An early spring in Geneva.

Normally the end of March in Geneva, Switzerland, can still be cool / cold but in 2011 the weather was very nice. Cool in the morning but by midday it was warm and pleasant, with nice blue skies most days. Although there for a few days work, I had my time cut out trying to get to out of meetings and the hotel to see a little of Geneva. Spring had sprung and the birds were in great form already - a number of the coot already had nests and were defending them aggressively against any breeding bird that ventured too close.

Male Goosander

 Great crested grebe

 Male mallard

 Female Goosander

 Common moorhen

 Common coot

 Mute swan

 Black-headed gull

 Male red-crested pochard

 Female red-crested pochard

 Carrion crow

 Female mallard

Black-headed gull

 Avian pornography ...

 Rock dove

A birding meander.

While in South Africa over Christmas, my brother-in-law casually mentioned that it is reasonably easy to see 3 species of crane and a few other species that are no longer easy to see on his brothers farm near Nottingham Road - I have no idea why he did not tell me years ago!! So off birding we went with the expectation that I would be seeing grey crowned crane, blue crane, wattled crane and a secretarybirds - did I mention I do not have good images of any of these species?? I also forget to mention that the blue and wattled cranes breed on the farm ......

This region is also known as the "Midlands Meander"  for it wide range of activities and tourist stops. A great area to unwind and enjoy the environment, while completely over-eating and having a good holiday.

The weather was good and the promise of birds was realized - although I did dip on the wattled crane and secretarybird. Nottingham Road is a great part of the world (if the mist has not settled in) and it was good to see it lush green after all the recent rain.

To give you an idea of the birds we saw, some images:

African marsh harrier

 Red-knobbed coot

Orange-throated longclaw

Red-collared widowbird

 

 Fan-tailed widowbird

 Crested crane

 Common waxbill

 Southern ant-eating chat

 Long-tailed widowbird

 Banded martin

 Grey crane

 Egyptian goose

 Spur-winged goose

Not bad for only a few hours and I will be back!

A beautiful part of the world that is not only full of birding opportunities but also great places to visit and great scenery in a relatively small region.