A short bird and mammal tour in Germany & the Netherlands, November 2024
Participant Granger Ward
Guide Leo Boon, Eifel Nature Tours
Introduction
I met Granger and Christiane back in 2019 for a two day guiding tour in the Netherlands. This time Granger came alone for a private birding tour, a concert in Frankfurt and escaping the beautiful Californian weather.
This short trip was not intended to create a long list but to see one of Granger’s most wanted birds; the Red-breasted Goose. Since he is also interested in mammals, we made some effort to add some lifers to his mammal list.
Thursday 21 November
Granger arrived at Frankfurt Airport in the morning and drove up to our meeting point at Vogelsang in the Eifel National Park. Here we met Sönke, an ecologist of the National Park. At the Ordensburg Vogelsang, a very impressive former Nazi complex, we climbed the tower to have an amazing view over the vast area of the National Park. From here we could see the rocky outcrop where Eagle Owl breeds. Unfortunately we could not find the bird.
The rest of the afternoon was spent around the villages of Erkensruhr and Einruhr and walked around a small part of the Rursee. Lunch and dinner was enjoyed at the Eifel Retreat. Hosted by my wife Egle.
After dinner we drove around in the Erkensruhr valley to search for Wild Cat and Wolf. Unfortunately no luck and only some Red Deer were seen. Later that evening we spent about two hours in the hide in the hope to see Beech Marten, Raccoon and Red Fox. Due to the snow only the latter showed up and we had excellent views.
Friday 22 November
Early breakfast at Eifel Retreat. We started the day searching for mammals with the thermal scope, it only produced a Roe Deer. After it became light, we drove to an agricultural area East of Milsbeek in the Netherlands, looking for Tundra Bean Geese, which we easily found.
From here we continued to the Ooijpolder near Nijmegen. A Red-breasted Goose, Grangers main target, had been reported here for several days, but we could not relocate it. A flyby Goshawk was seen and since it is recently split from the American Goshawk, it meant a new species for Granger. So, as planned, we did have to take the ferry to Ameland the next day for another opportunity to see this uncommon goose.
We continued our drive up to the North of the country, a little bit of criss cross through the countryside of Drenthe before heading to our next destination. When in Drenthe, one has to see at least one of the 'hunebedden'. In English they are called dolmens. They are megalithic tombs, typically consisting of large upright stones supporting a horizontal capstone. These structures are remnants of prehistoric burial chambers, predominantly found in the northern Netherlands.
Hunebed at Havelte, Drenthe.
Since we are both interested in mammals as well, I booked a night in the excellent bird and mammal hide in Vledder, which is run by Edo, a friend of mine. Before checking in at the hide, we had a late lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch we settled into the hide. The hide is provided with a toilet, floor heating, mirror glass and even a bunk-bed.
This is the place where you can see up to four species of martens! We got three out of four. Which is not bad for a single night. It is strenuous spending the night in the hide during the winter since nights are long. But we took turns in observing any mammal activity.
Saturday 23 November
We enjoyed an early breakfast together with our host. An hour’s drive brought us to Holwert, in the top of Holland. Here we took the ferry at 09.45 to the island of Ameland. Since years, this is one of the best places to see Red-breasted Goose in the Netherlands. It’s about a 45 minutes boat ride to get to the island and you do have the opportunity to take your own car. We were very pleased we did, instead of renting bikes. It was cold and windy!
Two Red-breasted Geese were quickly found in a group of Brent Geese. Now we could just enjoy the views of thousands Barnacle Geese, Brent Geese and waders like Golden Plovers and Lapwings. A Hoopoe which was already present for some time was a nice bonus.
We left the island with the ferry at 16.00. A thirty minute car drive brought us to Lauwersoog. Here we enjoyed a nice dinner at restaurant ‘Waddengenot aan Zee’ before we checked into our ‘Chalet Aventura’ at the village’s bungalowpark.
Sunday 24 November
After a very windy and rainy night we had breakfast in the chalet.
The Lauwersmeer is a very famous bird watching area. It is without doubt the top birding destination in the Netherlands. Tens of thousands of geese, ducks, all three species of swan, waders and some Scandinavian passerines species can be found here during the winter months.
Paesens - Moddergat, on the other side of the dike are the salt marshes where you can find Snow Buntings and Twites. From here mudflat walking tours are organised.
A look for Tawny Owl later in the day in Eelde produced just an empty hole in a Beech.
Since we had some time left, we decided to look for the vagrant Sandhill Crane in Germany. It was not too big of a detour back to the Eifel. We had an hour of daylight left, but when we arrived the flock of cranes had just departed to the south. So we decided to head south and after about 15 minutes we found the group of cranes. They where quite a distance away but fortunately I found the Sandhill rather quickly.
Then another long 3,5 hours drive back to the Eifel. When we reached the Erkensruhr valley I started thermal scoping and we had great views of two Badgers, the fourth species of marten which we missed earlier. How fortunate can one be!
