Anne and I did ride trains clear across Switzerland today, which was very scenic, but before we left Vaduz this morning, I had time for one last look around. Skies were clear, for a change, so it was a little chilly, but the birds seemed undeterred.
As I hiked towards the Rhine River, I spotted this little shape at the top of a tree, and I could see the yellow once I zoomed in, and my first thought was “Yellowhammer!,” but yellowhammers don’t have white stripes down their side. The solution to this quandary, which seems obvious in hindsight, is that this is our first European serin (Serinus serinus), instead. How ’bout that?!?
Closer to the ground, I spotted a face that I know pretty well by now, a male black redstart, of which we saw plenty in the Balkans last year.
When I finally reached the Rhine, I was thrilled to see more white-throated dippers. Even better, I watched in amazement as one flew up to the bottom of the old-timey, wooden, covered bridge that crosses into Switzerland there. I read now that they build elaborate, domed nests under bridges, but this bridge is quite long, and I didn’t have much of a view out to their nesting site. Oh well. Next time, right?
Meanwhile, the real yellowhammers were up and at it again this morning, and here’s one giving us a much nicer look than yesterday.
The stonechats were also quite active along the riverbank, and this one gave us another nice look, if not necessarily better than the look we got yesterday. Good try, though.
Finally, the huge treat of the morning came as I was walking back toward town. I’ve been seeing quite a few red kites (Milvus milvus) here, which I have seen before but never managed to capture on film in any way worthy of showing you, until now. These two perched in the middle of a small field, and I almost missed them, but they somehow caught my eye, thank goodness. Even better, they seemed quite comfortable there and let me take all the pictures I wanted, so long as I stayed on the pavement. What magnificent creatures, eh?
I did keep up my end of the bargain, but they eventually took off anyway, and I hope it was simply time to find some breakfast. Nevertheless, it did give me a chance to capture the white patches under their wings and their distinctive forked tail.
Our flight leaves before sunrise tomorrow morning, so I certainly won’t have a chance to look for more wildlife, but I still have some recent pictures in my back pocket, so I’ll post something to tide you over until I can get back into Estabrook.
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 