November and a new month has started and the observations were scoured for new month species. On the island of Texel were some very good including the still present Steppe Grey Shrike. Pieter had the same idea so we went together. We wanted to take the boat from 8.30 am but due to some miscommunication we were in a different carpool. This gave a slightly delay but in Den Oever there were Waxwings present and now we had time to pay them a visit.
Saturday evening during our weekly dinner at Marc's BBQ a message came in of a Lesser Grey Shrike on the island of Texel. The description looks exciting but actually I did not pay attention enough. Sunday morning I wake up around 7:30 hours wintertime and with not many other options I choose to spent the day at the migration site. En route to the migration site I am called by Alwin. Are you on the way to the Steppe Grey Shrike sounds on the other side!
This year was chosen for the final DT (Deception Tours) weekend that is held on Vlieland. Target species that we agreed during DT3 last year was the Olive-backed Pipit. On Friday I met with Alwin, Pieter and Maartje with whom I shared a hotel apartment. I had the boat of 13.45 o’clock while the others arrived earlier on the island.
This weekend was the annual DBA (Dutch Birding Association) weekend held on Texel. The aim is to find a rare bird. The person who finds this bird is rewarded with a prize in the form of a pair of binoculars. This is the first time I participate. On Friday afternoon I went to Texel where I would stay until Sunday. The accommodation was a house at the Oorsprongweg along with 12 other DBA'ers.
On Saturday, in the afternoon a Caspian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus variegatus)was found on the island of Vlieland. This is a subspecies of the Siberian Stonechat but extremely rare in Europe. Up to now, only a few copies are seen. It is very likely that this bird is going to be a split, so certainly it must be on the list. On Vlieland there also was plenty more to see. A day to Vlieland was not a difficult decision.
Much rain was predicted and after studying the weather, we opted for a day of strolling in the province of North Holland. Between the predicted rain showers we wanted to do some searching in the dunes. If the wind is in the right corner we also could do some sea migration counting. Pieter & Maartje were picked up at 7 am at a parking lot in Amsterdam. We wanted to start in the dunes at Schoorle.
The signs of autumn hang very much in the air and there was a day with good migration predicts. There are throughout the country reports of Yellow-brow-photo-2ed Warblers and at our migration site we see the first Song Thrushes migrating. Alwin wanted to add a Richard's Pipit and a Yellow-brow-photo-2ed Warbler to his list. We wanted to help and we agreed at half past seven at the parking lot near Putten close to Schoorle.
A reported Little Bunting on the island of Texel is missing on the year list. In addition, there are a few species that count for the month list. Pieter also misses the bird so a day to Texel was agreed. At 7.15 am we agreed at a car park near Amsterdam and 8.30 am we were on the first ferry to Texel.