In the first part of June I visited the Gheorgheni basin to find Transylvania`s one of the most colorful and localized breeding birdspecies, the Common Rosefinch. Romania`s main breeding population can found here along the upper section of river Mures wet meadow sites.
During my visit I have found 6-7 territorial males and 1 female as well. The males were very territorial and allow to make some picture from a pair.
Male Common Rosefinch (Photo: Zoltán Baczó)
Female Common Rosefinch (Photo: Zoltán Baczó)
Among others I have found a Common Snipe, which is most probably another localized breeding bird of the site. This species breeds in small number in the neighborhood Ciuc basin as well, along the upper section of river Olt.
The wet alpine, meadow fields of the Gheorgheni basin this time is covered by flowering Meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) and create endless yellow carpet landscape, excellent habitats for Corncrakes.
Alpine meadow with Meadow buttercup (Photo: Zoltán Baczó)
A little bit south, along the Homorod Valley I spent some time to photograph European Bee-eaters near a colony site.
In the afternoon lights these birds looks amazingly colorful.
European Bee-eater (Photo: Zoltán Baczó)
Close to the colony 4-5 Corncrake start singing in the afternoon. This year looks a bit exceptional because this species is present much widely in the suitable habitats than previous years.
Corncrake in the Homoród Valley (Photo: Zoltán Baczó)
Other observed and interesting breeding birds of the area were Great Grey-, Lesser Grey- and Red-backed Shrike, Hoopoe, Icterine Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Stonechat, Whitethroat, Lesser Spotted Eagle…
Xanthophrys type Yellow Wagtail with yellow supercilium (Photo: Zoltán Baczó)
Yours sincerely,
Sakertour team
