#808 Gyrfalcon. Yesterday this bird was found on Texel and caused the first traffic problem on the island. It was during the Dutch Birding weekend and hundreds of birders were already present. I went today and saw the bird plucking a Wigeon. Nice! Attached picture is from yesterday by Hans Tetteroo.
October 19, 2025 at 3:59 PM
#808 Gyrfalcon. Yesterday this bird was found on Texel and caused the first traffic problem on the island. It was during the Dutch Birding weekend and hundreds of birders were already present. I went today and saw the bird plucking a Wigeon. Nice! Attached picture is from yesterday by Hans Tetteroo.
#798 Bonaparte’s Gull. Yesterday I managed to see this bird that is already 10 days around foraging between Texel and Den Helder. It follows the ferry. An American species, just like the Snowy Egret that I had to delete. Picture attached from a fellow birder.
October 10, 2025 at 5:55 AM
#798 Bonaparte’s Gull. Yesterday I managed to see this bird that is already 10 days around foraging between Texel and Den Helder. It follows the ferry. An American species, just like the Snowy Egret that I had to delete. Picture attached from a fellow birder.
Not so easy to get to the birding spots on Corvo. When you leave the road there are few paths. Mostly you go through the fields and other vegetation. On a sunny day like today the views are as stunning as the birds. This the ‘path’ we followed this morning.
October 4, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Not so easy to get to the birding spots on Corvo. When you leave the road there are few paths. Mostly you go through the fields and other vegetation. On a sunny day like today the views are as stunning as the birds. This the ‘path’ we followed this morning.
#807 Cape May Warbler, a species I only could dream about. On one of the furthest points of Corvo, the Lighthouse Valley, this bird was found by the #1 of the WP listers, Pierre-André Crochet from France. This morning we managed to refind the bird and got magnificent views. A first winter female.
October 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
#807 Cape May Warbler, a species I only could dream about. On one of the furthest points of Corvo, the Lighthouse Valley, this bird was found by the #1 of the WP listers, Pierre-André Crochet from France. This morning we managed to refind the bird and got magnificent views. A first winter female.
And here a picture of the Common Yellowthroat by a fellow birder. A skulky little bird…
October 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM
And here a picture of the Common Yellowthroat by a fellow birder. A skulky little bird…
#804 Great Blue Heron. A bit of excitement at the end of the day. Had already poored my red wine... but than this bird flew over the house and landed at the seaside near the airport. Half an hour later we found eachother but he saw me first so he flew off into the distance. Saw all the features.
October 1, 2025 at 6:04 PM
#804 Great Blue Heron. A bit of excitement at the end of the day. Had already poored my red wine... but than this bird flew over the house and landed at the seaside near the airport. Half an hour later we found eachother but he saw me first so he flew off into the distance. Saw all the features.
Today one more new species: #803 American Redstart. It was difficult to get good views as it stayed high in the canopy. It was a female and by the looks of it a 1st year bird. Didn't manage a picture but attached the drawing that one can find in the Sibley Guide to American birds. Usefull book here.
October 1, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Today one more new species: #803 American Redstart. It was difficult to get good views as it stayed high in the canopy. It was a female and by the looks of it a 1st year bird. Didn't manage a picture but attached the drawing that one can find in the Sibley Guide to American birds. Usefull book here.
Yesterday afternoon I probably had the species of this trip. The Prothonotary Warbler, #802 on my WP list. A rarity as it is only the 3rd time it has been seen in the WP! As it was hiding in the shrubs most of the time taking a picture was a challenge. I am happy with the result and with the tick!
October 1, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Yesterday afternoon I probably had the species of this trip. The Prothonotary Warbler, #802 on my WP list. A rarity as it is only the 3rd time it has been seen in the WP! As it was hiding in the shrubs most of the time taking a picture was a challenge. I am happy with the result and with the tick!
#801 Bobolink. Missed it yesterday evening when it was seen around our house here at Corvo. This morning it was again present just opposite of the house. A bit like a female House Sparrow but bigger and bolder and with heavier striping. It does hide well within the groups of Sparrows.
