As a novice birdwatcher or birdwatcher, you naturally want to see as many different birds as possible. You often start by birdwatching around your house, but soon you want to see more unusual birds. The most popular birding areas in the Netherlands, such as the Wadden Islands and the Oosterschelde National Park, offer a rich experience for birdwatchers.
You may have already noticed thatΒ Β birdwatchingΒ Β is an incredibly addictive hobby.
In the overview below, you can find several interesting spots for birdwatching in every Dutch province. If you're also interested in birdwatching on holiday, we'll also explain where and how to find the best spots abroad for birdwatching withΒ Β binocularsΒ Β .
Introduction
Birdwatching: The best places in the Netherlands (per province)
As Dutch birdwatchers, we're lucky. Our country is rich in water, so you'll find plenty of excellent birdwatching spots in nature, especially in prime areas like the Haringvliet and the Oosterscheldekering storm surge barrier. These areas are home to numerous bird species, making them ideal for both nature photography and birdwatching. In the overview below, we'll tell you what we consider to be the best spots for a day of birdwatching in each province.
Groningen
Groningen boasts beautiful nature reserves where all kinds of birds feel at home. If you'd like to go birdwatching with binoculars, this province offers plenty of opportunities.Β Β Lauwersmeer National Park is fantastic, where youΒ can spotΒ Β the enormous white-tailed eagle, for exampleΒ .Β Β But there's much more to fly and breed in this area.Β Β The grassy areas are beloved by waterfowlΒ Β such as theΒ Β Eurasian wigeonΒ Β and theΒ Β barnacle gooseΒ . Thousands of geese make this area a popular wintering ground, which also attracts many bird enthusiasts.
Central Groningen is also a great place for birdwatching, for example in theΒ Β KropswolderbuitenpolderΒ Β orΒ Β 't Roegwold in SchildwoldeΒ Β . Birdwatching enthusiasts should start near theΒ Β KnuppelpadΒ , as there's so much to see there.
Another great spot for birdwatching is theΒ Β Slochtermeenteweg in LuddeweerΒ .Β Β BluethroatsΒ ,Β Β bearded titsΒ ,Β Β spotted crakes,Β Β andΒ Β sedge warblersΒ Β can be seen in the reeds. You can alsoΒ spotΒ birds of preyΒ Β here. You might see theΒ Β Marsh Harrier,Β Β theΒ Β Hen HarrierΒ Β , and even aΒ Β Northern HawkΒ Β might fly into your lens.
Friesland
Pristine coastlines and nature parks, combined with primeval forests, heathlands, and a diverse range of terrains. The Frisian countryside offers ample opportunities for a day of birdwatching. In autumn, you can also enjoy the impressive flocks of starlings migrating over the landscape.
Around the Frisian village of Twijzel, you'll find the Twijzelermieden**, the largest bocage landscape in Western Europe. No fewer thanΒ Β 240 bird speciesΒ live here . This is remarkable, as the Netherlands alone boasts someΒ Β 500 bird speciesΒ Β . In spring, you'll encounter many songbirds, and the adjacent meadows teem with meadow birds.
So if you want to go birdwatching with binoculars, the province of Friesland is a good option.Β You'll encounterΒ the Black-tailed GodwitΒ ,Β Β Common SnipeΒ Β , andΒ Β White-tailed EagleΒ Β here, but other birds can also be spotted here, such as the CommonΒ Β KestrelΒ ,Β Β Bearded TitΒ , Β and theΒ Β Caspian TernΒ .
Drenthe
Birdwatching in Drenthe is an excellent idea. Great egrets can be observed here during the winter months. The Drenthe landscape is made up of fields, peatlands interspersed with sandy soils, and canals. All the ingredients are there for birdwatching.
The FochteloΓ«rveenΒ is highly recommendedΒ Β . This spot is known among birdwatchers as a breeding ground forΒ Β cranesΒ . Several pairs can be found in this peat bog every year. With a bit of luck, you can alsoΒ spotΒ birds of preyΒ here , such as the impressiveΒ Β short-toed eagleΒ Β .
TheΒ Β Drents-Friese WoldΒ is Β the largest contiguous forest area in the NetherlandsΒ Β Β after theΒ Β Hoge Veluwe National Park. It offers beautiful changes from peatlands to drifting sands and from heathland to marshland, and is well worth a look through binoculars. Birds you might encounter include theΒ European Honey BuzzardΒ ,Β Β the Eurasian CootΒ Β , andΒ Β the Black WoodpeckerΒ Β .
Overijssel
The best place to go birdwatching in Overijssel is theΒ Β Sallandse HeuvelrugΒ Β or theΒ Β Weerribben-WiedenΒ , the two national parks in this province. Another interesting location for birdwatchers is theΒ Β Marker WaddenΒ , a new island area in the Markermeer lake created for nature restoration. Birdwatchers can easily spot birds here with their binoculars.
