[ad_1]
Winter birding in Bonn usually seems to be moderately bleak, however I can’t actually complain with the Wallcreeper that spent a number of weeks simply exterior the town. Now that this chook has seemingly moved on, I needed to discover different species to distract me, however thankfully that was not too onerous. Including to a publish in January on birding in Bonn in winter, I’ve had the possibility to get out on a number of extra birding walks right here and there within the metropolis on weekends. Luckily, I didn’t solely see the usual species, however was additionally rewarded with much less common species. Most notably, a bunch of 5 Larger Scaups was current in one of many massive ponds within the Rheinaue city park, the place they have been current for some time. They have been scattered amongst massive numbers of Tufted Geese and significantly Widespread Pochard, making a lively group of diving geese that was enjoyable to look at. That is solely my third sighting of the species, and the second time I’ve seen males, which I’ve to say do look far more engaging with the greenish sheen to the top that units them aside from their tufted cousins.
The primary time I noticed this species was on the London Wetland Centre. One other birder didn’t consider me after I instructed him in regards to the scaup as we didn’t relocate the chook, however he bought his revenge by recognizing a Nice Bittern, which was the chook for which I visited the wetland within the first place. I missed the bittern in flip, and nonetheless have by no means seen one to this present day. Maybe the scaups are unhealthy luck for me, however I’m positive I’ll get my bittern at some point.
They might not have been fully unhealthy luck although, as one other particular species within the type of Widespread Crane entertained me over the previous couple of weeks. Whereas this species could be seen often as they cross overhead throughout passage in late autumn and early spring, I’ve by no means seen such massive numbers of cranes when one night flocks of many hundred people stored passing overhead for a minimum of half an hour. It’s normally stated that they fly in a V-formation, however clearly the cranes themselves take this to be extra of a tough guideline than a strict rule, as they have been flying in all types of formations. Not that I thoughts – actually the remodeling and evolving shapes of their flight formations have been nice enjoyable to look at, a bit like clouds altering form from the air currents (though in fact manner cooler since they’re birds, duh!).
On a number of extra days smaller teams flew overhead as properly, with their atmospheric trumpeting calls interrupting the chaotic sounds of the town. It’s encouraging that these birds migrate so early within the 12 months, contributing to the daybreak refrain in lastly marking a close to finish to winter. I’m very a lot trying ahead to the arrival of migrating passerines so as to add their tune repertoires to the thrushes, Eurasian Robins, and Widespread Chaffinches who’re already in full swing with their songs within the morning.
[ad_2]