The Netherlands in Winter

Although the Netherlands has a higher population density than any other European country, an impressively large part of its area has been set aside as nature reserves. These protected areas consist mainly of polders, mudflats, marshes, reed-beds and sand dunes and are home to a large number of wintering birds. An excellent network of roads and motorways makes it possible to explore many of these superlative birding sites within a couple of days and, during this long weekend, we will concentrate mainly on the Zeeland and Flevo areas.

Zeeland hit the world headlines in February 1953 when many of the dykes collapsed and large parts of the low-lying islands were flooded, causing great loss of life. To ensure that a disaster on this huge scale would never happen again the Dutch planned the Delta-works. This is the largest construction of its kind in the world, connecting the islands and islets of southern Holland with large dams which have resulted in the formation of many large saline and brackish lakes, attracting up to half a million birds in winter! To the north lies Flevoland, the second focus of our attention. These polders were only formed about 40 years ago by draining part of the IJsselmeer and are now considered to be among Europe’s
finest wetlands.

Beginning in Zeeland, we will search the extensive farm and grasslands of Goeree for geese and ducks. Every winter large numbers of geese can be found feeding here; Tundra Bean, White-fronted, Greylag, Barnacle and Brent form the largest flocks through which we will search for such rarities as Snow, Lesser White-fronted and Red-breasted Goose, which are all regularly recorded. The marshy areas conceal Bitterns and are patrolled by Hen and Marsh Harriers, and Peregrine Falcons. Flocks of Dunlin, Ruff, Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwit can be found on the muddy shores of the large inland seas, and seals are often seen basking on the mudflats.
 
We will cross to the island of Schouwen Duiveland via the seven-kilometre-long Brouwersdam. This is one of the top birding spots in Holland in winter. On the seaward side large rafts of Red-throated Divers, Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes, Long-tailed Duck, Eider, Common Scoter, Scaup and Red-breasted Merganser are usually to be found bobbing in the waves. The small sandy beaches along the dam, provide feeding for Sanderling, Grey Plover, Knot and Oystercatchers.

Three large polders form the area of Flevoland, all of them reclaimed from the IJsselmeer. Here we will visit the famous marshland reserve of Oostvaardersplassen. Although difficult to cover due to its large size (70 square kilometres) we will search the open water and the extensive reed-beds from the IJsselmeerdyke or from one of the many hides that overlook this large wetland. Depending on the water level, vast numbers of duck are usually present. Rough-legged Buzzards often hover overhead and the surrounding meadows are grazed by numbers of Whooper Swans, Greylag, Bean and White-fronted Geese. Roe and Red Deer can also be seen feeding here in the early morning or late afternoon. The surrounding woodlands provide a contrast in habitat and may enable us to add Hawfinch, Goshawk, Short-toed Tree-creeper and Long-eared Owl to our weekend bird list.

Next we will check the Lepelaarsplassen Reserve. This large, reed-fringed lake is home to huge numbers of duck and is often the best spot in Holland to see over-wintering White-tailed Sea Eagles, causing panic among the wildfowl as they soar over the water. In the broad reed-bed fringes, Bearded Reedlings announce their presence with distinctive ‘pinging’ calls. Friesland, just to the north of Flevoland, is a major wintering area for geese and swans; Tundra Bean Goose, Pink-footed Goose, White-fronted and Barnacle Geese are present in large numbers, and  Bewick’s, Whooper and Mute Swans often feed here side by side. The nearby IJsselmeer is favoured by vast flocks of Smew, Scaup, Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck and Goosander.

On our return to Brussels, we will visit a delightful mixed woodland where we hope to see Hawfinch, Crested Tit, Nuthatch, Firecrest and the impressive Black Woodpecker to conclude this varied and entertaining trip.

This tour can be combined with our 'Belgium in Winter' holiday (BEL02).