10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2019

When I reached the levee earlier that morning, I met an elderly hunter from whom I learned that there was an ongoing duck and pheasant hunt, but no one was shooting from, nor towards the embankment, hence I should be safe there. These handsome finches breed in the far north of Europe and come here for the winter only.

Serbia 242

Serbia Otters Boars Eagles 242

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 15, 2018

I am preparing for the new census of one of the rarest birds of Serbia, the globally threatened Great Bustard , taking place two days from now. Habitat destruction combined with hunting has pushed them away from their former breeding grounds. Bustards are being counted in February because their breeding season starts in March.

Serbia 103

Serbia Romania Hungary Hunting 103

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2018

As you know, I started to bird from a canoe, exploring the Danube backwaters in Belgrade, Serbia. And that was the time when all 400 km2 were still open to annual rhythms of flooding and represented a famous waterbird hunting ground. Nevertheless, Nagy was right. Among the common species, Nagy mentions the Corn Crake.

Beavers 116

Beavers Serbia Eagles Hungary 116

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 3, 2013

In short, the accepted view used to be that a small breeding population of Egyptian Vultures inhabited Southern Africa, but has vanished facing the spread of towns, roads and farms. During my lifetime, this species was rare in my native Serbia, too. Reasons for this situation are numerous.

Sudan 218

Sudan Macedonia Botswana Serbia 218

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2016

For example, I simply cannot comprehend how such seemingly common species such as the Common Pochard (yes, for the third time, the common), still allowed for shooting in Serbia and many other countries, found its way into the Red List of Threatened Species. Disturbance on breeding grounds (e.g. Lesser White-fronted Goose by Ingar Oien.

Serbia 198

Serbia Greece Montenegro Bulgaria 198

10,000 Birds

MAY 6, 2021

The White-tailed Eagle is one of the easiest birds to observe in Belgrade, Serbia (almost guaranteed). One pair even breeds on the island at the very confluence of the Sava and the Danube rivers, less than a mile from the central city square. There are about ten pairs around the city.

Eagles 261

Eagles Bald Eagle Eggs Serbia 261