Wryneck - more Helgoland

Kringel on saturday, many migrants had arrived and bushes were full. Suddenly we noticed 2 Wrynecks enjoying the sun with just a few meters inbetween. One of them flew into the bushes as they usually do, but the other looked surprised, had a good look at me and decided that I was not going to be a threat. In which he was right of course, but what a chance!

After a few minutes I left the bird alone, and a little later it was feeding on the typical Helgoland red-rocks (see previous post). The weekend was full of birds, some more images below (including the long-staying but very difficult to see Rose-coloured Starling). Other records include Lapland Bunting, Yellowhammer, Arctic and Pomarine Skua.

Yellow-browed Warbler - Gelbbrauenlaubsaenger - Bladkoning

A tribute to this tiny bird, this post is for you. Thank you for travelling thousands of kilometers from the east, brightening the day of the autumn birdwatcher (@Aquarium, Helgoland).

Helgoland

A quick preview of a very nice weekend, I need to work out the pictures. Many migrants and the arrival of the first Yellow-browed Warblers, several Wrynecks and the Rose-coloured Starling appeared agian. The Olive-backed Pipit flew before we could get our eyes on it. More later!

From the archives: juvenile Red-footed Falcon

Lauwersmeer, exactly 3 years ago.

Rottumeroog

Friday, extremely bad weather and during the landing on the island everthing got soaked. But on the island it was very busy; the storm and rain had resulted in a fall of Willow Warblers (many 100's, everywhere!) and good numbers of Garden Warbler, Pied and Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Whinchat etc. A Long-tailed Skua was a good find of BJ but too distant for a picture.

The next days were clear, all passerines left and we focussed on counting the waders which were presents in very high numbers. Some impressions below;

A beautifull Merlin caused some additional work by chasing the flocks during the counting:-)

A juvenile Red-necked Phalarope was briefly present between the Dunlins and Sanderlings untill the Merlin showed again. I lost it when the flock took flight but hit the shutter-button as the waders flew by close. And it was on one of the pictures:-)

 

Other interesting records; 3 Little Stints, at least 4 Curlew Sandpipers (both rare species on Rottumeroog), Great Skua, Osprey, 2 Peregrines and 1 Mediteranean Gull.

update

A short impression of a week Normandy:-)
Report of last weekend Rottumeroog soon!