more White-winged Terns

The birds are moulting already and have changed their look in a few weeks. The dull weather and fast moving birds were a good test to my new camera. I needed something faster in AF, fps and iso performance and ended up with a used D3. It outperforms the much more expensive D800 on everything except megapixels (only 5MP on DX-format, which is less than half I had with the D300s!). A low resolution full-frame camera combined with only a 300mm lens will be a challenge but most most important; better chances at (close) action and in dull light. Madeira again, soon!

Terns

The result of 3 evenings at Zuidlaardermeer; 10+ White-winged Terns have settled for breeding! Only very few breeding attemps of these stunning birds have been recorded in NL before.

Whiskered Tern, 50+ in the area!!

Helgoland - roundup

A few more pictures of my best ever visit to the island; day 1: singing Blyths Reed Warbler, day 2: Lesser Grey Shrike, day 3: Black-headed Bunting, day 4-5: that ruler of the sea! (which has not been seen since, for more pictures see previous posts) -EDIT- June 4th; the ruler has returned and was seen at 14:40 and 16h45 above Oberland!

Lesser Grey Shrike shortly after it's finding on Oberland

- it moved to NE-Gelande in the afternoon -

I always like typical Helgoland settings!

Honey Buzzards coming in from the sea @Kringel. Surprisingly the most pelagic of all raptors, except for that falcon, oneday...

Skulking Greenish Warbler @E-Werk. Several were seen and heard singing.

Whindart

Phonescopes of a slightly aberrant Ortolan @Kringel

thunbergi @Oberland

Razorbill during the wait for the big one.

Welcome gift for the ruler of the sea.

Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys. The ruler of the sea (=thalassarche) is cruising along a stormy Kringel here. A more traditional setting than in bright sun over the cliffs:-)

Gannet!