Between showers

Autumn is in full bloom with constant showers and chilly temperatures, perfect for birding!

Highlights of Škocjanski zatok this afternoon: one Glossy Ibis grazing amid a group of Mallards, a Hobby patrolling the reeds, a Common Buzzard perched on a pole and a Green Sandpiper.
In the Lagoon I got superb views of this Kingfisher. Apologies for the digiscoping.

Patient Kingfisher.

I was also approached by this little warbler, perhaps a Chiffchaff (note the dark legs and short primaries).

Little Blue Job moving around, most likely a Chiffchaff.

From previous days I would like to mention an Osprey, seen yesterday in Škocjanski during the European day of birds. A pity the constant rain, but there were birds aplenty.

I had an encounter with a ghost-bird in Europe, the Helmeted Guineafowl, in the most unlikely place. The Koper Farm Show on Saturday 5th. The birds were on sale next to regular chickens.

Captivity-reared Helmeted Guineafowl. The bird is all but extinct in North Africa these days.

Also, on the 4th, I visited Strunjan. A very interesting and overlooked area, with a priceless unspoiled cliff. A Kingfisher and a Whinchat were showing well in the salty ponds. I shall return more often.

Ibis

01^st October, Škocjanski zatok

Admitedly, Ibis are not the most beautiful of birds. Its lanky profile with a prominent neck and beak does not make them win beauty contests, however to me they evoke memmories of Ancient Egypt. The sacred ibis was closely associated to Djehuti, God of knowledge and wisdom. Glossy Ibises can be seen in the Adriatic with relative ease, they move up and down the coast throughout the year. In Koper they are regular visitors but not always let themselves be seen. A few days ago a group of Ibides were spotted in Škocjanski zatok, so in the first sunny day after the storms I grabbed bins, scope and camara and got moving.

Glossy Ibiss hidden from view.

And the first thing that I found was... two Glossy Ibis, hidden behind the long grass in the company of a flock of Little Egrets. I apologise for the poor quality of the images.
Lazy warm afternoon with gushes of Bora (the chilly northern wind). Lots of people around and surprisingly good numbers of birds: White and Yellow Wagtails in the meadows, Winchats on the wires and a flying dart of blue crossing in front of me, that is, a Kingfisher.

A White Wagtail and a Yellow Wagtail in the recently mowed meadows.

The wagtails followed in the steps of oxen, catching insects.

Every time I walk the path near the river I peer through the bushes in search of an old friend...

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron basking in the sun.

...a Night Heron! So here it was perched on a tree.

Nice start of the Autumn in the south of Slovenia. Looking forward to bird surprises in the coming days.

Observations (note that for common species no exhaustive count was performed):
- Glossy Ibis, 2.
- Shoveler, 1.
- Wigeon, 4.
- Teal > 10, male in fresh plumage.
- Mallard, > 4.
- Little Egret > 14.
- Great Cormorant, 2 juveniles + > 6 adults.
- Pygmy Cormorant, 1 in Lagoon + 7 in reserve.
- Black-headed Gull > 3.
- Mute Swan > 4 ad + > 8 juveniles.
- Little Grebe > 4.
- Kingfisher, 1.
- Great-crested Grebe, 3.
- Greenshank, 2.
- White Wagtail, 6.
- Yellow Wagtail, 4.
- Curlew, 2.
- Grey Heron > 12.
- Coot > 30.
- Hooded Crow, 2.
- Starling, ca 80.
- Great Egret > 3.
- Winchat, 2.
- Black-crowned Night Heron, 1, juvenile.
- Moorhen > 6.