The national parks Lauwersmeer, Dunes of Texel, De Biesbosch, Schiermonnikoog, Nieuw Land, and Oosterschelde have launched a new website where tagged spoonbills can be followed during bird migration in spring and autumn. The website shows where spoonbills tagged in or near the national parks are located throughout the year. The goal is to make the added value of national parks for these migratory birds visible to a wider audience. The website is developed by BirdEyes (University of Groningen).
A group of 8 national parks has been working together for several years to tell the story of bird migration and the role the national parks play in it as resting and breeding places. The (almost real-time) tracking of the spoonbill is a visible addition to this story. Later this year, visitors to several national parks will also be able to follow the spoonbills via screens in visitor centers.
East Atlantic Flyway
Every spring and autumn, billions of birds migrate from one side of the Earth to the other. On their journey of hundreds of kilometers, they face many dangers. The Netherlands is located exactly at an important junction, right in the middle of the East Atlantic Flyway. To survive the journey, migratory birds depend on sufficient safe and food-rich resting places. The national parks along the Dutch coast and the eastern border are safe havens for these long-distance flyers. They can catch their breath, stay to lay eggs and raise chicks, or overwinter.
Research Information
The transmission research on spoonbills shows how one national park is used as a feeding and resting place while another serves as a breeding area. Birds that breed in or near a national park often also depend on other areas in the vicinity. Each individual has its own habits and favorite spots. It also appears that young spoonbills often only try to breed from their third year of life. Some young birds stay in Southern Europe for a few years before returning to the Netherlands for the first time. By sharing this information along with the movements of the spoonbill, the national parks make the research information accessible to more people.
World Migratory Bird Day
During World Migratory Bird Day on May 9th, the national parks pay even more attention to this special phenomenon. They organize a variety of activities, such as bird excursions, walking and cycling tours, and lectures. On May 9th and 10th, the annual Wadden Bird Festival takes place in National Park Dunes of Texel. The activities in the parks are aimed at both experienced and novice bird watchers.
More Information
Follow the spoonbill via this page. It also lists the activities that national parks organize around World Migratory Bird Day.