Birding before Lockdown

I wanted to do some birding in my local patch, Hightown before the lockdown. I wanted to see a Curlew before the curfew, and a Woodcock before I'm locked up. I thought it would be best to arrive early, and see a Chiffchaff before the riffraff arrived. I managed to get out of bed early, so early in fact, that I was up half an hour before I went to bed. My day did not however, get off to the best of starts. I forgot to take my mobile, gloves and hand sanitizer. One thing I did remember to do was leave the radio on for my Budgie, Harvey. Named after one of Everton's finest, Colin. After having Harvey for about six months, I did find out that "he" was a "she", but the name stuck.

It didn't take me long to drive there, with the roads quiet. I parked in my usual place and headed off along the path, after about 200 metres, I recalled that I had a spare pair of "Original Lithuania" gloves that I purchased at Kaunas Airport after wanting to rid myself of the old currency before Lithuania moved to the Euro. They were in the most obvious place, in the glove compartment in my car. I nipped back to the car, I had a sense of deja vu except with warm hands.

Reed Bunting

The first bird of note was a singing Chiffchaff, I changed my direction to try and seek it out. I spotted it straight away, but no chance of a photograph as it was moving constantly. I walked up alongside the golf course, flushing some Red-legged Partridge and startled an early morning jogger, I stopped to observe the 2 metre social distancing. Other birds in the dunes were Meadow Pipits parachuting, Skylarks ascending and Reed Buntings singing.

Black-tailed Godwit

I walked up to the coastline and there were was a mesmerizing cluster of Knot, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlew, Oystercatchers and Redshank. Also Turnstone, Ringed Plover and Dunlin. My main target was Wheatears, which are often standing tall on the rubble. There was no sign. I carried on towards the Hightown end and a number of Shelduck and Cormorants were hanging out along the end of the River Alt. The usual Gulls were vocal; Black-headed, Common, Herring, Lesser Black-backed and the graceful Great Black-backed.

Stonechat

I thought I'd try the other end and head towards Crosby, so I turned around and then a male Wheatear appeared on a small bush. I didn't have my camera handy and it dropped down onto the rubble, out of sight. I carried on and then spotted another, assuming it wasn't the same one, but this time it flew inland into the dunes out of sight. I carried on but no further sightings. I headed inland and walked along the golf course fence. Plenty of Linnets singing on the top of bushes and the odd Stonechat. There wasn't too much in the way migration, just one or two Pied wagtails. No (hoped for) Swallow, Sand Martin or Ring Ouzel.

Cluster of Knot

I then headed down the path towards the railway, but just some common birds, with more Chiffchaff and a Great Spotted Woodpecker the only birds of note. I thought I'd give myself another half hour and headed to the bench on the front, for a sit-down and drink from my oft used flask, with more dents in the cup than a dodgem at Southport Fair. Luckily the bench was free and noticed an increase in the number of Knot, flying in the closely-knit groups.

There was a noticeable increase in the number of cyclists, runners, walkers and dog walkers along the path and decided I'd head back to my car, knowing it might be my last visit here before the lockdown is lifted. I saw 47 species, but just the one tick for my 2020 Patchwork Challenge.

Belarus: Bison, Pancakes and (lack of) Racoon Dogs

We started at Liverpool Cricket Club, where six of us met for a minibus and collected 2 on the way to arrive early at Manchester Airport for our afternoon flight to Frankfurt. There wasn't much turnaround time for our early evening flight to Minsk, but thankfully everything ran smoothly. We had met up with the other 3 in our party at Frankfurt, and the smaller aircraft set off on time to Minsk. There were a few hiccups getting through Passport Control where we had to produce documentary evidence that we had travel and medical insurance. At that point I realised I had my documents in my suitcase, and I was escorted to the luggage by a Guard to find my missing sheets. The story quickly escalated to "Rob has been escorted by an armed guard to collect his luggage...." trying my best to downplay the episode I realised I had been escorted by a guard who was armed, and my passport was held at Passport Control. I was able to provide the evidence eventually and was quickly able to retrieve my passport. This actually meant I avoided other searching questions that others experienced.

We met up with our Birding Guide for the week, Denis, and the driver, Sasha. We then had a two hour drive to our overnight stay in Sluck. It was raining heavily the whole of the journey and we set off the next morning in heavy rain, after a typical Belarus breakfast, with pancakes. At our first birding stop the rain had lightened but it was cold and I regretted not packing my gloves, thinking I wouldn't need them in the 2nd week in May. We had a number of interesting Waders, Wildfowl and Marsh Terns. Most had never seen a Terek Sandpiper and we were pleased with our efforts.

