SzimiStyle Birding

This evening I made a short trip to a nearby gravel pit where nice number of shorebir species bred last year. The water level is lower than last year resulting more islands for breeding. I was surprised by the number of Pied Avocets and Black-winged Stilts which apparently started to breed.

The most interesting record for this evening was a rare subspecies of the Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava superciliaris). When I entered the area I picked a black headed yellow wagtail with an obvious white supercilium. It was feeding along the shoreline with a few males of nominate race Motacilla flava flava ssp. I could relocate it for a few times. I have some experience with this subspecies from the Danube Delta and Dobrogea in Romania. However, the International Ornithologists’ Union taxonomic list does not recognise this subspecies and it should be conspecific with the Motacilla flava feldegg subspecies (range: the Balkans and Turkey to Iran and Afghanistan) which has no such obvious white supercilium while other features are alike.

Shorebird numbers recorded at the pit:

Pied Avocet 17
Black-winged Stilt 16
Little Ringed Plover 4
Common Redshank 2
Wood Sandpiper 5
Common Tern 27

A few images of the gravel pit. © Gyorgy Szimuly

Close to my home there is a mountain, called Gerecse, which is our raptor watching site. This also a 'hotspot' for watching nice variety of birds of prey. Every year our raptor expert organises a series of raptor watching day when we not only target to see migrating raptors but locating sensitive species from conservation point of view. One of these species is the majestic Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) which was first reported breeding in 1904. Annual reporting and monitoring of the species is carried out the local branch of BirdLife Hungary with the coordination of Péter Csonka, our local expert, since 1993. Between 1993 and 2003 the Eastern Imperial Eagle was breeding in the mountain (better to say in the hills) but from 2004 it was moving out from the hills to lowland. This year the pair probably moved further north as they were not seen at the earlier breeding sites. The purpose of today's raptor watching day was to find the Imperial Eagle moving around our watching spot and if possible locating the nest. There were three other observation points but ours was the northest one which provided the largest area to be surveyed (distance of visibility was more than 10kms).

The weather forecast was quite nice and ideal for watching birds in the sky. I had some very good fellow birders with me for better coverage of the vast area. The Eastern Imperial Eagle was spotted quite early and we could follow its movement by spotting scope. After this observation we could find it two more times but it landed in three different alley or forest which did not helped us securely locate the territory. In the meantime another bird was spotted a few kms of us to southeast but the timing of our observation was overlaping with that one so that definitely was a different bird. More watching days is needed from our spot to locate more accurate the pair's nest if it exists at all.

Common Buzzard has been the most abundant raptor species in the region. One individual was hunting from the wineyard fences. Image was taken by a Nikon CoolPix V1 camera. © Gyorgy Szimuly

This is our modest list of birds of prey seen today:

European Honey Buzzard 3
White-tailed Eagle 1 ad.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk 1
Northern Goshawk 1 male
Common Buzzard 15
Eastern Imperial Eagle 1
Common Kestrel 1
Eurasian Hobby 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Northern Raven 17 

Yes, this is apparently not the same list what Corpus Christi in south Texas, Batumi in the Caucasus or the Gibraltar can offer during migration, but we did enjoyed this day a lot despite we got quite a serious sunburn by the end of the day as no protection cream was with us.

Other nice birds were seen around (total of 51 species):

White Stork 1
European Bee-eater 13
Common Swift 6
Wood Lark 3

Some more images of the day. © Gyorgy Szimuly

Special thanks to Peter Csonka for providing the historical summary of the local status of the Eastern Imperial Eagle. Thanks to Gellért Bátky and Levente Pribéli for participating in the survey. We all had a great day with fun.

About 10 years ago I was involved in the planning phase of a habitat reconstruction project which aimed to give an old bay back to the Old Lake in Tata. The bay was filled by mud after dredging it from the lake some decades ago. Unfortunately the funding of the project was really disappointing and it could came into realy only by this winter.

