[
Hello all, I just moved to the Netherlands to do my masters at Utrecht University (studying animal behavior) and was wondering if anybody knew where the best birding spots are that are not so commonly known (like Texel and the Oostvaarderplassen). Also If you are in the Utrecht area and looking for somebody to go birding with on the weekend I would probably be available if you want company. Thanks.
Hi cognitive_Ethology,
I live close to Utrecht, work in the city and go birding most of the weekends.
There are lots of nice places around the city, some nearby and lots more a bit further away. Of course the
Oostvaardersplassen are a birding paradise, as you know. You can spend days in that area without getting bored. It's about an hours drive from Utrecht and it's best to have a car to get around the place as it's quite big.
Closer by is the
Zouweboezem, a small reserve an the edge of the river Lek. Good for Purple Herons in spring/summer as it is one of the biggest breeding colonies in the Netherlands.
Also most of the rivers have nice flood-fields along them where lots of geese stay during the winter.
Realy close is
Amelisweerd, a park around the river
Kromme Rijn. It's not a very well known birding spot but there are lots of waterfowl, woodpecker and I've seen a Kingfisher las summer. You can reach it by bike going in the direction of
Bunnik. Also I heard of some owls living around the golfcourse that's on your right going to Amelisweerd (going to check that out shortly).
If you have a car the
polder Arkemheen near
Nijkerk is very nice. Lots of raptors and geese, as well as good numbers of meadow birds.
To the east is the
Blauwe Kamer, a reserve at the river, it holds a cormorant colony.
For more information check
www.vogelbescherming.nl (bird protection society). There is an english button in the top of the page but the menu doesnt translate. So go to
'zoek vogels en gebieden' and then '
vogelgebieden'. You'll find a clickable map. Direct link:
http://www.vogelbescherming.nl/content.aspx?cid=116
PM me if you would like more info or a sightseeing trip around the area. I'll be out most weekends so you're welcome to join!
Cheers and have fun in Utrecht, it's a nice city!:t:
Nils K
