Hi - I've attached the list of places visited and birds seen during my all too brief visit to Amsterdam from August 24-29 and London from Aug. 30 to September 4 this year (about 6 partial days spent birding). Despite everyone telling me it was a terrible time of year for birding I had a great time, met wonderful helpful bird lovers and saw some great birds. I used the Birdingpal list to find helpful locals as well as just general googling to figure out places to go on my own. Barbara
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Northern Europe trip August 24-Sept. 4 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter BarbaraM
- Start date
Edward
Umimmak
Hi Barbara
It seems like you got a good introduction to the birds of that area of Europe on your trip. And if you're birding in a place for the first time, there's no such thing as "a terrible time of the year to go birding." I heard the same from the locals on my first birding trip to the Netherlands (mid July) and I had a great time too. You even managed to see two species that this European birder has never seen, Goshawk and Caspian Tern.
E
It seems like you got a good introduction to the birds of that area of Europe on your trip. And if you're birding in a place for the first time, there's no such thing as "a terrible time of the year to go birding." I heard the same from the locals on my first birding trip to the Netherlands (mid July) and I had a great time too. You even managed to see two species that this European birder has never seen, Goshawk and Caspian Tern.
E
Edward said:
Thanks - I hope my message didn't imply that I felt the birding was terrible - for me it was great. I did feel like I got a good intro to many common birds, as well as some more rare. The most amazing point was at Nardermeer where we saw all those raptors at the same time! Also nice to see some that I know from home in new areas (Great Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Caspian Tern, Mallard). Missing sight of the Green Woodpcker was the main "hole" in my trip! Barbara
Blackstart
Saxophonus pinus
BarbaraM said:
Hi Barbara-
Just to be pedantic, the coots you saw in Europe (Fulica atra) are not the same species you can see in California (Fulica americana).
Guess you can add another new bird to your list!
-Adam
Blackstart said:
Thanks for that reminder - it's a good argument for keeping a life list (which I haven't so far. I knew when I was there that the coots were a different species... forgot when I was reviewing the list. They look quite different. I understand there is some discussion as to whether the Great Egret seen in Europe is the same as in N. America. Also my Dutch connection says Pied and White Wagtails are separate species but I was told in London they were the same.
Update: It's a Chilean Flamingo and still at Durgerdam. Some of the birds listed as seen at Barnes Wetland Centre were seen on the entry road past the entrance to Barnes. Barbara
Keithec
'Green Scum'
Green woodpeckers
Hi Barbara,
I think you were very unlucky not to have seen Green Woodpeckers at several of the sites you visited especially Chobham Common. I was there a couple of times close to when you visited and saw them. Also that time of year is good for Woodcock and Nightjar at Chobham, again I saw several this year.
Regards,
Keith (Keithec)
Hi Barbara,
I think you were very unlucky not to have seen Green Woodpeckers at several of the sites you visited especially Chobham Common. I was there a couple of times close to when you visited and saw them. Also that time of year is good for Woodcock and Nightjar at Chobham, again I saw several this year.
Regards,
Keith (Keithec)
Keithec said:
Hi Keith - it felt like bad luck - jinxed perhaps by the Dutch birder who, upon hearing that I would be birding in/around London over the following week, said; "you'll certainly see Green Woodpeckers." He has birded pretty extensively in London and so had every expectation that I would see them... I did hear them in several locations - just no sight. I take it as a message that I must return! Barbara
