10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2014

Consequently, my first local patch becomes a largish Danube River floodzone opposite to Belgrade (Serbia) city centre (cover photo: April 1992). To avoid the predator, the duck – dived, and that was the only time ever to observe this species doing so. All dabbling ducks can dive, but rarely do.

Serbia 236

Serbia Stray Dog Protection Botswana 236

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2014

While there are some two dozen birding spots in Belgrade, Serbia, that stand out, in this guideblog I will focus on the river Danube and its floodplain, inside the Important Bird Area “Confluence of the Sava and the Danube Rivers”. In late February and March, the only duck species that does not overwinter here is heading back – the Garganey.

Serbia 226

Serbia Birds Ducks Eagles 226

10,000 Birds

JUNE 12, 2014

These days I am busy with something called the “avitourism product“ of Belgrade, Serbia. By the end of a day, the best bird was the White-tailed Eagle that caught and ate a fish right in front of us – a species they have seen in the UK only once. Pygmy Cormorant – winter (it breeds in Serbia, but overwinters in Belgrade).

Serbia 171

Serbia Eagles Birds Sparrows 171

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2022

In the end, I opted for the Tamis River floodplain, north of Belgrade, and its fish farms, some non-operational, some selling daily angling licenses. Driving with open windows (to hear the birds) becomes unbearable and I am heading out of this fish farm. Soon I see a huge bird again. The same eagle? No, this time it’s a Black Stork !

Breeders 199

Breeders Mules Farming Fish 199

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 20, 2018

Usually only several birds overwinter in Serbia – the biggest count ever was less than 10. In the shallows of the submerged Moldova island, among Common Coots , Common Goldeneyes , Tufted Ducks and Common Pochards (oh, don’t you just hate calling birds “common”), a few Smews and two dozen Goosanders (a.k.a. Their claim to fame?

Moldova 118

Moldova Birds Serbia Greece 118

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 10, 2022

Yet, there was a dark spook in the tree-crowns, a largish raptor, and I wasn’t ready!

Otters 253

Otters Croatia Eagles Protection 253

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2017

While Serbia claims to strive towards the EU membership, it is back to the Chinese credit and Chinese environmental standards. The Convention on Migratory Species (the Bonn Convention) lists two of these species – the Ferruginous Duck and the White-tailed Eagle – in Annex I, with a further 64 species in the Annex II.

Eagles 159

Eagles Campaign Otters Serbia 159

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2014

Even among the protected areas of Serbia, the Iron Gates National Park (in Serbian: Djerdap) stands out as better preserved. Serbia, the Bradt Travel Guide by Laurence Mitchell, 4th edition, 2013 (offers extensive coverage of birding sites by yours truly). Trips birdfinder Europe Serbia' Milovanovic and M.

Serbia 182

Serbia Turtles Birds Eagles 182

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

The catch is, the station often pumps some small fish into the pool, hence the jolly bird party. The Dalmatian Pelicans line the lake shore, especially by the small beach opposite Limnochori village, where local fisherman tie their flat-bottomed boats and, after fishing – feed the birds with small fish, not worth taking to the market.

Greece 181

Greece Pelicans Serbia Eagles 181

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

7 beats contributed their sightings from 7 countries (Hong Kong, UK, China, USA, Serbia, Australia and, of course, Costa Rica). Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). Eastern Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha). American Black Duck (Anas rubripes). Mallard x American Black Duck (hybrid) (Anas platyrhynchos x rubripes).

2020 151

2020 Sparrows Niger Woodpeckers 151

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2022

8 of them sent 153 lists, noting 645 species of bird across 7 countries (Mexico, UK, USA, Serbia, Australia, Costa Rica, Colombia). It has not resulted in extraordinary numbers of sightings personally, but the beats have been busy on their respective patches and have sent me their lists to collate. The year list finishes at 1628.

Sparrows 222

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Owls 222

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 4, 2021

Thank goodness that the rest of the beats have been busily birding,that’s what they like to do… 9 of them submitted 114 checklists via eBird and amassed 525 species from 7 (China, Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, UK, Serbia and USA) countries during November. 3 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis.

Sparrows 194

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Costa Rica 194

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2018

This October, a previously unknown name shined in the eBird alerts in Serbia: Raphael Nussbaumer. Here is how he prepared for his tour of Serbia: Guest-author : Raphael Nussbaumer. This was the feeling I had last October, when we travelled to Serbia with my wife for a week. There was none in Serbia.

