glad to help out a friend.

You lose the point for 111 as this is the same species as your 115. Pied Flycatcher. sorry

138. You can do this. If the two grey males are not Hen Harriers what other grey male Harrier do you get in Slovenja?

I would be more than happy to see these whether the camera played its part or not! (It did, as the main fieldmarks gave the ID very clearly!)

Edited June 25, 2016 by Galana

[xelas]

Oh, you are really trying hard to make a half-decent birder out of me, @@Galana !!

 

OK, let me try: there are two harriers that are common in Barje:

 

Montagu's Harrier and Hen Harrier

 

Top one (BIF) is a female, and based on pattern on the head behind the eye I would opt for a Montagu's Harrier

 

Bottom photo, upon closer inspection (birds are OOF unfortunately) the underwing pattern is closer to Montagu's Harrier again, male.

 

 

So, passed or back to the books??

Edited June 25, 2016 by xelas

[xelas]

Slovenia has many migrants this year, sad stories mostly, but these ones are not part of them. After seeing the birds in the report from @@michael-ibk (http://safaritalk.net/topic/16335-seewinkel-safari-austrias-birding-paradise/) I recon they might live also in Slovenia. And indeed it was easy to find the relevant info on the internet.

 

Biggest colony of European Bee-eaters around 30 couples nest near the town of Bizeljsko. They usually arrives mid May.

 

 

 

162. European Bee-eater - Merops apiaster - Čebelar

 

28/05/16 - Bizeljsko

Edited June 25, 2016 by xelas

[xelas]

As soon as I have learned about the exact location (it is an abandoned sand pit) and weather forecast was good, me and Zvezda went there. It was a bit complicated but luckily friendly locals directed us to the right spot. Local birding society has erected a small hide so not to disturb the birds when they are nesting. The hide itself is a significant distance to the sand cliff where the nesting tunnels are, and vegetation is already grown up so not the best spot for taking photos. These below are several attempts by Zvezda (all handhold):

 

Very sociable birds

21/05/16 - Bizeljsko

 

A classic pose

21/05/16 - Bizeljsko

 

One third of the population on same tree

21/05/16 - Bizeljsko

[xelas]

On this visit we have spotted fellow photographers on the other side of the pit, where the vantage point should be much better. So right next week me and Tanja (sorry Zvezda, but you were in Portugal) went back to try and find the approach to the narrow ledge above the cliff. Again with help of local guy we found it and these are Tanja's preferred shots (Nikon D90 + AF-S 300f/4 + TC17II, handheld):

 

 

Brrrr, it is cold today!

28/05/16 - Bizeljsko

 

 

Warm me up, Sun!

28/05/16 - Bizeljsko

 

 

Wow, really, she said this?!

28/05/16 - Bizeljsko

[xelas]

OK, my turn now (D7200 + AF-S 200-500f/5.6, tripod):

 

 

Pizza delivery!

28/05/16 - Bizeljsko

 

 

Not pizza but snack!

28/05/16 - Bizeljsko

 

 

Going for more

28/05/16 - Bizeljsko

 

 

 

A bit more photos than necessary however those are the most beautiful birds one can see in Slovenia, and as you might remember, Zvezda is a huge bee-eater fan !

[Galana]

<So, passed or back to the books??>

Passed. They are Monty's. So now go and find us a Hen Harrier. Marsh too while you are about it.

 

Love the BeeEaters.

Edited June 25, 2016 by Galana

[xelas]

@@Galana

 

Will try my best. You like them? Come visit us, they will be here till end of July (and no border crossing involved ... yet).

[xyz99]

Beautiful Bee-Eaters, wish we had them here, too.

I only saw them once in my life time, up up in flight in Turkey. None in South Africa

[Galana]

@@xelas.

I would love to accept your offer. As you know I did try earlier only to be frustrated at the 11th hour. One day I will be back.

I could take you to where I saw European Rollers on my last visit. Have you found them yet? Hoopoes, Warblers and Black Woodpeckers to come?

My 2013 visit gleaned 96 sp.

[xelas]

@@Galana

None of those mentioned. Hoopoes are high on my list. Maybe will go to "chase the bear" thus having a chance to spot an owl.

 

I think I have pretty much exhausted what is available around our house. I would certainly appreciate any hint about where to go next, and what to search for.