Transylvania, May '24 (5) - Carpathian Delta

Another great day in the south of the region involved a leisurely meander around Dumravita fishponds, otherwise known as the Carpathian Delta. With next to no disturbance and many of the ponds in a (fantastically) unkempt state, the place was absolutely brimming with birds.

Highlights included breeding Little Bitterns, Squacco Herons and Black-crowned Night-herons, great views of White-tailed Eagle on the deck, reedbeds and scrub full of warblers, Bee-eaters, lots of Caspian Gulls, two Ruff among small number of waders, Honey-buzzards, five species of woodpecker and Hawfinches in the nearby woods, and lots more - but the dramatic thunderstorms provided the show-stealer....

... in the shape of over 300 marsh terns, which dropped out of the ether en masse (against a background of mountains and flashing lightning) and proceeded to murmurate over the ponds right in front of us.

330 Black, four White-winged and two Whiskered shimmied and swirled for a good half-hour, before deciding the conditions had improved enough to move on - and suddenly they had, as quickly as they'd arrived. A breathtaking migration spectacle!

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