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 hear the mooing of cows, interrupted by gunshots, while two scared flocks of ducks fly above the delta.

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 hear the mooing of cows, interrupted by gunshots, while two scared flocks of ducks fly above the delta.

Greece 194

Greece Serbia Hunters Cows 194

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2023

I also travelled to Kerkini in Northern Greece in June and Kefalonia in south-east Greece in October, so my overall year list was a more satisfactory 272 species. Inland in the Alentejo I found Great Spotted Cuckoos and the first returning Short-toed Eagles. My overseas trips did boost the overall year list considerably.

Estonia 231

Estonia Portugal Greece Barn Owls 231

10,000 Birds

APRIL 5, 2024

The next couple of months will of course see a boost to my British list, as summer migrants flood into England, while forthcoming trips to Cyprus, Greece and northern Spain will also turbocharge the European list. A lone Whooper Swan on a grey January day in Norfolk As for the ducks – I’m now up to 15 species.

Spain 130

Spain Eagles North America Ducks 130

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2016

I dipped it once before and only this autumn found them in Greece. This species’ population is suspected to have decreased rapidly, owing to levels of hunting on the staging and wintering grounds, and habitat deterioration (largely as a result of land cultivation). Lesser White-fronted Goose by Ingar Oien. 40,000 birds.” (The

Serbia 202

Serbia Greece Montenegro Bulgaria 202