Foggy walk through park in Rusovce and Ostrovné lúčky Nature Reserve
Sunday, October 21, 2012
After our september bike trip along the River Morava we decided to visit an old park in Rusovce and Ostrovné lúčky Nature Reserve. Park around the manor-house in Rusovce welcomed us with foggy weather. We hoped that it would disappear in next hour. Directly in the park we observed several Robins (Erithacus rubecula), Nuthatches (Sitta europea) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major). Jackdaws (Coloelus monedula), typical inhabitants of parks with old trees, were flying overhead. We heard also Rooks (Corvus frugilegus) and Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix). We mentioned differences in their appearance and voices. From the park we moved eastwards to small settlement with horses. There was a flock of approximately 20 birds that landed on nearby tree. As we checked it with our spotting scopes we identified the birds as Siskins (Carduelis spinus). We spotted 3 Jays (Garrulus glandarius) and another Robin on the lawn of the settlement. As we were approaching to the lakes (Čunovské jazerá) through hazy forest we heard and then saw few Mistle Thrushes (Turdus viscivorus) and Long-tailed Tits (Aegithalos caudatus) that were discovered by the youngest member of our group. Lakes were covered in mist. There was Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) sitting on a branch that reached out of the water. We stopped at the information panel of Ostrovné lúčky Nature Reserve. It is part of Protected Landscape Area Dunajské luhy. We discussed the contrasts of habitats of floodplain forests and xerothermic shrubs, that are found here in close contact. There was also a discussion on importance of nature protection on frequently visited sites.
On our way to Čunovo we observed a few Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea) and also one Great White Egret (Egretta alba). We heard voice of Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) from the bank vegetation of a small lake. This wetland is composed of several small lakes with fallen trees. Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) was flying across one of them. As we were approaching to Čunovo we had a short glimpse of Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) and Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor), that was sitting on the power line. Altogether we recorded 5 species of woodpeckers during our walk – Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor), Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis), Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius). As a bonus we observed a Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) on a pine tree in the center of Čunovo village. The fog started to disappear as we were getting on a bus, but it cannot change anything on a fact that despite foggy weather there can be a nice autumn walk full of interesting and educational moments.
We recorded 38 bird species during our walk.
List of recorded species:
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Great Egret (Ardea alba / Egretta alba)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)
Feral Pigeon (Columba livia)
Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor / Picoides minor)
Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius / Picoides medius)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major / Picoides major)
Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)
Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)
Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor)
Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
Jackdaw (Coloelus monedula / Corvus monedula)
Rook (Corvus frugilegus)
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris / Parus palustris)
Great Tit (Parus major)
Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus / Parus caeruleus)
Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)
Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
Treecreeper (Certhia sp.)
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus)
Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Siskin (Carduelis spinus)
Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)
Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)
