Goal for today is the province of Noord-Holland and we start with counting migrating sea birds. And next an attempt for an Aquatic Warbler and a Gull-billed Tern Early in the morning Jan Verhoeven and I drive towards Schoorl to the migration site “De Camperduin”.
Last week a Short-toed Eagle was frequently reported in Fochteloërveen. Because I do not yet have the bird on my years list its nice to combine this with a visit to the Lauwersmeer. Jan Verhoeven also had a mind to go so I took him at five o’clock in the morning.
Friday afternoon just after eating from the phone sounds the familiar sound that an observation is reported. The email opens and I see that a Semipalmated Sandpiperis reported by Pim Wolf. A mega bird so I had to go. After Pim’s message I called him and asked whether it was worth to make the more than 200 km trip.
The previous week, almost every day a Terek Sandpiper was reported at the Lauwersmeer. A new year species for me and I have seen this bird only once in the Netherlands. Sufficient reason to go again towards the north. Jan Verhoeven went along and at 5 o’clock in the morning I stood at his door.
To pump up the year list I spent some evenings in the Maashorst and Visited Alphen aan den Rijn for a Blue-winged Teal. Sunday we made a day trip to the Lauwersmeer. Monday evening I visited the Maashorst, the Maashorst is located 5 minutes from my house.
In the Lauwersmeer this week a Marsh Sandpiper and a Grey Phalarope were regularly seen. Sufficient reason for another round to the north of Holland. Saturday due to bad weather I stayed home, but Sunday it looked slightly better.
A Yesterday reported Common Rosefinch and Roseate Tern were on the program today. Furthermore, we wanted to do a round of Zeeland. At five o’clock I stood by Jan Verhoeven and together we drove to Strijensas where the APL polder is located.
The month of June is a good time to expand the year list so that the 300 species can be achieved this year. In Groningen at the Piccardhofplas a River Warbler was reported this week and we could combine this bird nicely with the Long-billed Dowitcher (if he still there) in the Lauwersmeer. Early in the morning at 5 o’clock I picked up Jan Verhoeven and together we drove to Groningen.