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Due to the corona measures, it was not possible to organize the annual event Top of Holland for 2 years. Fortunately, this year it could be held again on May 14. The aim of the Top of Holland is to search for rare species with as many bird watchers as possible. The discoverer of the rarest species also receives a prize. We have been participating for years under the name “Twitch & Go” and we try to get as many varieties as possible, say a Big Day.
The weather forecast for the Easter weekend looked good. Wind from the east with reasonable temperatures every day. Normally this guarantees nice numbers and rarities. Monday and Tuesday before the Easter weekend there had already been significant migration so the expectations for high numbers of birds were somewhat tempered.
Alwin Borhem suggested to do a Big Day this coming weekend. The weather forecast was good so why not.
2021 started under the spell of the Corona virus and we were in a lockdown followed by a curfew that started on January 21 and lasted until April 28.
Daily blog 2022
Our daily twitches and short visits are tracked in this blog. Of course the reports are provided with as many photos and possible sound recordings as possible. Enjoy reading!
Every year the Gull-billed Terns take a break in their journey to Africa near Oude Pekela. They then rest on a sand excavation together with the newborn chicks. The birds come from Germany where a small population still breeds in the mouth of the Elbe. They usually stay here for a few weeks before moving on to Africa. The chicks are still fed by their parents during migration.
Highlights 2022
Bearded Reedling
Panurus biarmicus
Bearded Reedling | Panurus biarmicus | Photo made near Petten, The Netherlands | 30-07-2022
Western Marsh Harrier
Circus aeruginosus
Western Marsh Harrier | Circus aeruginosus | Photo made on the island of Texel, The Netherlands | 22-07-2022
Gull-billed Tern
Gelochelidon nilotica
Gull-billed Tern | Gelochelidon nilotica | Photo made in Oude Pekela, The Netherlands | 16-07-2022
Great Snipe
Tringa flavipes
Great Snipe | Gallinago media | Photo made near Hardenberg, The Netherlands | 18-06-2022
Dark Whiteface
Leucorrhinia albifrons
Dark Whiteface | Leucorrhinia albifrons | Photo made in Ter Horsterzand near Beilen, The Netherlands | 18-06-2022
White-letter Hairstreak
Satyrium w-album
White-letter Hairstreak | Satyrium w-album | Photo made at the Maasplassen near Roermond, The Netherlands | 18-06-2022
Large Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis polychloros
Large Tortoiseshell | Nymphalis polychloros | Photo made at the Weerterbos near Nederweert, The Netherlands | 18-06-2022
Azure Bluet
Coenagrion puella
Variable Bluet | Coenagrion pulchellum | Photo made in Ter Horsterzand near Beilen, The Netherlands | 18-06-2022
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes
Lesser Yellowlegs | Tringa flavipes | Photo made near Zoetermeer, The Netherlands | 14-06-2022
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilis
Northern Goshawk | Accipiter gentilis | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Noord, The Netherlands | 12-06-2022
White-throated Dipper
Cinclus cinclus
White-throated Dipper | Cinclus cinclus | Photo made in Limburg, The Netherlands | 07-06-2022
Blyth's Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus dumetorum
Blyth's Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus dumetorum | Photo made in the Koornwaard near 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands | 04-06-2022
Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea
Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea | Photo made in the Zouweboezem near Ouddorp, The Netherlands | 04-06-2022
Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea
Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea | Photo made in the Zouweboezem near Ouddorp, The Netherlands | 04-06-2022
Common Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus
Common Cuckoo | Cuculus canorus | Photo made in the Bossche Broek near 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands | 02-06-2022
Common Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus
Common Cuckoo | Cuculus canorus | Photo made in the Bossche Broek near 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands | 02-06-2022
Collared Flycatcher
Ficedula albicollis
Collared Flycatcher | Ficedula albicollis | Photo made in the Eyserbosschen near Eys, The Netherlands | 01-06-2022
Italian Sparrow
Passer italiae
Italian Sparrow | Passer italiae | Photo made in Garderen, The Netherlands | 01-06-2022
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus
Great Crested Grebe | Podiceps cristatus | Photo made in Alblasserdam, The Netherlands | 01-06-2022
Collared Flycatcher
Ficedula albicollis
Collared Flycatcher | Ficedula albicollis | Photo made at the Eyserbosschen near Eys, The Netherlands | 29-05-2022
Common House Martin
