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. The only wildcat I found was illegally killed by hunters during closed season. All in the name of progress.

Serbia 246

Serbia Otters Boars Eagles 246

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

These birds have already left my native Serbia, further north, and this is not just the only one I have seen in Greece, but my last bee-eater of the season. I can hear the mooing of cows, interrupted by gunshots, while two scared flocks of ducks fly above the delta. On a wire by the road, one European Bee-eater awaits me.

Greece 162

Greece Serbia Hunters Cows 162

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 203

Serbia Greece Montenegro Bulgaria 203

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 245

Serbia Stray Dog Protection Botswana 245

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2013

These birds have already left my native Serbia, further north, and this is not just the only one I have seen in Greece, but my last bee-eater of the season. I can hear the mooing of cows, interrupted by gunshots, while two scared flocks of ducks fly above the delta. On a wire by the road, one European Bee-eater awaits me. Whinchat.

Greece 199

Greece Serbia Hunters Cows 199