Author Archives: admin

Osprey and chicks

Posted on May 17, 2016 by admin

I took a break from watching the osprey chicks emerging on the webcams from Scotland, to spend some time at our own birding hotspot: the Morava river. Imagine my surprise when I saw this fellow flapping upstream towards me: It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Austria, Nature, Slovakia | 1 Comment

Spring Sightings

Posted on April 24, 2016 by admin

Summer is gradually winning out over winter here, though today the storks looked like they wished they were back in Kenya. They’re still incubating, plus whitewashing the sides of their nest: That sparrow needs to be careful. Their near neighbours … Continue reading →

Posted in Austria, Czechia, Nature | Comments Off on Spring Sightings

Austrian Birds

Posted on April 3, 2016 by admin

Our Easter trip to Graz turned up a few birds that were new to us. Blackcap: Despite the odd appearance, I suspect that this happy little chap is a mallard underneath: The river provided goosanders: And, very excitingly, a dipper, … Continue reading →

Posted in Austria, Nature | 1 Comment

Great and Small

Posted on March 22, 2016 by admin

The last couple of weekends have been spent either side of the Morava river, where quite a range of beasties are making their homes. Roe deer are very cautious, but at least they’re big enough to photograph without too much … Continue reading →

Posted in Austria, Nature, Slovakia | 1 Comment

Sex and Violence

Posted on March 12, 2016 by admin

Spring here has got the juices flowing in the various inhabitants. At Lake Kuchajda, sex-crazed drakes are beating each other up to get access to the females. Fortunately they’re not really built for duelling, but they give it a damn … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Slovakia | 2 Comments

Big Birds 2

Posted on March 6, 2016 by admin

Round about now is the end of the bustard season here. For now, they’re nicely visible in the wintry fields: They tend to favour the Austrian rather than the Slovak side of the border, so a background of wind turbines … Continue reading →

Posted in Austria, Nature, Slovakia | 1 Comment

Creeps

Posted on February 28, 2016 by admin

Today we went for a wander along the Morava, which was very deep and fast after the wet winter. The reeds have not started growing back yet, which together with the many flooded areas has transformed the landscape. The cormorants … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Slovakia | Comments Off on Creeps

The History of the Highland Clearances

Posted on February 25, 2016 by admin

The latest book which I’ve had posted on Project Gutenberg is The History of the Highland Clearances, by Alexander Mackenzie. This was published in 1914, revised from a first edition of 1883; besides Mr Mackenzie’s own accounts, there are pieces … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Scotland | 3 Comments

Kestrel couple

Posted on February 21, 2016 by admin

Something interesting on TV in Dúbravka today: a kestrel couple (female on the left), hopefully about to start producing little kestrels….  

Posted in Nature, Slovakia | 1 Comment

Greek Landscapes

Posted on January 24, 2016 by admin

Our first introduction to the landscape of Greece was from the plane, looking down over the temptingly bleak Balkans. Then the Aegean came into sight: I’m fairly sure this is Chalkidiki, with the further peninsula being Mount Athos (where the … Continue reading →

Posted in Greece, Nature, Travel | Comments Off on Greek Landscapes