Steve Happ Photography Ramblings and dissertations

Limonlu, Mersin.

A few days ago I was at Limonlu, between Alanya and Antakya on the south coast of Turkey. It was raining for days and then the sun came out for a couple of days so I went out to the beach to get some photos.

Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus)

I am pretty sure this is a Mediterranean Gull. I have not seen one before so it was hard to identify it. Even now I am not one hundred percent. They were in a flock on the beach with Black-headed Gulls, Yellow-legged Gulls and a random tern.

Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus) in flight

A semi-reasonable shot of one in flight.

Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)

There were a couple of these in the mix. I have seen these before in the UAE.

Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)

This one was difficult to identify. It is close to a Sandwich Tern but I am not sure about the range. Edit: Id confirmed by Louis Driver. thank you.

European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)

After the beach I headed up the hill to a ruined castle and saw a few European Stonechats and White-spectacled Bulbuls.

Limonlu bird list

Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus)
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)
European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)
White-spectacled Bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos)

Olimpos Birding – Day 2.

Out again today in Olimpos. I started a bit later this morning. It rained a bit yesterday afternoon and last night so I was a bit sluggish starting off.

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

I got a bit of a shock when I saw these in the computer. I thought they were Great Tit. First time for me. Terrible photos but, #recordshot only. This photo I had to paint in sharpness and clarity because it was so out of focus.

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

I did another photo of the Blue Tit but this one is at a bad angle. At least it is a little more in focus than the other one.

White-spectacled Bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos)

This White-spectacled Bulbul was hooking into a pomegranate in the orchard of my hostel. I just walked down the back and there it was. Last seen in the UAE.

Black Redstart (Pnoenicurus ochruros)

I just worked out what yesterday’s “Eastern Nightingale” was. It was a female Black Redstart. Same ruddy rump. Same bobbing motion.

European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)

And last but not least, a European Stonechat.

Olimpos bird list

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
White-spectacled Bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos)
Eurasian Jay
Great Tit (Parus major)
Common Chaffinch
Black Redstart (Pnoenicurus ochruros)
European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)
European Robin

Olimpos, South Turkey.

After a five hour bus journey yesterday, I was ready for the sack, which I hit after a hearty meal of meatballs and salad. As well as soup. I was ready to go at 9am but the sun was not up yet. It was still behind this massive mountain. But I still set off.

Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)

This is a new bird for me, found in the pine forest half way down the mountain.

Cetti’s Warbler (Cettia cetti)

I am pretty sure it is a warbler but not totally sure if it is a Cetti’s Warbler. I need expert input.

Black Redstart (Pnoenicurus ochruros) female

I am not even sure about the taxonomy of this one. Edit: At first I thought it might be an Eastern Nightingale but I am more inclined towards Common Nightingale juvenile. But to me it looks more like an Indian Robin or Brown Rockchat, which is impossible. So I am pretty much stumped. Edit 2: Back to Eastern, doh! Edit 3: female Black Redstart. double doh!!

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)

I am pretty sure this is a Sardinian Warbler. This is the second time I have seen one of these.

Great Tit (Parus major)

There are heaps of these Great Tit around. It is raining now and they are still flitting around the trees near my hostel. For your information the sun did not come over the mountain until 10:30am! That brought a few more birds out.

Olimpos bird list

Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
Cetti’s Warbler (Cettia cetti)
Black Redstart (Pnoenicurus ochruros)
Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)
Great Tit (Parus major)
White Wagtail
Eurasian Jay
Common Chaffinch
Mistle Thrush (turdus viscivorus)
Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopus syriacus)
European Robin

Challish Plaji – Phase Two.

Second day at Challish Plaji. Early morning this time. I climbed back through the hole in the fence. This time there were no fishermen. I had it all to myself.

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephela)

I got a lot of out of focus shots of this male Sardinian Warbler, but I got lucky with just a few. whew!

European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

Another new bird on the reeds. But I am not totally sure about the ID of this one. I know what. I will look it up on the internet. doh! Yep. Back again. The internet confirmed my prelimary Identification. It is a European Robin.

Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

This dove was being very patriotic. Peace, man.

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

There was only one of these around. Lucky I saw one.

Great Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax carbo)

Crested Lark (Galerida cristata)

Fethiye bird list

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephela)
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)
Great Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax carbo)
Black-headed Gull 1st winter
White Wagtail
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
Common Redshank
European Stonechat
Crested Lark (Galerida cristata)
Common Chaffinch
House Sparrow