10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2018

Birdwise, it turned out to be a good one and my year list was almost 400 species long, which made me happy… almost. This will be the first time I find myself in Greece in winter. Both: “The Lesser White-fronted Goose in Greece” by Demertzi et al., At home, I may find a new bird, perhaps two, but four? The solution?

Greece 185

Greece 2017 Pelicans Geese 185

10,000 Birds

MAY 31, 2024

There haven’t been any reports of Turtle Doves locally this year, which isn’t really surprising as this species has declined by a staggering 97% in the last 20 years, and it’s eventual loss as a breeding species in the UK is a distinct possibility. This year didn’t disappoint: the weather was good, the birds as brilliant as ever.

Greece 224

Greece Turtles Breeding Europe 224

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

I first visited Kerkini and this bird-rich region of northern Greece 15 years ago, and have been returning regularly ever since. Last year, in November, I notched up a dozen species of butterflies, an impressive total anywhere in Europe so late in the year. They soon lose the colour as the spring progresses).

Greece 218

Greece Pelicans Geese Buffalo 218

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 15, 2015

“The estuary and the delta of the River Kalamas form the most important wetland of northwest Greece”, so the “ Birding in Greece ” guidebook claims for the area where I am heading, a bit late since I overslept this morning. Yet, beside a few Little and one Great Egret , a raft of Eurasian Coots , no birds. Recommendation.

Greece 235

Greece Dogs Pelicans Fish 235

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2017

In early August this year, I saw 77 species here (69 on the lake, plus 8 more in the surrounding areas) but barely more than a thousand individuals. Several Glossy Ibises , two dozen Gull-billed Terns and Collared Pratincoles , a few Dalmatian Pelicans , Black Terns , Dunlins …. This year, we had about 65 dead pelicans.

Greece 193

Greece Killing Pelicans Eagles 193

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

Have you read my blogs on birding Greece ? Presuming that you live somewhere in Europe and plan a car trip to Greece, let me suggest a couple of routes that will increase your tour list. For the Ionian Sea, take the motorway exit for the town of Prilep, continue through Bitola and head for the Medzitlija – Niki crossing to Greece.

Greece 178

Greece Albania Macedonia Europe 178

10,000 Birds

APRIL 18, 2024

I would be fascinating to know how many species of birds it was pointed at during its time with me, but it must have been well over 1,000. I was placed one year with a photograph of little egrets, taken at Kerkini in Greece, while the following year I won the class with a shot of Wryneck, photographed in an orchard in Poland ( above ).

Estonia 206

Estonia Poland India Pelicans 206

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2014

We are in the village of Finikas on the island of Syros in the Cyclades archipelago of Greece. Nick finds a bird-shaped protrusion at the top of the rock – Black-eared Wheatear , not exactly a species I expect to observe from a boat deck. The Sun already sets and I haven’t seen a new species in a while. Practicalities.

Greece 239

Greece Malta Croatia Birds 239

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2018

I had just a split-second glimpse of this species – my only second ever – yet immediately knew what is it, but I was driving through a snowbound countryside and had another car behind me, therefore I stopped a good 50 metres later to eBird it. Dalmatian Pelican – Pelecanus crispus. Fortunately, B. Am I satisfied?

Owls 106

Owls Greece Serbia Woodpeckers 106

10,000 Birds

APRIL 30, 2015

This time I was lucky enough to join a fam trip organised by Natural Greece, an ecotourism company from Athens, and spend a few days at my favourite Kerkini Lake, which you already birded through my bins ( April and September ). Should I add, this is my best sighting of this uncommon species – ever!

Greece 249

Greece Woodpeckers Eagles Birds 249

10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2019

I was driving along the legendary eastern levee of the Kerkini Lake in northern Greece ( Google Map ) and, listening to the first Golden Oriole flute, was slowly getting closer to a wooded Mt. Common Nightingales were singing, a squadron of Dalmatian Pelicans was in the air and everything was exactly where it should be, including myself.

Greece 198

Greece Pelicans Buffalo Fish 198

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 27, 2016

While crossing Gramos Mountain in northern Greece, a Dendrocopos woodpecker flew over the road and landed in a pine tree. By the cliffs we find several Eurasian Crag-Martins and a consolation species – a family of Golden Eagles in the air! Among them are Dalmatian Pelicans , so big and lazy. Enough of the mountains. What to say?

Greece 255

Greece Woodpeckers Boars Eagles 255

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2023

My British total was a mere 172 species – not bad, but not very good. Every one of my 171 species was a bird that I found myself. It keeps a monthly record of sightings, so I can tell you that it was in February that I recorded my highest monthly species total (106), while my lowest total was in August (39).

Estonia 232

Estonia Portugal Greece Barn Owls 232

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2016

Here go those moments of curiosity, in no particular order: Europe: And so, I was driving from Greece to Serbia… in central FYRO Macedonia, two birds were circling not far from the motorway… black and white… perhaps White Storks on migration? I already have a history of searches for this species. The Sun is just rising.

Wildlife 183

Wildlife Tigers Asia Europe 183

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2016

Out of just under 200 bird species I observed this year in SE Europe, there are 6 threatened species. point to just one problem source, one over-abundant and highly invasive species – Homo sapiens. point to just one problem source, one over-abundant and highly invasive species – Homo sapiens.

Serbia 202

Serbia Montenegro Greece Bulgaria 202

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2019

beats have still managed to share 82 checklists and accounted for 737 species. 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. Spot-billed Pelican – Pelecanus philippensis.

2019 121

2019 Jamaica Eggs Woodpeckers 121

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 2, 2019

172 lists were shared and 1004 species were seen, both records for October, so well done beats! Round Pond, Greece. Brown Pelican – Pelecanus occidentalis. 14 countries were birded this month by 13 beats; a record participative effort! has reached 54. Black-and-yellow Tanager – Chrysothlypis chrysomelas. 13 Oct 2019.

2019 118

2019 China Battery Jamaica 118

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

9 beats, birded 9 countries this month; Belize , Guatamala , Costa Rica, UK, Iran, USA, Greece, Australia and Mexico. They submitted 144 checklists, noting 628 species adding 72 to the year’s running total bringing it to 1890. American White Pelican – Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. Rosy Pelican. Rosy Pelican.

2017 100

2017 Australia Sanctuary Woodpeckers 100