Bruggen Camp and Niederkruchten, Germany, 29/12/1988

Dull, misty.

The woodlands on camp were virtually 'dead' with hardly any life, let alone birds seen, only Bullfinch, Long-Tailed Tit, Crested Tit, Chaffinch seen near car.

Niederkruchten was much better with Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Robin and Wren seen quickly. A large feeding party of birds was found and Long-Tailed Tits, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldcrest, Treecreeper*, Nuthatch, Willow Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker also seen.
*Although bird named as Treecreeper the bird seen could equally have been a Short-Toed Treecreeper which would probably be more likely in Central Europe.

15 species including 0 new species.

Roermond Lakes and Area, Holland, 26/12/1988

Mild, quite bright.

Mute Swan, Black Headed Gull, Coot, Herring Gull, Moorhen, Cormorant, Magpie, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel (female which spooked flock of gulls), Starlings.
Ducks on lakes in flock included Pochard and Tufted Duck.
Unusual warbler-like bird proved to be Chiff Chaff overwintering.
Carrion Crow, Grey Heron, single Great Black Backed Gull, Woodpigeon.
Whilst walking around a pond: Buzzard, Goldeneye, a surprise, single Green Woodpecker.
Jay and large numbers of gulls and Tufted Duck.
Searching for geese produced Robin, Blue Tit and Blackbird but no geese.

25 species including 0 new species.

Roermond Lakes and Area, Holland, 18/12/1988

Overcast, breezy, cold.

During journey: Rook, Jay.
At lakes: Black-Headed Gull, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Lapwing, Common Gull, Great Crested Grebe, surprisingly Velvet Scoter, Gooseander (overhead), Cormorant.

Driving around other canals and ponds produced some of the above birds with others including: Kestrel, Starlings, Tufted Ducks, Pochard, Teal, Mute Swan, Buzzard, Heron, Herring Gull, Magpie, Dunnock, Greylag Goose, Curlew, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Fieldfare, Goldeneye, Little Grebe (seen whilst walking), Pink Footed Geese, Carrion Crow, Stock Dove, Chaffinch.

33 species including 0 new species.