Serbia 132

Serbia Switzerland Farming Birds 132

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2021

9 beats submitted 140 checklists from 7 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, Serbia, Australia, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago) during October to account for 585 species. 2 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis. 3 Fulvous Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna bicolor. 11 Wood Duck – Aix sponsa.

Woodpeckers 225

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 225

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2021

9 beats from 8 countries (Australia, USA, UK, Serbia, Costa Rica, China, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico), shared 138 checklists for 703 species. 2 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis. 10 Wood Duck – Aix sponsa. 11 Mandarin Duck – Aix galericulata. 31 Tufted Duck – Aythya fuligula.

Woodpeckers 176

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Parrots 176

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2021

December’s beats found 609 birds after submitting 116 checklists from 8 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, China, Mexico, Serbia and Australia). Lock downs and restrictions have curbed our birding, so if you can summon any blessings to mind, count them instead. If you wish to see a full list for 2020, you can find it here. .

2020 212

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 212

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2018

“I would certainly recommend Serbia to visiting birders. Nonetheless, I visited some excellent habitats, especially the flooded wetlands, and saw some good birds,” wrote the UK Birdwatch Magazine journalist Mike Unwin of his bird tour of northern Serbia 15 years ago. 2 Baranda fish farm. What has changed in the meantime?

Serbia 150

Serbia Birds Bulgaria Farming 150

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Wetland Halfway between bustling Belgrade and sleepy Zrenjanin, River Tamis floodzone contains abundant oxbow lakes (turned into fish farms) and salt marshes filled with birds. Fish farms in Baranda and neighbouring Sakule villages, about 40 km / half an hour north of Belgrade, offer likely the best wetland birding near the city.

Serbia 256

Serbia Woodpeckers Owls Eagles 256

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 5, 2020

However, 10 beats from 7 countries were able to submit some 127 checklists containing 597 birds from 7 countries (USA, UK, Serbia, China, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica). 178 Tufted Duck – Aythya fuligula. 183 Eastern Spot-billed Duck – Anas zonorhyncha. 308 Long-tailed Duck – Clangula hyemalis.

2020 169

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds 169

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2021

Checklists came in from 7 countries (USA, UK, Serbia, China, Mexico, Costa Rica and Australia) and brought the year list for 2021 so far to 1143. Checklists came in from 7 countries (USA, UK, Serbia, China, Mexico, Costa Rica and Australia) and brought the year list for 2021 so far to 1143.

Sparrows 155

Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds Ducks 155

10,000 Birds

JULY 29, 2021

The very best wetland birding around Belgrade, Serbia, is not to be found in the locally famous and tourist-promoted Obedska or Carska Bara Ramsar areas, but at Beljarica Backwaters and the fish farm triangle of Centa, Baranda and Sakule villages, in the Tamis River floodplain. mi ahead of Beljarica, bus No.

Farming 264

Farming Birds Fish Boars 264

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 4, 2020

December’s numbers looked like this; 10 beats visited 11 countries (Bahrain, New Zealand, USA, UK, Costa Rica, China, Mexico, Australia Nigeria, Uganda and Serbia) during December. White-faced Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna viduata. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis. 21 Dec 2019. 04 Dec 2019.

2019 161

2019 Chile Texas Sanctuary 161

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2019

Our two newest contributors have shared from Mexico and China, bringing the countries birded this month (also including; Costa Rica, Greece, Serbia, USA, UK, India, UAE and New Zealand) to 10. Fish Crow – Corvus ossifragus. Long-tailed Duck – Clangula hyemalis. Wood Duck – Aix sponsa. 01 Jun 2019.

2019 118

2019 Jamaica Eggs Woodpeckers 118

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. There are many reasons for their decrease and yet, all of them (but one?)

Serbia 198

Serbia Greece Montenegro Bulgaria 198

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2014

We are going to the Sakule fish farm in the namesake village north of Belgrade – the very best wetland birdscape in the area. … Back to the Sakule fish farm – the area is about to become a new nature reserve soon. Birding Europe Serbia wetlands' Common Cranes. … Being a birder – what does it mean to me?

