We start this 2023 annual report with a brief look back at our Big Year of 2022.
Normally we try to see at least 300 species in a year. We therefore don't have to go after all the species that are sighted. This year it was going to be a little different, although that was not planned with the start of the new year.
Due to the corona measures, it was not possible to organize the annual event Top of Holland for 2 years. Fortunately, this year it could be held again on May 14. The aim of the Top of Holland is to search for rare species with as many bird watchers as possible. The discoverer of the rarest species also receives a prize. We have been participating for years under the name “Twitch & Go” and we try to get as many varieties as possible, say a Big Day.
The weather forecast for the Easter weekend looked good. Wind from the east with reasonable temperatures every day. Normally this guarantees nice numbers and rarities. Monday and Tuesday before the Easter weekend there had already been significant migration so the expectations for high numbers of birds were somewhat tempered.
Our daily twitches and short visits are tracked in this blog. Of course the reports are provided with as many photos and possible sound recordings as possible. Enjoy reading!
Every year the Gull-billed Terns take a break in their journey to Africa near Oude Pekela. They then rest on a sand excavation together with the newborn chicks. The birds come from Germany where a small population still breeds in the mouth of the Elbe. They usually stay here for a few weeks before moving on to Africa. The chicks are still fed by their parents during migration.
Yellowhammer | Emberiza citrinella | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Noord | 30-10-2023
European Honey Buzzard | Pernis apivorus | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Noord | 07-09-2023
European Honey Buzzard | Pernis apivorus | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Noord | 27-08-2023
Northern Wheatear | Oenanthe oenanthe | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Noord | 22-08-2023
Northern Wheatear | Oenanthe oenanthe | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Noord | 22-08-2023
Eurasian Sparrowhawk | Accipiter nisus | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Noord | 08-08-2023
European Honey Buzzard | Pernis apivorus | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Noord | 18-07-2023
Eurasian Crag Martin | Ptyonoprogne rupestris | Photo made at Santana de Cambas in Portugal | 24-06-2023
European Honey Buzzard | Pernis apivorus | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Noord | 28-05-2023