A bit of twitching: Big Day Zwolle, The Netherlands (May 6, 2017)

1^st prize: “Team Rocket (?; Jasper, Reinier & Tim)”. 120 bird species found during a 12 hour (06:00 – 18:00) bicycle ride. An equation of the previous record.

Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus). April 20, Zwolle (The Netherlands)

A relatively rare (and primarily spring) migrant in this part of the world. Found at a doorstep after a probable window collision. Third CY female (??-http://www.ringouzel.info/infoandadvice/Ring%20Ouzel%20Photo%20ID_Birdwatch%20Mar13.pdf)







The finding coincided with the appearance of multiple migrating individuals in the area, including one on the same property as the one above was found, on the same date (first record of a live bird there): https://knnvzwolle.waarneming.nl/soort/view/226?from=2016-04-21&to=2017-04-21&show_zero=0&species=soort+226&prov=0&maand=0&os=0&prov_wg=0&rows=20&references=0&waardplant=0&poly=1&hide_hidden=1&global_tag=0&page=1

Some midwinter captures from Salreu, Portugal

Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata) on an icy morning... (but don't bring out your skates quite yet)



The moment when you can start thawing your toes…



For my NW-European friends… A Non-Spotless Startling (Sturnus vulgaris:-)



Think he’s yelling something like “feliz ano novo!”, with an undetermined accent.

A complete list of our captures can be found on JMN's website: https://sites.google.com/site/juliomneto/blog

153 Andorinhas by night...

Hirundo rustica. Vera Cruz, Aveiro, Portugal. December 14, 2016, 22:05h. 10°C, partly cloudy.

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in Aveiro, Portugal

These migrants saw the American election results coming and left their continent? I noticed several of these in and around Aveiro daily for the past few weeks, always difficult to photograph.

Andorinhas return

Aveiro, Portugal, October 16, 2016, 20:30.

Photos of Sagres - Portugal (September 14 - 18)

Back from a short trip to Europe´s most southwestern point, where during primarily western winds both bird migration and the surf turned out a bit disappointing. In the heat the 2016 crew kept their spirits up, as the place carries its name for a reason... (and then there was also that medronho liquor...)

At the fishing harbor Porto da Baleeira a few thousand gaivotas were present, primarily Larus michahellis. Four rings were read, all were applied during the birds’rehabilitation in southern Portugal.

Blue rock thrush Monticola solitaries, perched at Fortaleza.