September 30, 2025 at 2:37 PM
#801 Bobolink. Missed it yesterday evening when it was seen around our house here at Corvo. This morning it was again present just opposite of the house. A bit like a female House Sparrow but bigger and bolder and with heavier striping. It does hide well within the groups of Sparrows.
#800 Yellow Warbler. This American species is a bird of early migration, but this one did not follow the right path and ended up on Corvo. Lucky me! It took some time to find it. Look at the first picture, can you locate the bird? It likes the thickets...
September 29, 2025 at 1:38 PM
#800 Yellow Warbler. This American species is a bird of early migration, but this one did not follow the right path and ended up on Corvo. Lucky me! It took some time to find it. Look at the first picture, can you locate the bird? It likes the thickets...
#799 Semi-palmated Plover. And I didn't have to go far. This one sat right in the middle of the runway. With two planes per day apparently the safest place to be. Almost identical to our Common Ringed Plover, but it has a smaller bill and less (or no) white above the eye.
September 29, 2025 at 1:32 PM
#799 Semi-palmated Plover. And I didn't have to go far. This one sat right in the middle of the runway. With two planes per day apparently the safest place to be. Almost identical to our Common Ringed Plover, but it has a smaller bill and less (or no) white above the eye.
Landed on Corvo this morning. 17 km2 of birding paradise when you are looking for american species during migration. The island consists of a runway, a small village and an old vulcano. The height difference is challenging and the weather differs considerable from the village to top of the vulcano.
September 29, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Landed on Corvo this morning. 17 km2 of birding paradise when you are looking for american species during migration. The island consists of a runway, a small village and an old vulcano. The height difference is challenging and the weather differs considerable from the village to top of the vulcano.
After a long Summer with little birding migration time is of course the best moment to renew the quest for Western Palearctic birds. Yesterday I arrived in the Azores to look for American species that drifted this way. Started with one day on San Miguel. In the picture the village Furnas.
September 29, 2025 at 1:02 PM
After a long Summer with little birding migration time is of course the best moment to renew the quest for Western Palearctic birds. Yesterday I arrived in the Azores to look for American species that drifted this way. Started with one day on San Miguel. In the picture the village Furnas.
#797 Siberian Swift: Visited Cornaiano yesterday, close to Bolzano, Italy to look for this bird. Had amazing views between 19:00 and 20:00 hours when it made courtship flights after a Common Swift. Wings up and gliding... It's a bit of a long drive but it was well worth it!
June 9, 2025 at 8:58 AM
#797 Siberian Swift: Visited Cornaiano yesterday, close to Bolzano, Italy to look for this bird. Had amazing views between 19:00 and 20:00 hours when it made courtship flights after a Common Swift. Wings up and gliding... It's a bit of a long drive but it was well worth it!
At #793, the Siberian Tit, I mentioned that I did not manage a picture. Two days later we had a breeding pair not far from Kuusamo. This time I managed to get a picture. Not a good one but after some manipulation with the light it is just recognizable.
June 3, 2025 at 3:14 PM
At #793, the Siberian Tit, I mentioned that I did not manage a picture. Two days later we had a breeding pair not far from Kuusamo. This time I managed to get a picture. Not a good one but after some manipulation with the light it is just recognizable.
Our search for birds in Finland ended today. Of course I have to show the omnipresent Reindeer. They roam free and you always have to keep that in mind when driving. We had one close encounter.
June 2, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Our search for birds in Finland ended today. Of course I have to show the omnipresent Reindeer. They roam free and you always have to keep that in mind when driving. We had one close encounter.
#795 Willow Ptarmigan. Not as easy to find as we expected. But this bird reacted to our tape and flew in, cackling away, followed by the partner. He or she sat in this tree and was happy to be fotographed.
June 2, 2025 at 1:54 PM
#795 Willow Ptarmigan. Not as easy to find as we expected. But this bird reacted to our tape and flew in, cackling away, followed by the partner. He or she sat in this tree and was happy to be fotographed.
