Slovakia birds

1st - 7th June.
A week in the High Tatras region of  Slovakia produced some good birds, and a few opportunities to get some images  .One new bird for me was Nutcracker which I was beginning to think didn't exist after failing to see one on previous trips where I thought they should be. Species I had'nt photographed before were Lesser Spotted Eagle, Icterine Warbler & Common Rosefinch  ( although only record shots but still pleased). A splendid week in lovely scenery and in good company.

Nutcracker yea a lifer.

Icterine Warbler, singing constantly from the treetop near the hotel in Stara Lesna

Icterine Warbler, or Squeaky toy as Dave T called it as it had a wide range of calls.

Lesser Spotted Eagle in a roadside tree

Male Common Rosefinch in a park, looks like its been smoking heavily!

Whitethroat with food for its young, a common bird, but nice to get this chance to photograph it.

Whitethroat nesting near the hotel

Whitethroat

Whitethroat

Female Red Backed Shrike

and a male Red Backed Shrike

A different male Red Backed Shrike

Juvenile Fieldfare ,lots of these around

Nesting Fieldfare

Flyover Black Stork

A White Stork over the mountains of the High tatras

White Stork in meadow

White Stork

Spotted Flycatcher at the nest

Spotted Flycatcher, they seem to be getting fewer over here each year

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher-They pose so nicely

Pair of Spotted Flycatchers at the nest

A poor shot of a Honey Buzzard which flew overhead

Male Serin in the hotel grounds

Female Black Redstart at Spis castle

Male Black Redstart

Male Black Redstart at Spis castle- Black Redstarts are common wherever we go abroad, why not here?

Wood Warbler

Kestrel at Spis castle, three pairs had nested in the castle walls.

Yellowhammer with a beakfull of Craneflies.