Farming 229

Farming Serbia Europe India 229

10,000 Birds

JUNE 8, 2017

Instead of writing at home, I discovered a new “study”, a discreet fish restaurant hidden in the branch of the Danube. Shallows provide an ideal spawning ground for almost 50 fish species and submerged islands breeding ground for more than 100 bird species. Ferruginous Duck – Aythya nyroca. Jobling / Wikimedia Commons.

Romania 116

Romania Serbia Turtles Blackbirds 116

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 2, 2019

Visited this month were; Germany , France , Austria, South Africa, Hong Kong, USA, UK, Serbia, Costa Rica, Australia, China, Indonesia , Switzerland and Singapore). Fish Crow – Corvus ossifragus. African Black Duck – Anas sparsa. African Fish-Eagle – Haliaeetus vocifer. has reached 54. 22 Oct 2019.

2019 112

2019 China Battery Jamaica 112

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2020

8 beats contributed 70 checklists from 7 countries (UK, USA, Costa Rica, China, Serbia, Australia and Singapore). 1 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis. 8 Wood Duck – Aix sponsa. 14 American Black Duck – Anas rubripes. 17 Tufted Duck – Aythya fuligula. UK El Campeón!

2020 156

2020 Costa Rica Blackbirds Sparrows 156

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 3, 2020

11 beats collaborated to enter 163 checklists from 8 countries (UK, USA, Costa Rica, Australia, Serbia, China, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago). 2 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis. 3 Fulvous Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna bicolor. 9 Muscovy Duck – Cairina moschata.

2020 280

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds 280

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2021

9 beats submitted 172 checklists from 7 countries (UK, USA, Costa Rica, Australia, Serbia, China and Trinidad and Tobago) for 640 species. The list for the year has reached 1276 and the life list has been stretched to 4066 with red ticks from China, Australia and Trinidad and Tobago, thanks to Kai, Claire and Grant and Faraaz respectively.

Woodpeckers 152

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 152

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 7, 2020

7 countries (Costa Rica, China, USA, UK, Mexico, New Zealand and Serbia) were birded by 11 beats during October. 128 Fish Crow – Corvus ossifragus. 158 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis. 159 Muscovy Duck – Cairina moschata. 233 Falcated Duck – Mareca falcata.

2020 128

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 128

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 7, 2019

They ranged across 10 countries (Costa Rica, USA, UK, India, Australia, China, Brazil, Mexico, Serbia and Uganda). Blue-billed Duck – Oxyura australis. Musk Duck – Biziura lobata. African Fish-Eagle – Haliaeetus vocifer. Falcated Duck – Mareca falcata. Tufted Duck – Aythya fuligula.

2019 137

2019 Farming Sparrows Charlotte 137

10,000 Birds

APRIL 27, 2017

The lake is a private property, run by the Mika Alas fish farm company and visitors must ask for permission in advance ( management contacts ). km / 1 mi to the fish farm entrance. It is a large, shallow lake surrounded by reedbeds, offering a circular walk of 6 km / 3.5 eBird checklist. Habitats are similar to Beljarica.

Birds 200

Birds 2017 Eagles Otters 200

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 6, 2021

The beats are famed for their inclusion on the nice side of the ledger and this month 9 of them shared 163 lists from 7 countries (Australia, Costa Rica, USA, UK, Serbia, China and Trinidad and Tobago) and accounted for 735 bird species. This is where they come in January while there is still nothing to do on the naughty and nice list.

Sparrows 179

Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks Parrots 179

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2019

A gathering of the beats at the “Hot Duck” barbeque. The engaged and generous beats ( 10 of them) have shared 188 checklists during January and have accounted for 859 species from 8 countries (USA, Australia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, UK, New Zealand and Serbia. Plumed Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna eytoni.

2019 113

2019 Australia Jamaica Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

MAY 4, 2019

April was a busy time for the beats with 10 of them contributing 164 lists to accumulate 744 species from 7 countries; Costa Rica, USA, Australia, Serbia, UK, Brazil and Barbados. Plumed Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna eytoni. Pacific Black Duck – Anas superciliosa. Pink-eared Duck – Malacorhynchus membranaceus.

2019 113

2019 Australia Ghana Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

APRIL 6, 2019

9 countries were visited during March by your tireless beats ( 11 of them); India, UK, USA, Serbia, Costa Rica, Japan, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia. Plumed Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna eytoni. White-faced Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna viduata. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis.

2019 113

2019 Ghana Australia Woodpeckers 113