Monday 1 June 2015

Magic Nanos

Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis - male singing on the rocks by the main path to the mountain's top. When you hear the melodic song of this bird, you know you are not far from the summit!
Rock Thrush habitat; looking down to the valley with the car park (starting point) visible in the top right corner.
The same rocky slopes from below, near Razdrto.
Erysimum sylvestre
Daphne alpina
Iris illyrica now in full bloom across the dry grassy slopes.
Iris graminea a bit less prominent and partly hidden in the grass.
Anthyllis jacquinii
Linum narbonense
Orchis mascula
Campanula glomerata
The beech forest on the top of Nanos is perhaps the most scenic place at this time of year on this mountain. The floor is covered by an endless carpet of wild garlic Allium ursinum, giving a special touch of colour and a nice scent to the forest.
Veratrum album
Stellaria holostea
Genista sericea
Geranium sanguineum
Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus (male) in a local village.
Yesterday was my birthday. I decided to make myself a present in the form of a ROCK THRUSH Monticola saxatilis, so I walked onto mount Nanos (1262 m). The above bird was singing more or less in the same rocky area where last year there were two (see here and here). Accompanying cast included the songs of Rock Buntings Emberiza cia and Tree Pipits Anthus trivialis and lots of wildflowers adorning the steep grassy slopes. All in all a very pleasant day.