We have seen so much terror and horror and death in Ukraine over the last six weeks, that I thought we should see some of the beauty of the country. The beauty that will return someday when the Russians have been pushed back and a peace treaty has been signed.
Some birds of Eastern Europe that one might see on a birding trip to Ukraine include the following. Note that all photos have been used with written permission of the Ukrainian Birdwatching Centre, based in Lviv.
Common (Eurasian) Linnet
The Common, or Eurasian Linnet, above, is found in open country, from wild moorland to rough grassland and weedy patches in urban areas. Like other finches, it often forms flocks in autumn and winter; does not usually visit garden feeders. Generally looks small and rather dull unless male is seen well, when reddish breast, gray head, and rusty-brown back are a distinctive combination.
Corn Bunting
The Corn Bunting is uncommon to locally fairly common in open farmland and heathland. Mostly inconspicuous, but male sings from low perch on bush or fence. Lacks white outer tail feathers shown by most buntings. Sexes look alike: overall grayish brown and finely streaked with fairly plain head (narrow whitish eye ring is indistinct). Note rather big bill, and fine dark breast streaks that sometimes merge into a dark blotch on middle of breast.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is a close relative of the House Sparrow. Slightly smaller than House Sparrow with an entirely rufous cap, black and white cheek, and limited black in the throat. Males and females are similar. Typically found in small flocks, often in more natural areas than concrete-loving House Sparrow. Feeds on seeds.
European Shag
The European Shag is fairly common along seacoasts, nesting on steep cliffs; usually seen as singles or small groups, swimming or flying low over the sea. Rather large, long-necked dark waterbird; feeds by diving and often leaps a little as it dives. Smaller and thinner necked than the Great Cormorant, with more slender bill. Adult glossy black overall with narrow yellow throat patch.
European Turtle Dove
The European Turtle Dove is a medium-sized dove with spotted wings, distinctive striped neck patch and bold white tip to the rounded tail. Found in wooded and semi-open habitats, especially farmland and heath with hedges and scattered trees. Shy and seen mainly in flight, but at times perched on utility wires. Feeds on ground. Smaller and slimmer than more common Eurasian Collared-Dove. Similar to Oriental Turtle-Dove, but less extensive dark centers to wing feathers and pinker on the breast.
Great Reed Warbler
The Great Reed Warbler is a hulking warbler that resembles the Eurasian Reed-Warbler in coloration but far larger with a proportionately more massive head, heavy bill with a dark tip, and a broad, pale eyebrow. Breeds in reed beds, crashing through the reeds in short flights and bending stems when perched. Song short but very loud and memorable with repeated phrases of "karra-karra-karra gurk gurk gurk chirrr-chirrr karra karra." Call a high-pitched “krrrrr."
Common House-Martin
The Common House-Martin is a common summer migrant from winter grounds in Africa. Breeds under eaves of buildings, where it builds mud nests; feeds over varied open and semi-open habitats, especially water bodies and adjacent fields. Distinctive plumage, with blue-black upper parts, big white rump patch, and white underparts; tail fork shallower than on Barn Swallow, and flight jerkier overall, less smooth and graceful.
As with any large country with varied habitat, a future birding trip to Ukraine will find many varied species depending on whether you are on the coast, in the mountains, in cities and towns, or in rural countryside. Someday, hopefully soon, nature tourism will again be available. I again thank the Ukrainian Birdwatching Centre for allowing permission to use these photos, and to Oleksandr Ruchko, who was gracious enough to answer my emails when he certainly had far more important things to do.
So, how are the birds in your neck of the woods?
And Now, A Fundraising Plea for My Local Audubon Society
As many of you will recall, every spring my wife and I do a “Birdathon” fundraiser for our local Audubon Society, the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society.
This year we will be going out on April 13 with our income tax deadline facing us, with the team DeDUCKtions! We will work together to scour the varied habitats of the county, from bayside marsh to mountainous hillsides, and everything in between, to count as many species as we can.
We will be going out with SCVAS Executive Director Matthew Dodder, who hopes that we will locate about 120 different species in a long day of birding!
Money raised goes to a very good cause: various educational programs sponsored by SCVAS. These programs reach thousands of youngsters in Santa Clara County each year. Trained volunteers conduct hands-on, in-class activities and presentations to school children, teaching them about birds, wildlife, and the environment. Some of these presentations include live bird visits in classrooms.
Volunteers also lead school field trips, taking hundreds of children into nature each year to identify birds and learn about ecosystems. It could be a child’s first experience to enjoy nature and learn about our birds! SCVAS also supports many conservation programs that benefit residents in the Bay Area.
If you wish to donate by check, please send me a Kosmail and I’ll let you know our mailing address, so that you can send a check that we will deliver to Audubon.
However, the easiest way to donate is online.
You can donate directly to my wife at
this link. When that page opens, please click on the green Donate button under her name, Carolyn Straub. After the Donation page opens up, it will give you a standard site for a credit card donation.
Your tax-deductible donations must be made before the deadline of May 8. Your donation benefits:
Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
22221 McClellan Road
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 252-3747
SCVAS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit local grassroots organization. Nearly 4,000 members, many volunteers and a very small staff support SCVAS to make it one of the most successful and largest of the more than 500 chapters of the National Audubon Society.
Thank you for anything you can do to help out. Almost everybody reading Dawn Chorus today has a few spare dollars, and every bit helps to get us to our goal of $2,000.
Every bit helps, so can you please donate $5, $10, $20 or more?