At this time of year, the first waders breeding in Northern Europe are already moving to their southern wintering grounds in Africa and Asia. They also visit the Netherlands every year. Spotted Redshanks, Greenshanks, Wood Sandpipers , Green Sandpipers and Common Sandpipers have been seen in increasing numbers over the past week. And sometimes there is a rarity in between. Such as a Broad-billed Sandpiper, a breeding bird from Fennoscandinavia, which showed itself beautifully in a puddle in the middle of the island. In recent years, this small wader of about 16 cm has been seen almost every year on the Wadden island of Texel.
Breedbekstrandloper / Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus, ad, De Waal, Texel, 07-07-2021