One of many highlights of my summer time holidays was a week-long climbing journey with two birding buddies I met final 12 months whereas volunteering on the chicken observatory on Heligoland. We deliberate the journey for some time and have been all wanting to see a number of the specialities of the Alps. Having by no means been birding in montane areas in Europe, there have been various slightly widespread alpine birds that have been potential lifers. We slept in climbing huts through the journey however carried most meals and cooking gear ourselves so we may put together meals independently. Seems most huts cost a surcharge whenever you don’t purchase their meals – which I suppose is sensible because it’s costly to get the meals there however it was fairly annoying as we carried all of the meals ourselves after which have been anticipated for stuff we didn’t benefit from…
We hung out birding within the Karwendelgrube, Arnspitz, and Soierngruppe, every of which I’ll cowl in separate posts. The Karwendelgrube, a excessive altitude rocky pit, is likely one of the hottest birding spots within the Bavarian Alps because it supplies quick access to high-altitude birds by way of a cable-car. We hiked up by way of a really difficult observe throughout snow and scree fields however it was value it as we arrived an hour earlier than the cable automobiles begin arriving with different vacationers (“different” being right here a euphemism for the kind of individuals birders are slightly allergic to when desperately looking for a lifer).
We additionally spent a day in whole on the decrease slopes of the mountain, the place Western Bonelli’s Warblers have been widespread, judging by their calls. Seeing them was one other matter although, and took was some time earlier than we obtained acceptable views. Eurasian Nutcrackers appeared to make use of related ways, though this uncommon beast ultimately posed properly for us on a drizzly morning.
A spotlight on the best way up was a White-backed Woodpecker at the hours of darkness forest earlier than dawn – allowing nothing however fast views. I managed a horrendous photograph however because it’s a lifer, I really feel like posting it nonetheless. Simply scroll down rapidly!
Staying with the woodpecker theme, one other particular of the Alps within the type of a Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker was fairly obliging. One pal and I have been busy questioning why we determined to tackle such a tiring hike when the third member of our group referred to as out “three-toed!” – a concise reply to our query, in response to which we forgot about our heavy backpacks and ran uphill. We solely managed very temporary views however it was shut sufficient for us to understand its odd ft.
Above the tree line and within the Karwendelgrube, we noticed various specials together with Wallcreeper, White-winged Snowfinch, Alpine Accentor, Alpine Chough, and the long-awaited Rock Ptarmigan. The latter careened throughout the pit earlier than clearing the ridge, offering temporary fly-by views that jogged my memory of the snowcock scene within the film The Large Yr (which I’ve in all probability watched a dozen instances – watch it in the event you haven’t). We weren’t in a helicopter however the steep slopes and unfastened floor felt practically as precarious.
Birding was frequently hampered by the thick fog that appeared fairly all of a sudden, particularly at larger altitudes. I used to be wanting ahead to taking some good images since I hauled my large lens all the best way up the mountains, however this was significantly tougher with the climate. Nonetheless, we have been very pleased with our sightings and proceeded to proceed to the following part of our tour, which I’ll cowl in my subsequent publish.
