10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

And here I am now, avoiding the two barking dogs trying to bite my tires while I am driving through pre-dawn darkness towards the delta of the river Styx, or Acheron , as it is known today at the Ionian Sea coast of Greece. I can still hear the gunshots and hope that the hunters really do shoot only the flying birds.

Greece 162

Greece Serbia Hunters Cows 162

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2013

And here I am now, avoiding the two barking dogs trying to bite my tires while I am driving through pre-dawn darkness towards the delta of the river Styx, or Acheron, as it is known today at the Ionian Sea coast of Greece. I can still hear the gunshots and hope that the hunters really do shoot only the flying birds. Circaetus gallicus.

Greece 184

Greece Serbia Hunters Cows 184

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 27, 2016

While crossing Gramos Mountain in northern Greece, a Dendrocopos woodpecker flew over the road and landed in a pine tree. At first, the road is paved, but as soon as the tarmac ends, the tracks become decorated by hunters in orange vests. It’s the boar hunting season. I dipped a bird recently – possibly a lifer.

Greece 248

Greece Woodpeckers Boars Eagles 248

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 15, 2023

So though I visited Lynford, I didn’t see a Hawfinch on this occasion as I wasn’t there at the right time, though I did meet a number of hopeful Hawfinch hunters (HHHs), none of whom reported a sighting. However, the best bird of the day I came across when just a couple of miles from home.

Barn Owls 202

Barn Owls Japan Rats Owls 202