Dutch Birding volume 30 (2008) no 4

Red-footed Falcons at Fochteloërveen in May 2008 and their plumage variation

During May 2008, an influx of Red-footed Falcons Falco vespertinus occurred in the Netherlands, involving at least 300 birds. The largest group stayed at Fochteloërveen, Drenthe/Friesland, for more than a week with a maximum of 35 (the largest group ever for the Netherlands). This group allowed detailed studies of plumage variation illustrated by photographs, involving second calendar-year male (showing strong variation in coloration of the head and underparts and the number of moulted tail-feathers), adult male, second calendar-year female (showing variation from almost juvenile-like to almost adult-like) and adult female.

Rik Winters, Aquamarijnstraat 60, 9743 RB, Groningen, Nederland
(groenebijeneterhome.nl)
Roef Mulder, Schoolstraat 3, 9844 PE Pieterzijl, Nederland
(roefmulderhome.nl)