Bright, cold.
Buzzard, Pheasant, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Jay, Wren, Robin, Siskin (feeding groups), Willow Tit, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe (winter plumage), Mallard (large numbers), Bullfinch, Fieldfare, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit, Moorhen.
17 species, 0 new species.
Sunday 27 November 1988
Sunday 20 November 1988
Roermond, Swalmen, Holland, 20/11/1988
Wet and cold.
During journey Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit.
Large numbers of ducks on lakes produced Tufted Duck, Pochard and Great Crested Grebe.
On canal: Carrion Crow, Black-Headed Gull, Coot, Moorhen, Common Gull, Herring Gull.
Canal banks: Grey Heron and Goldfinch.
Marshland around lakes: Mute Swan, Bewick's Swan, Snipe and large numbers of Lapwing.
Other birds in water and on islands: Gooseander, Buzzard (flying around, spooking Lapwings), Cormorant, Gadwall and Mallard.
27 species seen including 0 new species.
During journey Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit.
Large numbers of ducks on lakes produced Tufted Duck, Pochard and Great Crested Grebe.
On canal: Carrion Crow, Black-Headed Gull, Coot, Moorhen, Common Gull, Herring Gull.
Canal banks: Grey Heron and Goldfinch.
Marshland around lakes: Mute Swan, Bewick's Swan, Snipe and large numbers of Lapwing.
Other birds in water and on islands: Gooseander, Buzzard (flying around, spooking Lapwings), Cormorant, Gadwall and Mallard.
27 species seen including 0 new species.
Sunday 6 November 1988
Lauterbrunnen to Elmpt, Germany, 06/11/1988
Mostly fair and bright.
Blackbird, Fieldfare, Great Tit and Blue Tit seen on campsite. Dipper seen on river whilst driving to Interlaken.
Carrion Crow seen on farm fields.
Magpie flew over motorwway.
Grey Heron flew over motorway and in a fog patch about half a dozen Herons sat in a farm field.
Unsurprisingly Buzzards seem although not as many, but a least a dozen.
Rooks seen at motorway side, as were Woodpigeon, Starling, Kestrel and Lapwing, in fields also. Chaffinch also seen at rest point.
15 species seen including 0 new species.
NOTE: 5-11-88 produced a Sparrowhawk at Grindelwald.
Blackbird, Fieldfare, Great Tit and Blue Tit seen on campsite. Dipper seen on river whilst driving to Interlaken.
Carrion Crow seen on farm fields.
Magpie flew over motorwway.
Grey Heron flew over motorway and in a fog patch about half a dozen Herons sat in a farm field.
Unsurprisingly Buzzards seem although not as many, but a least a dozen.
Rooks seen at motorway side, as were Woodpigeon, Starling, Kestrel and Lapwing, in fields also. Chaffinch also seen at rest point.
15 species seen including 0 new species.
NOTE: 5-11-88 produced a Sparrowhawk at Grindelwald.
Saturday 5 November 1988
Kleine Schiedegg to Wengen, Switzerland, 05/11/1988
Bright, dusky, cold.
Previously seen Nutcrackers seen again, this time cawing. A flock of Fieldfare also seen flying about on lower slopes. Alpine Chough soaring on higher slopes.
Flock of finches flew around the coniferous trees and bushes and after prolonged viewing Greenfinch, Redpoll and Siskin were identified. These were also probably the previously unidentified birds seen above Murren.
Carrion Crow seen on upper slopes. Another flock of finches produced a number of Goldfinch feeding on grass.
In the coniferous forests near to Wengen feeding tits produced a positively identified Crested Tit. Entering Wengen, almost dark, a long billed wader quickly flew overhead. Although no features were seen was most likely a Woodcock.
10 species seen including 0 new species.
Previously seen Nutcrackers seen again, this time cawing. A flock of Fieldfare also seen flying about on lower slopes. Alpine Chough soaring on higher slopes.
Flock of finches flew around the coniferous trees and bushes and after prolonged viewing Greenfinch, Redpoll and Siskin were identified. These were also probably the previously unidentified birds seen above Murren.