Terek Sandpiper

We arrived at our hotel in Turaŭ where we were based for 2 nights.













An evening visit took us to the marshes in search of Great Snipe and we weren't disappointed when we saw three, the conditions were challenging but it was well worth it.

I realised when I opened my toiletries bag that I had forgotten to pack my toothpaste. A drugstore was a short distance away from our hotel and when I entered the store it was evident that it was not self-service. There were no English signs or labels on the products. The lady behind the counter spoke no English. It did not take long for her to cotton on to what I was after. I managed to convince her with a shake of the head that I did not require a toothbrush or dental floss.

We had an early start the next day, after a good teeth clean, for a pre-breakfast birdwatch to a forest for those who were able to wake up to their alarms.

Red-breasted Flycatcher

We were rewarded with Pied, Spotted and Red-breasted Flycatchers, as well as hearing Collared. The weather was wet but not as bad as the first day. Certainly the bird of the day was at a stop in a small village where we saw two Azure Tits that were flitting about near to their nest. It was a bird that most had never seen before and it turned out to be the "Bird of the trip". We reluctantly returned to the minibus leaving the birds in peace. Other highlights at other stops of forests and marshes along the Prypiać River valley were Middle- spotted, Black and White-backed Woodpeckers.

Azure Tit

After an evening meal, which included pancakes, and a rest we took a stroll over to the floodplain meadow in Turaŭ close to our hotel, where we hoped to hear Corncrake. The weather was much improved and the wind had dropped although still a bit cool. There were many White-winged Black Terns and Little Terns. We were all pleased to see Beavers swimming, and a Long-eared Owl flew at dusk. Sadly no Corncrakes were heard.

The following morning we started our journey to our next hotel in Belaaziorsk, after a pancake filled breakfast, after allowing time to pack our suitcases. I managed an early start and was rewarded with Hoopoes, Golden Orioles, a Black Redstart and Thrush Nightingale, also hearing Corncrake. We had a few stops after breakfast.

Bluethroat

We called in at Bielaje Fishponds, and the highlights were a singing Bluethroat, Grey-headed Woodpecker and Savi's and Great Reed Warblers.


Our star bird of the day was saved until later in the evening when we patiently waited for the song of the Aquatic Warbler, walking in the Sedge Tussocks was difficult, but most of us were rewarded when one showed briefly in the failing light. Great Snipe were also heard.



The next day we were on the move again heading west, this time to Bielaviežškaja Pušča National Park, where we spent the next three nights. It was quite a long drive and we had a few stops and had great views of a Montague's Harrier and Lesser Spotted Eagle. A lunch stop at a park was productive when we found a Hawfinch on a nest. We had great views of Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, Wryneck and Icterine Warbler. We called in to see probably our second bird of the trip, the Great Grey Owl. After a failed first attempt, we later saw two adults and four chicks, three of which were still on the large nest. It was a fabulous experience and some having seen them for the first time. It was quite a trek to get there in the forest but well worth it.

Great Grey Owl chicks

The next day we were joined by our local guide Anton, and we had a 5 am start for a drive through the National Park for distant but good views of Bison. It had been raining again and misty but the early start was worth it. We headed back to our hotel and had our pancake breakfast and met up with Ged, who had just finished with another group. We started with a Three-toed Woodpecker, a lifer for most in the group. Some more great Owl views, this time Tengmalm's and Pygmy. The Tengmalm's Owls were nesting in an old Black Woodpecker hole where we saw one peering out. Shortly after we saw a Black Woodpecker popping out of a new hole.

Three-toed Woodpecker

Tengmalm's Owl

Black Woodpecker

There was no let up for our final birding day when we had a new local guide, Vadzim. We had distant views of a Great Spotted Eagle, another new bird for most. A Grasshopper Warbler showed briefly and numerous Whinchats, Sedge Warblers and Skylarks. At another stop at a tower hide we had distant, but better views of an Aquatic Warbler, also Citrine Wagtail and Common Rosefinch. We heard but failed to see Spotted Crake.

We had another early start on the last day, sadly this early start was for a five-hour minibus journey with a pancake filled breakfast stop. The two planes from Minsk and Frankfurt departed more or less on time. It was a long travel back home.
We had approximately 180 species, with some species only having been heard. The highlight birds were Azure Tit, Great Grey and Tengmalm's Owls, Terek Sandpiper and Great Snipe. We had other fabulous Birds and Mammals, with Beavers and Bison. Unfortunately a Racoon dog escaped us despite some possible (?) sightings.

