Monday 10 April 2017

Our last days in the Delta

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola (slo. citronasta pastirica). One day we witnessed an extraordinary influx of White Wagtails Motacilla alba (slo. bela pastirica) and Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava (slo. rumena pastirica). Mixed among them were also at least 8 different Citrine Wagtails (both male and female) which stopped on migration on their way to the east European breeding grounds.
White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus (slo. rožnati pelikan) passing in formation above the reserve. We counted two different flocks of about 45-50 birds each, heading towards the Danube.
Swallow Hirundo rustica (slo. kmečka lastovka) - finally they arrived and have returned to last year's nesting sites at the reserve. Some large flocks on migration have also been seen recently.
Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe (slo. kupčar) - a quite common summer migrant at this time of year. Other new arrivals recently also included: Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca (slo. mlinarček), Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus (slo. srpična trstnica), Sand Martin Riparia riparia (slo. breguljka), Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (slo. plevica) and others.
Hoopoes Upupa epops (slo. smrdokavra) are very common in the Danube delta, not only as migrants, but also as breeders. The bird in the second pic has chosen to nest in an old nestbox on a broken tree branch.
One of the most amazing finds recently was the nest of a pair of White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla (slo. belorepec) in a forest-island by the Danube. The nest was quite far, but easily seen and the female was sitting in it (visible in the second photo). Some distance away from the nest was also a perched male, controlling the surroundings (first pic).
Ukrainian fishermen on the river Danube.
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (slo. rjava čaplja).
Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius (slo. črna žolna) at the nest site in the Letea forest. The male continues the excavation of the nesting hole.
Fire-bellied Toad Bombina bombina (slo. nižinski urh) - singing in large numbers all over the reserve's canals, puddles and ponds.


This is our last updated post from the Wild Delta as our two-month experience by the river Danube has concluded. In the near future we'll prepare a review post with all the highlights from this amazing adventure.

 Now you can switch back to Carniolicum ;-) Enjoy!