Glaucous Gull

King of the harbour in Den Oever (3rd. c-y).

The alleged "Viking Gull" (GlaucousxHerring hybrid) is still present at Lauwersoog;

MIBI-competition

For those who were not on the Dutch-Birding vogeldag yesterday and want to have a try, the full competition is below. The rules: European species, 20 seconds to decide and 20 correct answers should have won you a new bin.

Good luck!

Oplossing / solution:

1  Roodhalsgans / Red-breasted Goose
2  Kuifmees / Crested Tit
3  Dwergstern/ Little Tern
4  Slechtvalk / Peregrine
5  Blonde Ruiter / Buff-breasted Sandpiper
6  Oeverpieper / Rock Pipit
7  Dwergmeeuw / Little Gull
8  Vuurgoudhaan / Firecrest
9  Wilson's Stormvogeltje / Wilson's Storm Petrel
10 Bruine Kiekendief / Marsh Harrier
11 Bruine Klauwier / Brown Shrike
12 Heggemus / Dunnock
13 Bosruiter / Wood Sandpiper
14 Bonte Vliegevanger / Pied Flycatcher
15 Pallas Boszanger / Pallas Warbler
16 Bruinkeelortolaan / Cretzschmars Bunting
17 Wintertaling / Common Teal
18 Rotszwaluw / Crag Martin
19 Bonte Strandloper / Dunlin
20 Sperwergrasmus / Barred Warbler
21 Sprinkhaanzanger / Grasshopper Warbler
22 Audouins Meeuw / Audouins Gull
23 Witoogeend / Ferrugenous Duck
24 Kemphaan / Ruff
25 Kneu / Linnet

End of winter?

It looks like today is the last day of winter, still lots of snow and ice but temperature is rising. Most birds have left frozen Lauwersmeer but several flocks of my favourite geese are still around and they showed well today. The Black-bellieds are joined by good numbers of Pale-bellied, and the usual Black Brant also showed.

And some more impressions of the severe winter last weeks;