Red Kite

Watched a pair of red kites displaying today. Lovely to see that they are still there and still together!

Hare raising!

Sweden, February 2010

We have just had 4 days birding in Sweden, booked through Naturetrek. Our guide was Daniel Green. He was the best guide we have had, an excellent birder, a lovely bloke and a good cook! There is a link to his web site on this blog.
We only had 44 species, but we had quality not quantity. Highlights were Nutcrackers, Siberian Jay, Crested Tits, Green Headed and Three Toed Woodpeckers and of course, the number one bird, Hawk Owl. A fabulous few days with good birding, stunning scenery, deep fresh white snow, good food and lovely company. Thoroughly enjoyed this trip and would highly recommend Daniel as a guide.

Ural Owl

This poor ural owl was found dead by the side of the road. Such a pity.

Snow, snow .....and more snow

This was a hare stuffed with junipers hanging outside.

Can you see this man ??

My hubby xx

Our guide, Daniel Green. A fantastic birder. Here he is cooking us reindeer stir fry for our lunch. It was lovely !

A sign made especially for Karen who can clear a whole floor at night!

Our group, lovely company x

Snowy Sweden

We really don't know what snow is in the UK. This is what you call snow.............loads of it!

Hawk Owl

CRACKER !!

Hawk Owl

This was Simon's bird of the trip and we were thrilled to have seen it. Had to walk over 3 fields in 3ft of snow to get anywhere near and even so, these shots are still quite distant. Our last bird in Sweden.....what a bird to finish on!

Crested Tits

Grey Headed Woodpecker

Very distant and active in the forest made photography dificult

More nutcrackers...

Grey Headed Woodpecker

This chap visited us briefly one morning, had a quick snack and off it went.

Bullfinches

Nutcrackers in the snow