Herbst - Frose

Time to get back to the birds.  Autumn is here and things ought to be beginning to move.  A visit to Frose was in order to see what was coming through.  I had also read some reports of late summer congregations of Bee-eaters hawking over the water and was keen to see if I could see some.  I've been to Frose several times attracted by its diversity and the abundance of species - I've seen, after this morning's visit, 68 species here.  The weather was calm and warm - 20C.  A beautiful early autumnal day.
 

Map extract - Frose and the Concordia See



Frose village from over the reed beds

First impressions weren't too optimistic.  I'd timed my arrival so as to arrive mid-morning when the air would be warmer and therefore more conducive to insect activity.  Certainly compared to my visits in the early spring when the place was a cacophony of bird song, it was eerily quiet.  Halfway along the track bisecting the reserve are two expanses of water one of which contains a drowned wood.  The left hand area is more open and shallow and contained the wonderful sight of nearly 200 Lapwings. Often overlooked, these birds are really beautiful, particularly so when the entire flock, spooked by a local Marsh Harrier erupted into the air, their black and white wings contrasting spectacularly against the sun.  Accompanying the Lapwings were several Ruffs in winter plumage and right at the back, beyond camera range, a handful of Dunlins.  So, something was coming through and both waders were new to me at Frose.

Lapwings at Frose

Juvenile Marsh Harrier - Frose

Ruffs at Frose

On I walked pondering all the species I'd seen here in the Spring - nearly all of the warblers were gone save only for a softly plumaged gentle-faced Marsh Warbler and a couple of their Reed brethrens chuntering from deep within the reed beds.  I played cat and mouse with a juvenile Cuckoo hoping for a shot but he or she proved too elusive - always moving on in that long-winged elastic way of theirs.  There really didn't seem to be that much about, especially on the passerine front.  The other lake was graced with 12 Great-White Egrets and some Grey Herons whilst the sky was filled with hirundines fattening up before the long haul south.  Suddenly the air was filled with a quipping sound indicating the arrival of a 10 strong flock of Bee-eaters flying on stiffly held wings over the water.  This species is most obliging in the sense that they're easy to photograph posing obligingly on dead trees in the middle of the lake.  I spotted at least one juvenile bird and assume this raiding party came from the Osmarsleben colony I had visited in June.



Bee-eater - Frose



Bee-eater - Frose

White Storks flying over Frose

Turning back towards the car I picked up 3 White Stocks heading south which, when added to the handful of migrating Cranes I had seen the other day from the car, indicate that the big bird passage has started too.  Frose seems to attract large numbers of Starlings maybe because there is so much suitable roosting habitat.  Large numbers wheeling across the reed beds is a spectacular sight and certainly worth observing not least as a fascinating behavioural characteristic.

A flock of Starlings over Frose

One of ten Great White Egrets - Frose

Finally, I was really please to find a couple of juvenile Penduline Tits - another new species for me at Frose - which despite being widely distributed, aren't that easy to come by.  This couple were certainly easier to photograph than their bearded cousins which never stay still long enough for me to get a snap.  Lastly, just as I approached the car, some Sand Martins flew over head.  Here's the morning's list then: Great White Egret (12), Grey Heron (11), White Stork (4), Marsh Harrier (several), Buzzard (5), Lapwing (circa 200), Dunlin (4), Ruff (8), Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon (2), Cuckoo, Bee-eater (10), Sand Martin (5), Swallow (circa 30), House Martin (22), Pied Wagtail (2), Wren, Dunnock (2), Robin, Song Thrush, Marsh Warbler (1), Reed Warbler (2), Whitethroat (3), Willow Warbler (2), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Penduline Tit (2 juv), Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling (100), Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch (15).

Juv Penduline Tit - Frose

Juv Penduline Tit - Frose

Finally, now that the summer is officially over I should return to my original subject - that of Montagu's Harriers.  Despite trying, driving and walking miles, I have seen none - save the early passage female bird in the spring.  I have looked in old haunts and promising acres of crops but must admit that I've drawn a blank.  As they say, information is power, and with so little useful intelligence and help, it was always going to be difficult - but I thought I would find some somewhere!  On the plus side I've got to know the landscape and villages north east of the Harz and have grown to love them in their inimical German way.  And I've seen a lot of great birds in the process and all under my own steam.  Next week the Drömling, but today Frose did not disappoint.