Another Iceland

Again a beautiful first-winter at Wijk aan Zee - Noordpier, a different one than 2 weeks ago (note the patterned primaries). Last week I saw a 2nd-winter at close range here but no camera..

Iceland Gull

one of the many that invaded the Netherlands last week @Wijk aan Zee

the recent storm resulted in millions of shells and starfish on the beach. many 1000's of large gulls have gathered in a huge feeding frenzy

same bird (a first-winter)

Another day at the office

But almost immediately after I left Kornwerderzand there was this strange bird flying above the Afsluitdijk. It reminded me shortly of a Green Sandpiper with the white belly and black underwings but the erratic flight soon confirmed it to be a pratincole!
The next exit was a few kilometers away so I needed some minutes to turn and take the secondary road but luckily the bird was still there, hunting for insects above the dike. No real camera so only some records shot with the phone, but it was really close! There was direct sunlight on the underwings frequently and they were clearly black; Black-winged Pratincole!

After a few minutes I lost the bird when I was checking if there were any useful images on the phone.

Afsluitdijk km 98.4

update soon

busy times, crashed computer and other priorities
Below is a Common Loon at Quabbin Reservoir, Boston, from last June.
Several of these brilliant birds showed really close, more soon!

and more Red-footed Falcons!

Another 4; a migrating female almost hit my car close to Makkum and late in the afternoon we found 3 hunting birds during an excursion along the IJsselmeer-coast (on the Makkumer Noordwaard, together with at least 2 Ospreys!).

more falcons from Fochteloerveen

Interesting small Kestrel with short rounded wings and short tail, this falcon also hunted on dragonflies while migrating east.

Apparently the length of the outer primaries are diagnostic for Common Kestrel, but it looks rather smaller (lesser:-)

Falco vespertinus

It is party again at Fochteloerveen! The easterly winds have brought Red-footed Falcons and this evening at least 9 were present! (8 females and 1 male). More images soon, also from Helgoland last weekend. Again without albatross..