August 2014
A bit bored by birding and sound recording in always the same areas since years
I asked my friend Thomas to show me nice spots near his hometown – especially
because it is just around the corner.
A few days later I found myself back in an area, well known from my childhood
close to the village where my grandmother lives. There are a few smaller ponds,
reedbeds, bush and scrub areas and sandy slopes.
PFR10128, 1-11, 140806, European Stonechat, juv, Common Whitethroat, family, calls, Germany
PFR10134, 1-11, 140806, Common Cuckoo, juv, call, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, flock, series of calls, Germany
Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis
I had not expected too much, but was overwhelmed by the diversity and “quality”
of birdlife. Amongst the common ones there were: European Bee-eaters Merops
apiaster, a singing Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria, Eurasian Wrynecks Jynx torquilla,
European Penduline Tits Remiz pendulinus, a Common Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naevia, a migrating flock of Goosanders Mergus merganser, which is
normally only a wintering species in that part of Germany, and a flock of Beared
Reedlings Panurus biarmicus.
However the area once more is crossed by a road making sound recordings difficult.
PFR10139, 1-11, 140806, Eurasian Wryneck, fledged juvenile, ?social call, European Bee-eater, flock, calls, Germany
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
In late July and early August most birders fall in a kind of depression – breeding
season comes to an end, most adult songbirds are hidden for post-breeding
moult or to recover before migration.
But this is the time to study both calls and early song stages – of adults warning
or giving social calls, of juveniles in nest, of fledged juveniles, sub- and plastic
songs of first winter birds.
I don’t know what makes people feel depressed at this time of year. To say it
more provocative: to a birder with more than an aesthetic approach to wildlife,
this is the best time of year!
So welcome to the world of tshekks, tsekks, brrrs, tzerrrs, tweeos and tzeeees!
PFR10133, 1-11, 140806, European Stonechat, male, excitement call, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, flock, calls in flight, Germany
European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola
photo credits:
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster © Mathias Putze | Green Lens
Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis © Mathias Putze | Green Lens
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster © Mathias Putze | Green Lens
European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola © Mathias Putze | Green Lens
* Due to conservation purposes the name of the area is not provided here.