2024 had a very wet spring. With all the water that had already fallen in 2023, it was very wet everywhere. In our area at De Maashorst, fens had developed that I had never seen before. At our migration site, Brobbelbies Noord, ducks were swimming and you could hear Water Rails, bizarre. Due to the wet spring and predominantly north and northwest winds, there was not much to see at the migration sites. This did not mean that it was boring, rare species were observed enough. The autumn was also not really spectacular at our migration site, but as far as rare species in the Netherlands are concerned, it was fine. Let's start with the overview of 2024.
On January 1st we held our traditional New Year's Big Day in the province of Zeeland. Together with Alwin and Donny we were again at first light in the waterleidingbos near Clinge in Zeeuws Vlaanderen. When leaving Uden the first species of 2024 was noted; an European Robin. It was a top Big Day with our new personal record of 120 species! Nice species such as Black Brant, Red Phalarope, Black-throated Loon, Black-crowned Night Heron, Western Cattle Egret, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Merlin, Common Redpoll and Snow Bunting were seen. The January 1st day list now stands at 188! A nice film is here to see.
On January 2th a few long stayers were visited, Oriental Turtle Dove, Hume's Leaf Warbler and Roseate Starling. A Common Loon was visited on January 4th at the Kraaijenbergse Plassen and a real Eurasian Treecreeper at the Engelermeer in Den Bosch (the place where I started birding around 1974). On the way back to Uden the Hooded Crow was visited in the polder near Rosmalen, which was there again last winter. We also went out again on January 5th. The Siberian Buff-bellied Pipit that was there in 2023 was again present in the same polder near Strijen. It also counted for the monthly list so we couldn't ignore it. It didn't stop with the Pipit because we also visited the Lesser White-fronted Geese in the area that day and then drove on to a White-throated Dipper near Zoetermeer. On the way back to Uden 2 Bohemian Waxwings were done in Houten. January 7th was another day of birding with species such as Ferruginous Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup and Light-bellied Brent Goose. On January 17th an Eurasian Reed Warbler and a Temminck's Stint were reported, mega monthly species. On January 18th we were early on the dike at Enkhuizen where the Reed Warbler was quickly found, a video can be viewed here. The Temminck's was at Callantsoog and was a bit more difficult to find but it was Maartje who eventually managed to find it, here too is a video. 2 mega monthly species in 1 day, that doesn't happen often anymore. On the way back to Uden an American Wigeon was visited in Woerden for the annual list. A Siberian Chiffchaff was visited at the Kraaijenbergse Plassen on January 21st. We also found a Velvet Scoter and a Horned Grebe here. On January 29th we left for Oman for a short trip until February 8th. A nice movie of the trip can be seen here. We ended the month with 156 species for the year list and 3 new monthly species. The monthly list for January is now at 285 species.
On February 10th we went out again for the annual list. The target species was the Gyrfalcon on the island of Texel that had been discovered during our holiday. Despite posting all day long we did not find it. As compensation we were able to note the Horned Lark, Red-breasted Goose and European Rock Pipit for the annual list. On February 17th a Falcated Duck was visited near Zoetermeer. The duck was in the same place as the Dipper in January. The Dipper was also still there. On the way back 3 Short-eared Owls were visited in the Nieuwe Dordtse Biesbosch. On February 24th we looked for the Temminck's Stint near Callantsoog for the monthly list but unfortunately it was not found. A Western Barn Owl that we saw on the way counted for the annual list and provided some compensation. On February 28th an Arctic Redpoll was visited in Blaricum. The bird was in a mixed group of Mealy- and Lesser Redpolls. The Lesser Redpoll also counted for the year list. February was a month in which we could not do much birding because of the holiday but we were also renovating the kitchen. We managed to expand the year list to 165 species. Unfortunately no new monthly species this month so it remains at 269 species (this is the worst month for me).
