Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Pallas’s Gull • Great Black Headed Gull
Latin: Larus ichthyaetus
Other: Pallas’s Gull • Great Black Headed Gull
Family: Laridae • Gulls

Probably the most unusual bird I saw on my trip, this Pallas’s Gull, or Great Black-headed Gull, flew past as we were exploring the canals near Sulina. I took it for a deformed Mediterranean Gull at the time ! Fortunately I bothered to snap a photo, or I would never have known…More photos...

Photo copyright: RP.monacoeye.com • Everglades • May 2009 • Do not copy

Bird name: American Purple Gallinule
Latin: Porphyrio martinica
Family: Rallidae • Rails

Thanks to Bob for sending me this photo of an American Purple Gallinule. Although it is an occasional vagrant to Europe, this one was seen in its normal habitat, in the Everglades in Florida.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Sedge Warbler
Latin: Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Other: Phragmite des joncs (fr)
Family: Sylviidae
Tag: Old World Warblers

These Sedge Warblers were living in the reeds on Caraorman Island, a large sand bank, in the Danube Delta. From time to time they would jump up from the reeds fly around a bit and head back down.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Bearded Reedling
Latin: Panurus biarmicus
Other: Panure a moustaches (Fr) • Bearded Tit • Bearded Parrotbill
Family: Panuridae • Sylviidae

At Lake Rosu there was a sizeable population of Bearded Reedlings inhabiting the lakeside reeds. The male adult (top) has a yellow beak, blue-grey head and large black vertical eyestripe (moustache).

Juveniles have black “lores” between eye and beak, the male juvenile having a yellow beak (middle photos), and the female juvenile a black beak (bottom photo).

Recent research has placed the Bearded Reedling outside the Tit family.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye.com • St Jean Cap Ferrat • May 2009 • Do not copy

Bird name: Fischer’s Lovebird
Latin: Agapornis fischeri
Other: Inséparable de Fischer
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots • Lovebirds

There is a large colony of Fischer’s Lovebirds in St Jean and Villefranche. I was told that the original birds escaped from the zoo ten years ago - they seem well established.

They like to sit in the palm trees in groups of half a dozen birds and may also nest in the street lights. They live up to their name by cuddling affectionately with each other.

This small parrot is originally native to Lake Victoria and Tanzania. More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Kingfisher
Latin: Alcedo atthis
Other: Martin Pecheur
Family: Alcedinae
Tag: River Kingfishers

One of the most beautiful European birds I have seen. On a first tourist trip from Tulcea, I was very pleased to pass several of these fantastic birds sitting on the branches of trees overhanging shaded waterways. Also seen in various places on the Cote d’Azur.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Ferruginous Duck
Latin: Aythya nyroca
Other: Fuligule nyroca
Family: Anatidae
Tag: Ducks

The Ferruginous Duck seemed to be the most common duck in the Delta on my visit. The only other species I saw was the Mallard.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: European Roller
Latin: Coracias garrulus
Other: Rollier d'Europe
Family: Coracidae • Rollers

This is the only Roller to live in Europe. A beautiful, very visible bird, in the same order as the kingfishers and hoopoes.

I saw quite a few, perched in ones and two, high in trees overlooking waterways in the Delta.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Eurasian Oystercatcher
Latin: Haematopus ostralegus
Other: Huitrier Pie • Common Pied Oystercatcher
Family: Haematopodidae • Oystercatchers

I saw just this one Oystercatcher while in the Danube. It was flying above a spit near the Black Sea. Also seen in Nice.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Dalmatian Pelican
Latin: Pelecanus crispus
Other: Pélican frisé
Family: Pelecanidae • Pelicans

The Dalmatian Pelican, a key species for the Delta, is quite a rare bird, with IUCN conservation status classed as Vulnerable. There are reportedly about 1000 breeding pairs remaining, scattered across relatively few sites in south-eastern Europe.

Fortunately I saw about a dozen birds over three days in the Danube. Sometimes flying overhead, sometimes with White Pelicans standing on a spit, sometimes on lakes and waterways.

Whereas the White Pelican is seen in large flocks, the Dalmatian Pelican is usually seen in ones, twos and threes. It is distinguishable from the White Pelican by lack of pink colouring, especially lack of pink lores, grey, not dark, irises and lack of thick black wing stripe.

