Meanwhile in Rotterdam…

I am not a very good birder. No, let me correct that, I am not a good twitcher. When I embarked on my Big Year Rotterdam I took on a role to the far left of my comfort zone. Silly, I know.

Twitchers – as we all know – are willing to leave family, job and an acceptable social life for the pursuit of ticks. Although I am an avid lister I do not willingly sacrifice any of these aspects of my life for a bird. My common excuse for letting something go is a simple shrug and a “I will see this so-and-so in its natural habitat once I am in such-and-such for client-what’s-her-name”. Let me be very clear: this is not the right attitude for someone trying for a Big Year.

Moving into a new home, a trip to Oregon and a spate of grandchildren-related events made for precious little late winter and early spring birding. Nevertheless, birding is a lifestyle, so one never truly switches off. Over the last few weeks, I have enjoyed the spring activities of the city birds and I’d like to share some of my observations. A bit in the style of 18^th century nature philosophers, but without insulting specific countries.

Common Chiffchaffs have arrived and are singing their monotonous songs everywhere. Some find this pleasant. I let you judge for yourself – play on endless repeat to get the idea. Other birds are still building nests, my local Grey Heron colony being a spectacular example.

During a walk along Rotterdam’s canals I noticed a pair of Eurasian Coots with three chicks. Coots are the least likable of birds. Yes, they are very beautiful with their classy black feathers and their contrasting white beaks and frontal shield. Very Saville Row. However, they are complete and utter bastards – a word I reserve for only the worst – when it comes to raising their young. Mum and Dad each pick a favourite that they care for, while regularly beating up the other chick. A process called tousling. The chicks are very cute so I like watching them, but I do cringe with every attack by the delinquent other parent. This time, different story. Not only was it apparent that both parents fed all three chicks, but there was no violence at all. Was “3” the magical number? Where the chicks too young to be abused? Does an odd number of chicks confuse the abusive parents? If the latter is the case, I am worried that the odd number was about to be corrected. Some Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Yellow-legged Gull were eyeing the chicks as they would otherwise a tourist with a ham sandwich.

I read the excellent post about the Sparrowhawk after receiving this mobile phone photograph of a Sparrowhawk dissecting her prey between some parked cars in the centre of Den Haag (The Hague). I’m not sure about the prey species. I am certain it is not a Norwegian Blue but it has gone to join the choir of invisibles.

During my recent travels I had a lot of idle time: waiting and flying and more waiting. I watched the 8 episodes of The Residence on Netflix. This is a detective series, well-acted, amusing plot and some good stabs at modern and post-modern madness (influencers and New Age getting a full broadside). The main protagonist is a female birder and obviously a very good one. She is out for the Tuamotu Sandpiper for example. I enjoyed the fact that the lady is the world’s best detective because she is a birder.

Most films and series are sloppy with birds – macaws and rheas in Africa – but this series is different (I think). In one of the episodes, our detective is looking for her Nemesis bird: the Giant Antpitta. The bird’s vocalisations are spot on and when it appears it is immediately recognisable as an antpitta. I know this for unlike pittas, which Kai made up using Artificial Intelligence, antpittas are real. I have seen a Boyaca Antpitta in Colombia’s Sumapaz, so quod erat demonstrandum.

I will need to get out again now that the migrants are arriving. The reed has started growing so with a bit of luck I can soon report on some Rotterdam swampiness. Big Year Rotterdam, 81 species (including that Yellow-legged Gull), 119 to go.