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.
Also today was marked by the annual list. Limburg harboured a few that I had not and the presence of a Melodious Warbler was an extra motivation to go this way. We wanted to leave at 7 am in the morning. Alwin came to Uden and together with Jan Verhoeven and myself we headed for Limburg.
To accomplish the 300 species this year I have yet to add a number of species to the list. In the past week a Pectoral Sandpiper and a Long-billed Dowitcher were reported in the Lauwersmeer. Enough reasons to do another round to the north of Holland.
The intention Saturday was to do other things than watching birds. Alwin also had other plans so I decided to do some work on my website. This was quickly disturbed by the reports of a White-tailed Lapwing. As I said I was behind the PC when the message arrived. This is a new species for me in the Netherlands so I had to go.
Today we have no big plans and we are going to update the years list a little bit. I have not seen the White-winged Black Tern this year so the bird that is reported for some time at the Kinderdijk became the target. For Terns you do not have to get up early and I meet with Alwin at 8.30 am at the spot where the bird is seen.
Because we enjoyed our north of the country the last couple of weeks we decided to make another round. We only took another route now. Alwin and I agreed at 5.30 pm at the pump just behind Zwolle. Before I drove to the meeting place, I wanted to check the floodplain near Hattem for a Corncrake. Just after dawn I stood on the dike, but a Corncrakewas not to hear. I drove on and came right on time at the gas pump.
Every year we traditionally visit the Sallandse Heuvelrug to see the last of the Dutch population of Eurasian Black Grouse. We usually do this in April but for a change the month of May was chosen. I would go with Alwin but he decided different at the last minute.
Yesterday I took the risk to have to miss the Pygmy Cormorant but today was booked for an attempt at this new species for me in the Netherlands. Around 9.00 am I arrived at the Ooijpolder at the place where yesterday the Pygmy Cormorant was last seen.