In Search of a Stoat Through the Mist of Onlanden

By Dragos Varnav

Yesterday morning I set off for a birding session in Onlanden, Groningen, with a cup of coffee in hand and my backpack on my shoulders.

The weather looked promising, the sun was still low in the sky, and there was barely any wind.

Deep down, something was telling me it was going to be a wonderful day filled with memorable moments. In fact, that’s what happens almost every time. Enthusiasm tends to outweigh everything else. Perhaps that is why I love birding, wildlife, and photography in general so much.

Sony 1 1/1250s f/6.3 600mm ISO640 FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

Dwerggorst

A few days earlier, I had taken a short walk in the area and, just beyond the bridge near Onlanderij, I found myself locked in the gaze of a stoat. The encounter lasted only a few dozen seconds and, although there was enough time in theory to point my camera and freeze a few frames of the delicate creature, I remained rooted to the spot at first, only to watch it disappear into the reed bed along the roadside.

That brief encounter became the trigger for yesterday morning.

Sony 1 1/1600s f/6.3 600mm ISO400 FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

No sooner said than done. I had heard that the stoat had been seen quite often in that area and, since some paths had been closed during spring to protect their dens and young, I believed a second opportunity could not possibly slip away from me.

But as time passed, my enthusiasm slowly faded, especially because of the large number of runners and cyclists in the area.

After spending some time admiring the enchanting landscape, with the mist transforming the polder into a truly magical place, I moved on to another location, more sheltered from passersby and offering better chances of observing the local birds.

Sony 1 1/3200s f/6.3 600mm ISO640 FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

Zanglijster

As always, the songs of reed-dwelling birds are captivating, and at the same time you find yourself searching for them. First you listen, then you try to capture a few frames, hoping that the photographs from that very moment will become the best you have ever taken.

One by one I spotted reed bunting, dwarf bunting, goldfinches, song thrush and redwing, but somewhere deep within the reed beds I could hear the calls and songs of a bearded reedling. A bird whose beauty never fails to create a sense of excitement whenever you encounter it. Yet for the time being, it remained hidden deep within the reeds.

Sony 1 1/3200s f/6.3 600mm ISO640 FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

Zanglijster

The farther I moved into the quieter areas, the more intense the silence became. I found myself reacting to every call and every wingbeat of the great white and grey egrets, the countless geese, and the many species of ducks around me. Yet nothing truly special had revealed itself so far.

Then, at one point, only a few metres away, a flash of blue crossed my path. A kingfisher, with its brilliantly coloured plumage glowing in the sunlight, flew past and perched in a tree right in front of me.

Sony 1 1/2500s f/6.3 600mm ISO320 FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

IJsvogel

Perfect!

It was everything I needed to continue my walk and feel completely satisfied with my Sunday morning.

To make things even better, however, I was still hoping for an encounter with the bearded reedling. The weather conditions were ideal. There was almost no wind, meaning they could climb the reed stems to feed on seeds.

Sony 1 1/2500s f/6.3 600mm ISO320 FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

IJsvogel

And indeed, beyond the calls and songs I had been hearing all morning, a female bearded reedling suddenly appeared right in front of me and simply settled down as if posing for me.

Perfect!

Sony 1 1/4000s f/6.3 600mm ISO1000 FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

Baardman

Satisfied and delighted with everything I had seen, yet still thinking about the stoat, I eventually headed home. I am already looking forward to my next visit to this fascinating land full of surprises.

Perhaps next time it will be a fox. Who knows?

Sony 1 1/4000s f/6.3 600mm ISO1000 FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

Baardman

They are around.

They have been seen.

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