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Netherlands

Friesland & Flevoland

2-6 December 2005

Observers:

F. Simpson & L. Ketchen

INTRODUCTION

We had planned to go to Norfolk for a long weekend to watch wildfowl and waders but then realised we should actually visit somewhere new and fly the 45 minutes across the North Sea, at little extra cost using the budget airlines. This meant much more geese and a few Continental species. Flew from London Stansted to Eindhoven for Ŗ20 each and hired a car from Hertz at Ŗ166. Then, a couple of hours drive up to Flevoland from where we slowly worked our way north along the Ijsselmeer and Waddenzee coast to the top of the Netherlands over the following three days. We enjoyed thousands of geese despite the poor weather but failed to find a prized Red-breasted Goose or Lesser White-fronted Goose. At least 124 species were recorded at a fairly relaxed pace. Obviously this time of year is well out of the tourist season but we had difficulty finding accommodation and found ourselves staying in rather nice, large hotels at €100 per night - quite a bit more expensive than the north Norfolk coast!

HIGHLIGHTS

Tens of thousands of geese, plus...

Great Egret ˇ White Stork ˇ Snow Goose ˇ Lesser Canada Goose ˇ Smew ˇ Ferruginous Duck ˇ Rough-legged Buzzard ˇ Goshawk ˇ Arctic Tern ˇ Water Pipit ˇ Crested Tit ˇ Short-toed Treecreeper ˇ Common Redpoll ˇ Hawfinch ˇ Snow Bunting.

LITERATURE, REFERENCES & SITE GUIDES USED

The only suitable book on the region is now out of print:

Arnoud van der Berg's Where to Watch Birds in Holland, Belgium and Northern France (Hamlyn, 1996).

Information was gathered from the following useful websites:

Fatbirder Holland Links

Birding in the Netherlands

Travelling Birder Trip Reports

Birds in the Lauwersmeer

Where do you want to go birding in the Netherlands today?

Bird Links to the World - Netherlands

National Parque de Hoge Veluwe

Maps/Guides:

Gray, J. et al. 2005. The Netherlands. Lonely Planet.

GeoCenter Euro Map Netherlands 1:300000

Hotels:

Hotel Paleis Het Stadhouderlijk Hof in Leeuwarden

Amicitia Hotel in Sneek

Hotel Fuchsia in Zwolle

Travel:

Ryanair

Hertz

ITINERARY

Day 01       02/12/05     London Stansted > Eindhoven > Flevoland > Zwolle.
Day 02       03/12/05     Zwolle > Lemmer > Mirns > Laaksum > Sneek.
Day 03       04/12/05     Sneek > Oudega > Hindeloopen > Workum > Gaast > Zurich > Harlingen > Leeuwarden.
Day 04       05/12/05     Leeuwarden > Dokkum > Holwerede > Wierum > Paesens > Lauwersmeer > Leeuwarden.
Day 05       06/12/05     Leeuwarden > National Park de Hoge Veluwe > Eindhoven > London.

THE DIARY

Friday 2 December 2005
London Stansted > Eindhoven > Flevoland > Zwolle
Mostly cloudy, 1-2ēC max, some light rain

EINDHOVEN, NOORD BRABANT
Arrived at Eindhoven Airport at 0845h and were off in the hire car just 20 minutes later - the quickest exit I've experienced at an airport. Species noted while rolling up to the terminal: Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Lapwing (7), Magpie, Starling, and a small finch flock. Two Magpies in the car park.

DRIVE NORTH ON ROAD E-25 & A-27 TOWARDS FLEVOLAND
Common Buzzard (5), Kestrel (2), Marsh Harrier over large reedbed on the right near junction 36 on the A-27, Jay (2), some very big flocks of Wood Pigeons, Grey Heron (2), Pheasant, Mute Swan, Mallard, Canada Goose, Starling, Mallard, Cormorant perched on a roadside lamppost, many flocks of Lapwing, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Coot, Feral Pigeon and Black-headed Gull. Dead Little Owl and Hedgehog on the hard shoulder.

ALMERE STAD & PAMPUSHOUT AREAS, FLEVOLAND
Drove around the network of roads in this area while trying to get to Oostvaardersplassen Nature Reserve from the A-6 road. Excellent area for Rough-legged Buzzards with four birds observed and at least eleven Common Buzzards. Two of the Rough-legs appeared to be hunting rodents on the ground. The first distant grey geese were noted from the A-6. Redwing (7), Grey Heron (3), Lapwing were widely scattered over the area in small to large flocks, group of four Egyptian Geese.

