Over the course of 5 Saturdays in May 2021, I guided a total of 17 participants around 4 locations across Malmö. We spent a total of 15 hours of slow-paced birding and saw grand total of 78 species during our morning birding sessions. All the birding walks were fully booked.
The walks were relaxed and the objective was to take it easy and simply go birding during the peak northbound migration to see what we find. No stress, pure therapy. I think all the participants enjoyed this aspect of the walks because it allowed them to take in the full experience of birding without pressure, and while enjoying each other’s company (at 2-meters apart, of course, due to COVID-19).
The walks were free but generous participants nonetheless sent tips via Swish. This was very much appreciated. I re-invested those funds (1044 SEK) to purchase a new pair of lightweight binoculars by Focus Nordic (see photo below) that were on sale at Birdlife Sweden’s online shop, Naturbokhandeln. The reason I purchased these binoculars is that some of the participants said the spare pair of binoculars I handed out, Bushnell H2O 10x42, were a bit heavy (710 g). This new pair is 40% lighter (425 g) and will be easier for the participants to carry for extended periods of time during future birding walks. So, I wholeheartedly thank all the contributors for making this happen.
I look forward to the Autumn 2021 birding walks, which will take place in September or October to coincide with peak southbound migration. I haven’t yet decided on the dates and locations but please sign up for the mailing list to be notified when the schedule is online.
Also, please make sure to follow @birdingtherapy on Instagram and Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook page for videos, photos, and updates about the birding walks. Have a wonderful summer!
Hakim
Below are the species we saw or heard during the spring birding walks in alphabetical order.
Barn Swallow / Ladusvala
Barnacle Goose / Vitkindad gås
Black-headed Gull / Skrattmås
Blue Tit / Blåmes
Chiffchaff / Gransångare
Common Blackbird / Koltrast
Common Buzzard / Ormvråk
Common Chaffinch / Bofink
Common Coot / Sothöna
Common Cuckoo / Gök
Common Eider / Ejder
Common Goldeneye / Knipa
Common Greenshank / Glutsnäppa
Common Gull / Fiskmås
Common Kestrel / Tornfalk
Common Linnet / Hämpling
Common Magpie / Skata
Common Pheasant / Fasan
Common Pochard / Brunand
Common Redshank / Rödbena
Common Redstart / Rödstjärt
Common Reed Bunting / Sävsparv
Common Sandpiper / Drillsnäppa
Common Shelduck / Gravand
Common Starling / Stare
Common Swift / Tornseglare
Common Tern / Fisktärna
Common Whitethroat / Törnsångare
Common Woodpigeon / Ringduva
Dunnock / Järnsparv
Eurasian Blackcap / Svarthätta
Eurasian Goldfinch / Steglits
Eurasian Nuthatch / Nötväcka
Eurasian Oystercatcher / Strandskata
Eurasian Reed Warbler / Rörsångare
Eurasian Skylark / Sånglärka
Eurasian Sparrowhawk / Sparvhök
Eurasian Wigeon / Bläsand
Eurasian Wren / Gärdsmyg
European Greenfinch / Grönfink
European Robin / Rödhake
Fieldfare / Björktrast
Garden Warbler / Trädgårdssångare
Great Black-backed Gull / Havstrut
Great Cormorant / Storskarv
Great Crested Grebe / Skäggdopping
Great Spotted Woodpecker / Större hackspett
Great Tit / Talgoxe
Greater Scaup / Bergand
Grey Heron / Gråhäger
Greylag Goose / Grågås
Herring Gull / Gråtrut
Hooded Crow / Kråka
House Martin / Hussvala
House Sparrow / Gråsparv
Icterine Warbler / Härmsångare
Lesser Whitethroat / Ärtsångare
Mallard / Gräsand
Marsh Harrier / Brun kärrhök
Mute Swan / Knölsvan
Northern Lapwing / Tofsvipa
Northern Raven / Korp
Northern Shoveler / Skedand
Pied Avocet / Skärfläcka
Pied Flycatcher / Svartvit flugsnappare
Red-becked Grebe / Gråhakedopping
Red-breasted Merganser / Småskrake
Red-necked Grebe / Gråhakedopping
Rook / Råka
Sand Martin / Backsvala
Song Thrush / Taltrast
Thrush Nightingale / Näktergal
Tree Sparrow / Pilfink
Tufted Duck / Vigg
Western Jackdaw / Kaja
White Wagtail / Sädesärla
White-tailed Eagle / Havsörn
Willow Warbler / Lövsångare