garden birds

no rings unfortunately

Waxwings!

A second wave is spreading over the northern part of Holland. As self-found Waxwings are to be preferred above twitching we searched in Winsum, Baflo, Warffum, Den Andel and Eenrum. Twitching is second-best so we headed to Dokkum, had a quick stop at a Red-breasted Goose along the dike (which was flushed by a woman with barking dogs asking us if we were looking at Waxwings...)

But finally, in fading light, we enjoyed the impressive sight and sounds of a large group of Waxwings! (we counted 34).

Tit invasion

During autumn it was clear that both Great and Blue Tits were on the move. A big flock is wintering in Pieterzijl now and this weekend I had some time to check for rings. The number of birds is really amazing with regularly 10 Great and 10 Blue Tits together in the garden, the actual number is much higher but impossible to determine.

Some years ago I was able to read a metal ring of a Great Tit, and now there are 2 metal-ringed Blue Tits present. Their visits are irregular and short but still I managed to get some pictures of the birds, one is wearing a dutch ring but the other?? I think I have all the numbers but without the country of origin it is useless. If you think you know which text is written on the ring please contact me at roefmulder(AT)hotmail.com

Long-billed Dowitcher Bantpolder

The Peregrine on the pictures flushed all the birds 20 seconds after I arrived, thanks a lot!!! The Dowitcher did not return (high ISO digiscopes).

More Helgoland

Helgoland

Autumn migration is ending, a last try on Helgoland for this season. Fair numbers of migrants including the long-staying(?) OB-Pipit, a confiding Little Bunting, several small flocks of Waxwing and of course the Rose-coloured Starling. A beautifull species! That is, if in fresh adult pumage, healthy, clean and dry:-)

More pictures later, including not the Eastern-crowned Warbler, not the Isabelline Shrike and not a Raddes Warbler.

And more birding Sein

Some highlights of the week;

Impressive movement of Balearic Shearwaters, several 100-s were cruising around Sein in the beginning of the week, together with 1000s Gannet. We also recorded 2 Manx and 25 Sooties, a Grey Phalarope, 10s Mediteranean Gulls and 4 Great Skuas. The Long-tailed Skua of which Jan was able to get a Belegfoto is one of the very few records on the island.

Interesting passerine migrants were 1-2 Wrynecks, 3-4 Yellow-browed Warblers, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Richard's Pipit and several Serins, Firecrests, Ring Ouzels, Crossbills, Stonechats and late Whinchat and Reed Warbler.

Spectaculair was the Bottlenose-Dolphin named Randi, who regularly visits the harbour to scratch his back:-)

The smell of rotting seaweed and the flies in your ears, priceless!

Alors Ouessant prochaine annee!

more Ile de Sein

Usual birds in unusual habitat, I am not sure if they like it but I do!