The year 2025 was only three days old when Sven Valkenburg identified a present Black-throated Loon Gavia arctica on the Oosterscheldekering in the Roompotsluis Binnenhaven (Zld) as a Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica, the first ever for the Netherlands. The bird was present in the days after its discovery, so it attracted a large crowd and it reached even National Television!
On 11 January a Yellow-billed Loon G. adamsi appeared in a complex lake area east of Warmond (ZH) and was very popular amongst birders. At least one birder (Pieter Doorn) succeeded in seeing all five diver species on one day!
On Tuesday 13 January 2025 out of nothing an adult male Spectacled Eider Somateria fischeri was reported on the eastern part of Texel (NH), causing panic and disbelief at first, but happiness in the end when the bird was seen till darkness felt.
On 7 October the Spectacled Eider S. fischeri returned at his favourite spot on Texel NH. A summer plumage Pacific Loon G. pacifica flew past at IJmuiden NH on 10 October and Schiermonnikoog Fr on 24 October. On 31 October a Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala was trapped and ringed at Westenschouwen Zld and on 5 November another one, also at Westenschouwen Zld, passed above the heads of three astonished observers, but it was well documented. A third one was trapped and ringed at Bloemendaal NH on 5 November, as part of an ongoing influx in Western Europe. On 31 October an Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri was reported at Lies, Terschelling Fr, but was only rediscovered on 5 November and was last seen on 7 November.
