Winter birding in Bonn typically seems to be quite bleak, however I can’t actually complain with the Wallcreeper that spent a number of weeks simply exterior the town. Now that this fowl has seemingly moved on, I needed to discover different species to distract me, however luckily that was not too exhausting. Including to a submit in January on birding in Bonn in winter, I’ve had the possibility to get out on a number of extra birding walks right here and there within the metropolis on weekends. Thankfully, I didn’t solely see the usual species, however was additionally rewarded with much less common species. Most notably, a bunch of 5 Larger Scaups was current in one of many massive ponds within the Rheinaue city park, the place they had been current for some time. They had been scattered amongst massive numbers of Tufted Geese and significantly Frequent Pochard, making a lively group of diving geese that was enjoyable to look at. That is solely my third sighting of the species, and the second time I’ve seen males, which I’ve to say do look far more enticing with the greenish sheen to the top that units them other than their tufted cousins.
The primary time I noticed this species was on the London Wetland Centre. One other birder didn’t consider me once I advised him in regards to the scaup as we did not relocate the fowl, however he acquired his revenge by recognizing a Nice Bittern, which was the fowl for which I visited the wetland within the first place. I missed the bittern in flip, and nonetheless have by no means seen one to today. Maybe the scaups are dangerous luck for me, however I’m certain I’ll get my bittern in the future.
They might not have been fully dangerous luck although, as one other particular species within the type of Frequent Crane entertained me over the previous couple of weeks. Whereas this species might be seen frequently as they move overhead throughout passage in late autumn and early spring, I’ve by no means seen such massive numbers of cranes when one night flocks of many hundred people saved passing overhead for at the least half an hour. It’s normally mentioned that they fly in a V-formation, however clearly the cranes themselves take this to be extra of a tough guideline than a strict rule, as they had been flying in all kinds of formations. Not that I thoughts – actually the reworking and evolving shapes of their flight formations had been nice enjoyable to look at, a bit like clouds altering form from the air currents (though in fact approach cooler since they’re birds, duh!).
On a number of extra days smaller teams flew overhead as nicely, with their atmospheric trumpeting calls interrupting the chaotic sounds of the town. It’s encouraging that these birds migrate so early within the 12 months, contributing to the daybreak refrain in lastly marking a close to finish to winter. I’m very a lot trying ahead to the arrival of migrating passerines so as to add their music repertoires to the thrushes, Eurasian Robins, and Frequent Chaffinches who’re already in full swing with their songs within the morning.