March kicked off with a Moustached Warbler near Wageningen, a beautiful annual species! On the way back we drove to the migration site in search of the Great Grey Shrike which we did not find. The local Little Owl was in its place. Later that afternoon 2 more groups of Common Cranes flew over the house which still counted for the annual list. On March 3th we went to the Maashorst again for the Great Grey Shrike which was now quickly found. On March 4th a Green-winged Teal was visited in Limburg for the annual list, the bird also counted for the Limburg list. A Ross's Goose with a Canadian ring spent the entire winter in Belgium together with a conspecific. The first Ross's Goose with proof of wild origin. In March the bird disappeared from Belgium and expectations were high in the Netherlands. On March 9th the 2 Ross's Geese were found again near Tacozijl in the province of Friesland. There was no hesitation and we jumped in the car. About an hour and a half later we saw both Ross's Geese. On the way back, Zwolle was visited for a Pallas's Leaf Warbler. Both species counted for the annual list of course. On March 25th, a Marsh Sandpiper was discovered at the Binnenveldse Hooilanden near Wageningen. The Marsh Sandpiper still counted for the monthly list, so there was no doubt. The bird could be observed very nicely at close range. It also counted for the annual list. Just before we were back in Uden, a Sociable Lapwing was discovered at the same location, a good annual species. The next day we went back and both the Sociable Lapwing and the Marsh Sandpiper were still there. On March 30th, we drove to Zeeuws Vlaanderen for a Long-billed Dowitcher that still counted for the monthly and annual list. The bird was found quickly but was at some distance. We ended March with 189 species for the annual list. The monthly list grew with 2 species, which now stands at 289.
On April 1th a Taiga Bean Goose was visited near Stadskanaal. The bird counted for the monthly and annual list. Because of the nice weather, that same afternoon was spent in our garden. Not without success because at a great height a slender harrier was discovered that strongly resembled a Pallid Harrier. Photos showed that it was indeed a second calendar year female Pallid Harrier. We were also able to note a Barn Swallow for the annual list. We spent April 6th at migration site the Kamperhoek. It was a nice day with quite good bird migration. The nicest species were Ring Ouzel, Purple Heron and White-tailed Eagle. An overview of the complete count can be found here. On April 18th we drove to the province of Zeeland for a Red-necked Phalarope that still counted for my monthly list, Maartje already had it. The Red-necked Phalarope was quickly found, the Phalarope also counted for the annual list. At the same location, a Kentish Plover and a Whiskered Tern were also added to the annual list. On April 29, we were at the Dwingelderveld for a reported Short-toed Snake Eagle that still counted for the monthly list. Unfortunately, the Short-toed Snake Eagle was not found, but a Black Stork and a passing Montagu's Harrier were eagerly noted for the annual list. On April 30th, we were at the migration site Breskens, a beautiful spring day with a southeasterly wind. There were nice numbers of birds flying, but no real crackers. Nevertheless, nice species such as Caspian Tern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Eurasian Hoopoe, Eurasian Golden Oriole and Great Reed Warbler were seen. The annual list was expanded with 11 species, a complete overview of the count can be seen here. April ended with 244 species for the annual list. 2 species were added to the monthly list, which now stands at 342.
On May 1st we started on Texel with a Bohemian Waxwing that still counted for the monthly list. An Eurasian Dotterel and Arctic Tern that were also on the island were picked up for the annual list. On May 2nd a displaying Spotted Crake was reported in the Maashorst, a mega regional species. We had to wait quite a while but eventually the Spotted Crake started calling. On May 5th we were at the tip of South Limburg for an Iberian Chiffchaff. The bird was easily found. On May 6th we were on the other side of the Netherlands on Texel. A Great Spotted Cuckoo that still counted for the monthly list was visited. The Great Spotted Cuckoo was at a great distance when we found it, but with the telescope we were still able to view it nicely. On May 9th an Isabelline Wheatear was found near Wageningen, a good monthly species. We drove there immediately and after a short walk we were able to view and photograph it beautifully. On May 17th we drove to Friesland for the annual Top of Holland day. On the way a Thrush Nightingale was visited in Arnhem. We also visited the Drents-Friese-Wold where we found 3 Eurasian Wrynecks. The Ezumakeeg was visited next, here we found a Pectoral Sandpiper. That night we again slept at my aunt's in Oudwoude. The next day at 1 o'clock in the morning we started the ToH together with Alwin. It was a great day with no less than 150 species including 10 new ones for the annual list! A nice movie can be viewed here. That same night we slept in Oudwoude again. Before we drove back to Uden the next day a River Warbler and an European Bee-eater were visited, both species still counted for the annual list. On May 21th a Melodious Warbler was visited near Tilburg, the bird was very nice to watch and sang at full volume. A Woodchat Shrike was visited on May 22th on the Veluwe. On May 25th we went out for a Griffon Vulture that had been reported near Leende. We had to search quite a bit but eventually we saw the vulture flying. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was visited on May 26th in the Harderbroek near Zeewolde, the bird counted for the annual list. At the end of May the annual list was at 275 species, it had been a good month. For the monthly list I managed to score 3 new ones, which means the monthly number is now at 349 species!
