PeterHG's Big Year-4th time

[PeterHG]

Thank you @Peter Connan and @Kitsafari.

 

288. Tree Sparrow. Arkemheen, April. I was very happy to see this one, as numbers have gone down quite dramatically.

 

[PeterHG]

289. Black-tailed Godwit. Arkemheen, April. Our national bird and fortunately still present as a breeding bird in the meadows nearby, but fewer nests every year. I would truly miss their call in spring if they were to disappear completely...

 

 

[PeterHG]

290. Meadow Pipit. Arkemheen, April. Still very common, fortunately.

 

 

[PeterHG]

291. Stock Dove. Arkemheen, April. Not nearly as common as the Wood Pigeon, but in the local meadows they are usually a few present. Quite shy.

 

 

[PeterHG]

292. Black-necked Grebe. Zevenhoven, April. A visit to a wetland area an hour's drive from here produced this handsome grebe. It stayed a little farther away than I'd hoped but there are not too many opportunities to see it, so still happy with the result.

 

[PeterHG]

293. Ring-necked Pheasant. Zevenhoven, April.

 

[Soukous]

terrific shot of the Stock Dove

[michael-ibk]

Agree, that's such a tough bird to get.

[PeterHG]

294. Little Ringed Plover. Zevenhoven, April. Even in this flight shot the tell-tale yellow eye-ring is visible.

 

[PeterHG]

A trip to the northern parts of the country usually produces some good birds. It's a fairly long drive, but well worth the effort.

 

295. Western Marsh Harrier. Lauwersmeer, April

 

[PeterHG]

296. White-tailed Eagle. Lauwersmeer, April. It is one of the few places where you stand a chance of seeing the White-tailed Eagle. Always very distant, but who's complaining?

 

 

 

[PeterHG]

297. Peregrine. Lauwersmeer, April. A falcon that has made quite a come-back and even has a nest in the local church tower.

 

[PeterHG]

298. Whinchat. Lauwersmeer, April. Numbers have fallen dramatically, but seem to have stabilized in the last few years

 

[PeterHG]

299. Western Yellow Wagtail. Lauwersmeer, April.

 

[PeterHG]

For #300 I go back for a second to the wetland area in the middle of the country near the village of Zevenhoven. We had heard the booming call a few times, but then it suddenly flew past to find another spot in the extensive reed beds. I had not seen one for a couple of years, so was quite happy with this.

 

300. Eurasian Bittern, Zevenhoven, April.

 

 

Edited June 10, 2019 by PeterHG

[Tdgraves]

Well done on 300 and what a bird to get there on!

[michael-ibk]

Congratulations Peter, excellent photos all the way through. And what a special bird for #300, wow! 

[xelas]

So many BIF gives a special feel to your #300. Congratulations!

[Soukous]

More lovely photos @PeterHG

Maybe next year we should have 2 Big Year categories. Birds and birds in flight.

[pedro maia]

Incredible shots and that 300th is stunning.

[lmSA84]

Congrats on the 300 - too many good shots to choose from 

[Zim Girl]

Fantastic bird to reach your 300 with, Peter.

[Peter Connan]

Wow! Fantastic both on the Bittern, the total and the Little Ringed Plover!

[Kitsafari]

congrats on the 300th and what a special bittern to go with!

 

fantastic BIF shots!

[Dave Williams]

Well done indeed on the 300 Peter and with aa Bittern too, one I would love to see.

Your flight shots appear to come like shelling peas! The AF system is very enviable, I tried for some Sand Martin flight shots this week and soon gave up as it was driving me mad!