Images of the embracing bank of the reconstruction area. © Gyorgy Szimuly

This morning Dani and me woke up with the first lights and headed to the bay for surveying breeding birds. This is a part of two projects. One of them is to follow the settlement of birds into this new habitat as well as to document the expansion of vegetation especially the reed. Of course we could not find much birdlife but what we found was rather different what was recorded prior to the reconstruction works in the same season. The affected area was not holding any breeding species so far but has some potential if plants will be emerging from the water (e.g. water lily). It could be nice for Chlidonias terns. There is one separated island left from the former dam which could be suitable for breeding Common Terns. It is separated enough from the main land and far from the water sport zone. Some more habitat management is needed to make it suitable for the terns.

On the islands we saw the following shorebird species:

Little Ringed Plover 1
Common Greenshank 2
Wood Sandpiper 2
Common Sandpiper 9

Also tere were 19 Great Crested Grebe and about 40 Mallard on the lake.

In the evening there was many Little Gulls (first was seen from our window last night), Black Terns and Common Terns hunting over the lake.

This morning we left Viareggio but before we started our 1,000km long trip home I wanted to give a chance of finding some more warbler species in one of the most famous wine region of the world. Tuscany is a beautiful province of Itlay. I fell in love with this wine region within a minute. The landscape, the people, the wines and the tranquility make this land extraordinary and visitors just want to return just before they leave this atmosphere.

Birding wise it was light but some nice species was seen. Sardinan Warblers were singing at several spots like at San Donato. Also in San Donato I saw the very first Common House Martins for this year. In La Croce I heard and saw a beautiful Common Redstart singing on a chimney. In Radda in Chianti I saw two other Common Redstarts where we had our lunch break. While we were waiting for our extra sized pizza a dark phase Booted Eagle was flying just over the terrace of the pizzeria. It was strange to me that very very few birds of prey was seen during the whole trip in Italy. Barn Swallows, Italian Sparrows, European Blackcaps and Common Chiffchaffs were singing all around.

Tuscany provided some extraordinary memories and made sure that we return the soonest.

We decided to return to a place we had been years ago with my birding friend, Tamás Zalai. Then we targeted to find the wintering Pine Buntings around Viareggio, Italy and we succeeded to find some birds. Today we woke up early morning to drive to this lovely coastal town with full of Mediterranean feelings.

With the first morning lights, as we approached the coastline, I saw several flocks of Western Cattle Egrets. Spring progressed well close to the Mediterranean Sea coastline and it was a pleasure to see green leaves and feel warm whiffs.

In Viareggio we had to wait until our hotel room was prepared so decided to visit the sandy beach. Kea has seen the sea for the first time and apparently enjoyed it. It was too early to swimm but it was fun to collect shell pieces.

Images of the Viareggio coastline. © Gyorgy Szimuly

On the sea I could see some Great Crested Grebes and some Mediterranean Gulls were flying by with a few Black-headed Gulls. In the afternoon I picked up my Swarovski bino and drove along the shoreline to southeast direction and visited the Pine Bunting area. It was just west to Torre del Lago at the coast line. The coastline was scattered mainly by Common Juniper bushes. The only "exotic" species I could hear and see was some Sardinian Warbler. The gorgeous red eyering was seen pretty well on a singing male. I love to see these Mediterranean warblers. They are so attractive. In this habitat European Blackcaps, Common Chaffinches, Common Chiffchaffs, European Robins, Song Thrushes, European Blackbirds and European Greenfinches were singing endlessly. Over the sea about 200 Mediterranean Gulls were swimming with Yellow-legged Gulls and a few Black-headed Gulls. Here a flock of drake Garganey were chasing each others. It was strange to see them on the sea as normally we see them on freshwater in Hungary.

As spring migration has just started I was not expecting to find more local speciality and returned to the hotel. I was, however, surprised to see two Common Swifts in late afternoon just next to the harbour of Viareggio. They arrived quite early event to this warm Mediterranean part of Europe. I have no idea if this is a regular timing or they were really too early. I should not say that the promenade was full of the recently split Italian Sparrow (from House Sparrow).

