Latvia Day 4

After continuing my exploration of the site the following evening, today we conducted some surveys within the Mezule Forest, primarily focussing on woodpeckers. Sadly the woodpeckers in question were not particularly responsive, and the only species’ I saw were Black Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker. I did get a nice female Capercallie, which I flushed from the track, and a singing Firecrest was also really nice. The most frustrating aspect of the morning was having not one but two Hazel Grouse singing from the shrubbery right in front of me but never being able to see them. Mammals were far more responsive with awesome views of both Pine Martin and Moose as we drove to our checkpoints, both new species for me.

Around mid-morning we left the forest to head to a new location to look for Lesser Spotted Eagles. We had some good activity with maybe four individuals flying and displaying around us but sadly, despite our best efforts, we were unable to find any nests.

After our afternoon of eagle watching Gaidis decided that we would head to Kolka, a small town and the best birding location in Latvia. It was some drive and consumed the rest of the day but we made a few stops along the way, allowing me to boost my Latvia list. Our first stop was Lake Kanieris not too far from Riga. There was a nice assemblage of commoner wetland birds, but the highlight for me was a cracking summer plumage Red-necked Grebe, only the second time I have seen one in Europe. Next we called off at a few Baltic coast sites in the late evening, where some of the highlights included Spotted Redshank, summer plumage Long-tailed Duck and a cracking adult male Citrine Wagtail. We arrived at Kolka early evening, ready to start the days birding early the next day, seeing no less than five female Capercallie along the way.

-Moose

-Crested Tit

-Lesser Spotted Eagle

Species List:

Mezule Forest: Black Grouse, Crane, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Raven, Hooded Crow, Treecreeper, Wren, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Robin, Pied Flycatcher, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Siskin, Osprey, Buzzard, Goldeneye, Woodpigeon, Jay, Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Tree Pipit, Moose, Pine Martin, Mountain Hare, Roe Deer, Green Hairstreak,

Skujene: Marsh Harrier, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Buzzard, Willow Warbler, Wood Warbler, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Meadow Pipit, White Stork, Woodpigeon, White Wagtail, Peacock, Orange Tip, Small White,

Lake Kanieris: Greylag Goose, House Martin, Mute Swan, Mallard, Pochard, Goldeneye, Red-necked Grebe, Crane, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Cormorant, Bittern, Grey Heron, Great White Egret, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Savi’s Warbler, White Wagtail, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Hobby,

Engure:  Spotted Redshank, Wood Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Citrine Wagtail, Crane, Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Goosander, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Hooded Crow, White Wagtail