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