21-05-2022 - Busy day
At half past two in the morning we get up and drive to Lelystad for the Eurasian Scops Owl present there. The ride goes quickly and we are at the place where the owl was last heard. It wasn't long before the courtship call was heard not too far away. We walked to the place and were able to make a nice sound recording. The Eurasian Scops Owl moved regularly and unfortunately we didn't get to see it.
After an hour or so we drove on to Castricum for the Common Rosefinch that has been there for a while. We arrived at dusk and decided to wait in the car until it got light. Meanwhile we enjoyed the song of the many Common Nightingales.
The light began to improve and the search for the Common Rosefinch could begin. It took a while and it was Maartje who first heard the Common Rosefinch sing. It became lighter and the conditions for photos better. The Common Rosefinch moved a lot further to the north and could be viewed excellently there. He chased the European Greenfinches away from the highest singing spots. After 2 hours of enjoyment it was time to do something else.
We actually had the Pectoral Sandpiper in mind at the Bochtjesplaat in the Lauwersmeer, but because it had not yet been reported we decided to drive back to Uden. We were not home long and we received an app from Herman van de Brand that there was a Pectoral Sandpiper near Zevenhuizen.
There was no doubt and we immediately drove to Zevenhuizen. On arrival the Pectoral Sandpiper was not too far away and we were able to view and photograph it nicely.
Alwin, Donny and the Dijsselbloempjes had also arrived and together we decided to try the Little Bitterns. We were lucky because almost immediately upon arrival I discovered a Little Bittern in the reeds not far from us.
In the morning a Montagu's Harrier was discovered on our migration site, the Brobbelbies Noord, and it turned out to be still present. A nice strain to end the day. The Dijsselbloempjes decided to join us. Once at the migration site, the Montagu's Harrier was quickly found. It turned out to be a second calendar year male, a rare garment for the Netherlands. The Harrier was busy hunting in the fields around the migration site and disappeared from view.
Our attention was now focused on a Red Kite that flew towards us. A second Red Kite was also discovered and the birds seemed to show some sort of courtship behaviour. I don't know if Red Kites are courting but it looked like these 2 birds belonged together.
The Red Kites disappeared and it was time to go home. It turned out to be a very nice day with 3 new species for the annual list which now stands at 286 species.
