The last three days were again very good on Texel. Large numbers of Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Redwings, Siskins, Bramblings, Chaffinches, Skylarks, Red Robins and Meadow Pipits were seen. In addition to a lesser extent Fieldfares, Ring Ouzels and Reed Buntings. Monday, October 14th the Bonelli's Warbler spec. was seen for the last time in De Tuintjes. Also a Little Bunting was briefly seen on that site. There were several sightings of Parrot Crossbills some documented with sound recordings.
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Grote Kruisbek / Parrot Crossbill Loxia pytyopsittacus, roep / call, Fonteinsnol, De Koog, Texel, 14-10-2013 Ruud van Beusekom
The Blyth's Reed Warbler was not observed after Tuesday, October 15. On this day was a huge discovery made by Thijs Fijen and Sjoerd Radstaak. They found the third Red-flanked Bluetail for Texel. The other two observations date from 1967 and 1985.
Blauwstaart / Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus, eerste winter / 1st winter, De Witte Hoek, De Cocksdorp, Texel, 15-10-2013
Furthermore, on this day a Red-throated Pipit was seen on De Renvogelveld at De Robbenjager and several Siberian Chiffchaffs on the North Point. Today it soon became clear that the Pallas's Leaf Warbler had achieved Texel. In a short time I received four different messages which two in De Tuintjes, one at the Lifeboat House and one in Dorpzicht. In the morning Robert van der Meer sent a message that he had found a Dusky Warbler at De Witte Hoek. The bird was seen by only a few people. Later that day it could be heard and sometimes seen at another place nearby by several people. This is the sixth observation for Texel.
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Bruine Boszanger / Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus, roep / call, De Witte Hoek, De Cocksdorp, Texel, 16-10-2013 Arend Wassink
Equally rare for Texel is the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. A bird was seen in De Tuintjes, behind De Robbenjager and later observed flying south. This is very likely the same bird. Other observations of this beautiful day, a Red-breasted Flycatcher at De Witte Hoek and several flying Richard's Pipits which even a sighting of a group of 4 birds.
