A quiet afternoon

This afternoon at Isola della Cona and at the river Isonzo estuary, nothing much interesting; only: Purple Heron (1), Spoonbill (2 - one ringed), Glossy Ibis (4), Oystercatcher (2 on the estuary and 1 on the nearer mudflats), Black-winged Stilt, LRP, Little Gull (4 in the inner reservoir), Common Tern, Black Tern (2 in the inner marsh and 1 on the rivermouth), Cuckoo (showing well on a perch), Marsh Warbler (1 singing, showing well), Great Reed Warbler, Melodious Warbler (1 singing). Plus an odd duck (escape) identified as a Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis).
Purple Heron:

A ringed Spoonbill:

Cuckoo:

The odd escape (Black-bellied Whistling Duck):

Here comes the sun!

Local patch: at midday I was surprised to hear some Jackdaws calling (probably flying over...quite distant); in fact this is one of the few records for the species here. Also the usual Serin in singing-territorial flight (see pics).

Whip it!

Local patch: nothing "birdy" today to report, but instead a Western Whip Snake was creeping up on a wall in the garden. It disappeared quite quickly... however it was an adult, due to the black colouring on the back.

Also interesting record: this morning, in the busiest streets of the city of Trieste, I noticed a Banded Demoiselle flying low over the taxies and parked cars, among people. Never seen a damselfy in urban habitat before!

Bits of migration

Short birding afternoon on the grassland area near Divača/Dolnje Ležeče (Slovenia), produced: Woodlark + Skylark, Alpine Swift, Common Whitethroat, Red-backed Shrike (1m, 2f), Linnet, Melodious Warbler (several singing - see the pic), Stonechat (2 pairs), Bee-eater (flocks passing overhead and calling), RED-FOOTED FALCON (at least 5 together; both males and females), Cirl Bunting (1).

Peregrine - again

Local patch: this afternoon an adult female Peregrine was soaring above the eastern part of the patch; giving some better views than the last one. It disappeared eastwards, plunging down over the wood. Today also one Raven (above the pine wood), a Tree Sparrow and a Serin singing.

At about 3.20 am while driving on the Italian Karst, a Red Fox crossed the road near Salež and an Eastern Hedgehog between Barcola and Kontovel (TS).

Year's first Melodious Warbler

An afternoon visit to the grassland near Bani/Banne (TS), produced: Honey Buzzard (1), Kestrel, Cuckoo, Scops Owl (1 calling by day!), Woodlark, Tawny Pipit (3), Black Redstart (singing-breeding pair), Melodious Warbler (1 singing in a low bush, seen briefly; always remaining concealed), Red-backed Shrike (1m and 3 f), Hawfinch, Rock Bunting (3).
RB Shrike:

Tawny Pipit:

Hobbies vs dragonflies

The "industral" wetland at Lisert-Monfalcone (GO) produced: Marsh Harrier (1 f), Reed Warbler, HOBBY (about 7-8 birds, hunting above the marsh and perching on wires), Great Reed Warbler, Purple Heron (1), Black Tern (at least 5), Little Tern (several), Common Tern (1), Greenshank (1), Black-winged Stilt, Sand Martin (some perching on reeds), Redshank (1), Yellow Wagtail, Shelduck (pair with ducklings), Curlew.
Hobby:






Purple Heron:

Reed Warbler

Local patch: this afternoon at 17.50 pm a Reed Warbler was singing in some thick bushes or trees. This is the second record ever of the species in the area; the first being last year in the same period. Yesterday on the sea a flock of 13 Great Crested Grebes was present (quite unusual for this season). The House Martins are increasing in numbers, while the Common Swifts are always present in large numbers. Alpine Swifts are already a regular sight above the woodland.

Sunday birding with Slender-billed Gull

An interesting day spent birding in the coastal areas. Here are listed the places with the highlights.

Falesie di Duino Nature Reserve - "Rilke path" (TS): Common Eider (16 at sea), Alpine Swift, Peregrine (1 m).

Lisert (GO) - inner and outer "reservoir": Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat (4), Turtle Dove (1), Hobby (at least 7), *SLENDER-BILLED GULL* (1 among Bh Gulls in the outer reservoir), Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, LITTLE TERN (about 5-10), Common Tern, Black Tern (1), Squacco Heron (1 flying), Red-backed Shrike (1 f), Great Reed Warbler plus the usual marshland species. Also a Black-tailed Skimmer.
Hobby:

Black-tailed Skimmer:

Isola della Cona nature reserve (GO): Glossy Ibis (19 in two separate flocks!), Spoonbill (1), OYSTERCATCHER (3 on the Quarantia canal - at close distance-see pics), Black-winged Stilt, Curlew Sandpiper (4), Little Stint (6-7), Wood Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit (1), Little Gull (9 together, mostly 1st winters), WHISKERED TERN (2), Cuckoo (m and f in courtship display), Bee-eater (in small flocks), Great Reed Warbler and a stunning female Little Bittern (showing well). Also a few Broad-bodied Chasers around.
Oystercatcher:




Little Bittern:


Whiskered Tern & Little Gull:


Little Gulls and Whiskered Tern:

Glossy Ibises:

Mediterranean delights

Yesterday afternoon on monte Grisa/Napoleonica - Kontovel (TS): Honey Buzzard (1 m and 1 f), Alpine Swift, Wood Warbler (1 heard singing almost constantly), Blue Rock Thrush (1 male sitting on a rock), Sardinian Warbler (1 singing). Also two stunning Dalmatian Agyroides among the rocks (see pic below) and my first ever Great Grey Slug (!) on the path.
Honey Buzzard:


Blue Rock Thrush:

Alpine Swift:




Dalmatian Algyroides:



Great Grey Slug:

Woodchat Shrike returns!

This afternoon at Campo Carri - Banne (TS) an unexpected WOODCHAT SHRIKE was present. This was surely another bird from the last week's one (see older post-29th April) as it was a nice male. Showing quite well, changing perches regularly and catching large insects (see the pictures below).
In the area also: Hobby (1 flying west), Hoopoe (1 seen well), Woodlark, Tawny Pipit, Northern Wheatear (2 m and 1 f), Common Whitethroat (1 on migration), Wood Warbler (1 heard), Linnet, Serin, Cirl and Rock Bunting.
Woodchat Shrike:





Hoopoe:


Serin: