Dutch Birding volume 29 (2007) no 5

Eurasian Crag Martins in the western Netherlands in November 2006

On 5 November 2006, two Eurasian Crag Martins Ptyonoprogne rupestris were seen briefly by two birders at IJburg, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, the Netherlands. On 7 November, two were briefly seen (and one also heard) by four birders at Westenschouwen, Zeeland, the Netherlands. From 14 November, up to two were seen (almost) daily (but in the first days only briefly) at Hoorn, Noord-Holland (c 30 km north of IJburg along the IJsselmeer coast). On 17 November, the first photographs of the two birds at Hoorn were made and, on 18 November, the two were seen for prolonged periods, both at rest and in flight, during the whole day by several 100s of birders. The last sightings at the latter site concerned a single bird until 24 November. These three records are the first for the Netherlands. It is well possible that the birds at Amsterdam and Hoorn refer to the same birds but the records have been accepted as separate individuals by the Dutch rarities committee (CDNA), making a total of six. The birds at Hoorn were aged as first-year, based on the broad off-white fringes on the coverts and upperparts. Previous reports have all been rejected because they related to fly-by birds rendering insufficient documentations.

Enno B Ebels, Joseph Haydnlaan 4, 3533 AE Utrecht, Nederland (ebelswxs.nl)
Rob G M Baars, Lampenistenstraat 42, 1019 TH Amsterdam, Nederland (Rob_Baarsplanet.nl)
Maarten Hotting, Dom Helder Camarastraat 95, 1447 ZS Purmerend, Nederland (Maarthot13hotmail.com)
Cor Oskam, Karel Doormanstraat 17, 2851 TS Haastrecht, Nederland (cor.oskamwxs.nl)