Italian Sparrow was abundant in the town (this image was taken by a Nikon V1). © Gyorgy Szimuly

Traveling with a kid sometimes overwrites plan especially birding plans. I have to be more consistent in following my plans but birding was nice anyway. I was not sure if I could find my target species, the Citril Finch but I hoped.

The entrance of the Swarovski Optik factory. © Gyorgy Szimuly

In the morning I visited the Swarovski Optik factory and said hello to some people. They were so kind. I wish I could manage to see the production lines in life. From the factory we turned to a small road (L225) which runs at the foothill of the higher peaks of the Alps. Birds were active but the number of species was rather limited along the road. Willow Warblers, Common Chiffchaffs, Common Chaffinches, Eurasian Greenfinches, Coal Tits were the most abundant songbirds but again many Carrion Crows was seen between Absam and Terfens. As weather warmed up Common Buzzards were soaring over the cliffs. Unfortunately no signs of the presence of Citril Finches was detected. This is Dale Forbes's homeland but unfortunately he is out of office today. I am sure he could help me to find some Citrils if it is not too early for that species.

In the afternoon I was birding in a small village, named Mühltal. I parked the car (for € 2) and started to walk on the trail of the foothill of the Niederstasse Wald in my sandals. Forgot the tiny fact that the winter is still here so gave up walking after the first hunderd meter when the path turned to be ice covered. I simply could not make a step forward so returned to the car. I made some birding around the car park. I was happy to see 2 Eurasian Crag Martins, a male Black Redstart, a singing Common Chiffchaff, a Coal Tit, a few Carrion Crows and 3 Common Buzzards. Common Chaffinces were singing everywhere.

Stream of Mühltal. © Gyorgy Szimuly

Ice and snow covered track in the Alps. © Gyorgy Szimuly

Images from Mühltal. © Gyorgy Szimuly

The evening was spent in the historical part of Innsbruck which delighted our time. The warm lights, the wonderful temperature and seeing the social life of the Tyrolese people made this evening unforgettable.

The best thing is when business could be linked with family trips and, of course, some birding. Today we geared up early morning and travelled to home of Swarvski Optik in Tyrol, Austria. Now I understand how the Swarovski's engineering team could design and produce such awesome products what we, birdwatchers, are enjoying. Absam and Innsbruck is such a wonderful place. While the temperature was over 20 °C, the peaks of the Alps was still snow covered. I was impressed by this amazing contrast as well as by the friendly local people. They are so different compared to the eastern Austrian people.

Today was more about the family and less about the birds. We simply enjoyed being together, the spectacular scenery and the lovely weather. The best species was a single Red Kite flying over our car east to Salzburg. I have not seen this secies for years. Certainly the most abundant species was the Carrion Crow and Western Jackdaw in this alpine region. In the evening a Grey Wagtail was flying next to the Inn River in Innsbruck. At our hotel, in Igls, Coal Tits, Willow Warbler and Eurasian Siskins were singing. That was about the birds for today. Without knowing the exact location for the sought after Citril Finch, I doubt I find one tomorrow. That is one of the three potential lifers in this region.

I post some landscape and city images of the region as bird images are still missing. However, there is something at the corner...

This morning we made a nice excursion to the nearby mountains in wonderful weather. It's hard to belive it is 1st of November and the thermometer displays 16˚C and apparently no cloud disturbesthe sunshine.

Topside view to the foothills. © Gyorgy Szimuly

This time we climbed up to one of the strictly protected areas (entry is restricted to permit holders ony!!!) of the Gerecse Mountain for making sure the area undisturbed. Normally the site is guarded by voluteers during the entire breeding season of the raptors but we randomly make visits to make sure everything is all right around.

I don't have to tell that the forest is absolutely gorgeous this time of the year. We so much enjoyed it despite not so many bird species were seen and we missed the targeted ones.

