Here I reflect on birdwatching experiences during work trips to Sweden, highlighting sightings of various rare birds such as the Alpine Chough, Baltimore Oriole, and Great Grey Owl. Frustration over missing photography opportunities is evident, alongside memorable moments like observing cranes and close encounters with species like Bearded Reedlings and Thrush Nightingales.
I have been travelling to Netherlands for work for now more than a dozen years. Most of those trips will have involved a trip to Texel and had opportunity to get some birding done, either before work or after. During that time I have connected a few decent birds both on Texel & the mainland too. Here is a selection of some of my favourites.
The Siberian Rubythroat, once a rare sight in the UK, remains a prized bird among British birders. Over the years, personal encounters in Shetland, the Netherlands, and Sweden have yielded joyous and frustrating experiences. Observations highlight the bird’s elusiveness, while moments of solitude foster a deeper appreciation for its beauty and rarity.
Today was supposed to be a ‘payback’ day for disappearing yesterday to photograph Waxwings, my penance was to paint the bathroom ceiling and door. A day of sanding, filling, painting & cleaning began whilst listening to music and occasionally joining in with the lyrics. Mrs G even went out to get additional supplies to keep me employed with my brushes, getting every possible minute out of my DIY day. I’m a reluctant painter, but once I’ve started I like to crack on and get it done. With the ceiling filled and painted I started on the door jamb when I…
We’ve lived in our house for 25 years and I’ve always kept an eye on what wildlife we have had in the garden during that time. Over the years I’ve had a lot of different birds either fly over or land in the garden. A couple of years after we moved in during cold winter I watched 5 species of thrush feeding at the same time on my windfall apples. Five years ago on Christmas Day I finally connected with Waxwing, although this was observed ‘from’ the garden. I remember one Spring we had a pair of amorous & noisy…
Chris Galvin 