Beached bird surveys, march – may 1989 (NSO)

The most numerous species on the tideline in March was the Guillemot. On the mainland coast of Noord-Holland, some 100 corpses washed up in the first 10 days; very small numbers in the rest of the month. Generally speaking, very low densities were recorded these months in all sectors. The usual Eiders were found (unoiled) on Schiermonnikoog in March and April, but no other species was found in numbers. April and May had very fine weather indeed. May was hot, sunny and dusty with easterly winds predominating. The beached bird survey did therefore not lead to spectacular results. Let’s hope seabird mortality was similarly low.