Menno van Duijn

With another autumn storm, Benjamin, arriving, there was once again a great opportunity to photograph seabirds. On October 29th, I hoped to spot one or more Little Auks that had been reported, but unfortunately none appeared during the time I had available in the late afternoon.

Great Skuas are the bomb. They rule the seas and are f.... bas ass! Skuas chase other seabirds to regurgitate their food but if you fail to do so with a Great Skua on your tail, then you're on the menu. Great skuas have a hawk tip at the end of their bill like many bird of prey and shrikes do, this is to bite and break the neck of their victim. 

On a pelagic organised by " Dagje in de Natuur" fellow local-birder Gijsbert Twigt found the eight Bonaparte's Gull for the Netherlands on the 27th of September.

I live in a seaside town and local say those who will always want to be close by the sea have salted blood. I think that's why I also just love seabirds and especially those one can only see during a storm. The strong wind, pounding waves and still skuas, shearwaters, petrels and gannets manage these conditions with elegance.

From 17-26 March 2025 Hans Overduin and I visited Morocco. A similar trip from previous year I undertook with Saskia but now staying longer at a selection of sites to get better photos.Trip report is progress, see the first days here

Whilst a Spectacled Eider drew crowds from far and beyond to Texel another duck tried to entertain the crowds in the south of the country. It couldn't rely on its name, starting with common, nor it's plumage being all black so what could he do to compensate?

At primary school kids used to call me "Tufted Duck"  because of me being a birdwatcher and having punky hair. Being a true bird nerd I knew it wasn't a correct comparison, as male Tufted Ducks had a long tuft at the back of the head whilst my spike hair was pointing all directions.

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.