While I wrote about the bold magpies last time, I completely forgot to mention the real stars of my bird feeder—the Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus). It’s almost funny because they’re the most common visitors here, hopping and chirping like they own the place. How could I overlook them? I couldn’t help but chuckle when … More The Birds at My Feeder: Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Yesterday brought an unexpected delight to our bird feeder—a visit from the Dendrocopos medius, the Middle Spotted Woodpecker. What a sight he was, with his striking red crown standing out vividly against his black-and-white feathers. He seemed almost regal, perched confidently as if he knew how stunning he looked. I stood there, mesmerized. his movements … More A Special Visitor at the Bird Feeder
With my untrained eye and the help of the Collins Bird Guide, I believe that what I’ve been seeing are Great Egrets. I certainly hope that’s the case, as I have to admit that the grey heron doesn’t particularly appeal to me—whether it’s the name, its behavior, or how often I seem to encounter it. … More The Majestic Great Egret: A Birdwatcher’s Perspective
Love stepping out to water the flowers on the porch and have friends around, like this one – fieldfare. First, he saw me and then started to shake and caw. Wanted to scare me off. Sorry, friend, my marigolds asking for water. Grumpy Fieldfare :). Ilze
Till today I thought there are only one species os swans… well not true! There are three different species in Latvia. These ones (below in the picture) are Mute swans (Cygnus olor). These two are in the pond next to our grandmother’s house. Beautiful birds. And so big! I had the chance to see them … More White Swans: Mute swans
These birds are silly! They like to visit our feeder and they always stick together. I saw them in the cherry tree near the feeder. Grab a camera and run out. Silly Greenfinch flew away to the nearest tree when saw me with the camera. Ilze
This is one of the smallest bird coming to our feeder. This is some sort of tit but I can’t tell whether its Willow tit or Marsh tit! More pictures here. They both are so similar. Both have a black head and black spot under the beak. Some say the only way to tell is the song … More Poecile palustris / Poecile montana
About a year ago I saw two wood pigeons flying away from a fir tree. And for me, it’s not easy to identify the bird from the back! Since it was my first time saw Common Wood Pigeon. Today I was lucky – they were there again! And I made it to the camera and … More Wood Pigeon / Columba Palumbus
Bird watching is something interesting. And you can do it no matter if you have a whole day or just an hour. This time I took my camera and run out for few minutes to capture the Mother Natures beauty. Spring. I like to run out for few minutes to be alone. These 10 – 20 … More Common chaffinch / Fringilla coelebs
Oh! That was a surprise! Something in the apple tree.. jumping… from one to another… squirrel! But wait! It is not a squirrel! What is it!? It is a European pine marten I guess! Can’t see! I stood quietly at the window and looked at the “pine marten”. That was all I can do, had … More European pine marten
I thought of sharing some birds we have here in Latvia in the winter time. We have feeders near a window but in distance, so we don’t disturb them. Mostly tits are coming to our feeder, sometimes woodpeckers. I love to watch them eat and sit in the nearest trees and sometimes we are lucky to see … More Feeder Birds: European crested tit
Can you find the bird in the picture bellow? So small, so quick and likes to look under our old pine trees bark. I think it is Eurasian treecreeper (oh, what a name!). I hope you find it! Never seen before. But maybe the reason is excellent camouflaging technic and teeny-weeny size of it! Nice, I … More Eurasian treecreeper
a day in the life of a latvian mom 