Within the Spoonbill Working Group, it is possible to adopt one or more favorite spoonbills for a small fee. As long as this bird is observed, you will receive an overview of the life history of these adopted birds once a year. BBAN is one of my favorite spoonbills, and I adopted it some time ago.
BBAN (full name: B[AN]/aB[AN]) was ringed on June 5, 2001, at Boschplaat (2nd-Duintjes) on Terschelling. Between 2001 and 2022, BBAN was observed a total of 177 times, and below is a summary of the sightings:
2001
In 2001, only one report after fledging, on August 9 on Ameland.
2002 and 2003: no sightings
After that we didn’t hear anything from BBAN for over 2 years until this bird was checked on January 17, 2004, in Senegal (Guembeul NP). This is a known phenomenon; young spoonbills often stay for at least 2 to 3 years in southern regions before returning to their breeding grounds.
2004
Back on Terschelling from June 27 to July 25, 2004, observed 8 times.
2005
The winter of 2005-2006 was spent again in West Africa, evidenced by a sighting on December 12, 2005, in Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin).
2006
In 2006, BBAN was observed only once, on September 11 in Cantabria (Bahia de Santona).
2007
In 2007, BBAN returned to Terschelling and was checked there between May 11 and August 20, 12 times. The winter of 2007-2008 was spent again in West Africa; checked on October 26, 2007, in Mauritania; Banc d’Arguin).
2008
In 2008, BBAN was seen again on Terschelling from July 11 (Waterplak) and checked 6 times until July 18 on that island.
2009
BBAN also returned to Terschelling in 2009. Checked 6 times from May 26 to September 9. During the southward migration, BBAN was checked on September 12 in Cantabria (Bahia de Santona). It is also noteworthy that BBAN briefly returned to the Netherlands on September 20 (Lauwersmeer). This is not common. Reason?
2010
Back on Terschelling from May 25 to August 5 (checked 15 times).
2011
Back on Terschelling from May 2 to September 4 (checked 18 times).
2012: no sightings
2013
Only 2 checks on Terschelling; June 8 and August 5.
2014
Back on Terschelling from June 11 to September 13 (checked 12 times).
2015
Back on Terschelling from May 10 to July 1 (checked 4 times).
2016 and 2017: no sightings
2018
Back on Terschelling from May 20 to September 14 (checked 11 times).
2019
Back on Terschelling from July 19 to September 17 (checked 12 times). During the autumn migration, visited the Bay of the Somme (Marquanterre) on October 3.
2020
Back on Terschelling from May 2 to September 4 (checked 18 times).
2021
Back on Terschelling from June 28 to September 25 (checked 24 times). Then on September 27, BBAN briefly visited Texel (De Bol).
2022
Back on Terschelling from July 27 to October 4 (checked 8 times).
And thereafter, no signs of life, so it is still uncertain whether BBAN is still alive.
From the above life description, it is once again clear how loyal spoonbills are to their breeding and wintering areas.
For those interested: It is still possible to adopt a spoonbill for a small fee (minimum € 15). You will then receive the life description of your adopted spoonbill annually in PDF format. For more info on adoption of spoonbills, read this page .