Aquatic Warbler

A big thanks to Denis Kitel, Gerard Gorman, Vadzim Prakapchuk and Anton and all at APB-Birdlife Wetland Centre

List
1. Mute Swan
2. Whooper Swan
3. Greylag Geese
4. Mallard
5. Gadwall
6. Pintail
7. Shoveler
8. Teal
9. Garganey
10. Common Pochard
11. Red-crested Pochard
12. Tufted Duck
13. Wigeon
14. Goldeneye
15. Smew
16. Black Grouse
17. Grey Partridge
18. Corncrake (H)
19. Black Necked Grebe
20. Little Grebe
21. Great Crested Grebe
22. Red-necked Grebe
23. Cormorant
24. Bittern (H)
25. Great Egret
26. Grey Heron
27. White Stork
28. Black Stork
29. White-tailed Eagle
30. Lesser Spotted Eagle
31. Greater Spotted Eagle
32. Marsh Harrier
33. Hen Harrier
34. Montague's Harrier
35. Common Buzzard
36. Honey Buzzard
37. Sparrowhawk
38. Kestrel
39. Hobby
40. Black Kite
41. Spotted Crake (H)
42. Moorhen
43. Coot
44. Common Crane
45. Red-throated Diver
46. Oystercatcher
47. Little Ringed Plover
48. Ringed Plover
49. Lapwing
50. Dunlin
51. Temminck's Stint
52. Wood Sandpiper
53. Green Sandpiper
54. Common Sandpiper
55. Terek Sandpiper
56. Redshank
57. Spotted Redshank
58. Marsh Sandpiper
59. Black-tailed Godwit
60. Woodcock
61. Great Snipe
62. Snipe
63. Ruff
64. Black-headed Gull
65. Common Gull
66. Caspian Gull
67. Little Tern
68. Common Tern
69. Caspian Tern
70. White-winged Black Tern
71. Black Tern
72. Whiskered Tern
73. Feral Pigeon
74. Stock Dove
75. Wood Pigeon
76. Collared Dove
77. Turtle Dove
78. Cuckoo
79. Great Grey Owl
80. Tengmalm's Owl
81. Pygmy Owl
82. Long-eared Owl
83. Tawny Owl (H)
84. Little Owl
85. Hoopoe
86. Black Woodpecker
87. Grey-headed Woodpecker
88. Great Spotted Woodpecker
89. Middle Spotted Woodpecker
90. White-backed Woodpecker
91. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
92. Three-toed Woodpecker
93. Wryneck
94. Skylark
95. Crested Lark
96. Sand Martin
97. Barn Swallow
98. House Martin
99. Swift
100. Meadow Pipit
101. Tree Pipit
102. White Wagtail
103. Yellow Wagtail
104. Citrine Wagtail
105. Robin
106. Dunnock
107. Thrush Nightingale
108. Bluethroat
109. Redstart
110. Black Redstart
111. Wheatear
112. Whinchat
113. Stonechat
114. Song Thrush
115. Fieldfare
116. Blackbird
117. Kingfisher
118. Barred Warbler
119. Garden Warbler
120. Blackcap
121. Whitethroat
122. Lesser Whitethroat
123. Sedge Warbler
124. Aquatic Warbler
125. Grasshopper Warbler
126. Savi's Warbler
127. Great Reed Warbler
128. Willow Warbler
129. Chiffchaff
130. Wood Warbler
131. Icterine Warbler
132. Goldcrest
133. Firecrest
134. Wren
135. Spotted Flycatcher
136. Pied Flycatcher
137. Red-breasted Flycatcher
138. Collared Flycatcher
139. Great Tit
140. Blue Tit
141. Coal Tit
142. Long-tailed Tit
143. Azure Tit
144. Crested Tit
145. Willow Tit
146. Marsh Tit
147. Penduline Tit
148. Bearded Tit
149. Nuthatch
150. Common Treecreeper
151. Great Grey Shrike
152. Red-backed Shrike
153. Magpie
154. Jay
155. Jackdaw
156. Rook
157. Hooded Crow
158. Raven
159. Starling
160. Golden Oriole
161. House Sparrow
162. Tree Sparrow
163. Chaffinch
164. Linnet
165. Goldfinch
166. Bullfinch
167. Greenfinch
168. Siskin (H)
169. Serin
170. Hawfinch
171. Common Crossbill
172. Common Rosefinch
173. Reed Bunting
174. Yellowhammer
175. Corn Bunting
176. Lesser Black-backed Gull
177. Reed Warbler
178. Quail (H)












