Annual report from the Western Region of the O.A.G. for 1966

Abstract

Special events during the year

Several cold spells until mid-April, marginal migration of barnacle geese and brent geese, oil spill in March/April after a tanker collision near Heligoland. At this time, large numbers of divers (Gavia and Podiceps) migrated, resulting in high losses, particularly among these species, as shown in a compilation of current strandings by Dr. R. HELDT. Among others, the following were found: 6 great northern divers, 1 black-throated diver, 2 yellow-billed loons, 131 red-throated divers, 5 hooded divers, 39 red-necked divers, 2 horned grebes, 4 fulmars, 7 northern gannets, 81 velvet scoters, 596 common scoters, 91 eider ducks, 13 razorbills, 1 little grebe, 39 black guillemots and 3 puffins. In May, there was a strong migration of Temminck's stints, curlew sandpipers and little gulls. At the beginning of June, an invasion of red-billed crossbills began. True summering of Brent geese in the Norderoog area. From late July to early September, occurrence of some southern bird species (great white egret, flamingo, common sandpiper, black-winged stilt). At the beginning of September, storm visitors (wave runners, fulmars, northern gannets, parasitic skuas, skuas), in mid-October, simultaneous strong migration of buzzards, cranes and wood pigeons in Süderdithmarschen, from 20 January, weak influx of waxwings, from the end of October, isolated birch siskins. Unusually mild November and December, large flocks of barnacle geese, lapwings, golden plovers and smaller flocks of white-fronted geese and ruffs remain until the end of the year. More rough-legged buzzards than in other years.