The birds I saw all had dirty white matted hair on the back of their necks - though one characteristic of the Dalmatian Pelican is much longer, curly, hair on the neck.

In the photo below, taken on the Black Sea, the first, second and fourth pelicans from the left are Dalmatian; the other two, with thinner pinkish necks, are White Pelicans.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Eurasian Spoonbill
Latin: Platalea leucorodia
Other: Spatule blanche
Family: Threskiornithidae • Spoonbills

The Spoonbill is a great bird, immediately recognisable by its rounded yellow-tipped bill. I didn’t see many in the Danube. Fortunately this one seemed happy to pose while I took a few photos on the bank of this canal.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Glossy Ibis
Latin: Plegadis falcinellus
Other: Ibis falcinelle
Family: Threskiornithidae • Ibises

I saw several Glossy Ibises on a recent trip to the Danube Delta, living on the banks of the canals, very much like other herons.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Camargue, France • Mar 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Sacred Ibis
Latin: Threskiornis aethiopicus
Other: Ibis sacré (Fr)
Family: Threskiornithidae - Ibises

The Sacred Ibis was introduced in France in the 1970’s. This group is established and free-flying, seen here in the Camargue, with Little Egrets and Cattle Egrets.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Camargue, France • Mar 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Pied Avocet
Latin: Recurvirostra avosetta
Other: Avocette Elégante
Family: Recurvirostridae • Waders
More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Ventimiglia • Mar 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: White Wagtail
Latin: Motacilla alba
Other: Bergeronnette Grise (confusingly !)
Family: Motacillidae • Wagtails

This White Wagtail is quite a common bird all along the coast, especially near water.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Hyeres, France • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common House Martin
Latin: Delichon urbica
Other: Hirondelle de fenêtre
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows & Martins

The House Martin is a small migratory Martin with white body and dark tail and wings.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Ile St Honorat, France • Mar 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Western Jackdaw
Latin: Corvus monedula
Other: Choucas des Tours
Family: Corvidae • Crows

The Jackdaw is fond of ruins and bell towers, so was at home in this ruined monastic fortress, built in 1073, on the Ile Saint Honorat.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice, France • April 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Sand Martin
Latin: Riparia riparia
Other: Bank Swallow • Collared Sand Martin • Hirondelle de rivage
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows & Martins

The Sand Martin returned from migration in April in the Var. It is differentiated from the Crag and House Martin by its white belly and dark collar.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice & Monaco • Winter 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Crag Martin
Latin: Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Other: Hirondelle de rochers
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows & Martins

The Crag Martin is a common bird in Monaco in the winter - seen in all altitudes in the region from sea level to the mountains. A fast flyer like all the Martins and Swallows. Fairly nondescript mousey brown, with light throat, and small white “windows” visible in tail, which give it away.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice • April 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Barn Swallow
Latin: Hirundo rustica
Other: Hirondelle Rustique
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows

In the winter the most visible bird along the coast is probably the Crag Martin - omnipresent at all altitudes in towns and country alike. But at this time of year the Crag Martins are much less visible and the Barn Swallows have taken up residence, especially in wetlands.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Ile St Honorat • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Redshank
Latin: Tringa totanus
Other: Chevalier gambette
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders

The Common Redshank is readily identifiable by its red legs and bill base. Appears to step on the water while feeding.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: White Winged Tern
Latin: Chlidonias leucopterus
Other: Guifette leucoptère
Family: Sternidae • Terns

This White Winged Tern behaved very much like the Whiskered Terns, also Marsh Terns, which could be seen last week, swooping down to the surface of the water. It has a very distinctive black head and beak. According to Collins, not very common in Western Europe.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Cote d’Azur, France • Mar 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Ringed Plover
Latin: Charadrius hiaticula
Other: Pluvier Grand Gravelot • Grand Gravelot
Family: Charadriidae
Tags: Plovers & Lapwing • Waders

A better shot (top) of the Ringed Plover in flight as they swept past the mouth of the Var in Nice…More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Ventimiglia • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Bank Myna
Latin: Acridotheres ginginianus
Family: Sturnidae • Starlings

Although Collins has the Common Myna as an established escape in Europe, this one seen in Ventimiglia at the weekend seems to be a Bank Myna, from the eye and bill colour … Originally from Northern India and Pakistan.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Etang de Villepey St Aygulf • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Great Reed Warbler
Latin: Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Other: Rousserolle turdoïde (des rivières)
Family: Sylviidae • Old World Warblers