Carrion Crow seen on upper slopes. Another flock of finches produced a number of Goldfinch feeding on grass.
In the coniferous forests near to Wengen feeding tits produced a positively identified Crested Tit. Entering Wengen, almost dark, a long billed wader quickly flew overhead. Although no features were seen was most likely a Woodcock.
10 species seen including 0 new species.
Camping Jungfrau, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, 05/11/1988
Bright, cold and frosty.
Feeding tits at campsite seen early in the morning included Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Willow Tit (matt black head), Chiff Chaff (resident in the Alps), Blackbird and Goldcrest.
Feeding tits at campsite seen early in the morning included Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Willow Tit (matt black head), Chiff Chaff (resident in the Alps), Blackbird and Goldcrest.
Friday 4 November 1988
Lauterbrunnen - Grutschalp - Murren, Switzerland, 04/11/1988
Quieter side of valley and surprisingly a Redwing seen at Grutschalp railway station, Chaffinch also seen.
Alpine Chough's in large flocks flying around higher slopes.
Coniferous forests alive with feeding tits and finches although none identified till later.
Whilst resting a Treecreeper appeared and climbed up a nearby tree. Also a Nutcracker fewl overhead. Now tits could be identified revealing Crested Tit and Coal Tit.
Still resting a peculiar musical call was heard. Heard again, a large black bird undulated through trees uttering fluty call. Through trees it seemed to be a Black Woodpecker. Stalked towards it and gained cloer views which proved the bird to be a Black Woodpecker, a new bird.
Two fighting Ravens raced into view throating their distinctive calls.
Whilst resting, tree-tops revealed a Greenfinch feeding amongst the pines with other unidentified finches.
Walking through a shaded part of the slopes a peculiar 'whooshing' and gobbling call attracted us to the slope above. Obviously a game bird and after climbing up the slope to hope to get a glimpse of the elusive bird a dull female bird shot from the foliage. Impossible to tell which species in the brief moments it was seen. After extensive reference to books it was probably a Black Grouse rather than a Capercaillie because of song, which is quite distinctive.
A flock of thrushes flew past and as well as Redwings a few Fieldfares were also identified. More feeding tits in coniferous trees this time a Goldcrest also seen.
Near to Murren at Allmendhubel a greenish bird was seen in tree and after getting closer a red bird also came into view. Unmistakeable bill identified them as Crossbills.
Carrion Crows were also seen on lower slopes.
15 species seen including 1 new species.
Alpine Chough's in large flocks flying around higher slopes.
Coniferous forests alive with feeding tits and finches although none identified till later.
Whilst resting a Treecreeper appeared and climbed up a nearby tree. Also a Nutcracker fewl overhead. Now tits could be identified revealing Crested Tit and Coal Tit.
Still resting a peculiar musical call was heard. Heard again, a large black bird undulated through trees uttering fluty call. Through trees it seemed to be a Black Woodpecker. Stalked towards it and gained cloer views which proved the bird to be a Black Woodpecker, a new bird.
Two fighting Ravens raced into view throating their distinctive calls.
Whilst resting, tree-tops revealed a Greenfinch feeding amongst the pines with other unidentified finches.
Walking through a shaded part of the slopes a peculiar 'whooshing' and gobbling call attracted us to the slope above. Obviously a game bird and after climbing up the slope to hope to get a glimpse of the elusive bird a dull female bird shot from the foliage. Impossible to tell which species in the brief moments it was seen. After extensive reference to books it was probably a Black Grouse rather than a Capercaillie because of song, which is quite distinctive.
A flock of thrushes flew past and as well as Redwings a few Fieldfares were also identified. More feeding tits in coniferous trees this time a Goldcrest also seen.
Near to Murren at Allmendhubel a greenish bird was seen in tree and after getting closer a red bird also came into view. Unmistakeable bill identified them as Crossbills.
Carrion Crows were also seen on lower slopes.
15 species seen including 1 new species.
