10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2021

Not just mine, but all the most active birders of Belgrade, Serbia, were visiting this site at least 2-3 times a month: it is so conveniently close to the city, and even reachable by the city bus 108. Personally I wasn’t happy, but I do not live there and do not have a septic tank in my backyard, so I felt that I had no right to complain.

Otters 261

Otters Protest Protesting Protesters 261

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

They are about the same length (NL 6.2in / 158mm; EL 6.3in / 160mm) and weight (NL 30oz / 850g; EL 29.6oz / 840g), and obviously, the same lens diameter, hence, they should feel the same, right? And when you raise your fingers, well balanced NLs happily rest against your thumbs, not falling to either side. Nothing can be more wrong.

Chile 304

Chile Argentina Raised Serbia 304

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 20, 2015

And it raises a question: if all the birds are having a party over there, am I in the wrong spot? I used to live in Botswana, where there are about 450 bird species in an area a few dozen miles from the capital; then somewhat naively moved back to Serbia with mere 250 species around the capital. And where all those birds are?

Sri Lanka 257

Sri Lanka Botswana Africa Serbia 257

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 20, 2018

Usually only several birds overwinter in Serbia – the biggest count ever was less than 10. But through binoculars I noticed small raised crests and supercilia joining on hindneck – Woodlarks ! Yes, everything looks magical now, but I’d give two snowy days for each one under a coconut on some Costa Rican beach.

Moldova 118

Moldova Birds Serbia Greece 118

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2016

Today is the United Nations World Wildlife Day, a time to celebrate and raise awareness of the living world around us. Raising and lowering its head, like stretching. Asia: Somewhere below that mysterious eagle, at the far shore of the lake, lies one Bengal Tiger … and further to the right – two more!

Wildlife 178

Wildlife Tigers Asia Europe 178

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 7, 2016

Around one kilogram – heavy like a brick, it offered powerful magnification, but somehow never felt right. One bird was flying towards us and, just prior to avoiding us, only slightly raised its head (showing us its yellow throat) before picking up an insect in mid-air.

Birds 186

Birds Serbia Eagles Fish 186

10,000 Birds

APRIL 27, 2017

Is Belgrade the New Berlin is a question recently raised in Vogue by Marry Holland. Four eBird hotspots located at the top and the slopes of the mountain have listed 85 species so far, but without any waterbirds, this is impressive in its own right. and am not a lifestyle writer to comment on those claims.

Birds 205

Birds 2017 Eagles Otters 205