article thumbnail

Northern Hawk Owl in Germany

10,000 Birds

That, at least, is the case for most birders in North America, unless they reside in Florida and have no clue as to what a winter is anyway. First, most of Europe’s owl species are breeding in Germany anyway and are better found at other times of the year. Well, very recent years.

Germany 103
article thumbnail

Red-necked Grebes in Germany

10,000 Birds

Europe has five regular grebe species, and all of them can be found as breeding birds in Germany. This is good news to visiting birders from North America since these two are the only species we don’t share with the New World. Additionally, they mostly leave Germany during our winter. But first some context.

Germany 100
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

How to see a Black Woodpecker in Germany

10,000 Birds

Black Woodpeckers are usually easy to find in Germany. At least one birder will now likely grab his war hammer and check flight availabilities from New York to Frankfurt as well as average prison sentences in Germany for first degree murder. Here in Germany, we have them. Yes, some birders may frown at this statement.

Germany 100
article thumbnail

Know Your Audience: A Ring-necked Duck in Germany

10,000 Birds

And – let’s face it – chances are you live in North America. Yes, the Tufted Duck is the ideal suject for this blog: it is reasonably common here in Germany and not hard to photograph, yet to you it is probably the subject of countless day dreams scanning through endless flocks of Lesser Scaup.

Germany 174
article thumbnail

First Outbreak of Usutu Virus in Germany

10,000 Birds

That is very cold for the south of Germany. This thrush is extremely common in urban and suburban Germany and one of the most conspicuous bird species here, comparable to the American Robin in North America. Last summer, birders suddenly started to notice that the Blackbirds were gone from their yards around Heidelberg.

Germany 161
article thumbnail

The squirrel next door

10,000 Birds

I still know my audience - this is primarily a blog read by birders in North America, who see the term “squirrel” as little more than a synonym for house sparrow, starling, pest and cholera. Germany, like most of Europe and very much unlike North America, is home to only one species of squirrel.

Squirrels 162
article thumbnail

Biting the bullet or jumping the shark? A potential Baikal Wagtail in Germany

10,000 Birds

I recently saw and photographed what appears to be a Baikal Wagtail ( Motacilla alba-or-not baicalensis ) in Germany. If I am correct, this would apparently constitute a first record for the Western Palearctic. So it may turn out to be a bit of a big deal. Or a bit of a PR disaster for my birding skillz if I am not correct.

Germany 100