Quiscalus quiscula Posted July 3 Share Posted July 3 I'm going to be visiting Germany, the Netherlands, and Latvia this summer from end of July to August. Germany and the Netherlands will probably be mostly visiting family, so not much birding. We are planning to visit some more birdy places in Latvia: Kemeri National Park, Lake Engure Nature Preserve, Slitere National Park, and Gauja National Park. I'm looking forward to the lifers! I'll post a trip report, but maybe only after I get back. Anybody have experience birding Latvia? 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birds are cool Posted July 3 Share Posted July 3 Good luck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted July 3 Share Posted July 3 Best thing I did for my recent trip to England was research local birding groups in the area I was visiting. One had a walk on that fit my schedule. I picked up far more birds with them than I would have on my own. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted July 3 Author Share Posted July 3 3 hours ago, Charlie Spencer said: Best thing I did for my recent trip to England was research local birding groups in the area I was visiting. One had a walk on that fit my schedule. I picked up far more birds with them than I would have on my own. I don't think birding culture is as prevalent in Latvia, I'll just go along with my family and see. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Fingers Posted July 5 Share Posted July 5 Good luck! Looking forward to seeing the trip report! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted July 30 Author Share Posted July 30 (edited) https://ebird.org/tripreport/148181 (Day 1) We drove down to JFK airport in NYC with a rental car. Pretty normal road trip birds along the way: Red-winged Blackbird, Turkey Vulture, Rock Pigeon, European Starling, House Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk. While driving through the city with rush hour traffic, I got an unexpected lifer while at a traffic stop! Flyover Laughing Gull. While waiting to board, I spotted several European Starlings out of the window hopping near the runway. Taking off, I saw New York City illuminated in light and dark storm clouds coming in. The lightning flashes were frequent and ominous, still seen even after we disappeared into clouds. Edited July 30 by Quiscalus quiscula 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birds are cool Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 15 lifers already! Sweet! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 Came back from the trip afternoon of the 15th. I'll finish submitting my checklists and uploading photos soon! I'm also going to add my short daily notes here. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 21 Author Share Posted August 21 (edited) (Day 2) A Carrion Crow hopped on the runway as we taxied after a smooth landing at Frankfurt Airport. Shortly after driving out with the rental car, I witnessed a Common Wood-Pigeon land on a wire. I saw many many more of these on the long trip to the farm in the countryside where my grandfather, aunt, and cousins live. I noticed White Storks in several fields, as well as Common Swifts and a Eurasian Kestrel flying overhead. Once we arrived, I was able to do some birding. https://ebird.org/checklist/S145901346 Edited August 21 by Quiscalus quiscula 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 21 Author Share Posted August 21 2 minutes ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: (Day 2) A Carrion Crow hopped on the runway as we taxied after a smooth landing at Frankfurt Airport. Shortly after driving out with the rental car, I witnessed a Common Wood-Pigeon land on a wire. I saw many many more of these on the long trip to the farm in the countryside where my grandfather, aunt, and cousins live. I noticed White Storks in several fields, as well as Common Swifts and a Eurasian Kestrel flying overhead. Once we arrived, I was able to do some birding. https://ebird.org/checklist/S145901346 My cousins' cute cats The five sheep 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 21 Author Share Posted August 21 (Day 3) Was able to do some more birding https://ebird.org/checklist/S145906067 https://ebird.org/checklist/S145905577 That night, also heard lifer Tawny Owl https://ebird.org/checklist/S146008565 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 21 Author Share Posted August 21 (edited) (Day 5) It was raining pretty much all day. We left Germany and drove into the Netherlands with a rental car. In Zutfen we stopped to visit relatives, and I saw my lifer Gray Heron. While driving, I also saw quite a few gulls, likely Black-headed. We continued to Maastricht to visit family. Edited August 21 by Quiscalus quiscula Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 21 Author Share Posted August 21 (Day 6) We walked around the city of Maastricht and around the un1vers1ty campus. There were some green areas there that yielded several more lifers. Had some nice views from the top of the church tower. One of the many pigeons from the town square Random statue 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 (Day 7) Took a tour of part of the vast tunnel systems under Maastricht. There are over 80 km of tunnels and they have a very interesting history. Originally used as a limestone quarry, it was used fro various purposes over the years, and was a shelter during World War II. Got lifer Red Kite near one of the entrances. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 (Day 8) Drove to Frankfurt airport and boarded flight to Riga. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 (Day 9) Walked around Riga, got lifer Hooded Crows. The bird diversity was low since we were in the heart of the city sightseeing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 (Day 10) Saw thousands of starlings going to roost in the city park trees. Unfortunately it was raining so no photos. Also enjoyed seeing Riga's art nouveau architecture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 (Day 11) It was very hot but got several lifers as we went outside of Riga to the Ethnographic Open-air museum of Latvia. (Day 13) Drove from Riga to Tukums. Can hear the shrieks of Common Swifts from our hotel. Saw White Storks on the way. (Day 14) Had an amazing day with many lifers! Hiked 3 trails in Kemeri National Park. (Day 15) Visited Slitere National Park and Cape Kolka. It initially rained when we were at the cape, but fortunately cleared up again later and I was able to take some photos. This was the spot where I saw the only sandpipers of the trip and lifer Red Knot. https://ebird.org/checklist/S147782793 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 (Day 16) Drove to Sigulda. We stopped on the way to swim at Jurmala beach, which had about 10C(50F) water. (Day 17) Took a day trip to the town of Cessis to look at its castle, which was first built in the early 1200s. It was a large and fascinating place with nice exhibits. (Day 18) Visited Gauja Nt'l park. The trail we took from near to the visitor center was very strange, it mostly connected various captive animal exhibits, including several owl species, bears, elk, and wild boar. (Day 19) Went to Turaida castle. Got some very nice views from the top of one of the towers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 (Day 20) The second half of Day 19, flew from Riga to Frankfurt. Then was on a long flight from Frankfurt back to NY. The rest of my family got exit row seats and I was the only other person in a row filled with a noisy family with six kids on a nine hour flight. I got window seats both times. Airplane windows are abominable, these were my best shots. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 The trip was awesome, I got 43 lifers in Europe and 1 while stuck in traffic in NYC. I've tried to keep this trip report focused on birds to obey forum rules, there was a lot more that we did and saw! I took a lot of photos, which has improved my knowledge of my camera and I've taken better bird photos than before. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 That is a very awesome trip! What was the lifer you saw in NYC in traffic? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 42 minutes ago, Peromyscus said: That is a very awesome trip! What was the lifer you saw in NYC in traffic? Laughing Gull, they are rare upstate where I am. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 2 hours ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: I was the only other person in a row filled with a noisy family with six kids on a nine hour flight. Earplugs are your friends. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 Just now, Charlie Spencer said: Earplugs are your friends. I think I have a smaller than normal ear canal, ear plugs never really works for me and keep falling out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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