Enjoyed again a lovely dinner prepared by Egle. Too tired to do more thermal scoping or watching mammals from the hide we called it a day.
Monday 25 November
After breakfast Granger left for Frankfurt but not before a last search for Eagle Owl in a quarry I told him about. Unlucky as we were during this trip finding any owls, he could not locate it.
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank first of all my wife Egle for being a wonderful host and for preparing great dinners. For information I would like to thank Edo, Theo, Martijn, Folkert Jan and Sönke. Jan Hein for keeping updates about the whereabouts of the Sandhill Crane and thanks to Thomas Zeitler for the use of his images of the Hoopoe. And of course last but not least Granger for being a great companion and guest during this short trip.
Useful websites
Observed bird species in Germany and the Netherlands
(birds and mammals of interest are marked in bold and underlined were lifers for Granger)
001. Dark-bellied Brent Goose (Branta bernicla bernicla)
Common near Holwert, on Ameland and in the Lauwersmeer
002. Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis)
Two seen near Buren on Ameland in the morning of the 23rd, in the afternoon we relocated a single bird
003. Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)
Very common on Ameland and in the Lauwersmeer
004. Greylag Goose (Anser anser)
Seen in small numbers on all birding locations in the Netherlands
005. Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris)
Several hundreds on the agricultural fields East of Milsbeek and around 150 near Wapserveen on the 22nd
006. Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)
Seen in small numbers on all birding locations in the Netherlands
007. Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Seen in small numbers in the North of Holland
008. Bewick’s Swan (Cygnus columbines bewickii)
17 adults at De Pomp, Lauwersmeer on the 24th
009. Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)
3 adults at De Pomp, Lauwersmeer on the 24th
010. Common Shellduck (Tadorna tadorna)
Common near Holwert, on Ameland and in the Lauwersmeer
011. Norther Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)
Seen in small groups at the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
012. Gadwall (Mareca strepera)
Seen in small numbers in the Ooijpolder on the 22nd and in the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
013. Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope)
Seen in small groups near Holwert and at the Lauwersmeer
014. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Seen in small numbers in the Netherlands
015. Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
Seen at Holwert and the Lauwersmeer in small numbers
016. Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)
Around 10 birds were seen at the Rursee on the 21st and small numbers in the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
017. Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)
Around 5 or 6 birds at the Polder de Band, Lauwersmeer on the 24th
018. Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)
A few bird were seen somewhere in a village pond direction of Holwert on the 23rd and small numbers in the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
019. Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)
One female at the harbour of Lauwersoog on the 24th
020. Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Around 25 birds were seen from the ferry to Ameland on the 23rd
021. Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra)
One male at the harbour of Lauwersoog on the 24th
022. Smew (Mergellus albellus)
17 birds at the Kollumerwaard, Lauwersmeer on the 24th (16 female type and one immature male)
023. Stock Dove (Columba oenas)
Small numbers at the agricultural field East of Milsbeek on the 22nd
024. Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
Seen on all locations
025. Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Seen twice along the road in villages in the North of the Netherlands
026. Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)
1 immature bird at the Kollumerwaard, Lauwersmeer on the 24th
027. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
Several seen in the Ooijpolder on the 22nd and the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
028. Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
Seen in small numbers in the Ooijpolder on the 22nd and in the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
029. Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)
One adult bird at Georgsdorfer Moor on the 24th, its been present at this location since the 7th of November. One or two birds linger around in Western Europe since October 2021
030. Common Crane (Grus grus)
Around 30 at Georgsdorfer Moor on the 24th
031. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Three birds seen at the Ruhrsee on the 21st
032. Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)
Very common at Holwert, Ameland and the Lauwersmeer
033. Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
One seen in flight only at the Holwert harbour on the 23rd
034. Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
Several seen from the ferry to Ameland on the 23rd
035. European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)
Very common on Ameland and the Lauwersmeer
036. Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
Four birds in the Ooijpolder on the 22nd and very common on Ameland and the Lauwersmeer
037. Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
Common at Holwert, Ameland and in the Lauwersmeer
038. Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa islandica)
One seen at Red-breasted Goose site on Ameland on the 23rd
039. Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola)
Two seen at the bungalowpark at Ballum, Ameland on the 23rd and three in the Lauwersmeer on the 24th. Seen only in flight
040. Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
A small flock of 9 birds flew by at the Smew site at the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
041. Common Redshank (Tringa nebularia)
Small numbers seen at Ameland on the 23rd and the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
042. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Small numbers seen at Ameland on the 23rd and the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
043. Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
Large numbers were seen at Holwert and Ameland on the 23rd and at the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
044. Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Very common in the Netherlands
045. Common Gull (Larus canus)
Very common in the Netherlands
046. European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
Commonly seen in the North, eg. Ameland and the Lauwersmeer
047. Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
