Whilst I’ve visited a couple of birding websites across the Netherlands right through the process my Bachelor research, I didn’t cross birding so much across the town the place I lived, Maastricht. This is sensible as the realm isn’t that attention-grabbing for birding, however I additionally used to be no longer conscious about probably the most alternatives for some time, or all the time needed to many different issues occurring.
This wintry weather, I used to be again in Maastricht to paintings on the college as a tutor. At the chicken recording web page Waarneming, I noticed {that a} Nice Northern Diver (Not unusual Loon) used to be came across on a lake simply south of the town. I sought after to take a look at the web page for the reason that chicken can be a lifer, however paintings all the time were given in the best way. I feared the diver would ultimately disappear but if I in any case came across a while two weeks later, it had nonetheless been reported the day sooner than.
I were given to the northern shores of the lake however scanning with a scope remained fruitless. After proceeding to cycle to the southern edge, I in any case picked out the Nice Northern Diver after a protracted seek. Checking afterwards, I spotted it used to be 800 meters away in foggy climate, most definitely probably the most tougher birds I’ve positioned thus far (even though after all this could had been far more spectacular had the chicken been self-found). I didn’t have just right perspectives in any respect, even though after a very long time looking at I had controlled to pick out up all of the ID options, and loved looking at its other looking behaviour in comparison to the ample Nice Cormorants.
I used to be more than happy about this lifer as I were hoping to look this species in autumn right through my keep on Heligoland. I however proceeded to test the waterbirds within the closer neighborhood, realising that obtaining close-up sightings additionally has its benefits. A suprising in finding that made this seek advice from much more price it used to be a Larger Scaup, which I had best noticed as soon as sooner than in the United Kingdom.
The feminine used to be slightly shy, however I used to be glad to match it to the numerous Tufted Geese that have been round as smartly. As well as, different conventional species round integrated Eurasian Coot, Not unusual Merganser, Mallard, and Nice Crested Grebe and Little Grebe. A Water Rail used to be hidden, calling from the reeds. Terrestrial species didn’t display themselves within the drizzle, however a gaggle of Eurasian Siskins equipped a pleasant distraction.
Regardless of the terrible darkish, drizzly climate, this quick day out used to be thus remarkably rewarding – and I spotted that I shouldv’e been out birding extra steadily over the past 3 years. One thing particular can all the time flip up!