NOORDERPLASSAN, FLEVOLAND
Found ourselves at the south-western corner of this large mere so decided to scan here for our first Smew. A flock of finches in the alder trees here contained mainly Siskin, a few Goldfinches and a single Lesser Redpoll. Minimum counts of birds within identifiable range (this is a large body of water): Great Crested Grebe (12), Tufted Duck/Pochard (200+), Goldeneye (4), Gadwall (20), Mallard, Egyptian Goose (2), Coot (100+), Moorhen, Cormorant, Grey Heron (2), Black-headed Gull, Common Buzzard, Kestrel hunting from its lookout on a lamppost, Jay, Blackbird, and Magpie.

IJSSELMEER, FLEVOLAND
Finally got on to the Ijsselmeer 'coast' - a fantastic area with huge numbers of Tufted Duck and Pochard in dense flocks. At least 200 Great Crested Grebes were counted and Goldeneye, Gadwall and Mallard were also well represented. There was nowhere suitable to stop on this busy stretch of road until the Trekvogel visitor centre at Lepelaarplassen. Until then we made do with drive-by views of a Great Egret, another Rough-legged Buzzard and several Grey Herons.

BEZOEKERSCENTRUM DE TREKVOGEL, LEPELAARPLASSEN NATURE RESERVE, FLEVOLAND
This is the site for one of the largest Spoonbill (Lepelaar in Dutch) colonies in the Netherlands. The visitor centre was closed when we arrived early afternoon. Getting out of the car I noticed two small finches on the weeds by the visitor centre - a pair of Common (Mealy) Redpolls. We followed the muddy track, starting across the road, to a large hide (Lepelaarhut) overlooking the large wetland. In the field on the right just at the start of the trail we had our first good views of some wild geese - White-fronted Goose (72), Greylag Goose (30), Common Snipe (1), White Wagtail (1), Yellow-legged Gull, Reed Bunting (1) and Starling (c200). Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin and a Herring Gull noted on the way to the hide. Arriving at the hide, the closest birds were two redhead Smews. While scanning the reedbed to the right, a huge female Goshawk flew out and passed low over the water in front of the hide. Counts on the small part of the lake that was visible: Goosander (2 mm), Goldeneye (2), Gadwall (40), Ruddy Duck (f), Mallard (50+), Mute Swan (pr), Kingfisher, Egyptian Goose (2) resting on the small island, Common Buzzard (1) over the woodland on the opposite bank, Cormorant, Wren calling and a Greenfinch overhead. On the walk back, another Kingfisher was observed briefly flying off from the sluice gate near the main road.

IJSSELMEER AT TREKVOGEL, FLEVOLAND
A male Ferruginous Duck was found in the company of two Tufted Ducks just off the shoreline but quickly moved off when I approached to photograph it - a good sign. Common Gulls and Black-headed Gulls around the marina.

KNARDIJK, FLEVOLAND
While driving to our next stop at Knardijk, a Hawfinch flew across the road. Observations from the Kluut hide: Green Woodpecker over, Great Egret (2), Bewick's Swan (9), Goosander (2 mm), Smew (29 redheads & 2 mm), Gadwall (200+), Shoveler (60+), Teal (50+), Kingfisher, Greylags arriving to roost, Wren and Robin calling.

Saturday 3 December 2005
Zwolle > Lemmer > Mirns > Laaksum > Sneek
Partly cloudy, 6ēC, cold wind but dry all day

DRIVE FROM ZWOLLE TO LEMMER A-50/N-50
Common Buzzard (10), Kestrel (2), Whooper Swan (2), Jay, Lapwing (several small groups), Magpie, Black-headed Gull, Grey Heron, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mute Swan, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Common Gull (fairly numerous in fields), Jackdaw, Starling, several flocks of grey geese near the bridge over Zwarte Meer, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon and Feral Pigeon.

LEMMER/COAST OF IJSSELMEER
A flock of c70 Barnacle Geese flew south, Whooper Swan (2), good numbers of Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Goldeneye, Great Black-backed Gull, Lapwing, Moorhen, and Egyptian Goose (2). Driving along the N-359 north of Lemmer we came across a roadside flock of 262 White-fronted Geese and nearby a grazing herd of 21 Mute Swans. Another distant flock of unidentified swans noted while driving.