Seen at Holwert on the 23rd and small numbers in the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
048. White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
Two near Milsbeek on the 22nd and one somewhere along the road in Drenthe on the 22nd
049. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo carbo)
Seen at all sites
050. Eurasian Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)
One seen only by Granger at the Ezumakeeg, Lauwersmeer on the 24th
051. Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Seen at all sites
052. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Seen at all sites
053. Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
Seen at Milsbeek on the 22nd
054. Eurasian Goshawk (Astur gentilis)
One flyby male in the Ooijpolder on the 22nd
055. Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
One at the Ooijplder on the 22nd, one at Holwert on the 23rd and one at the Lauwersmeeron the 24th. All female type birds
056. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Seen along the road and at all birding sites
057. Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
A nice bonus; seen at a bungalowpark in Ballum, Ameland on the 23rd (was first seen on the 26th of October)
058. Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis ispida)
One at the Ruhrsee on the 21st and one in Lauwersoog harbour on the 24th
059. Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)
One bird seen at Erkensruhr on the 21st
060. Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)
One heard calling at Vogelsang on the 21st
061. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
One male seen in Erkensruhr on the 21st and regularly observed at all sites in the Netherlands
062. Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
One at the Rursee near Einruhr on the 21st
063. Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)
Regularly seen along the road
064. Western Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula)
Rather common the Netherlands
065. Rook (Corvus frugilegus)
Small numbers seen around Milsbeek on the 22nd
066. Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
Commonly seen at all sites and along the road
067. Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus)
One heard at Vogelsang and at Erkensruhr and one seen well at Einruhr on the 21st
068. Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris)
Two seen at Einruhr on the 21st
069. Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Observed at Erkensruhr on the 21st and one in de Lauwersmeer on the 24th
070. Great Tit (Parus major)
Observed at Erkensruhr on the 21st
071. Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis)
Two seen at Paesens at the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
072. Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus europaeus)
About 5 or 6 were observed at Einruhr on the 21st
073. Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
One at the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
074. Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
Heard only at Erkensruhr on the 21st and several at Eelde on the 24th
075. Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhis bachydactyla)
Heard only at Eelde on the 24th
076. Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Large numbers were seen at all birding sites
077. Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
Just one seen with Redwings on Ameland on the 23rd
078. Redwing (Turdus iliacus)
Small numbers seen on Ameland on the 23rd
079. Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Seen at all sites
080. Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)
Several were seen on Ameland on the 23rd and in the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
081. European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
One at Erkensruhr in the early morning of the 22nd and one heard at Milsbeek on the 22nd
082. Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
One at the Ruhrsee at the 21st
083. White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba)
Two at the fields near Milsbeek on the 22nd
084. Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)
Just one record of a single bird at Paesens; Lauwersmeer on the 24th
085. Scandinavian Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus littoralis)
Two birds in the harbour of Holwert on the 23rd and about 5 or 6 birds at Paesens, Lauwersmeer on the 24th
086. Eurasian Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Several seen with Bramblings at Oude Willem on the 22nd and one heard only at the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
087. Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla)
A small group of around 20 birds seen at Oude Willem on the 22nd
088. Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula europaea)
A pair was observed at Erkensruhr on the 21st
089. Twite (Linaria flavirostris flavirostris)
A flock of around 200 birds at Paesens, Lauwersmeer on the 24th
090. European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
Eight birds at Paesens, Lauwersmeer on the 24th
091. Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis)
Eight birds at Paesens, Lauwersmeer on the 24th
092. Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)
A small flock of around 20 birds at Holwert harbour on the 23rd
Observed mammals species in Germany and the Netherlands
001. European Hare (Lepus europaeus)
Two seen at the Ooijpolder on the 22nd and several on Ameland on the 23rd
002. European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Common at the bungalowpark in Ballum, Ameland on the 23rd and several at the bungalowpark in Lauwersoog on the 24th
003. Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber)
No animal was seen but fresh bite marks on a tree at the Rursee on the 21st
004. Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
About 5 or 6 animals at the hide in Drenthe on the 22nd
005. Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
One at the hide in Erkensruhr on the 21st
006. Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina)
One at the harbour of Lauwersoog on the 24th
007. Beech Marten (Martes foina)
Two at the hide in Drenthe on the 22nd
008. Pine Marten (Martes martes)
One at the hide in Drenthe on the 22nd
009. Eurasian Badger (Meles meles)
Two found with the thermal scope in the Erkensruhr valley at the evening of the 24th
010. Western Polecat (Mustela putorius)
Two at the hide in Drenthe on the 22nd
011. European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)
One seen with the thermal scope near Einruhr on the morning of the 22nd, three seen near Oude Willem on the 22nd and two seen from the car near Groningen on the 24th
012. Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
Five or six were seen with the thermal scope at Erkensruhr on the evening of the 21st
013. Konik (Equus caballus var. konik)
Semi-wild Horse, observed in the Lauwersmeer on the 24th
Leo JR Boon, Erkensruhr 254, 52152 Simmerath, Germany
