The Northern Hawk-Owl discovered in Germany was still there last Friday. We agreed that we were going to make an attempt Saturday were it not that late Friday evening a report came in of a Blyth's Pipit. The bird sat on Texel and the observation was accompanied by proper evidence photos. The plans were changed and it was Saturday to Texel.
Early November and in the province of Zeeland were some very good species for the month list, such as: Long-legged Buzzard, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Wiskered Tern, Red-necked Phalarope, Black-winged Stilt. There was also a Desert Wheatear present at Westkapelle that still counts for the year list. Sufficient reasons to spend a day with Pieter and Maartje in the province of Zeeland.
Thursday late afternoon a Pallid Swift was discovered by Lars Buckx on the island of Vlieland. The observation was accompanied with beautiful pictures so that the identification was not in doubt. Contact was sought with Pieter and we really wanted to give it a shot, although we do not consider the chances very high. With 11 others a speedboat was booked that would bring us to Vlieland at 8 o’ clock.
With three new species last week and plenty east wind I was looking forward to the weekend. We agreed to start at the migration site "De Vulkaan" in The Hague on Saturday. Pieter still needed a Red-throated Pipit for his record and this seemed the best option. Alwin and Thijs went along and together we arrived at 6.45 am at De Vulkaan.
Yesterday I sat behind the PC after enjoying some of the pictures of the Arctic Warbler and Long-legged Buzzard. Suddenly I received an app of a picture of a possible Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin on the forum of waarneming.nl. Quickly I have a look and indeed the picture is a real Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin! That means I have to get up early tomorrow....
Today two lifers on an ordinary day. Early in the morning the Arctic Warbler who cooperated well but did not want to get in the picture. Then I had to wait for an opportunity. A Whatsapp came along of a potential Long-legged Buzzard a few kilometres away. A little later, another message that it’s a real one!! I better have a look then.
It is September and the first DT (Deception Tour) weekend presents itself. This year I will be there all three weekends together with Alwin. A few weeks ago I booked a hotel for the weekend from Thursday till Sunday. The late boat at 19:00 on Thursday was taken and Alwin took the boat on Friday morning.
A full day on the open sea in September, that looked good. Together with Thijs Fijen, Pieter and Maartje we booked the trip that began on Thursday evening September 5. The ship "De Dageraad" sailed at night to the place of destination , the Botney Cut located on the Continental Shelf about 50 miles west of the Wadden Islands . The tour lasts until Saturday morning 6am so you're a full day at sea to spot seabirds. The trip is organized by Pterodroma Adventures and is appropriately called "The Botney Cut Experience".