Just got back from an incredible European vacation that included stops in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Edinburgh in Scotland and a few days in London. There were so many great things to see, and, of course, that included birds.
While visiting three counties, I came across 27 new-to-me birds. I’m really happy with that total, but also just a small bit disappointed. For our last day in Edinburgh, my wife booked a private birding tour with a local guy who promised we would see at least 70 different birds – but the gentleman canceled the tour at the last minute after he said he got food poisoning. Oh, what might have been!
I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that I saw many of the birds in all three countries – Netherlands, Scotland, England – since they are so close to each other. I was surprised to come across some birds there that look a lot like birds here in Florida but have a few key differences that make them different.
I’ll be posting more about the different European birds, but for now here’s a quick recap of the 27 new birds for me.
Eurasian Magpie, Amsterdam’s Vondelpark in the Netherlands, May 2024.Rose-ringed parakeet, Amsterdam’s Vondelpark in the Netherlands, May 2024.Eurasian Jackdaw, Amsterdam’s Vondelpark in the Netherlands, May 2024.Mother and baby Stork, Amsterdam’s Vondelpark in the Netherlands, May 2024.Greylag Geese, Amsterdam’s Vondelpark in the Netherlands, May 2024.Eurasian Coot, Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2024.Great Cormorant, IJpromenade in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, May 2024.European Goldfinch, Water of Leith Walkway in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2024.Blue Tit, Water of Leith Walkway in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2024.Coal Tit, Scottish Highlands, May 2024.Common Merganser, Water of Leith Walkway in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2024.Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Water of Leith Walkway in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2024.European Robin, Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2024.Green Finch, Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2024.Male Chaffinch, Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2024.Eurasian Blackbird, Greyfriers Kirkyard in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2024.Eurasian Moorhen, Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2024.Carrion Crow, Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh Scotland, May 2024.Gray Wagtail, Richmond area of London on River Thames, May 2024.Black-headed Gull, River Thames in London, May 2024.Grey Heron, Hyde Park in London, May 2024.Male Tufted Duck, Hyde Park in London. May 2024.Great Tit, Hyde Park in London, June 2024.Great Crested Grebe, Hyde Park in London, June 2024.Eurasian Wren, Hyde Park in London, June 2024.Bank Swallow, Hyde Park in London, June 2024Common Wood Pigeon, Hyde Park in London, June 2024.
A Snowy Egret stopped by to grab a little lunch at the Cypress Boardwalk at the Orlando Wetlands Park. Fortunately for me, I got photograph the whole thing.