20240518 Target birding

Michael had sent over his target list for European birds. We tried to get most of them , some easier than others.

After the pick-up from Schiphol we started in the dunes for the songbirds e.g. Garden Warbler. Half way on the walk we spent some time watching out for Common Scoter but only saw some Northern Gannets.

Next stop was a marshland for Marsh-, Reed-, Icterine- and Cetti's Warbler. A pair of Long-eared Owls was a nice surprise, pointed out by the local birdwatcher.  In a city park we tried for Tawny Owl but it wasn't present at its roost, we did see Nuthatch and Short-toed Treecreeper.

We spent the afternoon at a large lake for waders and other aquatic birds like a female Garganey. A Little Bittern was reported nearby but after an hour we still saw no sign of the bird, however a Goshawk was another tick.

Last stop was at the tulip fields where we found a male Grey Partridge to end the day with, wrapping up 106 species of birds.