 

Azure Tit in Vilnius, Lithuania

My latest birding trip to Eastern Europe was to Lithuania, my sixth visit to the country. It is my favourite of the three Baltic Countries and I decided to split the week between Klaipeda and Vilnius. I arrived at Vilnius airport on time, which was something of a surprise, since I was expecting something that wasn’t quite as advertised. Since my glass is often half empty, I had booked a coach to Klaipeda in the mid afternoon, meaning a three hour wait at the airport and then a four hour coach journey. I somehow managed to get on the earlier coach at 11.50 am and arrived in Klaipeda at 4 pm.

I found my hotel near to the ferry terminal and next morning after a hearty breakfast, having managed to avoid a group of boisterous Germans in the queue, I caught the ferry over to the Curonian Spit at 8 am. A twenty minute walk to the Baltic sea side of the spit it was immediately apparent that there was lots of migration taking place.

Ringed Black-headed Gull, ringed in 2013 in Klaipeda, but spends a lot of time in Poznan, Poland

I walked along the coast eastwards and the water was calm, I did see five great egrets and a number of great crested grebes and Gulls. There were waves of finches passing overhead also skylarks and thrushes. I would estimate a few thousand flew overhead, occasionally I checked the bushes in the dunes and saw lots of Goldcrest and Tit flocks, including white headed Long-tailed and Crested. In the wooded area at the tip of the spit a Black Woodpecker flew in front of me.

Long-tailed Tit

Higher up were skeins of White-fronted geese and some Common Cranes. The weather was warm and I was a little weary after finally making my way back to the ferry. The evening meal was early and was grateful because as I was leaving a mass arrival of the Germans had the noise levels rising.

Common Cranes

The next day I arranged an early breakfast and arranged a local birding guide to take me to some well known birding spots on the spit. We took the 7 am ferry and arrived at Nida for a migration watch at the Sundial. There were lots of Goldcrest, Thrushes, Finches, Yellowhammers, Eurasian Sparrowhawks and Tits on migration. Also Black-throated Divers flying towards the Lagoon. Next was a sea watch, where we saw a number of Velvet Scoters, Great Crested Grebes, a Slavonian Grebe, Guillemots and Razorbills. We checked out a couple of gull sites and saw Caspian Gulls in amongst Black-headed, Common and Herring. Next stop was in the dunes at the widest part of the spit and the highlight was seeing 7 Hen Harriers and a Pallid Harrier, as well as Sparrowhawks and a White-tailed Eagle. Also plenty of migration. We went back to Nida for lunch and then went to Smiltyne, to the same place where I was the day before. We finished about 5 pm and I couldn’t avoid the noise in the restaurant that evening.

Hen Harrier

The next day there was no time for birding as i travelled by train to Vilnius which took four hours. My hotel was a little outside the Old town. I picked up a transport card from the Railway station and was pleased that I had bought one.

I had an early start the next day, when I had to queue at breakfast to be served, not Germans but Americans. I just about managed to catch my bus that only runs every 2 hours or so. I went to Baltoji Voke, about 35 km outside Vilnius. It was a cloudy day but next to no wind. I walked down from the main road and the first bird of note I spotted was a Great=grey Shrike, one of about eight I saw during the day. I walked along a track to scope one of the lakes and saw Tufted Ducks, Common Pochards, Goldeneye, Coots and Mute swans. A lot less wildfowl than on my last visit a year earlier. I walked further up and saw some Willow Tits with white cheeks some Yellowhammers and Thrushes. Then I saw a bird above a Blue Tit on a tree and wasn’t sure what it was, I took a few pics and tried to get a little closer, but to do so I had to walk past a tall tree. The bird had flown. From the pictures I had I could see it was an Azure Tit and I was not expecting that.

Bird of the trip, Azure Tit

A lifer for me and I was later to find out that it was only the 5th recorded sighting of the bird in Lithuania. I walked on for a while but not much else apart from a Raven and White-tailed Eagle and I headed towards another lake where I could see Teal, Wigeon and Mallard and Whooper Swans. Carrying my camera, binoculars and telescope and all the walking had taken its toll on my left knee. I hobbled back to the bus stop for a 50 minute drive back to Vilnius.

