Xanten - Rees - Bienen, Germany, 14/01/1990

Cold, dull, misty.

Birds seen on oxbough lake at rendez-vous point were Coot, Greylag Goose, Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great-Crested Grebe, Grey Heron and Great Tit and Bullfinch (in trees nearby).

Birds seen on drive between areas were Herring Gull, Black-Headed Gull, Common Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Pheasant, Kestrel, Carrion Crow and Gooseander (on lake).
At other lakes birds seen were Teal, Pochard, Shelduck, White-Fronted Geese, Cormorant and Great Black-Backed Gull.
Whilst on canal-side walk birds seen were large number of Lapwing, also Goldeneye, Water Pipit (new), Buzzard, Bewick's Swan.

Also on field trip whilst observing large numbers of White-Fronted Geese in fields possible Pink-Footed Geese and Bean Geese may also have been seen, however due to short length of time for observation birds could not be definitely identified as so were presumed to be juvenile white-fronts.

Also of interest was a very unusual pale-phase Buzzard which was first thought to be an osprey, because of an unusual colour it was thought to [be] juvenile as it lacked eye-stripe of adult ospreys. The bird also seemed to have a crest, however after a discussion in which the bird was scared into flight by a dog the flight positively as a Buzzard.

29 species including 1 new species.

Roermond Lakes and Area, Holland, 01/10/1989

Mild, overcast, dusky.

Virtually resident birds seen at the lakes although in relatively small numbers before being swelled with large numbers of migrants: Black-Headed Gull, Common Gull, Coot, Mallard, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Kestrel, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen.

12 species.

Genk, Belgium, 01/10/1989

Mild, overcast.

Heathland area with large areas converted to farmland. Lakes in area were extensively reeded but lack of signposts ended up in a disappointing day there: Carrion Crow, Magpie, Starling, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Jay were very abundant with a pair of Buzzard seen quartering this area highly populated with rabbits.
Also seen were Mistle Thrush, Coot, Pheasant, Meadow Pipit and Collared Dove and the highlight was a Green Woodpecker.

13 species.

Aberlady Bay - North Berwick, Scotland, 09/08/1989

Showers, overcast.

Birds seen on mudflats at Aberlady Bay were Black-Headed Gull, Lesser and Greater Black-Backed Gull, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Curlew and Grey Plover.

At North Berwick at sea near beach were Herring Gull and Eider. Gannets could be seen at Bass Rock and a Shag flew towards sea.

10 species.

St. Abb's Head Reserve, Berwick, Scotland, 08/08/1989

Bright, sunny, cloudy.

Small numbers of birds on cliffs produced Herring Gull, Kittiwake, Shag and Fulmar. Steady stream of Gannets out to sea but no skuas.
Walk around lighthouse produced Woodpigeon, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Oystercatcher and Pied Wagtail and Curlew.
Scanning cliffs and sea produced possible Guillemots, Greater Black-Backed Gull and Common Tern.

At Mire Loch: Dunnock and Robin hopped about gorse bushes. On loch were Coot, Mute Swan, Mallard, Little Grebe, and during journey back to car park Blackbird and Carrion Crow and Rook.

23 species.

Fossil Valley - Scroof, Scottish Borders, 07/08/1989

Overcast, wet.

During journey: House Martin, Swallow, Carrion Crow and Pied Wagtail (on lochside).
A quick glimpse at a bird flying away upstream identified Grey Wagtail.
Returning from valley and a scan of nearby hills revealed a Kestrel.
At roadside a bird attacking crows could only be a Peregrine Falcon which then perched on a rock up on hillside and allowed views through telescope before flying off.
Whilst watching falcon a brownish bird flew down into valley and white rump identified female Wheatear.

On journey to Scroof: Chaffinch, Black-Headed Gull, Starling, Woodpigeon, Grey Heron and Pheasant. Search for grouse only produced two Lesser Black-Backed Gulls on small pond at bottom of Scroof.

During journey back to Galashiels produced Jackdaw, Rook and Collared Dove.

18 species.