Drömling - winter and sound of silence

January is for most people in the northern hemisphere the hardest month.  The days are short and the weather cold - especially in Germany.  That said, this winter has so far been extraordinary mild save for a recent cold snap that brought snow and ice.  And so it was with some trepidation that I set off this morning for the Drömling to see what bird life I could find.  The spring and summer seasons of plenty seem a distant memory and I knew today's trip was likely to offer sparse pickings.  I approached the reserve through Kaiserwinkel and parked the car at the Schwarze Brücke - no more for me the long approach on foot.  The weather was cold - about 2 - 3C even though a weak sun was trying to break through a thin layer of high cloud.  Mercifully there was no wind.

Drömling - north east sector.

Drömling - north east sector.  A typically bleak winter scene soon to be enriched by 2 Cranes.

Drömling - north east sector.  The trees on the left hand side contained 30 - 40 Siskins.  Note also the extent of water.

And so I set off with dog in tow scurrying across the icy path.  The first thing I noticed was the quiet.  Normally the Drömling is a noisy place with Cranes trumpeting or passerines signing from nearly every bush and reed bed.  Not today.  Near silence pervaded with little evidence of life.  Quite soon I spotted some snow white blobs which increasing proximity quickly transformed into Great White Egrets - 5 of them standing conspicuously in a field presumably hoping to catch some mice or other invertebrates in the dank grass.  Much more common in winter than summer there must be some good reason that attracts them to these intemperate winter parts.  Behind them in the distance a large flock of Mute Swans were grazing on the sward.

Drömling - Great White Egret.

Drömling - Common (alas) Buzzard

Drömling - Mute Swans.

Drömling - a solitary Mute Swan closer to.

Walking on I picked up several Common Buzzards - closely checking for Rough Legged which I am yet to see here.  Other than some Blackbirds and a couple of beautiful Blue Tits there was very little - just as I had expected really!  After several minutes peaceful walking my reverie was broken by the familiar sound of some Cranes flying low across the landscape.  It is interesting to note that some spend the winter here electing to conserve their energies here where there must presumably be enough food.  In total I may have seen 5 on 2 separate occasions.  Then, scanning the bedraggled meadows, I picked up a female Hen Harrier before she quickly disappeared into the distance.  I was pleased - these are beautiful birds not often seen here.  Great to see, even if I wasn't able to photograph her.

Drömling - 2 Blue Tits.

Drömling - 2 of possibly 5 Common Cranes.

Slightly further on I heard a high pitched buzzing announcing a party of roving Siskins - 40 to 50 in total feeding I think on seeds - though I'm ashamed to say I don't know of which type of tree.  Wonderful winter birds which, though not especially difficult to see, are great fun to watch.  I never see them in the summer as there are probably dispersed deep within the forests and only engage in this type of flock activity in the winter.  Just after I had extracted my dog from an interesting wood pile, I caught a glimpse of a Great Grey Shrike bounding across the meadows.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to locate it, but another classic winter bird -  even though they breed here.

Drömling - 1 of approximately 40 roving Siskins.

Drömling - Great Spotted Woodpecker

And so my outing came to an end with a fine view of a Great Spotted Woodpecker snuffling up and down some small trees looking for food.  Amazingly I saw no ducks who may have moved south west following the onset of our recent cold snap - most of the water here was covered with a thin layer of ice.  Nor did I see any geese who I believe frequent these parts in winter, nor any winter thrushes save a Song Thrush when I got back to the car.  Nonetheless, I was satisfied with what I had seen, adding further to my knowledge and understanding of this wonderful place.