The species you see there change with the seasons. Breeding birds return from April to around June, especially marsh birds like theΒ Β Black TernΒ ,Β Β Marsh HarrierΒ Β , andΒ Β Purple HeronΒ . In winter, you can spot other birds, such as theΒ NorthernΒ HawkΒ Β orΒ Β Common BuzzardΒ .
Gelderland
Within the province of Gelderland lies the largest nature reserve in the Netherlands:Β Β Hoge Veluwe National ParkΒ . Countless birds have taken up residence in this area, from theΒ Β Tree PipitΒ Β to theΒ Β RedstartΒ , theΒ Β Spotted FlycatcherΒ ,Β theΒ CuckooΒ ,Β Β the CrossbillΒ ,Β theΒ RedpollΒ , Β and theΒ Β NightjarΒ . Species you certainly can't see everywhere, but you can in the Veluwe. Another important area for birdwatchers is theΒ Β Nieuwkoopse PlassenΒ , where thousands of birds, including geese and ducks, spend the winter.
The Gelderland landscape offers birdwatchers even more opportunities for birdwatching. Near the German border liesΒ Β Bergherbos (Beek),Β Β a forest where you can not only enjoy a lovely walk but also have a chance of spotting aΒ Β yellowhammerΒ ,Β Β hawfinchΒ ,Β Β ravenΒ Β , or one of the other bird species.
Flevoland
Even in the youngest province of the Netherlands, birdwatchers can indulge themselves. The Reeuwijkse Plassen in South Holland are an important nature reserve where birdwatchers can see a wide variety of birds, both in summer and winter.Β Β Rare species hibernate there during the winter monthsΒ Β , and the sparse vegetation makes it easy to spot birds with binoculars. Birds you can spot there include theΒ Β white-tailed eagleΒ ,Β Β the waxwingΒ Β , and theΒ Β smewΒ .
Β There are observation huts and screensΒ Β at theΒ Β OostvaardersplassenΒ Β andΒ Β Lepelaarplassen lakes , so it's not uncommon to see multipleΒ eaglesΒ Β feeding. TheΒ Β OostvaardersdijkΒ is Β a great spot for birdwatching, and you can often see aΒ Β white-tailed eagleΒ Β flying overhead.
North Holland
The province of North Holland boasts no fewer than three coastsΒ Β (the North Sea, the Wadden Sea, and the IJsselmeer)Β Β and an abundance of water features on land. North Holland is an excellent province for birdwatching.
Good places for bird watching are theΒ Β Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes, Camperduin and the Schoorlse DunesΒ , theΒ Hoorneboegse Heide, Naardermeer, Landje van Geijsel and, not to forget, the Wadden Island of Texel.
Every spring, you can find dozens of breeding spoonbills high in the De Liede swamp forest near Haarlem. AndΒ Β the Balgzand near Den Helder is a true paradise for birdwatchersΒ Β , home to thousands of wading birds.
South Holland
The province of South Holland boasts a diverse landscape.Β Β Dunes to the west and the AΒ lblasserwaardΒ Β to the east , KrimpenerwaardΒ Β with meadows as far as the eye can see, and of course, theΒ Β BiesboschΒ National Park, one of Europe's largest freshwater marshes. It's a paradise for exploring and birdwatching with binoculars. South Holland is also home to some of the most popular birdwatching areas in the Netherlands, highly prized by birdwatchers for their rich biodiversity and variety of bird species.
Birdwatching is possible everywhere in South Holland, even between the bustling harbors of Europoort andΒ Β MaasvlakteΒ . The "MaVla" is located along the coast, so many migratory birds will stop here to spend the day and eat their fill.Β Β Many rare birdsΒ , such as theΒ Β Red-breasted Flycatcher, the Barred WarblerΒ Β , and theΒ Β Bearded Warbler,Β Β can be seen here.
Other excellent birdwatching spots include theΒ Β Groene Jonker near ZevenhuizenΒ . This is a water-rich nature reserve with a large pond, lush reed beds, and wet grasslands. Here you'll find species such as theΒ Β SpoonbillΒ ,Β Β Great CrestedΒ Grebe Β , andΒ Β Common ShelduckΒ Β , and sometimes evenΒ Β the Little CrakeΒ ,Β Β Water RailΒ Β , orΒ Β Black-winged StiltΒ .
Utrecht
From peatlands to vast forests, the landscape of the province of Utrecht is incredibly diverse, making it a fascinating habitat for birds. In these areas, you can spot rare birds that are less common elsewhere in the Netherlands. If you're interested in birdwatching, there are several excellent birding areas.
TheΒ Β Amerongse Berg lies 69 meters above sea levelΒ , so you'll encounter many bird species there. Areas likeΒ Β the Blauwe KamerΒ Β near Rhenen, theΒ Β EempolderΒ Β near Eemnes, or theΒ Β lowland peat bogΒ Β of the Westbroekse Zodden also offer ample opportunities for birdwatching with binoculars. You might encounter aΒ Β purple heronΒ ,Β Β kingfisherΒ Β , orΒ Β bittern , for example. TheΒ bitternΒ , the smallest heron in Europe, has Β alsoΒ Β been sighted in this province.
