I had simply been to Wahner Heide (heath) just a few weeks in the past and lined that go to in my final submit, however I discovered myself again in the identical space with my mother and father for a brief Sunday go to. The heath is definitely fairly intensive and there are another areas that I wish to discover, however we went to the identical spot we had been finally time as a result of it’s best to achieve. Extra forested areas apparently maintain good numbers of Woodcock, and Eurasian Nightjars are additionally round (though uncommon), so this website warrants a number of future visits.
On this go to, the sky was gray and it was windy on a regular basis, which didn’t make for significantly good circumstances. I used to be particularly wanting ahead to take some higher photographs of the birds I noticed final time, which I solely managed partly. Nonetheless, we had been rewarded with wonderful sightings, which greater than made up for the restricted picture alternatives. In spite of everything, I’d slightly name myself a birder than a fowl photographer, though I’ve to confess that I get pleasure from doing each roughly equally. I do really feel that there’s a slight separation into “tribes” of people that choose calling themselves “birders” and others “fowl photographers”, and that the previous barely look down on the latter (and maybe vice versa?). I’m unsure if that is completely my restricted expertise, let me know! At the least I’ve the sensation that putting the emphasis on observing slightly than photographing birds is usually thought of extra ‘pure’, no matter which means… To flee the dichotomy, I’d merely say that I’m a birder who loves photographing birds each time the chance arises. Though then once more if I say that, I higher have good photographs to justify this, which is usually not the case (maybe I might at the least blame it on the climate this time?).
Frequent Stonechats and Tree Pipits had been significantly lively, like final time. A spotlight for me was the show of the latter, with its slow-motion dive on the finish of its show flight accompanied by its stunning tune.
Woodlarks had been fairly common as effectively, and we noticed two or three pairs of those engaging birds of their tune flight or feeding on the bottom. I lastly managed to acquire some acceptable photographs of this species, which I didn’t handle on my final go to. The favorite a part of this species for me (aside from its tune) is the neat white “V” on the again of the pinnacle when the fowl appears to be like away from you (solely barely seen on the picture under).
Strolling alongside a sandy monitor, we all of a sudden heard the unmistakeable name of a Wryneck, which we noticed quickly after in a bush at a ways. I knew that this species had been seen right here two weeks earlier, however didn’t count on to see it in any respect. This uncommon fowl is unquestionably one in every of my favorite species in Europe, so I used to be very completely satisfied to attach with it (and to listen to its name for the primary time).
A Pink-backed Shrike was perched on pine on the fringe of the heath. It should’ve simply returned from Subsaharan Africa just a few days earlier I assume. Whereas this fowl will not be unusual in Germany, I’ve solely seen this species as soon as within the area round Bonn (which I ought to in all probability blame partly on the infrequency of my birding outings). Apparently, this species’ German title “Neuntöter”, translating to “9 killer”, apparently comes from the idea that it impales 9 prey objects earlier than beginning to feed on any one in every of them. Whereas experiments have proven that some birds (like crows and parrots) can rely, this rule unsurprisingly didn’t maintain when subjected to testing. Not that reality issues right here, I nonetheless assume it’s a really cool title.
One of many final birds I noticed earlier than we returned residence was a singing male European Pied Flycatcher. Extremely, this was the primary time I noticed a male of this species in breeding plumage (plus the primary time I heard its tune, simply as for the Wryneck). I’ve seen numerous people, particularly on migration on Heligoland in autumn final 12 months, however by some means a superbly pied male evaded me till now. These sightings actually made me admire birding in spring, a really welcome change from the largely bleak birding in winter.