On May 31th a Canvasback was discovered in the Nieuwe Driemanspolder near Zoetermeer. A new species for the Netherlands! There was some reservation because it was a duck, but the bird looked good and showed no signs of captivity. On June 1th we visited the Canvasback which was fortunately still there. The bird has already been accepted by the CDNA. The first new species for our Dutch list this year! The Little Bitterns that were in the region were also visited for the annual list. On June 3th we drove to the Workumerwaard for a Lesser Scaup which still counted for the monthly list. We had to search for a few hours but were eventually able to add the bird to the monthly list. On the way back a Green-winged Teal was visited for Maartje's monthly list. A Squacco Heron in the Kampina was visited on June 5th. On June 8th we drove to the Oostvoorne Meer for a Common Rosefinch. The bird was beautiful to watch from a short distance. On June 9th we were back in Friesland. Now for a Blyth's Reed Warbler and a Little Crake, both species counted for the year list. After a year of absence, a Roseate Tern was again in De Putten near Camperduin. We visited the bird on June 15th. The third attempt for a Baillon's Crake was rewarded on June 22th. A displaying bird was heard near Montfort. The year list stood at 285 species at the end of June. The monthly list had grown by 2 species to 307.
July 1st was kicked off with a Blue-winged Teal in the Lauwersmeer that still counted for the monthly and annual list. We could not ignore a report of a Redwing with a photo in the Beemster. From the Lauwersmeer we drove via the Afsluitdijk to the North Holland town. We had to search for a long time and almost gave up when Maartje saw the Redwing sitting under a van. A mega monthly species! We hoped that the bird would survive until August, but 2 weeks later we received a message that it had been found dead. An European Roller in the Meinweg in the province of Limburg was visited on July 3rd. We had to walk 3.7 kilometers to hear upon arrival that the Roller had flown away. However, we kept posting in the hope that it would return. The bird was found about an hour later. On July 17th we were at the migration site when a Blue-cheeked Bee-eater was reported. A new species for our Dutch list! The bird was in the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen and had flown away. We decided not to drive yet. Not much later it was found again. There was some doubt but in the end we decided to drive anyway. During the drive it became clear that the bird was sitting fairly steady in place. It became a nervous drive and when we finally found a parking spot we had to walk for 10 minutes through the dune area. When walking up the dune where the bird was seen I heard someone shout: It's flying!! On the top of the dune I was pointed to the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater which turned out to be a Barn Swallow🤬. Maartje was luckier and saw the bird flying. My courage sank a little, especially because I had already dipped 2 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater in a few minutes. We waited on the dune in the hope that the bird would return. After about 45 minutes, which seemed like an eternity, the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater returned. I was even able to take a few pictures. The second new species for our Dutch list this year was a fact. On July 20th, an American Wigeon was visited in the Kwade Hoek, the Wigeon still counted for the monthly list. On July 25th, we drove to the Hunzedal in Drenthe. A Merlin had been reported there, the observation was provided with a photo. Reason enough for us to give it a try. I only need the Merlin in the month of July, Maartje has the bird in all months of the year. On the way to the Hunzedal, the Gull-billed Terns were first visited at Nieuwe Pekela. The Gull-billed Terns are here every year around this time and they still counted for the annual list. At the Hunzedal, the entire day was spent posting in vain for the Merlin. On July 31th, an Red-wattled Lapwing was reported near Oostkapelle in the province of Zeeland. Again a new species for our Dutch list! There was no hesitation and within 5 minutes we were in the car for the drive of over an hour and a half. The bird was in an inaccessible area but could be seen well from the public road. During the ride the bird was reported regularly, so it seemed to be present fairly steadily. The parking lot was close to the bird and we were very happy when we also got the Red-wattled Lapwing in sight. The third new Dutch species of this year was on the list! The annual list was with the Red-wattled Lapwing at 290 species. For the monthly list I managed to add no less than 6 new ones, that was quite a long time ago. The July list now stands at 301 species.
