Helgoland 2024

Saturday 19/10/2024

On our way nothing much of interest as it was grey and rainy, luckily it cleared a bit when we disembarked the MS Helgoland to check in for the Klassik Apartments. Whilst dropping off the luggage the report came in of a Siberian Rubythroat at Mittelland. A no-brainer, so we run off to check it out. 

 

Over 200 birders had already gathered around the small seathorn bush but the bird was very elusive. We had a brief glimpse and with the bird from Hoogwoud in mind we decided to leave it for what it was (expecting the bird would not leave due to the rainy night). A Pallas’ Leaf Warbler was also present but didn’t get the attention it normally would get.

 

We headed to the north beach for the long staying Lesser Short-toed Lark and a very nice drake Long-tailed Duck. From both we got some good photos till it got too dark. On our way back to the accommodation a Woodcock flew by.  A warm shower and a nice dinner were much appreciated.

Sunday 20/10/2024

We started with the first light at Kringel because later that day the wind would get stronger on this side of the island. Only some Stonechats, Song Thrushes and Water Pipits but the bushes were empty. We walked by the Rubythroat site but with 100 birders waiting already with no sight of the bird we continued our way. We got treated with a brief glimpse of a Little Bunting who landed in the Lighthouse garden.

 

Another long-stayer was the flock of six Pink-footed Geese at the north tip. We took some photos and then headed down the Jagersteig to the beach again. A mixed flock including some Mediterranean, Caspian and a Yellow-legged Gull gorged themselves on the maggots in the rotten sea weed. 

 

We spent some more time photographing the cooperative Short-toed Lark and Rock Pipit. When stepping out the public toilet a Yellow-browed Warbler appeared to be in the bush next to it but it quickly left for unknown reasons to higher trees. 25 metres further a Twite hanged out with some Meadow Pipits but they also left the scene. Then the report came in that the Rubythroat was very showy so we tried our luck again. 

 

A big crowd had gathered (350+ birders) and after an hour the bird came out of the thickets and showed well for all, big aaaaws and aaaaahs were going around.

 

We looped around the island after and ended on the beach again with the Little Bunting regularly coming down the beach to feed with the finches. Now and then a Sparrowhawk swooped down and once almost got the bunting that could escape by flying between Rein and Hans with the Sparrowhawk in pursuit. 

 

With the last light we tried to flush the Blyth’s Pipit on Oberland but we didn’t get more than some quick flight views.

Monday 21/10/2024

The standard counter clockwise island loop was the plan of the day. The Twite was present at the swimming pool and was so kind to perch on the lichen covered wall.

 

The quay and the dike along the east side can be productive especially with new arrivals, but it was rather quiet this time although a distant call from a Dusky and Yellow-browed Warbler lifted our hopes but they didn’t respond to the tape.

 

The previous day the lark’s feathers were a bit wet but now had dried so it was better looking on the photos. We tried our luck again for the Blyth’s Pipit but it was still very skittish.We checked out the NW pier where two adult Shags were resting. 

 

We headed down the beach area, sheltered from the strong westerly winds and spent the rest of the afternoon photographing the Short-toed Lark, Little Bunting and drake Long-tailed Duck.

Tuesday 22/10/2024

The smaller island Dune can’t be left unvisited so in the morning we set off to try out luck. A Black Guillemot was in the harbour but left whilst we arrived. The south beach, normally good for Weathears and Shore Larks, was empty.

 

The wind had produced an abundance of weed on the beach and many Black-headed, Common and some Mediterranean Gulls were feeding in the surf in the nice morning light. The Grey Seals also started to get a bit frisky as the hormones started to play up, breeding seasons started a few weeks later.

 

At midday we had our traditional “Kaffee und Kuchen” at the airport. From the terrace we spotted a flock of Short-toed Larks on the runway and a late Whinchat. Rein and I tried the centre of the island to see if we could find something interesting whilst Hans returned to the beach. Only notable for us was a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Little Bunting fly by.

 

In the afternoon more new birds were arriving and at the earlier mentioned quay a Isabaline Wheatear had been found so we took the ferry back. It was actively foraging, catching insects mid air in the same area. A good opportunity to take some action shots till the light had gone.