birding weeks were as always exciting in autumn. Nice observations were made but the numbers were generally not high. Along the North Sea only small numbers of skua's , some shearwaters, Red Phalaropes and a Leach's Storm Petrel were seen. The first Tundra Swans and Rough-legged Buzzards were reported. Today finally again a "hard" species was discovered. In de Staatsbossen at pole 21 an Olive-backed Pipit was seen. Remarkably, the place of observation is substantially the same as in 2012. This is the sixth record of Texel. Earlier there were records in 1987, 1991, 1998 and 2012 (2x) of this beautiful species.

Some other noteworthy observations; Red Phalarope in Molenkolk (15 and 16/10), Pallid Harrier in Eierland, presumably the same bird from a few days earlier (16/10), Rose-coloured Starling in Tuintjes (17/10), Red-breasted Flycatcher on Robbenjager (18 and 19/10) and Long-tailed Duck in Krassekeet (19/10).

Siberische Boompieper / Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni, Staatsbossen, De Koog, Texel 20-10-2012

Merel / Common Blackbird Turdus merula, 1st winter mannetje/ male, De Cocksdorp, Texel, 21-10-2014

Roodborsttapuit / European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola, mannetje / male, Oosterend, Texel, 25-10-2014