Ornitolog - Recent messages

Ločanka, where exactly did you see the wallcreeper? lp

Hi, probably they really are pine grosbeaks. This winter we've already picked up a couple of reports about a potential mass gathering site for this species in the South Primorska area and surroundings (roughly the Cerkno-Žiri-Železniki triangle), but the exact location (or at least narrowing it down) is still unknown. But we'd like to find out. So I'm calling on everyone who might spot large flocks there (often like a "river of birds"), to report your sightings if possible. Most helpful are locations of observed flocks during morning or evening flights and their orientation or flight direction. The species roosts communally in a relatively small area, even numbering in the millions! So it's an extraordinary natural spectacle. The birds are drawn by the abundance of acorns.
Ločanka, what time did you see the flock, exactly where, and which way was it going? Did you maybe see them landing in tree crowns in some area or circling longer over a narrower spot? Were there several flocks coming from different directions and could you estimate the meeting point of these flights? regards

REMINDER

As every autumn (and spring) I kindly ask you to report observations of cranes. They are large and noisy birds that most often fly in V-formations.
Place of observation, time, (estimate) number of individuals and flight direction...these are the basic data, please add them to every observation. A photo is also always welcome.

Thanks and best regards!

common swift

Hi,
I'm interested in the road condition/drivability to the saddle.
thanks and regards

Hi,
this is a ring from a domesticated racing pigeon. Owner, e.g., releases them in Koper, they fly to Vienna. Meanwhile a predator sometimes "snatches" them. Ring remains. Especially under nests they are often found.
Our ringing database has no oversight of the data for these birds. It has it for all free-living birds.
lp

Greeting,
it's a chaffinch (female).
regards

Hi, last February and first March day were really top days for cranes. If someone else saw them, please share info.
regards

Hi, the pictures show greylag geese. In flight, they have a characteristic contrast in the wings. Which direction did they fly?
regards

Surely quite a few of you saw/heard loud flocks of cranes today. Please report info on your observation: date, time, place, number of individuals (at least estimate), direction they flew.

Thanks and best

Hi,

the time has come when cranes will fly over Slovenia. Maybe you've seen them already... They are huge birds, accordingly very loud. They mostly fly in V-formations and are very loud!
If you spot them, please report the observation.
Interested in location, date, time, number (estimate ok) and flight direction. Photos always welcome. Tip: often seen in afternoon and evening, they fly at night too.
Watch for this natural spectacle and contribute your sightings to knowledge of migration habits of these magnificent northern birds.

best!

@ Zvončica, thanks for the info. As a curiosity, the same flock was observed about 10 min later above Kalce (hill Srnjak), at 14:30 already on Lj.barje.

Did anyone else see them?

@zlatica, that paler crested teal is transitioning between winter and breeding plumage. The one behind moulted faster/earlier and is already more or less in breeding plumage.

@mirank, very likely I intercepted your cranes near Podkraj, they continued to Logatec and Vrhnika.

Last couple days solid for cranes. If you've seen them or will, recommend posting your sightings again (location, time, (approx) number, flight direction, pics welcome too).

lp!

No snow.
lp

Hi, thanks for the crane info. As a fun fact, this year's autumn migration is record-breaking again. Across Slo we've collected data on ca. 40 thousand cranes. They keep coming. Already clear that 2019 will be record for them (spring + autumn migration). Where the final number stops, we'll know mid-December probably. If anyone else sees them, please report. regards!