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| Hoopoe Upupa epops from the car |
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| Female Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio |
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| Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris |
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| Ringtail Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus |
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| Iris illyrica |
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| Onosma javorkae |
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| Trifolium rubens |
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| Stipa eriocaulis (grass) |
Spent the past two days strolling around on the Karst in search of migrants. The weather has been quite variable, with regular rain showers as well as sprouts of sun. Yesterday was "harrier day" at the airfield of Divača and nearby areas. At least 5 ringtails were around. I could only identify 3
MONTAGU'S HARRIER (including a transitional male) and a
Hen Harrier for sure. Two female Marsh Harriers were also on passage. Other highlights yesterday included a showy
Hoopoe, Wheatear (3), Stonechat (2), Whinchat (4), Cuckoo (2),
Common Whitethroat (4),
Tawny Pipit (3) and Corn Bunting.
Today I checked Campo Carri in the hope of finding a Woodchat Shrike (it's the perfect date), but the situation was not very lively with migrants. And the weather was quite unstable with rain showers coming and going. However I heard my first
Golden Oriole of the year, saw the first
Red-backed Shrike (female), a few Wheatears, 1 Whinchat, 3
Tawny Pipits and 1
Wood Warbler. Raptors included a distant male
Goshawk and a nice
SHORT-TOED EAGLE watched hovering over the hilly karstic countryside for most of my stay.
A final stop at the cliffs of Mt.Grisa produced a singing male
SUBALPINE WARBLER in the bushes by the road. Another nice year's first to round up the day.
