The migration of birds is perhaps one of the most fascinating phenomena in our nature

Every year, billions of migratory birds travel from one side of the earth to the other and back again. They fly hundreds of kilometers at a stretch, braving many dangers along the way. The national parks along the Dutch coast are "safe havens" for these long-distance flyers. The national parks along the eastern border of the Netherlands are particularly important for both short- and long-distance migrants due to the ideal resting places for birds during their journey. You can read here where you can spot which migratory birds.

Trek routes along the coasts

Birds prefer to migrate over land that borders water. It's precisely there where a lot of food can be found. The most important migration routes therefore concentrate along the coasts of the continents. And the Netherlands is located exactly at an important junction, right in the middle of the East Atlantic migration route. Every year, over 90 million migratory birds pass through our country. That's more than three hundred different species!

Twee grote grijze kraanvogels in het water

Refueling in national parks

To survive the journey, migratory birds depend on having enough safe and food-rich waystations along the route, so they can continue their travel with a full stomach. The combination of inland nature reserves and the outer dike marshes, mud flats, and sandbanks in the Netherlands provides space, tranquility, and food. The migratory birds can take a breather here, to overwinter or stay to lay eggs and raise chicks. 

Lauwersmeer National Park

Go in search of the rare ruff 

The ruff is an extremely rare breeding bird in the Netherlands.  At most, a few pairs are found in our country. Most ruffs are migrants, but can be seen for a large part of the year. They mainly breed in Scandinavia. The males mostly overwinter in Southwest Europe, while the females migrate to Senegal and Mali.

Vogeltrek - Kemphaan

The characteristics of this migratory bird 

The ruff is a medium-sized wader with a relatively long neck, small head, and a fairly short, slightly downward-curved beak. They stand on long legs that range from orange-red to yellow-green in color. The dominant males can be recognized in spring by their black, white, or orange ruff and long ear tufts. The females are smaller and much less conspicuously colored. Ruffs do not make much noise. 

Where and when can you spot the ruff?

In May, the ruff is a common migratory bird in Lauwersmeer National Park. They often come in groups ranging from dozens to hundreds. You can mainly find them in marshy grasslands and muddy shorelines where they search for insects, snails, and worms. A good location is the Jaap Deensgat. Or try your luck in the southern part of the Ezumakeeg, where ruffs are often seen near the road in May and June. The mock battles between these males, to impress the females, are a magnificent and unforgettable sight.

National Park Dunes of Texel

Go in search of the great white spoonbill 

In the 1970s, the Netherlands had only 170 breeding pairs, but due to intensive protection, there are now several thousand. In the fall, they fly along the West African coast to their winter destination. They then stay in an area in Mauritania that quite resembles the Wadden region. Young spoonbills remain there after their first winter and only fly to the Netherlands to breed in their second year.

Lepelaars

The characteristics of this migratory bird 

The spoonbill is a large white bird with a long, spoon-shaped bill, a yellow-orange patch on its chest, and a drooping crest. By moving its spoon-shaped bill back and forth in a typical manner, it can catch small fish, aquatic animals, snails, leeches, insects, and worms in shallow water. The bill contains a sort of sieve membrane, very handy as an eating tool. 

Where and when can it be seen?

From February to September/October, you can see the spoonbill in the Netherlands. The largest spoonbill colony is located in the Geulplas, on the south side of the National Park Dunes of Texel. Two other colonies are located in De Muyplas and De Slufter, a unique salt marsh in direct contact with the sea. Additionally, the Spoonbill can be perfectly observed in the large flat area in the south of Texel, where there are always some searching for food. Very special: in De Geul, more than 400 pairs breed!

Please note: in the south of the national park, some walking paths are closed during the breeding season from March to August/September. Outside the National Park, they are also found in De Schorren at low tide.

National Park De Biesbosch

Search for the Osprey

In 2016, the first pair of ospreys ever bred in the Netherlands… Where? In National Park De Biesbosch! A first, and since then, every year around March 26th, the first osprey, a male, arrives in National Park De Biesbosch. He comes all the way from West Africa and has undergone a long journey full of dangers. Once arrived, he renovates last year's nest or builds a new one if necessary, while waiting for the arrival of his mate. On the Beleef de Lente webcam, you can watch live what he gets up to and view videos of the adventures around the nest. 

Visarend
visarend

The characteristics of this migratory bird

The name gives it away: the osprey only eats fish. With its enormous talons, it catches thick, fat carp and zander from the water. The eagle is larger and slimmer than a light buzzard and has long, bent wings. A broad black stripe runs over its distinctive white head. Besides that, it is completely brown. Also, pay special attention to your ears when you go looking for this special bird of prey; the osprey makes a characteristic high and ringing sound.

Where and when to see?