Delichon urbicum
Common House Martin | Delichon urbicum | Photo made at the Bochtjesplaat in the Lauwersmeer, The Netherlands | 29-05-2022
Common Swift
Apus apus
Common Swift | Apus apus | Photo made at the Bochtjesplaat in the Lauwersmeer, The Netherlands | 29-05-2022
Common Swift
Apus apus
Common Swift | Apus apus | Photo made at the Ezumakeeg Noord in the Lauwersmeer, The Netherlands | 29-05-2022
Common Firecrest
Regulus ignicapilla
Common Firecrest | Regulus ignicapilla | Photo made at the Kerperbos near Vaals, The Netherlands | 26-05-2022
European Roller
Coracias garrulus
European Roller | Coracias garrulus | Photo made near Dordrecht, The Netherlands | 25-05-2022
Griffon Vulture
Gyps fulvus
Griffon Vulture | Gyps fulvus | Photo made at the island of Texel, The Netherlands | 24-05-2022
Woodchat Shrike
Lanius senator
Woodchat Shrike | Lanius senator | Photo made near Schoorl, The Netherlands | 22-05-2022
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougallii
Roseate Tern | Sterna dougallii | Photo made near Schoorl, The Netherlands | 22-05-2022
Common Rosefinch
Carpodacus erythrinus
Common Rosefinch | Carpodacus erythrinus | Photo made near Castricum, The Netherlands | 21-05-2022
Red Kite
Milvus milvus
Red Kite | Milvus milvus | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Noord, The Netherlands | 21-05-2022
Montagu's Harrier
Circus pygargus
Montagu's Harrier | Circus pygargus | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Noord, The Netherlands | 21-05-2022
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
Pectoral Sandpiper | Calidris melanotos | Photo made near Zevenhuizen, The Netherlands | 21-05-2022
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
Pectoral Sandpiper | Calidris melanotos | Photo made near Zevenhuizen, The Netherlands | 21-05-2022
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodia
Eurasian Spoonbill | Platalea leucorodia | Photo made near Zevenhuizen, The Netherlands | 18-05-2022
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufina
Red-crested Pochard | Netta rufina | Photo made near Zevenhuizen, The Netherlands | 18-05-2022
Common Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus
Common Cuckoo | Cuculus canorus | Photo made near Zevenhuizen, The Netherlands | 18-05-2022
Black-headed Bunting
Emberiza melanocephala
Black-headed Bunting | Emberiza melanocephala | Photo made near Castricum, The Netherlands | 16-05-2022
Common Linnet
Linaria cannabina
Common Linnet | Linaria cannabina | Photo made near Castricum, The Netherlands | 16-05-2022
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubius
Little Ringed Plover | Charadrius dubius | Photo made at the Ezumakeeg Zuid, The Netherlands | 13-05-2022
Common Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticula
Common Ringed Plover | Charadrius hiaticula | Photo made at the Ezumakeeg Zuid, The Netherlands | 13-05-2022
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadorna
Common Shelduck | Tadorna tadorna | Photo made at the Ezumakeeg Zuid, The Netherlands | 13-05-2022
Dunnock
Prunella modularis
Dunnock | Prunella modularis | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Zuid, The Netherlands | 12-05-2022
Common Whitethroat
Curruca communis
Common Whitethroat | Curruca communis | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Zuid, The Netherlands | 12-05-2022
Western Marsh Harrier
Circus aeruginosus
Western Marsh Harrier | Circus aeruginosus | Photo made at the migration site Brobbelbies Zuid, The Netherlands | 12-05-2022
Zwarte Stern
Chlidonias niger
Black Tern | Chlidonias niger | Photo made in the Zouweboezem, The Netherlands | 10-05-2022
White-winged Tern
Chlidonias leucopterus
White-winged Tern | Chlidonias leucopterus | Photo made in the Zouweboezem, The Netherlands | 10-05-2022
Iberian Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus ibericus
Iberian Chiffchaff | Phylloscopus ibericus | Photo made in Warmond, The Netherlands | 09-05-2022
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensis
Meadow Pipit | Anthus pratensis | Photo made near Scherpenisse, The Netherlands | 09-05-2022
Broad-billed Sandpiper
Calidris falcinellus
Broad-billed Sandpiper | Calidris falcinellus | Photo made near Grijpskerke, The Netherlands | 07-05-2022
Caspian Stonechat
Saxicola maurus hemprichii
Caspian Stonechat | Saxicola maurus hemprichii | Photo made on the island of Texel, The Netherlands | 07-05-2022
Black Guillemot
Cepphus grylle
Black Guillemot | Cepphus grylle | Photo made on the island of Texel, The Netherlands | 06-05-2022
Common Linnet
Linaria cannabina
Common Linnet | Linaria cannabina | Photo made on the island of Texel, The Netherlands | 06-05-2022
Woodchat Shrike
Lanius senator
Woodchat Shrike | Lanius senator | Photo made near Egmond-Binnen, The Netherlands | 05-05-2022
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorus
Mistle Thrush | Turdus viscivorus | Photo made near Herkenbosch, The Netherlands | 02-05-2022
