• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Recent content by dalat

  1. dalat

    good switzerland birdwatching spots in november?

    The same places as mentioned above are good in September, when migration is in full swing. In addition you can go to the mountains (still no snow in Sept and often good weather) to see some mountain birds, and nice scenery obviously. You could, for example pick the area of Bern/ Neuchatel, you...
  2. dalat

    good switzerland birdwatching spots in november?

    Hi, some thoughts November is the worst month of the year to visit Europe, especially north of the Alps. Expect grey, drizzle, cold and more grey. If you can pick another month, do it. Best (for birding) would be April, May or June (in June mountain birding can be done as the snow is gone...
  3. dalat

    Where to see hoopoes, European bee-eater and European roller in Europe in September?

    Best place for all 3 is probably Hungary, among the countries you listed. However, September is a bit late, they may all be gone already.
  4. dalat

    Need Father/Son Birding Trip Destination Idea

    I would stick with the Neotropics. Hard to beat just for the shear wealth of things to be seen, and how easy and close birds can be seen. For an enjoyable experience for a 13 year old, spoiled by a trip to Costa Rica, I think this is the best bet. I can't offer specific tips, but maybe there...
  5. dalat

    Albania in April 2024

    Thanks! There were a pair of Kestrels around the castle, but I took them for common. I think the Lesser had not yet arrived, at least not in numbers. I can imagine it gets very hot in summer. Now it was perfect, around 25-28 ° throughout.
  6. dalat

    Albania in April 2024

    Last note: Here a link to a local birding company in Albania. I took some inspiration from the itinerary of one of their tours: Birding in Southern Albania (Spring and Autumn) Before the trip, I had a short exchange with Mirjan, the guy leading the company. Very responsive. He also features...
  7. dalat

    Albania in April 2024

    That was it. Hope you enjoyed it. I can only recommend to visit Albania: absolutely beautiful country, very friendly and easy going people, infrastructure is becoming quite good and very affordable. And good birding :) Here the full list of the trip (109 in total, pretty happy with that, given...
  8. dalat

    Albania in April 2024

    Unfortunately the paradise is quite threatened. Although nominally a protected area, there is an international airport in construction just north of the salines (some court cases pending). Also some large scale development are planned (by Jared Kushners company) near the lagoon and of the coast...
  9. dalat

    Albania in April 2024

    But of course the main birding attraction near Vlora is the Narta lagoon, located in the wider Vjosa delta. It has a large lagoon, full of Greater Flamingos and large salines that were full of Black-winged Stilts and Avocets, and a nice set of waders including Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin...
  10. dalat

    Albania in April 2024

    Last stop was Vlora, a larger costal town halfway between Butrint/Ksamil and Durres. Not exactly beautiful, but still pleasant and interesting. We made one day trip to the Shushica valley. The Shushica is a tributary to the Vjosa river, equally pristine and the valley very scenic. No new birds...
  11. dalat

    Albania in April 2024

    Yes, would be great on bike I think, both touring or mountain biking.
  12. dalat

    Albania in April 2024

    Thanks! Yes, the countryside is very nice and unspoiled. The coastal cities we saw less so.The larger ones with many wild construction, and still a lot of wild waste dumps around.
  13. dalat

    Albania in April 2024

    Forgot a little excursion we did on some mountainous plateau near Gijokastra, where we found a stunning Common Rock Thrush and a few Woodlarks. Also pretty beautful landscapes, the peaks still had some snow.
  14. dalat

    Albania in April 2024

    Reptiles were also pretty interesting, although I still have to do some ID work (not an expert here). The ruins of Butrint had some ponds, full with European terrapin. Several times we encountered Hermann's Turtles. And plenty of European Green Lizards and other lizards. The only snake seen was...
  15. dalat

    Albania in April 2024

    However, the main attraction of the area is Butrint. Butrint is both an archeological site (actually pretty interesting, although watching old stones is not usually my thing) and a national park. The park is an interesting mix of topographic formations and habitats: a large lagoon, marshy areas...
Back
Top