Dutch Birding volume 26 (2004) no 2

Eurasian Black Vulture in the Netherlands in July-August 2000

From 13 July to 18 August 2000, an immature Eurasian Black Vulture Aegypius monachus was seen at various coastal sites (including four different Frisian islands) in Friesland, Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands. The bird is considered a second calendar-year based on head pattern, stage of moult and pointed, dark scapulars, although a third calendar-year can not fully be excluded. The extensive wear of the bird's plumage is not necessarily considered indicative of captive origin as it is stated that wild birds occur with similarly bad plumage conditions. Also the behaviour of the bird seemed to indicate a wild origin. The dramatic increase in sightings of vultures - mainly Eurasian Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus - in the Netherlands since the late 1990s is briefly discussed. This record constitutes the second for the Netherlands. The first was a female shot at Beneden-Leeuwen, Gelderland, on 12 October 1948. In addition, there is at least one record of a proven escape (wearing leather straps) in April 1978.

Marten van Dijl, Sumatrastraat 71, 3312 XS Dordrecht, Nederland
(marten.van.dijldutchbirding.nl)