Helgoland - Flycatchers

The bad weather on sunday caused a surprising fall of Song Thrushes, Phylo's and.. Pied Flycatchers! The stunning black-and-white males are rather different than the typical dull breeding birds in The Netherlands, but they are a common migrant on Helgoland. Only 2 days after the first bird occured this spring, there were an estimated 100 on sunday, and they were everywhere!

early morning bird at Sudhafengelande - in the rain

male, also on Sudhafengelande

same bird, different setting

brief views of this interesting bird at Grosse Treppe put us on status high alert! nothe the extended white primary-patch, pale rump and collar and dark tail. There is a good chance that this bird shares the genes of both Pied and Collared Flycatcher.

Pied Flycatcher in flight, note the typical white outer tail-feathers

same bird as above, with rather large white primary patch (Friedhof Oberland)

the weather cleared in the afternoon (female Mittelland)

same bird

Helgoland

The ruler of the sea was ruling the sea, so we were unlucky with the albatross. But a nice fall on sunday was a good compensation. Including many Wrynecks!

More soon!