Western Bonelli's Warbler
Phylloscopus bonelli
Western Bonelli's Warbler | Phylloscopus bonelli | Photo made near Herkenbosch, The Netherlands | 02-05-2022
Western Bonelli's Warbler
Phylloscopus bonelli
Western Bonelli's Warbler | Phylloscopus bonelli | Photo made near Herkenbosch, The Netherlands | 02-05-2022
Northern Wheatear
Oenanthe oenanthe
Northern Wheatear | Oenanthe oenanthe | Photo made at the Maasvlakte, The Netherlands | 01-05-2022
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus
Great Crested Grebe | Podiceps cristatus | Photo made in Alblasserdam, The Netherlands | 01-05-2022
Common Linnet
Linaria cannabina
Common Linnet | Linaria cannabina | Photo made at the Maasvlakte, The Netherlands | 01-05-2022
British Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava flavissima
British Yellow Wagtail | Motacilla flava flavissima | Photo made at the Maasvlakte, The Netherlands | 01-05-2022
Western Marsh Harrier
Circus aeruginosus
Western Marsh Harrier | Circus aeruginosus | Photo made in Alblasserdam, The Netherlands | 01-05-2022
Red-footed Falcon
Falco vespertinus
Red-footed Falcon | Falco vespertinus | Photo made at the Kampina, The Netherlands | 29-04-2022
Long-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus scolopaceus
Long-billed Dowitcher | Limnodromus scolopaceus | Photo made near Tholen, The Netherlands | 28-04-2022
Common Greenshank
Tringa nebularia
Common Greenshank | Tringa nebularia | Photo made by Het Zwin, The Netherlands | 28-04-2022
Western Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava
Western Yellow Wagtail | Motacilla flava | Photo made near Diependal, The Netherlands | 27-04-2022
Bluethroat
Luscinia svecica
Bluethroat | Luscinia svecica | Photo made near Diependal, The Netherlands | 27-04-2022
Bearded Reedling
Panurus biarmicus
Bearded Reedling | Panurus biarmicus | Photo made near Appingedam, The Netherlands | 27-04-2022
Common Crane
Grus grus
Common Crane | Grus grus | Photo made at migration site De Kamperhoek, The Netherlands | 23-04-2022
Western Cattle Egretv
Bubulcus ibis
Western Cattle Egret | Bubulcus ibis | Photo made at migration site De Kamperhoek, The Netherlands | 18-04-2022
Western Marsh Harrier
Circus aeruginosus
Western Marsh Harrier | Circus aeruginosus | Photo made at migration site De Kamperhoek, The Netherlands | 18-04-2022
vPeregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus | Photo made at migration site De Kamperhoek, The Netherlands | 16-04-2022
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegena
Red-necked Grebe | Podiceps grisegena | Photo made near Zalk, The Netherlands | 16-04-2022
Caspian Gull
Larus cachinnans
Caspian Gull | Larus cachinnans | Photo made at migration site De Kamperhoek, The Netherlands | 16-04-2022
Italian Sparrow
Passer italiae
Italian Sparrow | Passer italiae | Photo made in Garderen, The Netherlands | 16-04-2022
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinella
Yellowhammer | Emberiza citrinella | Photo made in the Maashorst, The Netherlands | 14-04-2022
British Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava flavissima
British Yellow Wagtail | Motacilla flava flavissima | Photo made in the Maashorst, The Netherlands | 14-04-2022
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatus
Ring Ouzel | Turdus torquatus | Photo made in the Maashorst, The Netherlands | 14-04-2022
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
Ring-billed Gull | Larus delawarensis | Photo made near Babberich, The Netherlands | 24-03-2022
Dartford Warbler
Curruca undata
Dartford Warbler | Curruca undata | Photo made near Camperduin, The Netherlands | 03-03-2022
Dartford Warbler
Curruca undata
Dartford Warbler | Curruca undata | Photo made near Camperduin, The Netherlands | 03-03-2022
Pallas's Leaf Warbler
Phylloscopus proregulus
Pallas's Leaf Warbler | Phylloscopus proregulus | Photo made in Leiden, The Netherlands | 03-03-2022
Pallas's Leaf Warbler
Phylloscopus proregulus
Pallas's Leaf Warbler | Phylloscopus proregulus | Photo made in Leiden, The Netherlands | 03-03-2022
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Song Sparrow | Melospiza melodia | Photo made near Emmadorp, The Netherlands | 01-03-2022
Western Swamphen
Porphyrio porphyrio
Western Swamphen | Porphyrio porphyrio | Photo made near Alblasserdam, The Netherlands | 01-03-2022
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Song Sparrow | Melospiza melodia | Photo made near Emmadorp, The Netherlands | 15-02-2022
Little Bunting
Emberiza pusilla
Little Bunting | Emberiza pusilla | Photo made near Noordwijk, The Netherlands | 30-01-2022
Little Owl
Athene noctua
Little Owl | Athene noctua | Photo made near Hulst, The Netherlands | 22-01-2022
Yellow-billed Loon
Gavia adamsii
Yellow-billed Loon | Gavia adamsii | Photo made in the harbour of Stellendam, The Netherlands | 22-01-2022
European Serin
Serinus serinus
European Serin | Serinus serinus | Photo made near Rheden, The Netherlands | 16-01-2022