Isabelline Wheatear - Isabeltapuit

Isabelline Wheatear

Isabeltapuit

Oenanthe isabellina

Pictures: Teus Luijendijk

This bird was found by Dirk Moerbeek and Roy Slaterus, who, just after getting into their car after an afternoon birding, checked out "that last wheatear". It turned out to be an Isabelline Wheatear, only the second for The Netherlands. I received the alarm for this bird late in the afternoon, while enjoying a beer in a pub during a farewell party for some M.Sc. students from the lab I am working at, so that really became a quick goodbye and all the best! As this was a new species for my country list, I rushed to the place, being just in time to see it prepare for the night. The next morning it was still there, foraging on a parking lot near the ever-so-busy IJmuiden marina. It often came quite close, hardly distracted by the many photographers (who made much better pictures than I did!) and other people enjoying this wonderful bird.


Isabelline Wheatear - Isabeltapuit Oenanthe isabellina videograbs (320 and 32x), contrast slightly enhanced. IJmuiden NH, The Netherlands, 23 September 2000.