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| Red-footed fest on the Karst. |
In the past week Slovenia has witnessed an invasion of
RED-FOOTED FALCONS Falco vespertinus.
Large flocks from 100 up to 400 individuals were reported at single
localities around the country. The usual, well-known stop-over sites for
the species like Ljubljansko barje (Ljubljana marsh) and Cerkniško
jezero were of course the main areas of aggregation. In the Friuli
lowlands of nearby Italy good numbers of birds were reported, but in
smaller flocks than in Slovenia.
Yesterday I got my dose of
Red-footed Falcons, paying a visit to a know stop-over site on the
Slovenian Karst. Here every May I regularly see small flocks of 5-10
birds. But this year is exceptional: I counted at least 80 birds in
different flocks, but at times it was difficult to count them. My
estimate is of at least 100 birds. Both sexes were represented, although
females seemed more numerous. I don't remember seeing Red-footed
Falcons so well and close (not even in the colonies in Hungary!). A
large part of the flock was frequently perched on some low trees,
allowing great views from the car, down to 15 metres (above).
Meanwhile some
Barred Warblers Sylvia nisoria were holding territories in the nearby bushes. I counted 3-4 of them and managed to see a male. Lots of other commoner birds around, including: Hoopoe
Upupa epops, Quail
Coturnix coturnix, Common Whitethroat
Sylvia communis, Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus, Grey-headed Woodpecker
Picus canus, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos minor, Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrix, Golden Oriole
Oriolus oriolus and tons of Red-backed Shrikes
Lanius collurio and Corn Buntings
Miliaria calandra. In the past days I've also seen the first returning Honey Buzzards
Pernis apivorus on the Karst.
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| Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix |
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| Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus male |
