Bird calls courses in April
Saturday – Sunday, April 13 – 14, 2013
During the second weekend in April we again organized the short courses on bird calls in the woods of Železná studnička. This year was very special, because in this late date Common Toads (Bufo bufo) still migrated, while in the forest undergrowth grew Hollow Roots (Corydalis cava) and Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) and on the stream banks Ramsons (Allium ursinum) could be found. Participants of our courses had the advantage of not yet leafy trees which makes it easier to find and observe birds. An interesting was also a combination of Snowdrops in the forest undergrowth and singing migrant Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) above in the tree crowns.
Overall, the course was attended by about a hundred enthusiasts who had the opportunity to hear up to 21 species of birds, including 18 songbirds. Our course is focused on the most common, 8 species of forest songbirds: Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), Robin (Erithacus rubecula), Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos), Blackbird (Turdus merula), Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), Nuthatch (Sitta europaea), Great Tit (Parus major) and Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus). Besides these, we had the opportunity to hear and also to watch a Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus). Of the more interesting observations Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) and crossing Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) are definitely worth mentioning. It was interesting that on Saturday we have not seen any Collared Flycatcher, but on Sunday we heard several of them, so we assume that they just arrived.
List of observed bird species:
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
Feral Pigeon (Columba livia)
Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius / Picoides medius)
Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
Raven (Corvus corax)
Willow Tit (Poecile montanus / Parus montanus)
Great Tit (Parus major)
Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus / Parus caeruleus)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix)
Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus)
Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)
Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis)
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)