NATUURGEBIED DE SANPOEL
A roadside lay-by look-out over the large area of grazed pasture along the N-359. A mixed flock of 1000+ White-fronts and Barnacle Geese. Many Fieldfares and Starlings feeding on worms and other invertebrates around the geese. A Kestrel flew down and started taking grit from the roadside lay-by here. Curlew (26), Golden Plover (10+), Kestrel (2), Common Buzzard (3), Redwing, Mallard, Blue Tit (flock of seven), Common Gull, Lapwing and Black-headed Gull also noted. Lines of geese flying across the horizon. Meadow Pipit (4) flew overhead. In the field opposite, across the road, 200+ Golden Plover and 500+ Lapwing were feeding with seven Common Buzzard in attendance over the nearby reedbed and fieldside posts. Also Skylark (6), Magpie, and Mute Swan noted with more geese flying across the horizon. On the other side of this field I could see a minor road tracking the Ijsselmeer coast so we drove here to follow the trails of geese.

LEMMER > LAAKSUM
There were thousands of geese along this route - almost every field contained some. The first flock composed around 2500 Barnacle Geese with a few Wigeon grazing on the periphery. One goose looked like a hybrid with parents probably being Barnacle and an Anser species. At least 300 White-fronted Geese were with this first flock. In the adjacent field, 250 White-fronts, Egyptian Goose (4), Kestrel and Common Buzzard. Passing more geese we came across a mass of c5000 Barnacle Geese and 1000 White-fronted Geese. This resulted in a serious attempt to find a Red-breasted Goose but the best we could manage was a Lesser Canada Goose. These birds were adjacent to a large mere to the right of the road. Looking forward to some sheltered birding out of the car, we walked the short trail only to find that the hide had been burnt down! Peering above the reedbed produced: Wigeon (c1000), Peregrine performing well overhead, Mallard (200+), Smew (4), Tufted Duck, Redpoll sp. overhead, Common Buzzard (3), Kestrel (3), Mute Swan (42), Golden Plover (4 o/h), Blue Tit, Grey Heron (6) and a few Greylag Geese.

NIJEMIRDUM > OUDEMIRDUM
Barnacle Goose (2000+), Golden Plover (200+), Fieldfare (100+), and Common Buzzard (2). Climbing up onto the dyke overlooking the 'coastal' meadows along the Ijsselmeer shoreline revealed several masses of roosting Cormorant totalling around 4000 birds! Golden Plover (1800), Curlew (100+), Shelduck (100+), Pintail (c50), Mallard (1500+), Lapwing (500+), a few Sanderling and Dunlin, and Common Buzzard (5).

DRIVE TO MIRNS
Jay (2) over the road, Magpie, Kestrel (3), Common Buzzard (2), a flock of 22 Egyptian Geese, 1000's more Barnacles and White-fronts, Common and Black-headed Gulls feeding around goose flocks, several Grey Herons hunting rodents in pasture, Curlew (30 o/h), Wood Pigeon, and Starling.

MIRNS
Barnacle Goose (2000+), White-fronted Goose (c300), Common Buzzard (3), Rooks common in this area, and another Jay.

MIRNS > LAAKSUM
Observations from the road running along the raised banking. A presumed family of Snow Geese (2 ads + 1st-W white-phase) with hundreds of Barnacle and White-fronted Geese. A male Merlin crossed low over the field. Curlew (65), Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Kestrel, Common Buzzard, and Magpie.

VOGELHUT DE MOT, MOKKEBANK
Observations from the bird hide (vogelhut in Dutch) overlooking a bay in the Ijsselmeer: Hundreds of Curlews and at least 500 Common Gulls flying in to roost. A flock of seven Knot passed south. Shelduck (16), Common Buzzard (1), Wren calling, many Starling flocks heading south, Grey Heron (2), and some distant lines of geese passing south far out over the water.

LAAKSUM
Small flock of Snipe flew out of the roadside ditch. Mallards and Coots in the roadside wetlands plus a male Smew.

Sunday 4 December 2005
Sneek > Oudega > Hindeloopen > Workum > Gaast > Zurich > Harlingen > Leeuwarden
Overcast, 6ēC, cold wind but dry

DRIVE FROM SNEEK > OUDEGA
Blackbird, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow and Jackdaw noted.

HOMMERTS, SOUTH OF SNEEK
In Hommerts, turned right towards the village of Lytshuzen. After c500 metres a flock of c300 White-fronted Geeese held the first Pink-footed Geese (15) of the trip. Also Redwing (30), Magpie, Mallard, Kestrel, Collared Dover (2), and Grey Herons common in ditches in the area.