Images of the open marble quarry. © Gyorgy Szimuly

Species seen:

Common Buzzard 2
Eurasian Sparrowhawk 2
Common Kestrel 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Northern Raven 1
Great Tit 4
Black Redstart 4
Mistle Thrush 1
European Nuthatch 1
Eurasian Wren 1

Dani and Szaby as fellow birders. © Gyorgy Szimuly

Forest was magical around the hill. © Gyorgy Szimuly

A local ranger saw 658(!!!!) Common Cranes in 4 flocks over the western hills of the Gerecse Mountain. It was quite a nice record.

This afternoon I picked up my kids and business mate to visit the fishponds for checking the number of wild geese. Yesterday we wisited the Old Lake where the number of geese increased nicely. At the lake there were about 10,000 birds already including 2,700 geese (mainly Tundra Bean Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose), 1,000 Mallard, 3,000 Black-headed Gull (with a few Yellow-legged Gull) and 3,500 Rook.

Black-headed Gull. © György Szimuly

The Ferencmajor fishponds was quite active this afternoon and nice amount of birds were seen moving around us. The highlight of the afternoon was the appearance of 3 migrating adult Common Cranes. The performed a very nice flight interaction which looked like an aerial ballet. The pond 4 was still drained providing nice resting place for the geese.

Common Crane is an irregular migrant in our region. Main migration route is in the Eastern Hungary. © György Szimuly

Here are the numbers of some species:

Greylag Goose 550
Tundra Bean Goose 75
Greater White-fronted Goose 650
Common Goldeneye 4 juv. (first for the season)
Great Egret 82 ( a single evening roosting flock)
Pygmy Cormorant 76
White-tailed Eagle 1 imm
Northern Lapwing 72
Dunlin 13
Black-headed Gull 400
Yellow-legged Gull 70
Mew Gull 1
Stock Dove 16
Common Starling 1

Dunlins are the latest migrants among shorebirds. They probably spend the winter in the Mediterranean. © György Szimuly

Among the Dunlins there was an almost all white individual. Based on the personal comment of Péter Szeimann, it has been here for about a week now.

The winter season has started! Swallows and most of the summer visitors have already gone and nordic migrants arrived about a week ago. The Old Lake which is embraced by the town I have been living is an internationally important bird area, a Ramsar site which holds tens of thousands wildfowl every winter.

Tundra Bean Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese arriwing to increasing numbers to the Old Lake wintering area. © György Szimuly

This morning we had the first birding appointment at the lake. The lack of transition between summer and winter made this morning quite unpleasant. 10 days ago we had 28˚C daily peak while this morning we had -1˚C and not more than 11˚C in midday.

Slow fogging made birding challenging and we could not make complete count especially on ducks. Laci Musicz, my local birding friend and goose expert, wanted to check the number of wild geese as a part of the very long running goose monitoring in the region. Dani, my son, who is recovering from illness, came also with me.

There were two surprise for this morning. I spotted a crow endlessly chasing a Black-heded Gull, probably, for food. It finally landed in front of us It was a Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) which is not so common here.

The other great surprise was a walking Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) from the direction of the town. It soon entered the water and disappeared. This was the first observation for me but Laci, who has been birding here for more than 30 years, seen it only for three times.

Birds seen (not complete list):

Tundra Bean Goose 80
Greylag Goose 19
Greater White-fronted 5
Mute Swan 1
Mallard 100
Eurasian Teal 6
Common Pochard 6
Great Crested Grebe 1
Great Cormorant 20
Great Egret 6
Grey Heron 13
White-tailed Eagle 2
Black-headed Gull 130
Yellow-legged Gull 25
Common Wood Pigeon 5
Stock Dove 17
Black Woodpecker 2
Rook 2,800
Western Jackdaw 200
Hooded Crow 120
Carrion Crow 1
Fieldfare 3
Grey Wagtail 1
White Wagtail 25
European Siskin 8

During the day a small birding group from Budapest saw a nice Merlin, many Eurasian Teals and a single Dunlin at the lake.