North Brabant
Brabant is rich in beautiful landscapes where all kinds of birds can be spotted. Many bird species, including rare ones, find their habitat here. For example, you can go birdwatching with binoculars in theΒ Β Mastbos forest near Breda.Β Β There you'll find several landscape elements: coniferous forest, deciduous forest, fens, and heathland. As a result, you can also find a diverse bird population. You'll find almost every woodpecker known to the Netherlands here. TheΒ Β green woodpecker, black woodpecker, lesser spotted woodpecker, middle spotted woodpecker, and great spotted woodpecker,Β among others Β , breed in this area.
But of course, there are many more places in Brabant where you can go birdwatching.Β Β The De Groote Heide nature parkΒ Β andΒ Β Het LeenderbosΒ Β are also excellent spots for birdwatching.Β Β The European Stonechat and WoodlarkΒ Β breed there, as do theΒ Β Β NightjarΒ .
Another interesting spot for birdwatchers in North Brabant isΒ Β De Groote Peel National ParkΒ , where at leastΒ Β 100 different bird species breed. TheΒ Noordpolder near OssendrechtΒ is Β alsoΒ Β Β a gem. You'll find many waterfowl there, including theΒ Β GadwallΒ ,Β Β ShovelerΒ , MallardΒ Β ,Β Β and the occasionalΒ Β GarganeyΒ . If you go birdwatching here, you also have a chance of spotting birds of prey, such as theΒ Β Northern HawkΒ ,Β Β SparrowhawkΒ ,Β Β BuzzardΒ ,Β Β Hobby,Β Β andΒ Β Honey BuzzardΒ .
Zealand
The province of Zeeland is known for its water. Besides the sea, you'll also find plenty of inland waterways. Not only have meadow and water birds chosen Zeeland as a breeding ground, Β but you can also spot reed birds, woodland birds, and, not to forget, birds of prey in the best areas.
Interesting hotspots abound. In theΒ Β Blikken area near Nieuwvliet,Β Β you'll find two beautiful birdwatching huts. While birdwatching, you can expect to seeΒ Β avocetsΒ ,Β Β ruffsΒ ,Β Β shorebirdsΒ ,Β Β sandpipersΒ ,Β Β curlewsΒ Β , and many otherΒ Β wading birdsΒ .Β Β SparrowhawksΒ Β andΒ Β goshawksΒ Β prey on the songbirds in the area. Above the water and meadows, you canΒ seeΒ buzzardsΒ Β andΒ Β marsh harriers,Β among others Β , flying. There is water in the area, so be aware of this.
Other excellent birdwatching spots include theΒ Β Brouwersdam near OuddorpΒ Β and theΒ Β Dijkwater Creek AreaΒ Β between Dreischor and Sirjansland. The Neeltje Jans is also a great spot for birdwatching with binoculars. Its unique location at the mouth of the Oosterschelde attracts an abundance of wading birds, and during migration periods, you might also encounter some rarer birds.
Limburg
The rolling hills of Limburg are unique in the Netherlands. The landscape varies from hedgerows and forests to small fields, interspersed with meandering rivers. This allows you to see birds in Limburg unlike those found in other provinces. This region also boasts a wealth of unusual birds, making it an attractive destination for birdwatchers. Some bird species are even best seen in Limburg, such as theΒ Β Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Short-billed Treecreeper, and the Eagle Owl.
TheΒ Β Hamster ReserveΒ Β atop the Margraten plateau is the perfect place to use binoculars to spot birds like theΒ Β YellowhammerΒ Β or theΒ Β Corn BuntingΒ Β . If you'd like to see theΒ Β Eagle OwlΒ Β , the best place to visit is Sint-Pietersberg near Maastricht. This owl is one of the world's largest owl species. However, spotting the Eagle Owl while birdwatching will be challenging due to its camouflage.
Birdwatching Tips
Birdwatching is a fun and relaxing activity. Here are some tips for birdwatching in the Netherlands:
- Visit national parks and nature reserves such as Lauwersmeer National Park or the Biesbosch for a wide variety of birds.
- Look for bird hides and observation towers for a good spot to observe birds.
- Go early in the morning or late in the evening, the best times for bird watching.
- Bring binoculars or a camera for close-up viewing.
- Be quiet and patient so as not to disturb the birds.
Special birdwatching abroad
Good information about birdwatching locations abroad can be difficult to find.Β Β Birdplaces.euΒ Β is a platform where birdwatchers worldwide share their knowledge about the best birdwatching spots.
Got enough tips and ideas for a day out? Check out our range of binoculars for birdwatchersΒ Β here.
