Dutch Birding volume 32 (2010) no 2

Two breeding records of Baillon's Crake in Zuid-Holland in 2009

In summer 2009, two breeding records of Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla were documented in the province of Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands. From late May to late July, a pair with five young was seen near Zevenhoven and, in July-August, a pair with four young near War­mond. At both sites, but especially near Zeven­hoven, the birds offered excellent views during the daytime and could be observed and photographed down to a few metres, providing unprecedented opportunities for birders (most previous records in the Netherlands concerned birds calling at night and - at best - offering fleeting glimpses during daytime). At Zevenhoven, apart from the breeding pair, two additional adult birds were seen and heard in early June. The first sightings of the fledglings were on 14 July at Zevenhoven and on 24 July at Warmond (but the latter site was probably not visited during the days before 24 July and the young may have fledged somewhat earlier). At both sites, the number of young that could be seen decreased within a few days, from five to four and then to two at Zevenhoven and from four to three at Warmond. Both sites concern recently created 'new nature' sites where former pastureland has been converted into (inland) wetland areas.

A summary is given of the status of Baillon's Crake as a rare visitor and irregular breeding species in the Netherlands. The species was considered by the Dutch rarities committee (CDNA) during 1976-2007. Records from before 1980 have not been reconsidered, also because there have been conflicting views about its rarity status. All sufficiently documented records, including breeding records, have been published in van den Berg & Bosman (1999, 2001). For 1800-2007, 79 records are listed involving at least 131 individuals (including 34 records involving 43 individuals for 1980-2007). These records include at least 20 breeding records up to 2008: in 1863, 1874, 1898, 1909, 1937, 1946, 1957, 1958, 1964 (two), 1965 (three), 1971 (four), 1972 en 2005 (at least two). A further 18 mostly 19th century breeding records have recently been traced from the literature and museum collections and will be published before long. The only breeding records during 1980-2007 have been in 2005 in south-eastern Noord-Holland (two or three successful pairs) but details on the fledglings have only recently been submitted to the CDNA.

Frank van der Meer, Haagbeukenpad 7, 3442 JN Woerden, Nederland
(frankmeerhotmail.com)
Robert van der Meer, Haagbeukenpad 7, 3442 JN Woerden, Nederland
(robertmeerlive.nl)
Enno B Ebels, Joseph Haydnlaan 4, 3533 AE Utrecht, Nederland
(ebelswxs.nl)