In National Park De Biesbosch, you can spot ospreys all summer. This is unlike other national parks where the osprey only visits during migration time, from April to May and in September. The chance of seeing an osprey is actually quite high, especially in August when the young have fledged. Take a walk from the Biesbosch Museum Island and see if you can spot the large bird in the sky. And don't forget to enjoy all those other beautiful migratory birds, such as the avocet and the reed warbler. 

National Park Schiermonnikoog

Search for the Nightingale

The nightingale is one of the most well-known birds. It sings the stars from the sky while hiding in the bushes with its brown camouflage. In addition to being exuberant singers, nightingales are also impressive migratory birds. On their journey south, they cross the Sahara in one go. During this notorious crossing of two thousand kilometers, migratory birds can be thrown off course by a strong headwind or a sandstorm, causing them to have to fly hundreds of kilometers extra. They then arrive weeks later in their breeding area than planned. Or they don't arrive at all, because they die of exhaustion along the way. 

Vogeltrek - Nachtegaal

The characteristics of this migratory bird

Nightingales do not look particularly impressive. They are uniformly brown on top and mouse-gray underneath. Moreover, you almost never see them, as they always hide in the bushes. The nightingale more than compensates for its inconspicuous plumage and hidden lifestyle with its fabulous song.

Where and when to see?

At the end of April and in May, you can hear the nightingale singing in many places in the dunes of Schiermonnikoog National Park. Good spots are the bushes along the Badweg or the Westerduinenpad. If you walk there in the evening twilight and hear a bird continue to sing while it slowly gets quieter, you know you're hearing a nightingale. As soon as the chicks hatch, they won't sing as often, as they'll be busy feeding. 

Nieuw Land National Park

Search for the Sedge Warbler

You will mainly find the sedge warbler on densely vegetated shores of lakes, marshes, and creeks. And there are plenty of those in Nieuw Land National Park. This migratory bird builds its nest in herbaceous vegetation that grows in the water or in the old reed. It eats insects and spiders, which are picked from the reeds or the ground. They spend the winter south(east) of the Sahara. 

Nationaal Park Nieuw Land - Snor vogel

The characteristics of this migratory bird 

The Savi's Warbler has a dark brown and dirty white plumage, with no markings on the chest. A full, rounded tail with long undertail coverts and strongly curved wings. But you can best recognize it by its song: an endlessly sustained buzzing, comparable to a low soft kitchen timer. 

Where and when to see?

From early April to May, the mustache arrives in the Netherlands. You can spot it among the reeds in National Park Nieuw Land, for example around the Knardijk: an inner dike near the Oostvaardersplassen. The bird is also spotted on the Marker Wadden. 

Vliegende visdief

Tip: follow the birds 

In Nieuw Land National Park, some spoonbills, avocets, and terns are equipped with a transmitter that allows you to track them live. Check the digital map and follow their route far beyond the Dutch borders. 

Read more

National Park Oosterschelde

Go in search of the ringed plover

On the open, sandy, and muddy edges of the Oosterschelde, you can encounter this small plover. Searching for insects and small bottom-dwelling creatures like crustaceans, snails, worms, and sand fleas. They have a distinctive way of foraging: a quick run, then a brief standstill, picking up prey, and moving on again.

Ringed plovers are true coastal dwellers. They don't live according to a day-and-night rhythm but instead follow the rhythm of the tides, which constantly changes, for sleeping, seeking food, and other activities.

Bontbekplevier met jong

The characteristics of this migratory bird 

This little plover is no larger than a starling. The beak is yellow-orange at the base with a black tip. The head has a distinctive pattern of alternating white and black bands. The legs are bright orange-yellow. When it flies past, you see the striking wing stripes. Its call is soft and whistling "tjoe-wíe!" and it goes from low to high.

Afzetraster bontbekplevier

Protecting and monitoring breeding nests

For a few years now, the Oosterschelde National Park has been inventorying, protecting and monitoring the nests and young of coastal breeding birds, including the ringed plover, with a group of enthusiastic volunteers. They do this on several dike sections around the Oosterschelde. At some vulnerable locations the nests were fenced off with a temporary flexible fence and provided with an information sign with an explanation.

Marijke Vaes
Fotograaf: Marijke Vaes

The characteristics of this migratory bird

The male European stonechat is notable for its bright orange breast, dark head, and white collar. The female also has an orange breast, but it is less bright than that of the male. The brown female is therefore, like the young, less conspicuous. European stonechats, with their long legs and short tail, are well adapted to living in heathlands and open countryside.

Kraanvogel
Marijke Vaes

The characteristics of this migratory bird

Cranes are notable for their long legs and slender neck, which give them a graceful appearance. Their long, full tail and distinctive red crown are real eye-catchers. The black neck and throat, along with their grey body, complete the picture. Their loud, characteristic trumpeting attracts attention both in the air and on the ground.