Page 19 - Out Birding Autumn 2024

interes􏰀ng to note the blue/grey colour when seen on the ground, in contrast to the white/grey seen in flight. Across the same field were seven Red-footed Falcons, a mix of male and females and a welcome sight for all.
A couple of miles further along small agricultural tracks in the Vipava valley we encountered Tawny Pipit and Crested Lark. Montagu Harriers, male and female were quartering the ground around us. This 􏰀me the soundtrack was Nigh􏰀ngale and Golden Oriole as well as Corn Bun􏰀ngs. A small group of Red-throated Pipit and a White Stork flew past as Jure searched for Greater Short-toed Lark, only found in this area of Slovenia. Finally, he located a “Shor􏰀e” and waved us across to take a look.
On to the city of Koper and the Škocjan Inlet Nature Reserve, Slovenia’s largest brack- ish wetland. Pygmy Cormorant, Sacred and Glossy Ibis, Black-winged S􏰀lts, Squacco Heron, Ken􏰀sh Plover, Black and Li􏰁le Tern plus a variety of more familiar birds were out on the scrapes. We had good views of Great Reed Warbler and heard Zi􏰂ng Cis􏰀cola calling as they zipped overhead.
A pause in a beau􏰀ful village with towering limestone crags as a backdrop gave us lots of hirundines, with Alpine Swi􏰃. Cirl Bun􏰀ng hopped around the nearby bushes as we watched the swi􏰃s. Next stop at Crni Kal quarry gave good scope views of two Blue Rock Thrush. Brief views of Sub-alpine Warbler finished off a busy day for a lucky few of us.
A􏰃er dinner, we listened to the taun􏰀ng sounds of an invisible calling Scops Owl, but we could not see it anywhere,
Deb
A􏰃er a hearty breakfast we headed off in our two-vehicle convoy to Lake Cerknica, also known as the Disappearing Lake. Jure led us and Nastja didn’t lose a beat as the follower driver. Beau􏰀ful surroundings for sure and everyone was soon admiring the mountainous scenery, the mul􏰀ple greens of the forestry, picture-book villages. Our breaths were taken away when we reached the lake itself. Hundreds of Black Terns swarmed over the water and a few White-winged Black Terns joined the flock. Local bird ringers had set up mist nets to catch migra􏰀ng Red-footed Falcons in support of an English raptor specialist’s studies. While the intended target never materialised, they did catch the first ever Black Tern for the Slovenian ringing scheme. We got some excellent photos and informa􏰀on. Booming Bi􏰁erns were heard but remained hidden. Black-throated Diver, Honey Buzzards and White-tailed Eagles were other thrillers. Later in the day we headed to a forested area near Dolenja. A􏰃er a major climb in the vehicles, on solid but dirt roads, we stopped. Here Jure persuaded a Ural Owl to come close for excellent views. This was a major highlight for all of us and a great finish to a super day. We headed back to our hotel (late as usual) for a welcome dinner and maybe a glass. Everyone was happy to have seen so much.
Jim
Another pleasant weather day! To Movraz, an upland karst limestone plateau with patchy mixed woodland and bushes and lots of new flowers. The omnipresent Red-
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