Helgoland - Flycatchers

The bad weather on sunday caused a surprising fall of Song Thrushes, Phylo's and.. Pied Flycatchers! The stunning black-and-white males are rather different than the typical dull breeding birds in The Netherlands, but they are a common migrant on Helgoland. Only 2 days after the first bird occured this spring, there were an estimated 100 on sunday, and they were everywhere!

early morning bird at Sudhafengelande - in the rain

male, also on Sudhafengelande

same bird, different setting

brief views of this interesting bird at Grosse Treppe put us on status high alert! nothe the extended white primary-patch, pale rump and collar and dark tail. There is a good chance that this bird shares the genes of both Pied and Collared Flycatcher.

Pied Flycatcher in flight, note the typical white outer tail-feathers

same bird as above, with rather large white primary patch (Friedhof Oberland)

the weather cleared in the afternoon (female Mittelland)

same bird