Menno van Duijn

After the increasing number of sightings in Europe it was finally happening in the Netherlands. Sven Valkenburg was the lucky one to find this first winter (2cy) Pacific Diver at Neeltje Jans, the first for the Netherlands.The bird was discovered on the weekend but I was only able to visit it on Wednesday morning. After I picked up Hans Overduin at the Hague we arrived at sunrise on the site. We checked harbour per harbour but finally after an hour Rob ter Ellen relocated the bird on the far end of the eastern harbour.

Last year I was lucky to encounter a very cooperative Redpoll and this year the cousin filled in the gap of my wish list. A adult female Twite was hanging around, first with some Meadow Pipits but later she preferred the company of dandelions, 

Also this year we saw some Little Buntings on Helgoland, Germany. Last year we even had 12 in 5 days, this year we got to 3. Only now it was quality over quantity as there was one very cooperative bird joining the chaffinches on the beach, foraging on the sea weed flies.

A Dark-sided Flycatcher, he who has many names a.k.a. Sauron’s Flycatcher, Darth Flycatcher, Voldemort’s Flycatcher. Gathered lots of followers in a dark forest where according Maps it was busier then usual.

Ater Oukiameden we crossed the High Atlas to Boulmane Dades. We arrived in the afternoon as planned and checked in at the hotel. When the light was getting better we headed into the semi-desert of the dirt track to Tagadilt.

Morocco's holy grail. Just it's name says enough, African Crimson-winged Finch. These birds live high in the Atlas, up to the snow edge. In the winter they come down the mountains and can be found near settlements. The place to go in Morocco is the ski-resort Oukaimeden.

On the third day we left Marrakech and headed into the High Atlas. This mountain range can already be seen from the city. One of the targets there wass the Atlas or Seebohm's  Wheatear. Not long ago this species was treated as a subspecies of the Northern Wheatear but was split into a separate species by the IOC in 2021. There are records of vagrants in Europe, including one in the Netherlands in The Hague, May 2017

One of the first birds one would see in Marrakech is the House Bunting, it's even more abundant then the House Sparrow. You see them hopping on the street or eating the crumbs from the dinner tables. If you can across a nut shop it's worth to look inside as you probably see a dozen of House Buntings hanging around in the shop.

As our flight was rescheduled from 20:05 to 12:05 we had an extra afternoon in Marrakech. 

On the first full day in Morocco I visited the "Cyber Park" in Marrakech early in the morning. I almost tripped over several Turtle Doves foraging on the ground.

This first winter / second calendar year male Common Kestrel perched nicely on a dead branch. John, who I was guiding on a Birding Netherlands tour, and I sneaked up to the bird using a shed as a shelter.

Last four months I've spend my free time at a non-inspiring habitat, an industrial area. Among the high buildings of offices and parking lots I've photographed wintering Black Redstarts.