most breeding birds stay in warmer climes. On the other hand, many species from northern regions overwinter on the island or sometimes only bring a short visit. Regular overwintering species are geese such as Brent Geese, Tundra Bean Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese. In between there are sometimes scarce or rare species such as Black Brent Goose, White-bellied Brent Goose and Red-breasted Goose. Even this winter, it is often worthwhile to search for large groups of geese. Duck species such as Pintail, Eurasian Wigeon and Teal also occur in large numbers at this time of year. Thousands of Curlews, Bar-tailed Godwits, Knots and Dunlins stay on the mudflats and sometimes inside the dike. The rarer species always cause an increased adrenaline level. The overwintering Dipper in the State forest near De Koog shows itself for almost 2 months. Bohemian Waxwings always are a welcome change. Recently 4 ex did well to some berry-bearing Guelder roses in a residential area in Oudeschild. A Great Northern Loon is already seen for several days in the Wadden Sea near the IJzeren Kaap on the east side. It could well be the same bird that was discovered on exactly the same spot on October 15, 2017. 

IJsduiker / Great Northern Loon Gavia immer, 1 adult w, Waddenzee, Texel, 26-01-2018   

Pestvogel / Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus, 1 ex, Oudeschild, Texel, 17-01-2018