Whereas I’ve visited just a few birding websites across the Netherlands through the course of my Bachelor research, I didn’t go birding quite a bit across the metropolis the place I lived, Maastricht. This is smart as the world isn’t that fascinating for birding, however I additionally was not conscious of among the alternatives for some time, or all the time needed to many different issues happening.
This winter, I used to be again in Maastricht to work on the college as a tutor. On the fowl recording website Waarneming, I noticed {that a} Nice Northern Diver (Widespread Loon) was discovered on a lake simply south of town. I wished to take a look at the positioning for the reason that fowl can be a lifer, however work all the time acquired in the best way. I feared the diver would ultimately disappear however after I lastly discovered a while two weeks later, it had nonetheless been reported the day earlier than.

I acquired to the northern shores of the lake however scanning with a scope remained fruitless. After persevering with to cycle to the southern edge, I lastly picked out the Nice Northern Diver after an extended search. Checking afterwards, I spotted it was 800 meters away in foggy climate, in all probability one of many more difficult birds I’ve positioned to this point (though in fact this may have been far more spectacular had the fowl been self-found). I didn’t have good views in any respect, though after a very long time observing I had managed to select up all of the ID options, and loved watching its totally different looking behaviour in comparison with the plentiful Nice Cormorants.

I used to be very comfortable about this lifer as I had been hoping to see this species in autumn throughout my keep on Heligoland. I nonetheless proceeded to examine the waterbirds within the nearer neighborhood, realising that getting close-up sightings additionally has its benefits. A suprising discover that made this go to much more value it was a Higher Scaup, which I had solely seen as soon as earlier than within the UK.

The feminine was slightly shy, however I used to be comfortable to match it to the numerous Tufted Geese that had been round as effectively. As well as, different typical species round included Eurasian Coot, Widespread Merganser, Mallard, and Nice Crested Grebe and Little Grebe. A Water Rail was hidden, calling from the reeds. Terrestrial species didn’t present themselves within the drizzle, however a bunch of Eurasian Siskins offered a pleasant distraction.

Regardless of the horrible darkish, drizzly climate, this brief outing was thus remarkably rewarding – and I spotted that I shouldv’e been out birding extra steadily during the last three years. One thing particular can all the time flip up!