Zvezda & Alex 4th time: Just birdin'

[Soukous]

Late to the party, as usual, but lovely Spotted Crake and Water Rail. and all the others. 

I need to find some birds to photograph, my camera has dust on it.

[xelas]

One truly substandard photo but posted because I have spent 3 hours walking through wet grass and this one is the only new bird I was able to find. Huge crop, bad light, tired shooter ...my sincere apologises.

Autumn is the time when birding is better done from hides.

 

BY 337 / SI 061

Hawfinch - Coccothraustes coccothraustes

 

 

 

Medvedce, 28-09-2019

Edited September 28, 2019 by xelas

[PeterHG]

Still, a Hawfinch!

[xelas]

Still huge crops but good light makes a difference! There was a big flock of Greylag Geese at wetlands in Italy, and usually there are always a few "immigrants" hiding among them.

 

 

BY 338 / IT 031

Bar-headed Goose - Anser indicus

 

Isola della Cona, 29-Sep-2019

 

 

BY 339 / IT 032

Ruddy Shelduck - Tadorna ferruginea

 

Isola della Cona, 29-Sep-2019

[xelas]

Coming to The Netherlands was a great idea, and having @PeterHG as our guide even greater! He knew all the good spots, and birds likes him a lot  ... thus we have been able to get some really special ticks.

 

BY 340 / NED 001

Bearded Tit (Reedling) - Panurus biarmicus

 

Flevoland, 13.10.2019

 

 

[PeterHG]

It was really great doing some birding together with you, Zvezda and Tanja , @xelas and even though the weather did not really cooperate, we saw some good ones. This little beauty is a witness to that. I did not manage to get off a shot myself, but I am glad you did! I know there's more to follow .....;)!

[Galana]

Great picture of the Beardie.

[TonyQ]

A beautiful photo of the Bearded Tit. A lovely bird.

[Zim Girl]

Lovely Bearded Tit, Alex, glad you found them.

[xelas]

Thanks for appreciating our efforts! Moving on with smaller birds; looking for Snow Bunting (no show) we did find this one.

 

BY 341/ NL 002

Rock Pipit (Eurasian) - Anthus petrosus

 

 

IJmuiden,  15.10.2019

 

Edited October 16, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

And among the many gulls and oystercatchers, these little fellas were fast moving so hard to get them in focus.

 

BY 342 / NL 003

Sanderling - Calidris alba

 

 

IJmuiden, 15.10.2019

Edited October 16, 2019 by xelas

[PeterHG]

Good finds and excellent photos, @xelas! I do like the post-processing  !

[Galana]

That's a very smart Rock Pipit.

[xelas]

2 hours ago, PeterHG said:

I do like the post-processing  !

 

And so do I  !

[xelas]

Leaving Amersfoort after six days, we feel very much like part of deHoog family. Thank you Jeanette and Peter for sharing your lovely home with us.

 

And there was also the bonus, farewell bird coming to the garden.

 

BY 343 / NL 004

Dunnock - Prunella modularis

 

 

Amersfoort, 17.10.2019

[Galana]

Wow. It is not often the humble Dunnock makes it up a list as high as 343. You have captured its puzzled expression so well.

 

EDIT 10 seconds later.

I take it back. I have just seen it hit 351 on Peter's.

Edited October 17, 2019 by Galana
Additional text.

[PeterHG]

1 hour ago, Galana said:

I have just seen it hit 351 on Peter's.

That is nothing. I have yet to go out and find a Robin 

[xelas]

There were many in Winterswijk, @PeterHG! And some other specialities also .

Edited October 20, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

G&G was what I have had in mind when going to The Netherlands. And both were around. First the large G

 

BY 344 / NL 005

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis

 

Amersfoort, 13.10.2019

Edited October 22, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

BY 345 / NL 006

Barnacle Goose - Branta leucopsis

 

Zeeland, 14.10.2019

Edited October 22, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

BY 346 / NL 007

Brent Goose - Branta bernicla

 

Zeeland, 14.10.2019

 

 

And a rare subspecies "nigricans" aka Black Brent. Peter did not count it so nor will I.

 

IJmuiden, 15.10.2019

Edited October 22, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

Last one we saw them many but far out in the field, so I was really happy to notice this one at much closer distance. But what a sneaky bastard that one was ; so off he goes and here are 3 candidates where I will ask for the expert local opinion of @PeterHG who was there also. I hope that there is at least one Lesser among all below geese.

 

 

BY duplicates

Greater White-fronted Goose

 

 

 

 

 

Amesfoort, 12.10.2019

Edited October 22, 2019 by xelas

[michael-ibk]

344 and the next two are very cool, three much-sought (and very rare) birds here! But I think your Lesser White-Fronted Goose is not but quite a bastard actually - literally.

[PeterHG]

 

1 hour ago, xelas said:

I hope that there is at least one Lesser among all below geese.

 

I'm sorry to say there isn't. Your # 347 are all Greater White-fronted geese.....

[xelas]

Oh well, what one can do when those birds looks so similar?! One step back, not the end of the world.