On August 1st we drove to Oostkapelle again in the hope that the Red-wattled Lapwing would still be there. That turned out to be the case and a good monthly species was noted here. An Aquatic Warbler was visited on August 5th in the polder of Arkemheen. On August 6th we were treated to a Short-toed Snake Eagle and 2 Black Storks at our migration site, the Brobbelbies Noord. On August 17th we drove to Holwerd where an Western Sandpiper was reported. The bird was very nice to watch. On August 20th a reported Barred Warbler was visited at the migration site Loozerheide. The bird counted for the annual and Limburg list. Also 3 flying over Tawny Pipits were seen here which also counted for the annual list. On August 24th we drove to Aijen for a White-winged Tern which still counted for the annual and Limburg list. A lot of time was spent at our migration site in the month of August which again yielded the necessary Tawny Pipits, Black Storks and Eurasian Dotterels. On August 28th we also saw our only Ortolan Bunting of 2024. On August 31th the annual list was at 296 species. The Red-wattled Lapwing was the only monthly species, the August list now stands at 304 species.
September started on the first with a Red-footed Falcon at our migration site. Another 8 would follow with a highlight of 4 in one day. The next day I was at the migration site again when a Paddyfield Warbler was reported in Zijpe. The bird was seen briefly but good photos were taken so the identification was certain. The bird disappeared again quickly so we did not drive to Zijpe yet. The Paddyfield Warbler responded to a played tape and it was agreed that a tape would be played every 45 minutes. This seemed to work so we had to go to Zijpe for this new species for our Dutch list. 10 minutes before another tape would be played we were at the location where many birdwatchers were already present. The tape was played and it took a while but the Paddyfield Warbler showed itself nicely and we could even take photos. Our fourth new species for the Dutch list was in. On September 6th a Lesser Grey Shrike was discovered near Tilburg, a new species for my Brabant list. We immediately drove to Huis ter Heide where the bird was seen. We had to walk quite a bit but saw the Lesser Grey Shrike sitting nicely in the distance. We also found a Red-footed Falcon and an Osprey here. The Lesser Grey Shrike also counted for the annual list. On September 12th there was a strong northwesterly wind, so we had to go to Westkapelle. It was a nice day with, among other things, Great Skua, Parasitic Jaeger, Pomarine Jaeger and Long-tailed Jaeger, Northern Fulmar and Manx Shearwater. Click here for a complete overview of the count. On September 15th we drove to the Vogelmeer in the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. Here were a Lesser Scaup and a Ring-necked Duck, both of which still counted for the monthly list. The Lesser Scaup was found quickly but more effort was needed for the Ring-necked Duck. A Glossy Ibis and a Pectoral Sandpiper were visited near Elst on September 20th, the Glossy Ibis still counted for the annual list. On September 21th a Richard's Pipit was added to the annual list at the migration site. On September 28th there was again a strong northwesterly wind, so we were again at Westkapelle. New species for the annual list were Sooty Shearwater, Common Murre and Lapland Longspur. A complete overview of the count can be found here. At the end of September the annual list was at 310 species. The monthly list had grown by 3 species and now stands at 323 species.
On October 2nd we drove to the Vogelmeer again where the Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Duck were still present. Both species still counted for the monthly list and they were found quickly. We now have the Lesser Scaup in all months of the year. On October 5th around 15:00 a Dark-sided Flycatcher was reported in the dune area near Wassenaar. A new species for the Netherlands and only the third for the Western Palearctic! There was no hesitation and we immediately jumped in the car for the drive that normally takes a little over an hour for us. That was not the case now, due to road works and accidents there were a lot of traffic jams and the drive took almost 2 hours. The Dark-sided Flycatcher was seen regularly and seemed to be fairly steady. Finally we arrived at the parking lot that turned out to be full. The car was parked on the verge and we walked to the spot where it was still seen at that moment. We arrived too late because the bird had just disappeared from view. We were assured that he would return, but it took at least 3 exciting quarters of an hour before the Dark-sided Flycatcher was found again in another spot 300 meters further. He showed himself nicely now and I was even able to make a nice video that can be viewed here. The Dark-sided Flycatcher is our fifth new species for the Dutch list this year! It was time again for the annual Dutch Birding Weekend and we left for Texel on October 11th. On the way we tried a Rustic Bunting in the dunes near Heemstede that had been there all week. The Rustic Bunting seemed to have disappeared but a calling Red-throated Pipit flying over was eagerly noted for the annual list. Unfortunately Maartje missed the Red-throated Pipit. There were already a few nice species on Texel such as Roseate Starling, Long-billed Dowitcher and an American Golden Plover that still counted for the annual list. The next morning we went for a long walk. There was hardly any migration and not many birds had invaded the previous night. A Richard’s Pipit made the walk somewhat worthwhile, it was my first for the island. Later in the afternoon 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were found, the Yellow-browed Warbler still counted for the annual list. A Barred Warbler that had been there for a while was visited and allowed itself to be viewed and photographed beautifully. On Sunday it was windy but that did yield a Leach's Storm Petrel for the annual list. We stayed until Monday and that yielded a Desert Wheatear that still counted for the annual list and my Texel list. My Texel list grew by 3 to 306 species! On October 21th we drove to Bergen op Zoom after a tip about an European Rock Pipit. The European Rock Pipit was still missing from my Brabant list. Together with Siem Dijsselbloem we found the European Rock Pipit. The Brabant list now stood at 313 species. The annual list stood at 316 species at the end of October. The monthly list had grown by 3 new species to 345 species!
