Jochen Roeder was born in Germany and raised to be a birder. He also spent a number of years abroad, just so he could see more birds. One of his most astounding achievements is the comprehension that Yellow-crowned Night-herons do not exist, as he failed to see any despite birding in North America for more than two years. He currently lives near Heidelberg, one of the most boring places for a birder to live, a fact about which he likes to whinge a lot. When he is not birding or trying to convince his teenage son that patiently scanning some fields for migrants is more fun than staring at a smartphone, he enjoys contemplating the reasoning behind the common names of birds. He first became famous in the bird blog world on Bell Tower Birding.
Howsit, I’m visiting Gemany for a week at he end of February and would really like to get some gen on a few birding sites! I’ll be in Leipzig for 2 days, Berlin for 2/3 then a waffle down to Munich for 2 nights, and 2 nights Munich. Short and sweet!
But hopefully we can get some goodies – nutcracker, black and middle spotted woodpecker, crested lark, woodlark, Tengmalm’s owl, bearded reedling, hawfinch, snipe,woodcock, black or hazel grouse.
We’re South Africans, and would greatly appreciate any assistance in this effort. And of course would only be too happy to repay the favour on our home turf!
Thanks,
Zoe and Justen
Hey Zoe and Justen! That is great, I’ll send you some advice by email “off-blog” in the next few days. SA is great! I spent a total of around 2 years in Namibia and visited the Western Cape a few times. It’ll be my pleasure to return the many favours of SA birders while I was there!!