dwatsonbirder
Well-known member
Apologies in advance for anyone expecting a high-octane report filled with masses of interesting birds, the main reason for our trip was to catch up with family and friends who couldn't make it to our wedding last year - as a result, most birding was incidental or opportunistic at best, though it was pleasant to be reacquainted with some of the species found on mainland Europe that are either absent or notable in the UK.
Day 1 (Schiphol to Groningen)
The one "spare" day for the duration of the trip, sadly foiled by high winds and plenty of rain upon arrival in The Netherlands. Following some kind advise offered here, we headed for Nationaal Park Lauwersmeer, with the only species of note en-route being White tailed eagle, White stork and a single Great egret. upon arrival at Lauwersmeer we were greeted by 40mph + winds, doing little to aid with birding, with my first Swallows of the year hawking over the lake, and a handful of singing Chiffchaff. A very distant Marsh harrier was quatering over the reedbed, and a few Gadwall were associated with Mallard and Tufted duck on the water body. After some 45mins of being buffeted by the wind, we decided to continue on towards Groningen. A few Hare and Roe deer were noted along the journey, with occasional Lapwing displaying in fields. A very brief stop at a fuel station next to a flooded field added the first White wagtail and Caspian gull to proceedings.
Day 2 (Groningen)
Our second day was spent visiting friends in the city, with the only notable sightings being the first Black redstart of the trip, another bizarre sight of a pair of vocal Oystercatcher which were seemingly holding territory atop a block of flats.
Day 3 (Groningen to Bielefeld)
Another fairly long and uneventful day in the car, with a couple of flyover Great egret the main highlight. In the afternoon we visited Heimat-Tierpark Olderdissen, which was the only opportunity for any birding, and was surprisingly good. A pair of vocal Middle spotted woodpecker were the obvious standout, whilst other species of interest included the first Hawfinch, Firecrest, Brambling and Short toed treecreeper. The remainder of the day was spent with family and wandering around the city, with a small group of Hawfinch passing over our accommodation en-route to a nearby roost.
Day 4 (Bielefeld)
Another pleasant if uneventful day in terms of birding, with an hour early doors spent in a small park near to our accommodation providing good views of common birds including Bullfinch, Siskin and a bathing Sparrowhawk, whilst a wander around Sparrenburg Castle in the afternoon found further sightings of Hawfinch, Short toed treecreeper and Firecrest.
So far it had been a pleasant if somewhat underwhelming (at least from a birding perspective) few days, but things were set to improve somewhat as we continued east to our penultimate destination of the lovely old city of Minden.
Day 1 (Schiphol to Groningen)
The one "spare" day for the duration of the trip, sadly foiled by high winds and plenty of rain upon arrival in The Netherlands. Following some kind advise offered here, we headed for Nationaal Park Lauwersmeer, with the only species of note en-route being White tailed eagle, White stork and a single Great egret. upon arrival at Lauwersmeer we were greeted by 40mph + winds, doing little to aid with birding, with my first Swallows of the year hawking over the lake, and a handful of singing Chiffchaff. A very distant Marsh harrier was quatering over the reedbed, and a few Gadwall were associated with Mallard and Tufted duck on the water body. After some 45mins of being buffeted by the wind, we decided to continue on towards Groningen. A few Hare and Roe deer were noted along the journey, with occasional Lapwing displaying in fields. A very brief stop at a fuel station next to a flooded field added the first White wagtail and Caspian gull to proceedings.
Day 2 (Groningen)
Our second day was spent visiting friends in the city, with the only notable sightings being the first Black redstart of the trip, another bizarre sight of a pair of vocal Oystercatcher which were seemingly holding territory atop a block of flats.
Day 3 (Groningen to Bielefeld)
Another fairly long and uneventful day in the car, with a couple of flyover Great egret the main highlight. In the afternoon we visited Heimat-Tierpark Olderdissen, which was the only opportunity for any birding, and was surprisingly good. A pair of vocal Middle spotted woodpecker were the obvious standout, whilst other species of interest included the first Hawfinch, Firecrest, Brambling and Short toed treecreeper. The remainder of the day was spent with family and wandering around the city, with a small group of Hawfinch passing over our accommodation en-route to a nearby roost.
Day 4 (Bielefeld)
Another pleasant if uneventful day in terms of birding, with an hour early doors spent in a small park near to our accommodation providing good views of common birds including Bullfinch, Siskin and a bathing Sparrowhawk, whilst a wander around Sparrenburg Castle in the afternoon found further sightings of Hawfinch, Short toed treecreeper and Firecrest.
So far it had been a pleasant if somewhat underwhelming (at least from a birding perspective) few days, but things were set to improve somewhat as we continued east to our penultimate destination of the lovely old city of Minden.
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