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Winter Birdwatching around Bratislava

Monday, February 9th 2026

We received an interesting request for a birdwatching trip near Bratislava from a client based in Spain. His goal was to see species that are rare or non-existent in his home country. Based on this, we compiled a list of target species that can be spotted around the capital during this winter season.

Our journey began on Saturday morning, February 7th, in Rusovce Park. Within a few minutes, we saw our first finds – the Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocoptes medius) and the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major). Soon, the characteristic sound of the Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) was heard. Although we expected it to be an easy sighting, we only managed to get a good look at it at the end of our park visit, as it initially did not respond to calls. In addition, we saw many wintering passerines and, after a long search, managed to photograph three Gray-headed Woodpeckers (Picus canus).

Our next stop was the cemetery in Čunovo, where we quickly found the Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacus). From there, we moved to the Hrušovská Reservoir on the Danube. This location is key for Nordic species in winter. The water surface was filled with hundreds of Tufted Ducks (Aythya fuligula), Common Pochards (Aythya ferina), Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), and Mute Swans (Cygnus olor). We were most pleased by the Smew (Mergellus albellus), of which we counted approximately 50 individuals. We also observed 2 individuals of Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica). A majestic White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) also flew over our heads.

We concluded the trip at Sysľovské polia. In addition to flocks of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda), we observed the Red Kite (Milvus milvus), Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), and Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus). The icing on the cake was the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), which appeared in the distance just before our departure. During four hours in the field, we recorded a total of 62 species.

Checklist of observed species

Graylag Goose (Anser anser)
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)
Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)
Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
Smew (Mergellus albellus) – target species
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
Common Wood-Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Great Bustard (Otis tarda)
Eurasian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Common Gull (Larus canus)
Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans)
Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica)
Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) – target species
Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocoptes medius)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)
Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacus) – target species
Gray-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus) – target species
Eurasian Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)
Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) – target species
Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)
Eurasian Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula)
Rook (Corvus frugilegus)
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris)
Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Great Tit (Parus major)
Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
Eurasian Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) – target species
Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla)
Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus)
Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)
Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)
Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)