Transylvania, May '24 (4) - Wallcreepers

A drive south into the mighty southern Carpathians (specifically the Piatra Craiului range), and to the dramatic Gorge of Zernyest - a narrow, claustrophobic, beautiful walk in search of local specialities...

... including Wallcreeper, Crag Martin, Alpine Swift and Short-toed Snake Eagle. We had a great day, and with a little effort, bagged the lot - and the Wallcreepers were outrageously accommodating (these photos taken after they'd moved further away).

Romanian Red Squirrel

Corncrakes on the edge of town!

BirdFair '24 - where and when!

We're setting off for BirdFair tomorrow, and looking forward to see lots of friends and acquaintances over the three days; for anybody wanting to catch up, my schedule looks like this... 

Friday 12th - 1300-1500hrs - Zeiss Osprey Walk - with Toby Carter and I 

Saturday 13th - 1000hrs - Avocet Stage TALK - Filey International - 

Autumn migration thrills on the Yorkshire coast

Saturday afternoon - on the Yorkshire Coast Nature stand (Swallow marquee, 103)

Sunday morning - on the Yorkshire Coast Nature stand (Swallow marquee, 103) 

Sunday 14th - 1330hrs - Avocet stage TALK - School of Birding - How to become a better birder! With Simon Pawsey and I

Transylvania, May '24 (3) - Grey-headed Woodpecker

Fantastically tame and accommodating in an area of open Beech woodland in the foothills of the southern Carpathians, this female Grey-headed Woodpecker is deserving of her own short photo-post....

Transylvania, May '24 (2)

A few photos from our very productive day at Homorod Lakes, about 60km north of Miklosvar (via typical lush, rolling, beautiful countryside with plenty of birds on the way there and back) - a bird-filled, relaxing, sunny day, with highlights including many Ferruginous Ducks (above), Cuckoos everywhere, Purple and Black-crowned Night-herons, a cacophony of competing waterside warblers which included Savi's Great Reed, Marsh, Sedge and Eurasian Reed, several flavours of Yellow Wagtails and much more.

The outstanding highlight for me, however, was picking up a group of migrating Red-footed Falcons way up in the blue sky, which slowly descended and joined a flock of Whiskered and Black Terns hawking insects over the lakes before spiriting away. Bissful!

Transylvania, May '24 (1)

Lesser Spotted Eagle - an iconic and happily ubiquitous species of the traditional Translyvanian countryside 

Ok, so finally I'm catching up (it's been a very busy period, but more of that anon), and it's time I posted about my Transylvania trip, which I led for Yorkshire Coast Nature for ten great days in early May.

A common breeding species anywhere near human habitation, these Black Redstarts were feeding chicks just outside our accommodation...

A lovely team of six clients, a brilliant and constantly entertaining expert local co-guide (thanks Bobi!), stunning landscapes and habitats, beautifully rustic, traditional accommodation and hospitality, lots of unique experiences, lots of great birds and spine-tingling experiences with Eurasian Brown Bears - a very special trip.

... which was (for the first seven nights) a 16th century lodge in the rustic village of Miklosvar

Naturally the camera stayed in the bag for much of the time, but on the occasions it came out, there was plenty to shoot at. Here's the first of several photo-posts with a selection of those shots, in no particular order. Enjoy.

Thrush Nighingale belting it out from the depths of dense foliage - a common theme

The local race of Long-tailed Tit, as seen from our horse and cart birding adventure into the hills!

Golden Oriole and Turtle Dove - two happily common species around the village....

... and Hoopoe and Common Buzzard nearby

Lesser Grey Shrike - they left it late to arrive in time, but just made it

Lesser Spotted Eagle lightening the load

Dinner time at the lodge - superb home cooking and a lot of local wine

The Blackwits are back.....

Back down on the industrial south bank of the Humber at Killingholme today for our regular day-long river surveys, and after just a handful of (non-breeding plumage) birds last time, bam, over a thousand stunningly beautiful breeding plumage Black-tailed Godwits were there to welcome me.

My Patch - Filey British Birds article

Earlier this year it was a privilege to write a five-page article published in the estimable British Birds magazine, all about my birding adventures on my local patch of Filey, North Yorkshire. When I wrote it I knew it would also serve as a timely swansong to my twelve years there, which - as of this week - have come to pass, as we pursue new beginnings here in York. 

I'll address the move, reflect on those incredible twelve years, and look to the future here on these pages in due course, but in the meantime this greatest hits, all-killer-no-filler article is a fitting reminder of just how fulfilling, rewarding and joy-filled these recent years have been. 

(Suffice to say I'll be hitting the coast - including Filey - regularly still, particularly in migration seasons; I'll also endeavour to be more disciplined with posts about those exploits on here, as my birding becomes more laser-focused and even more valued.) 

For better resolution, download the pdf HERE. 

Thanks to Stephen and BB for allowing the article to be available here - on which subject, I'd highly recommend you subscribe to this always brilliant and illuminating birding journal of choice - see here for details.