Spring at Železná studnička: First Steps into the World of Birdsong

A beautiful March Saturday morning welcomed the first participants of our Short Birdsong Recognition Course at Železná studnička. We chose this early spring date for a reason – the leafless forest provides ideal conditions to not only hear songbirds but also spot them more easily in the canopy. Furthermore, the morning “concert” isn’t as overwhelming as in full May, allowing beginners to focus better on individual voices. In total, we recorded 23 bird species during the course.

From Lemons to the Tiniest Forest Gems

Right at the start, a curious Great Tit (Parus major) came to check on us. Participants were particularly fond of the mnemonic device: its song resembles the repetition of the word “lemon, lemon” (in Slovak: citrón, citrón), which beautifully matches the bright yellow color of its belly.

Just a few meters away, on the other side of the road, we managed to lure in a true tiny marvel. Officially known as the Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla), its delicacy and miniature size evoke the feeling of a tiny “kinglet.” While many consider it our smallest bird, that title narrowly belongs to its cousin, the Goldcrest (Regulus regulus), though the size difference is almost imperceptible to the human eye.

The Wealth of Carpathian Woodpeckers

During the walk with the groups, we caught sight of a Eurasian Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) inconspicuously climbing a tree trunk. However, the real highlight was the flyover of our largest woodpecker – the Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius).

Overall, we recorded 5 species of woodpeckers during the day (the Black Woodpecker, two Green/Grey-headed species, and two “spotted” species). For comparison, only two species are common in England and another two are very rare there, which underlines the exceptional biodiversity of our forests. Occasionally, a Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) circled above us, and by the stream, we observed a dynamic pair of Grey Wagtails (Motacilla cinerea). Thanks to the support from Swarovski Optik, who provided us with top-tier observation equipment, we were able to enjoy every detail of their plumage even from a distance.