Pleased to observe this Great Reed Warbler in Hyeres at the weekend. It alerted us to its presence by its loud song and soon appeared to collect bedding material for its nest in the reeds from the salt lake. Later it flew to a high point and started singing loudly. Quite a large bird, about the size of a starling.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Indian Silverbill
Latin: Lonchura malabarica
Other: White Throated Munia
Family: Sternidae • Terns

Another introduced species, the small Indian Silverbill is common in Nice, and nests among the reeds. Quite easy to see, as it is not shy. Probably originally from escaped cagebirds.More photos...

Bird name: Eurasian Curlew
Latin: Numenius arquata
Other: Courlis cendré
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders

Photos: monacoeye • Hyeres • May 2009

The Eurasian Curlew is a large bird and has always dwarfed the other waders I’ve seen it with. Seen here in Hyeres at the weekend.More photos...

Bird name: Little Bittern
Latin: Ixobrychus minutus
Other: Blongios Nain • Pelicaniformes ?
Family: Ardeidae • Bitterns

Photos: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009

Not much of a view of this Little Bittern, which was with some waders by the runway in Nice. Despite the distance, it is still recognisable from the cream patches on its wings.

In the last couple of months, in or near Nice, I’ve seen the Cattle, Little and Great Egrets, Grey and Purple Herons, Squacco Heron and Little Bittern. I hope to see the Night Heron and (Great) Bittern which should both be nesting in the Var reed banks.More photos...

Bird name: European Golden Plover
Latin: Pluvialis apricaria
Other: Pluvier doré
Family: Charadriidae
Tags: Plovers & Lapwing • Waders

Photos: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009

This distant shot is going down as a European Golden Plover, seen in the mouth of the Var, as that seems the most likely possibility …More photos...

Bird name: Kentish Plover
Latin: Charadrius alexandrinus
Other: Pluvier / Gravelot à collier interrompu
Family: Charadriidae
Tags: Plovers & Lapwing • Waders

Photos: monacoeye • Hyeres • May 2009

This Kentish Plover was at some distance on a salt pan in Hyeres, hopefully I’ll get a better shot eventually …More photos...

Bird name: Purple Heron
Latin: Ardea purpurea
Other: Héron pourpré
Family: Ardeidae • Herons

Photos: monacoeye • Ventimiglia • May 2009

The Purple Herons have reappeared in the last few weeks. This was one of a pair seen in Ventimiglia at the weekend - I’ve also seen them in NiceMore photos...

Bird name: Pallid Swift
Latin: Apus pallidus
Other: Martinet pâle
Family: Apodidae • Swifts

Photos: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009

There is a good number of Pallid Swift in Nice, here seen on the banks of the Var. Mostly distinguishable from the Common Swift by its ribbed chest and whiter neck patch.More photos...

Bird name: Little Tern
Latin: Sterna albifrons
Other: Sternula albifrons • Sterne naine
Family: Sternidae • Terns

Photos: monacoeye • Hyeres • May 2009

Quite a few Little Terns in Hyeres yesterday. The Little Tern is the smallest of the sea terns. Adults in summer plumage have a black-tipped yellow bill and black cap with white forehead.More photos...

Bird name: South American Tern
Latin: Sterna hirundinacea
Family: Sternidae • Terns

Photos: monacoeye • Brazil • April

A blurry photo of a South American Tern from a few years ago…More photos...

Bird name: Sandwich Tern
Latin: Sterna sandvicensis
Other: Thalasseus sandvicensis • Sterne caugek
Family: Sternidae • Terns

Photos: monacoeye • Hyeres • February 2009

A couple of Sandwich Terns seen on the beach in Hyeres. Summer adults have black bills with yellow tips.More photos...

Bird name: Black Winged Stilt
Latin: Himantopus himantopus
Other: Echasse Blanche
Family: Recurvirostridae
Tag: Waders

Photo: monacoeye • Hyeres • May 2009

There was a large group of Black Winged Stilts and Avocets in Hyeres yesterday. They were nesting, courting and mating.

I noticed on the photos above that the male Black Winged Stilt’s eyes appeared to turn red while mating! Is this possible?More photos...