Bluethroat and barnacle goose

Yesterday, to Starrevaart nature reserve.

Along the Kniplaan, near the bridge over the Vliet canal, white deadnettle and lesser celandine flowers.

Along the southern border of Meeslouwerplas lake, quite some willow warblers singing in low trees. They have returned from Africa very recently.

Then, a bluethroat. It is singing beautifully from a small bush close to us.

This is a bluethroat video.

Two shelducks in the Meeslouwerplas.

Edible frog sound.

A small tortoiseshell butterfly near the Starrevaart hide.

The small island near the hide used to be full of black-tailed godwits, and a few redshanks, on spring migration. Now, however, the black-headed gull nesting season has started, and they occupy nearly the whole islet. Apart from just one grey lag goose nest. A non-nesting barnacle goose is on the island as well. The barnacle goose swims away later. Then, four oystercatchers land on the island.

Lapwings.

In the lake, shovelers and tufted ducks swimming. Also wigeon: probably just before they will migrate further to the north.

We walk back along the Kniplaan. A peacock butterfly.

Many willow warblers and chiffchaffs singing.

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