LYTSHUZEN
Thousands of Pink-footed, White-fronted and Barnacle Geese in roadaide fields. A grazing flock of 140 Wigeon on the bank of a drainage dyke. Several flocks of Starlings, including one numbering around 500 birds, feeding in the goose fields. Brambling (14) on a stubble field. Driving through the village of Lytshuzen we came to a corner with a view over some fields behind the houses. Here a group of 40 Pink-feet were grazing just behind the gardens. In the distance a nice flock of around 2000 Pink-feet were present not far from the village. Flock of 21 House Sparrows and two Tree Sparrows in bushes along the main street. Blackbirds common.

OUDEGA > WESTHEM
Just north of the railway line, 300 Pink-footed Geese in the field to the left at the roadside along with 23 White-fronted Geese. To the right of the road, c2500 Pink-footed Geese and c500 Barnacle Geese with a Rough-legged Buzzard hovering above them. In the sky, more geese moving over between feeding sites. Kestrel and Grey Heron noted. At the T-junction (left for Westhem) another small group of 200 Pink-feet.

WESTHEM
Just before the village, fields on the left held c3500 Pink-footed Geese, c1000 Barnacle Geese, a flock of 300 Starlings and Magpie. The first, and just about only, weak sunshine of the trip brought some beautiful light on the flocks.

WESTHEM >  BLAUWHAUIS
Thousands of Pink-footed Geese in this area! Also Fieldfare (70), grazing herd of 30 Mute Swans, Common Buzzard, and Kestrel. Collared Dove at the large church in Blauwhauis.

BLAUWHAUIS > ROAD 359
At least 3000 Pink-footed Geese in fields here along with a few Barnacle Geese and a Kestrel.

TJERKWERD
More Pink-footed Geese!

ROAD 359 > WORKUM
Species noted on the drive: Common Buzzard (2), flocks of Greylag Geese, good numbers of White-fronted Geese in rushy pastures, a herd of c100 Mute Swan, and large congregations of grey geese probably numbering around 4000 birds.

HINDELOOPEN
A Goshawk flew along the main dyke and over two Magpies which briefly flew up to mob it. A small pool in the village held a small waterfowl collection: Hooded Merganser, Barrow's Goldeneye, Bar-headed Goose, Scaup, Smew and a Brent Goose that was porbably wild but had a broken wing. Collared Doves (4) feeding on the duck's grain. Then, amazingly, an Arctic Tern north along the dyke here. One had been reported last week in Norfolk. Also Kestrel, Jackdaw, Herring Gull and Common Buzzard around the village. Lapwings on ploughed fields outside the village. Curlews overhead and a Black-headed Gull mobbing a Common Buzzard. A few White-fronted Geese along the road to the 359.

WORKUM
Found another small waterfowl collection in this village near the library and included Ruddy Shelduck and Black-necked Swan. Jay at the roadside here.

WORKUM > GAAST
More geese, in small groups of around 100, Kestrel, herd of 50 Mute Swans, many Curlew and Starlings, numerous Common Gulls and a few Herring Gulls. Group of around 2000 Barnacle Geese, many Blackbirds in the village of Gaast.

GAAST > MAKKUM
Common Buzzard (3), Sparrowhawk, and Collared Dove noted.

MAKKUM > WONS
More White-fonted Geese flocks.

ZURICH
Flock of 109 Mute Swans grazing and around 60 Wigeon in a large roadside ditch, c1000 White-fronts with a few Barnacles, and several Herring Gulls. Oystercatcher (3) in a muddy field along the coastal dyke.

HARLINGEN HARBOUR
Kestrel on the edge of town. Arrived at the harbour and found a group of 10 Common Redpolls looking for seeds along with Jackdaw and Feral Pigeon. Walked out along the harbour wall to the mouth. A raft of 62 Scaup near the floating markers, but further out more sea ducks were hard to view due the rollers and wind. A few Red-breasted Mergansers passing south. Great Black-backed Gull (1), Herring Gull (20) and a few Great Crested Grebes around the ships in the harbour. Purple Sandpiper (5) on the rocks at the harbour mouth. On the opposite side, on rocks below the mini red and white lighthouse a male Peregrine sat sheltering. A few Eiders around the mouth with a group of 80 near the Scaup. A calling group of 12 Bewick's Swans flew south over the sea. There appeared to be a southerly passage or local movement of Oystercatchers with many small groups of up to 20 birds zipping past. A Redshank flew along the harbour wall. Surprising, we met the only other birders on this trip here and the best they had seen today was a Great Northern Diver from the Afsluitdijk.

