zaterdag 18 mei 2013

Bee-eater!

Yesterday a Common Bee-eater was found in my county. In the Deelerwoud between Apeldoorn and Arnhem. I was still in Wageningen, but I saw it was still present today and my dad had also seen it. I decided to go back home to Wageningen and twitch it from there. I was accompanied by my dad. When arrived at the parking lot we had a singing Turtle Dove. Then we proceeded to the Bee-eater and it was still in its spot, catching bumblebees. First time I see this species in Holland (I must say I hadn't done any effort so far).

Other species observed: multiple Black Woodpeckers, a Honey Buzzard and my first Spotted Flycatchers of the year.

Common Bee-eater (Meriops apiaster)
 
Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur), singing male

zaterdag 11 mei 2013

Finger biters

Finger biters, not so surprising when you take a look at their bills. Both ringed at my CES recently.
 Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes), male
 Jay (Garrulus garrulus), 2cy female
Ringing site at dawn

vrijdag 10 mei 2013

Regional specialties!

Birding in my region has been excellent over the past week! Lots of good 'inland' birds have been observed along the IJssel.

There's a new wetland area near Welsum that has produced some good birds so far. Tuesday Piet Schermerhorn observed a Black-winged Stilt and a Red-throated Pipit there. Good birds! Furthermore some waders have showed up there: a Sanderling, a Red Knot, a Curlew Sandpiper, up to 20-30 Wood Sandpipers, several Ringed Plovers, Whimbrels and so forth! Next to that groups of thunberghi Yellow Wagtails have been present there.

We had to see these good inland waders so my dad and I visited the area yesterday. We had the Sanderling, the Red Knot and the Curlew Sandpiper. Also some 10 thunberghi Yellow Wagtails, 3 Whimbrels, 15 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 6 Garganeys etc!

 All images taken by my dad - Tammo Meijer
Red Knot (Calidris canutus)
Sanderling (Calidris alba), with Red Knot
Curlew Sandpipier (Calidris ferruginea)




 Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)

Today we visited the place again; no more Red Knot or Sanderling. We had the usual birds there including a Sacred Ibis and 2 Spoonbills.
Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus), only my 2nd ever! (eventhough it's considered to be an escape)

When we drove back we had our first Hobby of the year, perched on a pole in the field, eating its prey; a White Wagtail!

Hobby (Falco subbuteo), highlight of the morning!