Great-grey Shrike

The next day, breakfast was served later and I wasn’t early enough to avoid queuing behind an Estonian fencing team, but the Americans had departed. It was Saturday and I wanted to get to Vingis Park early anticipating that it would be busy in the park on a nice sunny day. My knee was sore and I was walking quite slow, I heard a familiar sound from high up and there were about a dozen waxwing, but were mobile.

Waxwing

Also I saw Hawfinch, Thrushes, many Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches and Treecreepers. There were a small number of Goosanders on the River Neris. Walking back I was told off by an elderly man in Lithuanian, with hand signals, I was walking on the wrong side of the path. I was feeling a little rebellious and carried on walking on the “wrong” side.

My evening meal was a short hobble away from the hotel for a Chinese.

The next day I was first to breakfast and the Estonian fencers were queuing up behind me. I was still struggling a bit with my knee and went to Pavilniu Regional Park just outside the city. There were only a few common birds here, although a Black Woodpecker was nice and a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker was heard. A walk along the River Vilnia was pleasant and there were lots of people out. I headed back and had an evening meal in the Old town which was tasty.

Nuthatch

The next day I was departing back home, and I was again first to breakfast, where Chinese tourists had queued behind me, but they were much quieter. I made my way to the airport on one of the frequent express buses. I was mightily surprised that the plane departed on time and arrived in Liverpool ahead of schedule. A reminder i was back in Liverpool was misbehaving kids on the upper deck of the bus….

An excellent birding trip to Lithuania again.

Gdansk and Elblag, fantastic birding

Whinchat

I haven't updated my blog lately but thought that as my trip to Northern Poland was exceptional, I would share it. I flew to Gdansk Airport and something I have got used to is the time of arrival, about 1am. I checked into the hotel, which is within walking distance from the airport. This suits me because there is some good birding spots close by. Having got my head down by 2 am, I was up again by 5 am. As usual it doesn't disappoint, although because Gdansk has expanded in recent years, areas where I used to see corn buntings is now car parks.

First bird I saw was a whinchat singing on a wire, then corn bunting. The whole area was alive with birdsong, with skylarks, whitethroat and yellowhammer. A yellow wagtail was close by and then the wonderful sound of common cranes, about 20 distant in the field.

I went to Gdansk city centre to catch my coach to Elblag, about 60 km away. Along the way there were white storks and Marsh harriers. Elblag is a small tourist town, but not much birding in the town centre. The one thing I did note was the vast numbers of house sparrows. They were everywhere.

Red-breasted flycatcher

The next morning, after a great breakfast, I went to Bazantarnia forest, about 45 min walk away. The weather was hot. On the way were common redstarts, lesser whitethroat, serin and house and tree sparrows. A red-backed shrike was on a typical perch as I walked out of the town. As I entered the forest I heard the lovely song of the red-breasted flycatcher. It took me a few minutes to locate it, not helped by some workmen working with tractors. I managed a couple of pictures, no red breast on this one. Shortly after I spotted another and this one had the red breast. I was fortunate to get a photograph. I did notice the large number of common warblers, chiffchaff, blackcap and willow warblers. Also Wood warblers were abundant. A small stream ran through the forest which I walked along, and a grey wagtail flew up, colours looking great in the sun. Feeling tired now I made my way back to the hotel and then evening meal in the town.

The next morning I went in the opposite direction intending to head for a lake, south of Elblag. The weather was hot again and sun screen and anti mosquito spray were added in equal measure. Following my GPS I headed over a motorway and into farm land and single track roads. The trees were full of birds and the loud song of the thrush nightingale was heard and was well hidden, I heard another and had a couple of glimpses and then another was perched in a tree and managed some photographs. As I walked along there were sedge warblers, then a grasshopper warbler, which I was lucky to locate. A cuckoo sounded and I found a pair in a tree. Golden orioles were singing and after a flyover, I spotted one up in the canopy but showing enough of itself for a photo.

Thrush Nightingale

After a while I noticed my GPS had lost the signal but as there were birds in abundance, I abandoned the lake plan and stayed where I was. Later a river warbler was seen and a marsh warbler. There was a large reed bed and I could hear reed, great reed and savi's warblers but couldn't see any. Two white-tailed eagles soared just above me, and a marsh Harrier close by. Walking along one of the unnamed roads I heard a common rosefinch and soon found one of the scruffiest birds you could imagine, but its song is fabulous. I have invented a word that seems to fit its song: "invertibule. It works for me anyway. Four white winged black terns flew close by, but too quick to get a picture. A green woodpecker flew as I headed back. Over 50 species. As I arrived back at the hotel, some dark clouds had appeared and rumbles of thunder in the distance. Later some rain.

