10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2019

In mid-December, I was birding along the Beljarica levee (Beh-LYAH-ritza), my local patch north of Belgrade, when something other than birds attracted my attention: three wild boars , appearing all black because they had just swam through the swamp to reach the bottom of the levee. I think all were males, at last two huge ones certainly were.

Serbia 246

Serbia Otters Boars Eagles 246

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 4, 2016

A shot or two coming from the opposite bank, but they do not sound like geese shooting – more like boar hunting. A goose hunt sounds like a WWII battle. We counted more than 35 of them, relaxed and fearless, clearly not hunted. Easy – it is forbidden to hunt at night. And nope, no LBBGs.

Geese 188

Geese Hunting Boars Birds 188

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2014

There is a breeding pair of White-tailed Eagles at the Veliko Ratno Island and they can be seen year-round, but the best chances are in winter, when they hunt ducks around the island. Pygmy Cormorants are regular, occasionally a White-tailed Eagle and during cold spells, Goosanders. Pancevo Road turn off. eBird list.

Serbia 251

Serbia Birds Ducks Eagles 251

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 22, 2015

At the far end of the lake stands a tall, dry tree with an eagle that we are struggling to determine and it remains a dark silhouette far too far. Somewhere below that mysterious eagle, at the far shore of the lake, lies one Bengal Tiger … and further to the right – two more! He has earned his tip. The other two are motionless.

Tigers 257

Tigers India Killing 2012 257

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 27, 2016

It’s the boar hunting season. The soil is disturbed by foraging boars (and there is not a single shot from those hunters). By the cliffs we find several Eurasian Crag-Martins and a consolation species – a family of Golden Eagles in the air! The Greater Spotted Eagle is a threatened species. Enough of the mountains.

Greece 258

Greece Woodpeckers Boars Eagles 258