Wednesday 24 October 2012

LONG-EARED OWL at Škocjanski zatok!

Škocjanski zatok NR: when I arrived this morning I was greeted by one of the wardens who showed me the above LONG-EARED OWL sitting calmly on a fence by the hedge, not far away from the hut. It was discovered earlier in the morning in semi-darkness, when one of the wardens arrived. I think it remained there for the rest of the morning (at about 11.00 am it was still there).
It is the first record for the reserve! Not a bad start of the day.
Later in the brackish marsh I found another very interesting bird for the reserve: a BAR-TAILED GODWIT resting with some Curlews. This should be the second record for the reserve if I don't go wrong.
Other birds today included: 1 late Wryneck in the hedges (also singing!), 2 Dunlins in the lagoon, 1 Snipe, 9 Curlews, 31 Wigeons, 41 Shovelers, 53 Teals, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 7 Pygmy Cormorants, 6 Water Rails (2 crossed the path, showing very well), 491 Coots (up!), 16 Greenshanks, 2 Kingfishers, 3 Jackdaws, 2 Skylarks (on the grazing marsh), 1 Coal Tit (probably the first I see at the reserve), 2 Goldcrests, 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Black Redstarts, 3 Song Thrushes, 5 Meadow Pipits, 11 Water Pipits (some showing well on the grazing marsh), Reed Bunting, Penduline Tit, 1 Brambling & flocks of Siskins going overhead, 1 Linnet and 1 Serin.