Thursday 3 November 1988
Lauterbrunnen to Zermatt, Switzerland, 03/11/1988
Sunny and bright, quite cool.
A rather disappointing trip to see the Matterhorn. Landscape 'changed' through quarrying and spoil dumping.
Dipper, Mallard and Grey Heron seen during journey.
In Zermatt region a large and very distant bird seen soaring. A bird of prey but was hard to tell if it was a Buzzard or Golden Eagle, left undecided.
Chaffinch, Alpine Chough, House Sparrow and Collared Dove seen around Zermatt.
Sparrow and Chaffinch added in desperation!
8 species (including unidentifed bird), 0 new species.
A rather disappointing trip to see the Matterhorn. Landscape 'changed' through quarrying and spoil dumping.
Dipper, Mallard and Grey Heron seen during journey.
In Zermatt region a large and very distant bird seen soaring. A bird of prey but was hard to tell if it was a Buzzard or Golden Eagle, left undecided.
Chaffinch, Alpine Chough, House Sparrow and Collared Dove seen around Zermatt.
Sparrow and Chaffinch added in desperation!
8 species (including unidentifed bird), 0 new species.
Wednesday 2 November 1988
Lauterbrunnen to Grimsel Pass, Switzerland, 02/11/1988
Overcast, freezing cold.
Whilst waiting in car, largish bird of prey flapped over valley. Blunt wings, long tail and flight could only mean Goshawk.
Driving past Brienzersee lake a distant Mute Swan could be seen.
Up into the Grimsel Pass road a Buzzard and wedge-tailed, long winged Raven were identified.
On shape near road a winter coloured Chamoix picked its way across. More seen later on top of Pass along with a number of Ravens.
Alpine Chough's also seen in flocks over mountain peaks.
On lake at top of Pass two birds flew about, and, moving to get closer revealed two Cormorants, wintering inland, lacked white cheek patches so were probably juveniles.
A few Carrion Crows and Jays were seen on returning.
Disapointingly no Golden Eagles although terrain was ideal.
8 species seen including 0 new species.
Whilst waiting in car, largish bird of prey flapped over valley. Blunt wings, long tail and flight could only mean Goshawk.
Driving past Brienzersee lake a distant Mute Swan could be seen.
Up into the Grimsel Pass road a Buzzard and wedge-tailed, long winged Raven were identified.
On shape near road a winter coloured Chamoix picked its way across. More seen later on top of Pass along with a number of Ravens.
Alpine Chough's also seen in flocks over mountain peaks.
On lake at top of Pass two birds flew about, and, moving to get closer revealed two Cormorants, wintering inland, lacked white cheek patches so were probably juveniles.
A few Carrion Crows and Jays were seen on returning.
Disapointingly no Golden Eagles although terrain was ideal.
8 species seen including 0 new species.
Tuesday 1 November 1988
Lauterbrunnen to Wilderswil River Walk, Switzerland, 01/11/1988
Clear sky but shady and cold.
A confusing black capped Willow or Marsh Tit seen on a bush. Seemed to have glossy cap and after reference Marsh Tit is more likely to frequent the area.
Great Tit also seen flitting along path.
Tubby white-breasted bird on rock identified Dipper, and more were seen on rocks and flying along river.
Wren buzzing in bushes near arable land.
Grey Heron flew over Lauterbrunnental valley.
Whilst resting, Nuthatch climbed down a nearby tree.
Chaffinch and Carrion Crow were also seen.
9 species including 0 new species.
A confusing black capped Willow or Marsh Tit seen on a bush. Seemed to have glossy cap and after reference Marsh Tit is more likely to frequent the area.
Great Tit also seen flitting along path.
Tubby white-breasted bird on rock identified Dipper, and more were seen on rocks and flying along river.
Wren buzzing in bushes near arable land.
Grey Heron flew over Lauterbrunnental valley.
Whilst resting, Nuthatch climbed down a nearby tree.
Chaffinch and Carrion Crow were also seen.
9 species including 0 new species.
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