On November 1st, early in the morning we are in the polder near Eemnes. We are looking for an Eurasian Reed Warbler that was seen on October 31st. We had to search for a while but eventually we could see the bird flying several times, unfortunately there were no photo opportunities. The Eurasian Reed Warbler still counted for our monthly list. On November 3rd we drove to the North Holland Dune Reserve near Heemskerk. Our goal was a Daurian Shrike that still counted for the annual and monthly list. The shrike was found fairly quickly but was constantly very far away. In Germany a Sandhill Crane was found near the border. The bird appeared to have been there for a while. On November 7th we made an attempt in vain. We went back the next day and now we found the bird quite easily in a field between the Common Cranes. The Sandhill Crane still counted for our world list. On the way back to Uden an American Wigeon was reported in the polder near Drunen. The American Wigeon is new to my Brabant list. So there was no hesitation and we drove straight to Drunen where the Eurasian Wigeon was quickly found. The next day we drove to the head of North Holland for a Pectoral Sandpiper that still counted for the monthly list. On the way we received a message from Henk Schut that he had the bird in sight. He waited for us so that we only had to join in. The rest of the month was spent at the migration site. At least when the weather permitted, there was a lot of rain and fog. The migration season was closed on 30 November. The counter for the annual list stood at 317 species. The monthly list had grown by 4 species to 303 species.
December started with a grey rainy day. This would not change much for the rest of the month. There was also not much to do in the way of birds. On December 12 we drove to Friesland for 2 days. Target species were Corn Bunting, Twite and Rough-legged Buzzard. Again the weather was not great. After 2 days of searching we could only note a group of Twites. On December 29 we tried to score a few more annual species. A Pygmy Cormorant in Flevoland cooperated, although we only saw it fly over briefly. A Siberian Teal in Heerhugowaard did not cooperate and a European Shag at the Pier of IJmuiden could not be found either. This brought our bird year 2024 to an end. No new monthly species in December, the list remained at 279 species. The annual list ended at 319 species.
This is the 19th year that I managed to achieve more than 300 species in one year. This year I hope to complete the 20th. It was a reasonably good year with 5 new ones for both Maartjes and my Dutch list. The eternal monthly list increased by 29 species, which is not bad. However, the migration seasons were disappointing this year and the sea migration was also minimal. As said, we are going for the 300 species again this year and we are going on a trip again. Here are the overviews of the lists that we keep.
Toy
New for the Netherlands
- Canvasback
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
- Red-wattled Lapwing
- Paddyfield Warbler
- Dark-sided Flycatcher
An overview of the lists that we keep
- Life list the Netherlands 475 species (increase van 5 compared to 2023)
- Life list World 3893 species (increase van 68 compared to 2023)
- Total eternal monthly list 3696 (increase van 28 compared to 2023)
- Year list 2024 319 species
Maartje
New for the Netherlands
- Grote Tafeleend
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
- Red-wattled Lapwing
- Paddyfield Warbler
- Dark-sided Flycatcher
An overview of the lists that we keep
- Life list the Netherlands 469 species (increase van 5 compared to 2023)
- Life list World 4596 species (increase van 49 compared to 2023)
- Total eternal monthly list 3667 (increase van 31 compared to 2023)
- Year list 2024 317 species