The Lauwersmeer is something mystical for every (Dutch) birder, we all know the stories when you were younger, rare birds everywhere and common birds in high numbers.
At least I had those feelings with the Lauwersmeer, and today was the day I went there for the first time, realy special!
We departed a bit late but it wasn't a real problem. The Ezumakeeg is realy cool, although it was a bit empty we did managed to see some birds like: Common Greenshank, Wood sandpiper, Curlew, Ruff, Snipe, Spoonbill, Common sandpiper, Golden plover and a few Avocets.
This Spotted redshank and Marsh harrier were also present.
^Spotted redshank
^Marsh harrierA group of terns flew by of which i identified at least one as a certain Arctic! While we were driving and checking for any Kingfishers, Jan and I noticed a stork that was easily identified as a Black stork! The bird almost flew against the car, we chased it and from the car I could take this picture, I'm realy happy with it!
^Black stork The promised Glossy ibis wasn't present in the Bandpolder so we went to the Jaap Deensgat, Jan noted 2 storks wich turned out to be juvenile Blackie's! They were a bit distant though. From the hide we had great views on Caspian tern, Peregrine, Spoonbill, Spotted redshank (250!!) and a few Black terns. 6 Ruddy shelducks were resting.
^Caspian tern
Behind the hide there grew some of these great flowers: Grass-of-Parnassus.
When I was checking a few Yellow wagtails a Green sandpiper flew by. When I turned around there was (again) a Black stork in the air, this time an adult, it landed on a huge distance.
^Parnassus
We went to the harbour to have a quick lunch, there were Wheatears and wagtails on the dike and Little, Sandwich and Black terns feeding, I never seen Little so close.
We then checked Paesens which is a good place for waders, when you are in the right period which we were obviously not! Though I managed to see some birds: Grey plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Avocet, Curlew and 1 Dunlin.
^Caspian ternBehind the hide there grew some of these great flowers: Grass-of-Parnassus.
When I was checking a few Yellow wagtails a Green sandpiper flew by. When I turned around there was (again) a Black stork in the air, this time an adult, it landed on a huge distance.
^ParnassusWe went to the harbour to have a quick lunch, there were Wheatears and wagtails on the dike and Little, Sandwich and Black terns feeding, I never seen Little so close.
We then checked Paesens which is a good place for waders, when you are in the right period which we were obviously not! Though I managed to see some birds: Grey plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Avocet, Curlew and 1 Dunlin.
