In recent weeks, several Honey Buzzards were seen. These beautiful and unique birds of prey migrate in spring especially in May. Their main food consists of wasp larvae. On Texel, it's a scarce migrant. The breeding population in the Netherlands is around 500 pairs.

Wespendief / European Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivorus, ad ♂, De Cocksdorp, Texel, 27-05-2017

Wespendief / European Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivorus, ad ♀, De Cocksdorp, Texel, 27-05-2017

Wespendief / European Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivorus, ad ♂, De Cocksdorp, Texel, 03-06-2017

And then there was Lucky. Lucky the Bearded Vulture. Last year born in Berlin's Zoo (Tierpark Berlin) and released in the same year in Hohe Tauern National Park in Austria. Equipped with a GPS receiver, this gigant with a wingspan of 2.75m arrived on Texel on 27th May and left southward after 2 days.

Lammergier / Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus, 2e cy, De Cocksdorp, Texel, 27-05-2017

Finally, a photo of a Turtle Dove. The records of this Red List bird are becoming increasingly scarce. Both summer and winter areas have deteriorated circumstances. In addition, hunting along the route to Africa is a major problem. On Texel, less than 10 pairs of Turtle Doves are estimated to breed.

Zomertortel / European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur, ad, De Cocksdorp, Texel, 21-05-2017