THE STRAND, HARLINGEN
A nice flurry of 62 Snow Buntings, very mobile, held a single Greenfinch. Feeding along the small, patchy dune strip, on seaweed-covered foreshore and on the sandy shore itself. Found a Rock Pipit on the seaweed below the Strand Pavilion Zilt Cafe at which point we nipped inside for a coffee, apple pie and cream. Outside, 127 Oystercatcher were feeding with a Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling and a few Redshank. Cormorants fishing in the sea. Scaup (f) flew south. Common Buzzard milling around above the many people taking an afternoon stroll. In the town, a Kestrel was perched on a lamppost above a canal.

A-31 > LEEUWARDEN
Some big flocks of Lapwing, Kestrel perched low down on roadside distance marker, Wigeon, Coot, Black-headed Gull, and Common Buzzard noted on the drive. Stayed at the beautiful Hotel Paleis Het Stadhouderlijk Hof in the centre of Leeuwarden.

Monday 5 December 2005
Leeuwarden > Dokkum > Holwerede > Ternaard > Wierum > Nes > Paesens > Lauwersoog > Lauwersmeer > Leeuwarden
Rained all day, poor light, max 7ēC

LEEUWARDEN > DOKKUM (N-355 > N-356) > HOLWERD
In a field on the left just before the junction with the N-356 (before Quatrebras), a group of eight White Storks feeding about 50 metres from the roadside. Elsewhere on the drive: small flocks of geese passing over from roost sites, Grey Heron, Starling, Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Common Gull, Magpie, Mute Swan (herds of 15 & 20), Wigeon, Mallard, Collared Dove, Herring Gull and Feral Pigeon.

HOLWERD
Drove out the 1-km long pier that traverses the muddy shores of the Waddenzee to the ferry terminal. Fantastic area for huge numbers of waders and wildfowl. Hundreds of Shelduck, Pintail, Wigeon, Curlew, and Redshank. Smaller numbers of Dunlin, Teal, Mallard and Grey Plover. Bewick's Swan (26), Avocet (178), Oystercatcher (flock of 300 at terminal, more in the distance), a group of 30 Goldfinches contained a single Linnet, Turnstone, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting (2), Common Gull, Knot, Sanderling, Common Gull and Black-headed Gull all observed. Hundreds of Eider offshore included a Long-tailed Duck, and Red-breasted Merganser (5). Back towards the village, several Rooks, Collared Dove and Oystercatchers around the outskirts.

TERNAARD
Collared Dove, Starling, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Magpie and Blackbird noted. At the crossroads, took the left-hand turn towards the village of Wierum: group of 400 Barnacle Geese on the right with several Mallards on the ditch-side of the flock. To the rear, in a weedy/muddy field of stubble, the first four Bean Geese of the trip were found on their own. Kestrel hovering overhead. A few Dunlin and many Lapwing in the muddy field with the Bean Geese. Oystercatcher in a field on the edge of Wierum.

WIERUM
Song Thrush, Blackbird, and Chaffinch on the small football pitch.

NES > PAESENS
A group of geese in the stubble contained Bean Goose (6), Greylag Goose (c100) and Barnacle Goose (19). In a muddy field near the dyke, a flock of 150 Jackdaws and a few Lapwings. Meadow Pipits (7) flew over here. Around 100 Stock Doves lifted off from a stubble field near the village of Paesens. Curlews passing over.

PAESENS
Climbed up onto the coastal dyke to view the shoreline along the Waddenzee. A group of 215 Barnacle Geese were just over the other side along with 44 Dark-bellied Brent Geese in the sea. Further along c400 Brent Geese in the shallow water/mud. Also a few Shelduck. In the village: Great Tit, Blue Tit, a noisy flock of House Sparrows, Chaffinch, Feral Pigeon, Jackdaw and Robin noted.

PAESENS > N-361
Just leaving the village, a group of 12 Bean Geese, many Stock Doves, a few Barnacles and two Common Buzzards on the right.

N-361 > LAUWERSOOG
Mixed flock of 200 Barnacles and White-fronts noted on the drive. At the northwest end of the Lauwersmeer along the coastal dyke, a few parking areas at the roadside overlook a nice marshy/flooded area behind the dyke. Pintail (300), Black-tailed Godwit (1), Bewick's Swan (2), hundreds of Wigeon, Mallard, Teal and Shoveler, Brent Goose, Greylag Goose, White-fronted Goose (40), Barnacle Goose (150), Snipe (7), Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Magpie, Starling, Common Gull, Moorhen and a Brown Hare. Another stop in a lay-by overlooking the mere at the north end produced 200+ Tufted Duck/Pochard, Smew (m), Little Grebe (2), a few Goldeneye, Pintail, Mallard, Gadwall and Great Crested Grebe. Over 100 Common Gulls, several Black-headed Gulls and two Great Black-backed Gulls.

