Netherlands
The Netherlands is a low-lying country shaped extensively by rivers, wetlands and the North Sea. Large areas lie at or below sea level and have been reclaimed through an elaborate system of dikes, polders and drainage works. The Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt form a broad delta, while the Wadden Sea in the north contains tidal flats, saltmarshes and barrier islands. Inland landscapes include agricultural polders, peatlands, lakes, heathland, dunes and patches of woodland. The country has a temperate maritime climate with mild winters, cool summers and rainfall throughout the year. Despite its high population density, extensive wetlands and coastal habitats remain internationally important.
Overview
The Netherlands is one of Europe's outstanding destinations for waterbirds, shorebirds and migration. The Wadden Sea supports enormous concentrations of migrating and wintering waders, geese and ducks, while wetlands such as the Oostvaardersplassen hold breeding waterbirds, raptors and large numbers of migrants. The Zeeland Delta is another major area for shorebirds and waterfowl. Characteristic specialties include Spoonbill, Bluethroat, Bearded Reedling and Black-tailed Godwit, the country's national bird. Offshore and coastal sites can also be excellent for seabird migration. Birding is exceptionally accessible thanks to a dense road and cycling network, numerous reserves and an active birding community. The Netherlands has few range-restricted species, but its internationally important wetlands and spectacular concentrations of migratory birds make it one of northwestern Europe's most rewarding birding destinations.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrion Crow Corvus corone | 49.0% | 48.3% | 49.9% | 54.3% | 51.7% | 48.6% | 47.3% | 44.8% | 43.6% | 47.3% | 50.3% | 51.5% | 50.6% |
| Common Wood-Pigeon Columba palumbus | 46.9% | 39.0% | 45.6% | 52.8% | 53.5% | 50.1% | 51.3% | 52.6% | 51.9% | 48.6% | 41.9% | 37.3% | 38.2% |
| Mallard Anas platyrhynchos | 46.6% | 44.2% | 47.1% | 54.7% | 57.2% | 51.7% | 41.0% | 39.0% | 44.1% | 46.1% | 43.2% | 45.1% | 46.2% |
| Eurasian Coot Fulica atra | 43.4% | 40.7% | 44.7% | 51.7% | 52.5% | 47.1% | 43.6% | 42.2% | 41.1% | 40.4% | 37.1% | 38.9% | 41.0% |
| Great Tit Parus major | 41.9% | 43.9% | 48.6% | 52.7% | 48.9% | 40.9% | 33.9% | 31.0% | 30.8% | 38.2% | 44.0% | 45.7% | 44.7% |
| Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula | 41.2% | 41.6% | 40.5% | 44.0% | 49.3% | 52.3% | 52.6% | 43.4% | 22.4% | 20.7% | 35.3% | 46.2% | 46.4% |
| Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus | 38.4% | 40.4% | 37.3% | 36.4% | 34.1% | 34.2% | 35.6% | 38.6% | 38.4% | 40.3% | 41.9% | 41.3% | 42.2% |
| Graylag Goose Anser anser | 37.9% | 35.0% | 40.2% | 49.3% | 50.2% | 40.8% | 32.4% | 35.8% | 36.8% | 34.8% | 35.0% | 31.4% | 33.4% |
| Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus | 37.3% | 41.4% | 43.9% | 45.7% | 42.0% | 31.8% | 29.9% | 27.3% | 28.0% | 33.0% | 38.4% | 42.3% | 43.4% |
| Eurasian Magpie Pica pica | 36.7% | 38.9% | 40.3% | 41.1% | 38.0% | 34.0% | 32.6% | 30.7% | 28.7% | 34.4% | 38.4% | 41.8% | 41.5% |