Evolution blog: The birds of Tiengemeten (2)

09 August 2021

The birds of Tiengemeten (2)

Greylag goose (GB) Grauwe gans (NL) ©GK

I observed a Greylag goose pair with goslings in Tiengemeten (May 2021). It is always funny to see that the goslings swim in a straight line behind their parents. Geylag goose (Grauwe gans) is a very common species in the Netherlands.

Greylag goose (Grauwe gans) in flight ©GK

Canada goose (GB) Grote Canadese gans (NL) ©GK

The Canada goose is an invasive species (not naturally living in the Netherlands). It is bigger than most other goose species.

Stock dove (GB) Holenduif (NL) ©GK

The Stock dove (Holenduif) is less frequently seen than the Common wood pigeon (Houtduif). This dove is photographed through the window, hence the blueish colour.

original picture 6000x4000 with telephoto lens ©GK

Above is the original of a male Western marsh harrier (Bruine kiekendief) made with a telephoto lens. Below is a detail (cropped to 1500x1000 pixels):

male Western marsh harrier (GB) Bruine kiekendief (NL) ©GK

Harriers are always far away. Hard to spot with the naked eye. Even with a telephoto lens is hard to get good pictures. You cannot approach them because they fly over open landscape, in this case reed beds (rietlanden). They do not rest on trees (there are few trees) like buzzards. So it is hard to get good pictures of them. In The Netherlands there are 3 harrier species. This is the Western marsh harrier (Bruine kiekendief). Males and females have different colours, and above that, adult, juvenile, first-, second- and third year birds have different colours. Quite complicated.

The Lapwing (kievit) used to be a common bird in the Netherlands. But due to agricultural practices are now rare. I spotted a few during my stay on Tiengemeten. They seem to have fun in performing nosedives. You have to be quick! Always be ready!