The weeks of diversity

An immature Lesser Spotted Eagle showing off its freshly moulted feathers. Photo by Matthew Sprangers.

The weeks of diversity have started! After the thrill of the million, we went straight through to the peaks of diversity. And that brings along… the eagles. Through the mess of the frantically flying Steppe Buzzards and Black Kites, the huge appearances of these eagles, steadily gliding and moving in between them gives a peaceful, yet excited feeling at the same time. They soar through the chaos effortlessly, unaffected by the buzzards spiraling around them. And if the eagles didn’t already seem huge, a surprise Griffon Vulture shows up. Seeing them together in the stream with eagles just makes you realise how massive they are. The challenge of counting a lot of birds that we had in the beginning of the season, has now turned into the challenge of picking out all the different species. The season is changing and with that the migration that keeps on surprising us in every way. We are ready for - already - the last chapter of the season!

One of the few surprise Griffon Vultures we’ve had so far. Photo by Filiep T’Jollyn.