LAUWERSOOG HARBOUR
Turnstone (31), huddle of six Little Grebes, Goosander (2), Great Crested Grebe (3), Common Redpoll (4), Jackdaw, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Eider, Grey Heron, Coot and Magpie. Over the harbour wall produced only 120 Eider and some gulls.

LAUWERSMEER
Stopped in the Ballastplaat area on the eastern side. A couple of hundred Fieldfares and a few Redwings and Blackbirds feeding in the many berry bushes. Looked around for Waxwings but no luck. Around the mere: Rough-legged Buzzard, Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Pochard, Robin, Shoveler, and two family groups of Whooper Swans. Further south, we took the minor road running parallel to the N-361. The rain was heavy but didn't walk to the hide visible some distance away. Species noted while sheltering by the car: Great Egret (2), Bewick's Swan (47), Whooper Swan (13), Shelduck (253), Hen Harrier (4 ringtails), Kestrel (1), Greylag (c250), Common Buzzard (1), Peregrine (f) perched on a high, thick post in a pool at the roadside, Water Pipit flew past, good numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Goldeneye, Shoveler and Tufted Duck. Brown Hare (1).

DRIVE TO ZOUTKAMP AREA
Hen Harrier (ringtail), Greylags, and Cormorant.

WEST SIDE OF LAUWERMEER TOWARDS ANJUM
Great Egret (1), thousands of Barnacle Geese and White-fronted Geese, large numbers of Lapwing and Common Gulls, several hundred Curlews in pasture around Anjum, and a Moorhen crossing the main street in Anjum.

OOSTMAHORN
Observations from the dyke overlooking the Lauwersmeer: Hen Harrier (m) hunting over the reedbed, Whooper Swan (21), Bewick's Swan (2), several hundred ducks including Tufted Duck, Pochard, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler, Mallard and a few Smew, Great Crested Grebe, Lapwing, Coot, and several flocks of duck arriving to roost.

DRIVE BACK TO LEEUWARDEN
Group of eight Bewick's Swan in a roadside field near Dokkum. A female Merlin low over the road was first observed coming across the adjacent field. Wigeon (200) in a roadside ditch. Several Common Buzzards. Flock of c500 Starlings heading to roost. The White Storks were still present in the same field near Quatrebras.

Tuesday 6 December 2005
Leeuwarden > National Park de Hoge Veluwe > Eindhoven
Cloudy, max 5ēC

DRIVE SOUTH FROM LEEUWARDEN TO EINDHOVEN VIA ZWOLLE, DEVENTER, APELDOORN, & ARNHEM
Species noted on the drive: Common Buzzard (19), Kestrel (12), Lapwing (common including a flock of 400), Curlew (fairly common including a flock of 500), Magpie, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, Common Gull, Starling, Coot, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Rook, Mute Swan, Teal, Wood Pigeon and Cormorant. Dead owl on the hard shoulder, either Short-eared or Long-eared judging by the brief view of the pale eyes. Late afternoon near Eindhoven, thousands of Wood Pigeons were settling into their canopy roost sites.

NATIONAL PARK DE HOGE VELUWE
Stopped in the beautiful woodlands of Hoge Veluwe from 1145 to 1500h. Explored the area around the Schaarsbergen entrance, hoping for Black Woodpecker. Nuthatch (10), Marsh Tit (9), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (pr), Great Spotted Woodpecker (pr), Raven overhead, Short-toed Treecreeper (5), Crested Tit (4), Common Buzzard (2), Long-tailed Tit (20+), Goldcrest (7), Willow Tit (pr in birch woodland), Jay (4), and Yellowhammer (4). Also noted: Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Blackbird, Stock Dove, Redwing, Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Wood Pigeon, and Robin. There is a €6 entrance fee for the park. The car park costs €2.50 but we discovered by chance that if you use the restaurant here you will receive a free token to exit the car park. Cycles are available for free use on marked trails in the park - this would be a nice option for the longer days during a Spring or Summer visit.

SPECIES LIST - FRIESLAND & FLEVOLAND, THE NETHERLANDS 2 > 6 Dec 2005                                                  ^ top

All photographs Š 2005  F. S. Simpson & L. Ketchen

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