Roef

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Helgoland Goldcrests

There were many, they even outnumbered the Yellow-browed Warblers! More of those later.

New Holland tractor with kelp flies, the perfect feeding habitat @Kringel

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Falsterbo bird migration

An impression from a visit last week. Raptors peaked on monday, a day with optimal conditions (sunny weather and a light southwesterly wind).

Nabben, the end of Scandinavia for migrating birds in autumn

Early morning Honey Buzzard with passerine migration in the background. About 30 seen in total.

massive migration of Siskin

Blue Tits in confusion, a lot of hesitation before they actually take off towards the sea

late Swifts, I saw 9 in total

Sparrowhawks are everywhere, 1000+ on a single day

Red Kites following the coast

the first Rough-legged Buzzards started migration

Cranes over Ljungen

Falsterbo-canal; a better spot for raptors because they fly concentrated and lower than over the heath. Eagles may return inland here as they notice land is ending

But not this eagle, Ospreys fly anywhere anytime! They were on show daily.

Red Kites have strongly increased in Sweden, about 150 were on the move on monday. Impressive and very elegant birds.

Buzzards and a kite disappearing in the cloud to gain height for the crossing to Denmark (about 500 in total)

Red Kite

Pallid Harrier, I saw 3 in total but all were very distant.

Fyledalen valley, hotspot for Golden Eagles but not today.. River restoration is nice anyway!

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Rottumerplaat

We counted almost 70.000 birds last weekend, autumn migration is already peaking for the waders!

only a small part of the high-tide roost of Dunlin, Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Curlew, Ringed Plover and Sanderling

happy seals

very unhappy seal

Saturday, July 25, 2015

The start of spring was rather sad when the cat crossed the line and killed the pair of Barn Swallows. Although it costed a small fortune, I sent him on vacation, and from may onwards it was safe. Luckily a new pair of Swallows arrived and bred succesfully, together with many other birds!

juvenile Dunnock, one of the earlier breeders and succesfully fledged

Blackbird, at least 2 succesfull pairs

juvenile Wrens, the nest was in the firewood-storage

Blackcap working hard to feed the young

recently fledged Blackcap, next to the kitchen window

Chiffchaff bred in the ornamental grass, second clutch just hatched

several pairs of House Sparrow bred in the roof

And also at least 1 pair of Starling in the roof. After fledging all Starlings of Pieterzijl gathered in my back garden, a rather noisy flock of 50+ !

Succesfull pair of Barn Swallow, and they started a second clutch!

these Song Thrushes would have been an easy meal for cat (the nest was only a meter high, next to the barn)

Icterine Warbler again bred succesfully and the young fledged a few days ago. Always hiding but very vocal, luckily this one showed in front of my window.

Collared Dove, no comment

Spotted Flycatcher is one of the last breeders, not sure where but the young fledged and favour the area around the kitchen. Note the spotted juvenile in the background and the catch; a Wasp!

Furthermore there was Wood Pigeon (1 breeding pair), Great Tit (1 breeding pair), Greenfich (territory), Goldfinch (territory, probably bred at neighbour's garden), Lesser Whitethroat (territory). Not a bad year!

Monday, July 6, 2015

more Farne Islands

With some delay, more images from one of the richest seabird-colony's along the North Sea. The Farne Islands is a group of several small island and some of them are open to the public. The short walk on the island is impressive, as 1000's of Puffin, Guillemot, Kittiwake and Arctic Tern breed here and can be viewed from close distance.