#794 Western Capercaillie. We saw three this morning. Two females (see picture) and one male. They are BIG! The ones we saw were foraging alongside a country road. We could get to about 20 meters but than they took off.
June 2, 2025 at 1:46 PM
#794 Western Capercaillie. We saw three this morning. Two females (see picture) and one male. They are BIG! The ones we saw were foraging alongside a country road. We could get to about 20 meters but than they took off.
#792 Siberian Jay. At a well known location close to Inari we could see this nice bird. It's a bit shy in the breeding season so it only comes late at night, this time 22.45 hours. Not the best light anymore for a picture but this will have to do. It comes to a feeder so it's more or less guaranteed
June 1, 2025 at 2:59 AM
#792 Siberian Jay. At a well known location close to Inari we could see this nice bird. It's a bit shy in the breeding season so it only comes late at night, this time 22.45 hours. Not the best light anymore for a picture but this will have to do. It comes to a feeder so it's more or less guaranteed
#791 Great Grey Owl. On an undisclosed location we were shown the nest of this enormous bird. Judging from the pictures everybody goes here. Nevertheless very nice to see it. The male was nowhere to be sen unfortunately, therefor only the head of mrs. Owl.
June 1, 2025 at 2:54 AM
#791 Great Grey Owl. On an undisclosed location we were shown the nest of this enormous bird. Judging from the pictures everybody goes here. Nevertheless very nice to see it. The male was nowhere to be sen unfortunately, therefor only the head of mrs. Owl.
We found some nice specialities on day 1. Here we have a picture of Ural Owl (left) and Pygmee Owl (right). Both not new for me, but it's always a pleasure to see an owl...
June 1, 2025 at 2:50 AM
We found some nice specialities on day 1. Here we have a picture of Ural Owl (left) and Pygmee Owl (right). Both not new for me, but it's always a pleasure to see an owl...
Thursday I arrived in Finland, the land of lakes and forests. Too much good habitat so better to get a guide to help you find the species you need. And that wasn't as easy as we thought. A flat tyre on the first day threw off our schedule and possibilities for the day.
#WPbirding
#WPbirding
June 1, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Thursday I arrived in Finland, the land of lakes and forests. Too much good habitat so better to get a guide to help you find the species you need. And that wasn't as easy as we thought. A flat tyre on the first day threw off our schedule and possibilities for the day.
#WPbirding
#WPbirding
We saw two subspecies in the mangroves of Jizan. Both have chances to become a species. The first being the Mangrove Reed Warbler (see pictures) and the second the Mangrove White-eye (no picture). Time will tell if they are distinct enough to become a full species.
May 24, 2025 at 11:17 AM
We saw two subspecies in the mangroves of Jizan. Both have chances to become a species. The first being the Mangrove Reed Warbler (see pictures) and the second the Mangrove White-eye (no picture). Time will tell if they are distinct enough to become a full species.
#788 Lesser Flamingo. Didn't expect to see that many... There were at least 300 at the coast close to the sewage plant of Jizan. Some building nests and sometimes the group would go start a courtship dance, all moving into the same direction close together. 2nd picture shows difference with Flamingo
May 24, 2025 at 9:40 AM
#788 Lesser Flamingo. Didn't expect to see that many... There were at least 300 at the coast close to the sewage plant of Jizan. Some building nests and sometimes the group would go start a courtship dance, all moving into the same direction close together. 2nd picture shows difference with Flamingo
#787 Saunders Tern. On the far north of the Farasan Islands in a bay we found around 12 of these Little Tern lookalikes. Darker wingtips, a more even colour on back and breast and all upperparts evenly grey. In these pictures by John Oates we see and adult and a juvenile bird.
May 24, 2025 at 9:35 AM
#787 Saunders Tern. On the far north of the Farasan Islands in a bay we found around 12 of these Little Tern lookalikes. Darker wingtips, a more even colour on back and breast and all upperparts evenly grey. In these pictures by John Oates we see and adult and a juvenile bird.