The autumn migration already starts in August, but in September and October it often really takes off. Large numbers of birds then move from north to south. Several species betray their presence in the airspace with different 'calls'. This week mainly Song Thrushes and to a lesser extent Redwings show themselves. Blackbirds and Ring Ouzels are also observed, as well as Robins and Dunnocks. In short, a wonderful time for bird watchers. And yes, sometimes something rare pops up. This so-called icing on the cake makes it extra fun to 'play outside' in autumn. For example, on September 26 there was a beautiful Great Snipe in a residential area in Den Burg. Breeding bird in Northern Europe and in the Netherlands a real rarity. This often difficult to spot wader hibernates in Africa and now just walked on a lawn at the edge of a narrow ditch. Many bird watchers and passing residents were able to view the snipe from a short distance. Often sitting still in the tall grass at the side of the ditch or sometimes fiercely and successfully searching for worms.

Poelsnip / Great Snipe Gallinago media, Den Burg, Texel, 26-09-2020

Just a day later, another rarity was discovered. This time it was a Red-flanked Bluetail. In Europe, this beauty breeds in Eastern Finland. The distribution area runs from there eastward to Japan. This resident of the taiga normally hibernates in Asia and could now be admired on a drizzly Sunday afternoon in a small dune valley at the north point of Texel.

Blauwstaart / Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus, ad ♂, De Tuintjes, Texel, 27-09-2020

Zanglijster / Song Thrush Turdus philomelos, De Cocksdorp, Texel, 29-09-2020