Birdwatching report private birding excursion Lauwersmeer 16 May 2018
Today I was allowed to organize a birdwatching excursion for a Belgian couple, Jan and Jaqueline. They had never been to the high North of the Netherlands, and they wanted to discover the Lauwersmeer. This afternoon the Frisian side of the Lauwersmeer was on the program from 13.00-16.30 hours. It was dry, 12 degrees Celsius and wind force 6. The latter could have done a bit less, but that did not spoil the fun.
Goldfinch nest and sea eagle at the pump
After the introduction, it was time for the noise round in the parking lot. This is not the easiest part, usually appears. After hearing five birds, including fitis, chiffchaff and winter king, we headed for the lookout hill. We had just walked a few meters when we saw a putter in the bushes. Still stop and look at this beautiful bird. Suddenly Jan saw a litter, where the putter flew to. When we aimed the telescope at the nest, we saw the putter sitting on the nest. We enjoyed this sight for a moment, then went on. We saw a reed singer sing on a reed-stick and heard a warbler in a bush.
From the lookout hill we saw mountain ducks and mute swans on the water. Furthermore, there were few ducks there to see. However, a male harrier roosted across the reed. The three colors on his top (brown / gray / black) were clearly visible. For a moment the sea eagle showed itself, but had also disappeared before both participants had seen him. Too bad, maybe again later. We were still looking for a great crested grebe, small black-backed gulls, common swifts and in the meantime we still heard a small rut. And then … luckily … the sea eagle showed up again. Now he kept circling a little longer over the forest, which gave the participants a good spotlight. An adult animal, the white tail clearly visible. Then, on the way back through the forest, we heard, among other things, a blackhead singing.
Via the tourist route to the Ezumakeeg
Because the participants joined me in the car, we could also search for birds on the way. We stepped out at the rook colony. For the rook was a new species for them. A found rake feather was also taken away by a delighted Jacqueline. Then we drove through a small road past a few farms, where a few species of birds were seen. In the pasture we saw a oystercatcher, and Mrs. Kestrel sat in the nesting box. We were almost at Ezumakeeg-North, when we suddenly saw a cuckoo flying overhead.
From the lookout hill we saw many species of ducks. In addition, there were black-tailed godwits, gnats, a spoonbill, redshank, sandpiper, a red-tailed godwit and a great egret in the shallow water or on the mud flats. And although a green-legged rider seemed to hide at first, it came out a little later. He was then beautiful to see through the telescope. Then it was time to drive to the hut.
Stranger in our midst
Outside the hut we saw a reed bunting in the reed stem. But before we went into the hut, it was time for a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. When we were sitting in the hut, we saw many species of ducks, which we had seen on the other side. But now there was also a teal between. We had not seen that kind before. Besides this native species, there was also an exotic swim around the hut. A male Chilean widgeon was good to see, and even to photograph the telescope while he was walking on the land. And it was clear to see that the animal was not ringed.
A buzzard and a blue heron were the last species that we could add to the list. It was now time to go to the next place: the port of Lauwersoog. On the way we stopped in the Bantpolder. There we saw a few more ‘ordinary’ species: wood pigeon, starling and grass piper.
In the harbor we saw a black-headed gull, a herring gull and a stonecrop. And at the end of the excursion we were able to add another vis terief to the list. We took some time for a photo opportunity, and then it was time to drive back to the car of the participants.
Although the wind had ensured that a number of birds had been more sheltered, it was still a nice afternoon, with beautiful species. The participants had a good impression of the area. Moreover, they indicated that they would like to come back again.
Observed bird species birwatching excursion
1 Barn Goose – Branta leucopsis
2 Greylag Goose – Anser anser
3 Mute swan – Cygnus olor
4 Shelduck – Tadorna tadorna
5 Shoveler – Spatula clypeata
6 Gadwall – Mareca strepera
7 wigeon – Mareca penelope
8 Chilean Wigeon – Mareca sibilatrix
9 Wild Duck – Anas platyrhynchos
10 Teal – Anas crecca
11 Pochard – Aythya ferina
12 Tufted duck – Aythya fuligula
13 Grebe – Podiceps cristatus
14 Spoonbill – Platalea leucorodia
15 Blue Heron – Ardea cinerea
16 Great Egret – Ardea alba
17 Cormorant – Phalacrocorax carbo
18 Marsh Harrier – Circus aeruginosus
19 White-tailed Eagle – Haliaeetus albicilla
20 Buzzard – Buteo buteo
21 Coot – Fulica atra
22 Oystercatcher – Haematopus ostralegus
23 Avocet – Recurvirostra avosetta
24 Lapwing – Vanellus vanellus
25 Red-tailed Godwit – Limosa lapponica
26 Black-tailed god – Limosa limosa
27 Turnstone – Arenaria interpres
28 Sandpiper – Actitis hypoleucos
29 Redshank – Tringa totanus
30 Greenshank – Tringa nebularia
31 Black-headed Gull – Chroicocephalus ridibundus
32 Herring Gull – Larus argentatus
33 Lesser Black-backed Gull – Larus fuscus
34 Common Tern – Sterna hirundo
35 Wood pigeon – Columba palumbus
36 Cuckoo – Cuculus canorus
37 Swift – Apus apus
38 Common Kestrel – Falco tinnunculus
39 Jackdaw – Coloeus monedula
40 Rook – Corvus frugilegus
41 Black Crow – Corvus corone
42 Great Tit – Parus major
43 barn swallow – Hirundo rustica
44 House Martin – Delichon urbicum
45 Fitis – Phylloscopus trochilus
46 Chiffchaff – Phylloscopus collybita
47 Sedge Warbler – Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
48 Little Karekite – Acrocephalus scirpaceus
49 Blackcap – Sylvia atricapilla
50 Warbler – Sylvia communis
51 Winter King – Troglodytes troglodytes
52 Starling – Sturnus vulgaris
53 Blackbird – Turdus merula
54 European Robin – Erithacus rubecula
55 House Sparrow – Passer domesticus
56 White Wagtail – Motacilla alba
57 Meadow Pipit – Anthus pratensis
58 Finch – Fringilla coelebs
59 Goldfinch – Carduelis carduelis
60 Reed Bunting – Emberiza schoeniclus
