Chronic of the course to identify birds 2015

Last Saturday, the course "Initiation in the observation of land birds" which has taken place during the spring, came to its end.

During the three days that the course lasted, the participants had the chance to enjoy the direct observation of an interesting community of birds in the wild, the different sounds they make, and the analysis of their behavior pattern, the differences between species and the use of binoculars and telescopes.

The first day of the course two different activities were carried out. The first one took place inside Urdaibai Bird Center and it consisted in the explaining the theoretical aspects needed to develop the second activity, with the help of an audiovisual speech.

Theoretical speech in the center.

The second activity took place in the surroundings of the center, in the Atlantic countryside of Gautegiz Arteaga. It consisted in a walk to observe and hear the different bird species that live in this type of ecosystem.

Lookin for countriside birds.

Among the birds that were seen, they should be pointed out the followings.
A gorgeous flock of migratory spoonbills in their way to northern areas. They overflew us while they were approaching to the marsh, where they finally landed to rest and to feed, in order to be able to continue with their flight.

A flock of spoonbills overflew us.

An impressive migratory Osprey. Even it was far from us, it let us contemplate its magnificent aspect. In the meantime, it was attacked by certain yellow legged seagulls that were protecting their territory.

Osprey.

And among the large variety of small bird species they should be highlighted a beautiful Black redstart and a Common blackbird with its gorgeous yellow beak. At the same time, the fast swifts were mixing with the House martins and the swallows up in the air.

Black redstart.

Observing the Black redstart.

Common blackbird.

Observing the Common blackbird.

Common swift.

The second day the course took place out in the field, in the oakwood of the village of Arratzu, to be precise. The aim of these journey was the observation and listening to forest birds, known as birds of close areas. They are specialist in moving between the leafs, the branches and the trees that form the forests.

Spring-like oakwood.

We moved through the oakwook following the Golako river and we found the following species, among others.
Spectacular as it is, the White-throated dipper let us saw it, while we could hear the soft and high-pitched sound of the Firecrests.

White-throated dipper.

Exiting moments observing the White-throated dipper.

Firecrest.

Common chaffinch.

Among the varied community of forest birds they should be highlighted the beautiful Chaffinch, the spectacular Crested tit, the active and colorful Blue tit and the best tree climber, the Short-toed treecreeper.

Crested tit.

Observing the Crested tit.

Common buzzard.

Observing the Common buzzard.

Blue tit.

The third and last day, all the journey took place in the field, in the pick of Sollube mountain, in Bermeo. The aim of this trip was to observe and listen to the birds that live in the moor and high areas of Urdaibai, as well as other birds that frequently visit this areas, the raptors.

Trying to find out the Datford warbler.

Among the most important birds there are the followings.
The Datford warbler that we could appreciate 6 or 8 meters away from us, although its observation was intermittent as it was moving nervously in the high part of the moor.
Meanwhile, they were flying over our heads beautiful Griffon Vultures.

Griffon vultures.

Observing the Griffon vultures.

And among the not very varied but very interesting bird community of this interesting environment highlighted the views of a beautiful tree pipit, which delight us with its spectacular and distinctive flight consisting to be dropped from the height with the wings open while emitting its territorial beautiful song.

Tree pipit.

The restless stonechat, the calm and quiet Dunnock and the  Yellowhammer witj its beautiful live yellow colors.

Common stonechat.

Observing the Common stonechat.

Dunnock.

Observing the Dunnock.

Yellowhammer.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this birding in terrestrial environments, for your interest and respect.