10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2019

The noble Blue Tit once ranged from Iran through Turkey and Europe to the Canary Islands (the Spanish Islands off North Africa – the other bird was named for the islands incidentally) and North Africa. But a split has annoyed me. A nice, compact, descriptive and above all long standing and widely known name has been… complicated.

Iran 134

Iran Barn Owls New Zealand Europe 134

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Do try and get it right) is found from the Canary Islands to India; in the Middle East it is found in oases and dry barely vegetated wadis like the one I saw them in, in the drier areas of Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, UAE and Iran. Sparrows are from the family Passeridae.

United Arab Emirates 161

United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Oman Yemen 161

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2018

I am scoping Great Cormorants roosting in their colony in the (now dry) flooded forest, there is one… eagle to the right of them. I am right, Kostas confirms, it is a Greater Spotted Eagle. Lesser White-fronted Geese at Kerkini, photo by Kostas Papadopoulos. One done, three more to go. Kerkini Factfile.

Greece 187

Greece 2017 Pelicans Geese 187

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 5, 2012

The Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator can be found all around the Mediterranean, including many parts of North Africa, and its range extends East into Iran. Then suddenly – finally … Ahead, top of bush, centre right: Shriiiiiiiiiiiike !!!! For more than an hour. Come on, run – closer – it’s gonna fly!!

Cattle 120

Cattle Germany Iran Breeders 120