In the two visits I paid to
Škocjanski zatok NR this week I could appreciate the slow transition into winter. Decidious trees and shrubs shedding colourful leaves, the sun no longer climbing high up into the sky and cronic layers of clouds dampening the light. Still, temperatures are rather high (15
°C-17
°C) so walking around is pleasant.
In terms of birds,
Black-necked Grebes can already be seen in the main lagoon...
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| One of the three Podiceps nigricollis yesterday in the Lagoon |
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| Black-necked Grebe diving amid a group of Coots |
...together with a good number of
Wigeons, Teals, Shovelers, Mallards and a few
Pochards. Yesterday I also got a single
Tufted Duck in the reserve.
Other goodies this week: a small group of
Tree Sparrows, one
Sparrowhawk flushed from reeds, a pair of
Stonechats and 2
Lapwings resting on islets at high water. Also 2 or 3
Cattle Egrets scorting the cows across the meadows. The number of Little and Great Egrets has diminished dramatically while Little Grebes and Grey Herons remain ubiquitous.
That is all for now, I am eagerly waiting for the first cold spells to bring more interesting birds.
