Counting waterfowl in NP Biesbosch

Counting waterfowl on a sunny winter morning is great. This morning I joined Theo and Jaques on the boat in the Sliedrechtse Biesbosch.

One of the first species we noted is the Bewick's or Tundra Swan. Some birds are still grazing on the wet fields, while most of the others have left to forage outside the NP. Some birds fled over nicely.

We counted up to 42 Blue Herons, a normal number due to the mild winter.

It is always nice trying to approach Gadwalls, a breeding species in small numbers and wintering in huge numbers in the area.

Hé, who is that? That must be Tim in his little cano! And yes, he is also looking for some birds.

In Korte- en Lange Ambacht we watched our first Jack Snipe of this year.

But here we did came for.....thousands of ducks (Wigeons up to 5000 and Teals up to 1500)

We counted also three Greater Grey Shrikes this morning! That brings the number of it to 13 for the whole NP! The best winter ever as far as we know.