Bird news from Rottumerplaat desert island

Wardens Bart and Doortje report today from Rottumerplaat desert island in the Netherlands.

They write about 5 May 2015:

The southern wind brings us new visitors; birds which this spring we have not seen before like a female reed bunting, a cuckoo and a spotted flycatcher, sitting jauntily on the clothesline on the north side of the house, and quickly flying its rounds to catch insects.

Already scores of spoonbill couples have started nesting on the island.

The wardens found a shoveler nest with 11 eggs. The first proof that this duck species nests on Rottumerplaat.

Also, a peregrine falcon nest with four eggs was found.