Back from a short trip with Luke Nash to Netherlands. I dreamt of seeing Spectacled Eider as a boy, looking at books. Mythically rare, never thought I would get to see one. I rarely even leave Norfolk for a twitch these days but couldn't resist. As the Dutch say, Brileider!

A busy weekend with my first visit to Texel, Netherlands for the unprecedented record of a drake Spectacled Eider. Despite the fog on Saturday, we managed much better views on the Sunday #Birds #Birdsoftheworld

I promise you No more of my Spectacled Eider photos from Texel Holland , we’re on the boat about to sail back to Harwich , but couple to set sail with 😃

My trip to see the Netherlands once in a lifetime Spectacled Eider on Texel. Full story at blackaudibirding.blogspot.com. Pic by Richard Tyler

Storm Éowyn made viewing Texel's celebrity Spectacled Eider a little challenging this afternoon - a truly #Brileider 🇳🇱

Well, that's my Dry January out the window. Some birds demand to be celebrated 🍺 with @IanCowgill

Short visit to Texel Monday to Wednesday. 70 species of amazing birds including: Hen Harrier 3 White-tailed Sea Eagle Goshawk Shore Lark small flock of 50 plus thousands of geese including: Barnacle, Brent, white fronted, Bean. Plus the star Brilleider, the Spectacled Eider!

After one day at home the Spectacled Eider at Texel, Netherlands was the Ultimate twitch. With a supporting cast of Baikal Teal, +10 Smew. Tundra Bean, thousands of geese, ST Treecreeper and Zitting Cisticola an excellent 2 days birding

Look who’s back 😃 #spectacledeider #Texel

The Spectacled Eider on Texel, Netherlands is back and now in a very interesting plumage. Had great views yesterday. #birds #texel #spectacledeider

Ook in de slaapkamer kun je bijzonder soorten tegenkomen: elzen/plataanridderwants (Arocatus roeselli/longiceps). Achter ons huis staan flink wat elzen, maar er zijn geen platanen in de buurt. Deze is verzameld, dus binnenkort uitsluitsel m.b.t. de determinatie. #wants #insect

De ridderwants die in onze slaapkamer zat bleek een Elzenridderwants (Arocatus roesilii). Van de foto niet te onderscheiden van de plataanridderwants (Arocatus longiceps). #wants #insect

Bruinrode glasvleugelwants (Rhopalus parumpunctatus), Noordwijk, 11 augustus 2025. Ik blijf het een leuke groep vinden, die glasvleugelwantsen. #wants #insect #bugs

Oogstreeprandwants (Ceraleptus lividus), Katwijk zh, april 2025. #wants #insect #waarneming

Meidoornkielwants (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale), Katwijk zh, 5 november 2025. #wants #insect

Desert Wheatear / Woestijntapuit on the patch today. A new local bird. #katwijk #birds #vogelskijken

Spectacled eider, Texel, Netherlands. Insane views after lunchtime today as it came in to rest. Unexpected sunshine making a huge difference after yesterday’s downpours. Glad to have finally made the effort. Andy Malley Stuart Beeby Philflam BirdGuides

So pleased the Spectacled Eider came back for a second year. Looking beautiful on the rocks in the sunshine this morning. A little further north along the dyke than previously reported. #DucksRock #DodgyVid #BirdsSeenIn2025 #Texel

Op 10 mrt vond ik twee Xylocoridea brevipennis onder schors van een plataan. Vandaag vond ik er 22. Wellicht een fractie van de populatie. De soort is dit jaar vier keer ingevoerd op Waarneming.nl (5 ex). Dat aantal heb ik dus flink opgeschroeft. #wants #insect #bug

Flock of starlings catching their breath on a Dutch fishing boat during crossing of the North Sea