The next morning, I didn't venture too far, as my coach back to Gdansk was just after midday. I just went to a local park and although it was pleasant, I didn't see anything outstanding. I was lucky with my timings to get to Sobieszewska, an island, east of Gdansk. I went to a walk in Ptasi raj, a place I have visited a number of times. I was greeted as usual by a barking dog that belongs to the owners of a cafe at the start of the reserve. Although I was there for only a couple of hours I saw some great birds, like icterine warbler, golden oriole, lesser spotted woodpecker, Wood warbler, great reed warbler, spotted flycatcher, hawfinch and red-backed shrike.

Spotted flycatcher

I made an early start next morning at 5.00 am and went back to Ptasi Raj, walking up to the reserve I saw redstart and black redstart, 2 cranes flying over, lesser whitethroat, serin and tree and house sparrows. After being barked at again I made my way along a narrow path, with reed beds either side, I saw red-backed shrike, reed warblers, reed buntings, a white-tailed eagle with a fish being mobbed by a-black headed gull, marsh harrier, bearded tits, goosanders and many mute swans on the "dead Vistula".

Later I went into the forest and battled with the insects, all after my blood. Whilst I have a good insect repellant I still had a few mosquito bites. There were many wood warblers singing and lots of phylloscs. I heard an icterine warbler, went in search of it off the path and a lesser spotted woodpecker appeared. I then heard a cuckoo and saw it fly a couple of times, golden orioles were singing and I saw them in the canopy. Later I saw an icterine warbler and tried for a photograph, whilst trying a lesser spotted woodpecker appeared again and my attention was diverted. Then a golden oriole was above me and a cuckoo just to the left, and a wood warbler in front. My camera was switching every which way, and the lesser spotted woodpecker won.

Wood warbler

I headed towards the baltic sea, and a great reed warbler showed, although distant. There was not much to view on the sea other than cormorants, gulls and mute swans. There was a sign which I managed to translate saying "No entry" because of nesting ringed plover, although some Polish sunseekers were ignoring the signs and carried on regardless. I headed back into the forest and more icterine warblers, although no success for a photograph. A grey headed woodpecker appeared high up and then two flew past. I headed back, pleased with the birds I had seen.

Cuckoo

The next day I went to the other end of the island and I had an early start. This was probably the best day. The reserve is called "Mewla Lache" and is fantastic all year round. I had just entered the reserve, which runs alongside the wide vistula river. The first thing I saw was a beaver swimming away from me. I hadn't taken the camera out of the bag. Walking up a bird flew up and landed on a branch in front of me, a common rosefinch in breeding plumage, I managed a few pictures before it flew. An odd sounding cuckoo was perched in a tree above me and seemed oblivious to my presence. There were a few goosander nest boxes in the trees along the bank, and a few goosanders were on the river. Further up there is a raised platform overlooking some reedbeds and a small pond, a great reed warbler was singing. Yellowhammers were singing and a red-backed shrike was about. Then the delightful sound of terns, sandwich, common and little. The little terns were flying above my head across the river.

Common rosefinch

I made my way to a large metal tower where you can view the baltic and the vistula and beaches. There were six shelduck , 10 dunlin and two grey plover. Also about 300 seals on some sand banks quite distant. I hoped for some little tern photographs but they were too high. Then a beaver appeared, and a Polish birder at the tower thought it was ill. It did seem odd to be out in the sun at midday. A short eared owl then flew up in front of us.


I had a wander in the dunes and could hear wood lark but failed to pick them up. More yellowhammer and rosefinches were singing. I made my way back, pleased with what I had seen.


The next day I was heading home but still had about 3 hours to get some birding done in the morning. I went to Ptasi Raj and saw a pair of red-backed shrikes, bearded tits over the vast reedbeds. A had brief views of a garden warbler, singing continuously. Then a wheatear popped up on the path. I headed back into the forest and I managed a photograph of an icterine warbler, albeit a not very good one. Then I heard a call of a black woodpecker and it flew across me, high up. I was ending on a high.

Female red-backed shrike

Waiting at the bus stop, three common cranes were circling over the dead vistula and a common tern was fishing. Then, high up, two honey buzzards flew over. I had 108 species in the week, which I was pleased with considering my lack of transport. I made my way to the airport, and everything had run smoothly, which hasn't always been the case in my Polish travels....