01-07-2022 - Dip monthly list
The start of another new month. Last week the list was drawn up for possible month species in July. The Western Swamphen and Italian Sparrow were the only possible species. A Green-winged Teal in the Biesbosch also counts for the list but we had already tried this bird twice without success. We're going to keep an eye out for him the coming month. We start the first of July at the Western Swamphen in Alblasserdam.
At 6 o'clock in the morning we drive to Alblasserdam for the Western Swamphen. Arie Dorsman went looking for the Green-winged Teal and should it be found we were not far away. Around half past seven we were at the place where we saw the Western Swamphen in previous months. The wind was blowing hard and it was quite cold. So cold, in fact, that I walked back to the car to get my coat. Along the way I discovered a Purple Heron that was nice to watch and photograph.
Maartje kept posting and when I returned there was still no sign of the bird. The long wait began. In the meantime I had a good time with Purple Herons and other birds flying by. Around half past nine, Henk Schut reported himself. His search for the Italian Sparrow was unsuccessful. A conversation with the original discoverer revealed that the Sparrow has not been seen for more than 2 weeks. We decided not to go there today.
Meanwhile we received a message from Arie, the Green-winged Teal was also untraceable. So all arrows were up the Western Swamphen. Bert de Jong joined us but drove to Westenschouwen at 10 o'clock for the there present Blyth's Reed Warbler. We kept posting.
After 1 o'clock Bert de Jong came back and Arie also joined us. It didn't matter to the Western Swamphen and he remained untraceable. At 2am we gave up and decided to try it another time. This is the first time this year that we not have a new month type(s) on the first of the month.
While we are having dinner in the evening, Alain Hofmans finds a Common Loon on the Kraaijenbergse Plassen. The Common Loon sits completely in summer plumage and still counts for the year list (we already have it for the month list). Right after dinner we drive to the Kraaijenbergse Plassen where we see the Common Loon almost immediately. Although he is quite far away I manage to take a few pictures. With the Common Loon, the annual list has grown to 308 species.
