High up above: the first few days from Kvirike
View from the balcony of Chalet Kvirike towards the west, with the Black Sea in the distance. Photo by Guus van den Berg.
Our pilot count from Chalet Kvirike has now been running for a week and a half, and we must admit we are impressed by what we have so far experienced. Raptors often fly by at eye level, allowing for absolutely incredible views! We are also mastering the art of identifying raptors based on their upperparts, as many fly through the bottleneck below us.
The harriers, particularly Montagu’s, have really been stealing the show, and surely the Honey-buzzard migration peak has also reached Kvirike, with many flying low over our heads.
As we are based at 1080m altitude, we are regularly surrounded by clouds, especially during the afternoons. Two days ago, we experienced what we had really hoped for: reappear above the clouds and see if raptors are migrating above the cloud layer! The answer is a clear yes – several kettles and streams could be seen above the clouds, which was an amazing and unique experience. Raptor migration is magical!
An adult female Montagu’s Harrier. It’s not every day we get to see a Montagu’s while beautifully lit… from below. A perfect opportunity to appreciate the beautiful plumage. Photo by Richard van Vugt.
A curious female Honey Buzzard. Photo by Guus van den Berg.