Special birds: Three-toed Woodpecker alpinus race

The alpinus race of Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker is found in the centre and south of Europe, in several rather isolated populations in the Alps, the Bavarian Forest (Germany), the Sumava Mountains (Czech Rep), the Carpathians, the Rhodope Mountains (Bulgaria), the Balkan Range and the Dinaric Alps (Croatia) etc. Note in this shot that the white back patch is marked with black bars. This is a variable feature, but generally typical for alpinus. Photo of this male taken by Ralph Martin in Bavaria.

Destinations: Somova Oak Pasture - Romania

This open oak woodland lies in north-west Romania, just west of the village of Somova along road 22. Tulcea is just 30 minutes to the east via the same road. In season this is a good site for Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Wryneck, Booted Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Sombre Tit, Woodlark and Ortolan. Avoid on holidays when locals picnic here in numbers.

Autumn Sights: Common Cranes

Every autumn, from late September, through October to early November, 10s of 1000s of Common Cranes Grus grus gather in the Hortobagy National Park, Hungary. These graceful birds linger in eastern Hungary before heading on south as winter sets in. Numbers have steadily increased in recent years and peaked last week at about 140,000. It is a great event and experience of sights and sounds.

Birding Tours: Serbia - May 2010

From May 10-17, 2010, I will be guiding a birding tour in Serbia. This will be an original tour itinerary... few "western" birders ever visit Serbia, though it is a great, and safe, destination. We will visit the Fruska Gora NP and Maljen Mountains, looking for a range of upland and lowland species including Rock Partridge, Booted Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Hazel Grouse, Nutcracker, Sombre Tit, Black-headed Bunting etc. In the photo here is Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator another bird we should see on this tour. For more details, get in touch.

Autumn Sights: Greater White-fronted Geese

Throughout Eastern Europe, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, autumn is upon us and the wildfowl are starting to arrive in flocks. Here is a flock of Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons taken in the Czech Republic by Mike Crutch.

Birding Tours: Hungary & Slovakia - May 2010

From 19-28 May 2010 the UK-based company Oenanthe are running a tour to Hungary & Slovakia. The tour takes in the very best of the uplands and lowlands of these two great birding countries. Key species on the trip are: Saker, Eastern Imperial and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Red-footed Falcon, Pygmy Cormorant, Hazel Grouse, Black Stork, Ural, Eagle, Pygmy and Tengmalm's Owls, Red-breasted and Collared Flycatchers, Aquatic, River and Barred Warbler and all 10 European woodpecker species are likely. Here's the link to the trip details: http://www.oenanthe.co.uk/tours/hungary_slovakia_2010/hungary_slovakia_2010.html

Destinations: The High Tatras, Slovakia

The High Tatras (Vysoke Tatry) are Slovakia's highest mountain range. They lie in the north on the border with Poland. The city of Poprad just to the south is the gateway. Most of the area is a National Park. These are serious, rugged mountains with several peaks over 2000 m. The highest peaks can be accessed in season by chair-lift or gondola. Much of the lower elevations were blanketed in conifer and mixed forests until a "hurricane" felled large areas a few years ago. At high levels there are tarns, scree, cliffs and impressive rock formations. The high-altitude zone has Ring Ouzel, Rock Pipit, Alpine Accentor and Wallcreeper. Coniferous forests have Hazel Grouse, Capercaillie, Pygmy and Tengmalm's Owls, Three-toed Woodpecker, Common Crossbill, Siskin and Nutcracker. Truth is, this a tough area to bird, and weather can be very changable, so the High Tatras are only suitable for those with plenty of time, energy and patience.