The local river Waal currently exceeds its usual boundaries, and much of the adjacent floodplain is under water. On wednesday this white wagtail (witte kwikstaart) was inspecting the situation from the top of a fence post in what used to be a field. #birds

The local river Waal currently exceeds its usual boundaries, and much of the adjacent floodplain is under water. On wednesday this white wagtail (witte kwikstaart) was inspecting the situation from the top of a fence post in what used to be a field. #birds

Encountered a group of migrating common cranes (kraanvogel) by chance today. We're on the edge of their migratory route, which means it's always down to luck and the weather whether you see them or not, making it a real highlight! #birds

It's been a while since I saw one of these: snow buntings (sneeuwgors). These extremely cute birds are winter visitors along the Dutch coast, where they forage on the beaches in small groups. If you sit still and wait they can sometimes get very close, as they're not that shy. #birds

“What happened then?” asked Toad.

After three or so months this great grey shrike (klapekster) - a winter visitor - is still present on the local fens. It was observing the world around it from a variety of perches, then swooping down to catch large insects and rodents from in between the heather. #birds

I accidentally annoyed this tawny owl (bosuil) yesterday. It noticed me as I observed it from the path, and assumed a more vertical shape, which means it's alert, so I didn't linger any longer. It was about 5 or 6 metres up in a tree along a lane in a busy town park. #birds

I accidentally annoyed this tawny owl (bosuil) yesterday. It noticed me as I observed it from the path, and assumed a more vertical shape, which means it's alert, so I didn't linger any longer. It was about 5 or 6 metres up in a tree along a lane in a busy town park. #birds

More housebound than I'd like at present so here's a coastal image from October: glasswort (zeekraal) turned red on the Schiermonnikoog coast, with wading birds like oystercatchers resting on the mud flats, turned a bright white by the reflection of the sun. #birds

More housebound than I'd like at present so here's a coastal image from October: glasswort (zeekraal) turned red on the Schiermonnikoog coast, with wading birds like oystercatchers resting on the mud flats, turned a bright white by the reflection of the sun. #birds

It was nice to see a group of five long-tailed tits (staartmees) arrive in my garden this afternoon - they've only started visiting recently! Four swarmed the feeder while a fifth kept watch from a distance. #tuinvogeltelling #birds

In de week dat ASML een winst van 10 miljard bekendmaakt en ING een winst van 6 miljard haalt het nieuwe kabinet de miljarden bij… de mensen. Column! Vandaag zonder betaalmuur www.groene.nl/artikel/opto...

A common sandpiper (oeverloper) about a week ago. A small, easy to miss wading bird that allowed me to come pretty close as it was foraging along the shoreline of a local lake. #birds

On my walk yesterday a kingfisher (ijsvogel) suddenly flew past at quite close range. I was lucky to respond fast enough and got a sharp photograph when he was about to pass me, just as he blinked with his nictitating membrane (knipvlies). #birds

On my walk yesterday a kingfisher (ijsvogel) suddenly flew past at quite close range. I was lucky to respond fast enough and got a sharp photograph when he was about to pass me, just as he blinked with his nictitating membrane (knipvlies). #birds

A group of four twite (frater) has ventured further south than they normally would. These birds only visit the Netherlands in winter, when they tend to stay along the northern coast, so where I live these are considered a rarity. They've now made their home on an unappealing island. #birds

Meadow pipits (graspieper) were foraging in a group along the snowy Beuningse plas on this very cold day, when a common kestrel (torenvalk) saw an opportunity and snatched one. Small lumps of ice were still stuck to the pipit's long claws. #birds

An image from an earlier winter, but appropriate considering the current weather conditions here. A woodlark I discovered not far from my then-house, foraging for food on a snowy field back in february 2021. It had puffed itself up a bit against the cold. #birds

The local overwintering robin (roodborst), its belly wet from the snow, visiting my bird feeder. #birds

The local overwintering robin (roodborst), its belly wet from the snow, visiting my bird feeder. #birds

This little owl (steenuil), the bird of the year of the @vogelbeschermingnl.bsky.social, cautiously looks out into the new year. As a kid I always wanted to see this bird (and never did). Luckily I now see them regularly, and they never disappoint. Here's to many more birds for 2026! #birds

Some photographs from the past year, one per month, all taken in the Netherlands. I'm not highlighting the rarest birds here, or lifers, just some observations and views that were memorable! Photos have alt text with more info. The year in #birds, part 1

A nuthatch (boomklever) in the local woods, earlier this year. Even when you can't make out its plumage, it's an instantly recognisable bird like this, when it's moving down a tree, its needle-like bill pointing out. #birds

A long-tailed tit (staartmees) enjoying a break in the sun from its hyperactive foraging sessions. #birds

Probably my last lifer of the year, a very much lost Hume's leaf warbler (Humes bladkoning), sidetracked from Central Asia. I love phyllos (as the family is affectionately called) so this inquisitive and not very shy bird being present very close to home was a real treat. #birds

I see wood warblers (fluiter) every year locally, but this obliging bird in May was my first time seeing one on Texel. It never disappoints! Its song may be repetitive but it is captivating and draws you in, its colours fitting in perfectly in a forest in spring sunlight. #birds

Two wigeons (smient) looking for food. At first I thought the male (on the right) was going to share and that this would be a wholesome interacton, but instead he quickly turned to the right so the female wouldn't be able to nibble at his seaweed. #birds

Today I discovered we have a fine 17th century engraving of Arnhem with a man on a unicorn on the opposite bank of the Rhine. However, the description on our site has a typo and instead of saying the man sits on an eenhoorn (unicorn) it says he sits on an eekhoorn (squirrel)...

It's the time of year where you look back on the things you've done, and in my case, on the animals you've seen. This group of wild boar (everzwijn) storming through a valley covered in flowers beside a reservoir in Spain was one such stand-out moment. #mammals

Vandaag was ik net op tijd voor het mooiste moment van de dag!

A curlew (wulp) after a long hard day working down the mud mines. De Cocksdorp, Texel, november 2025. #birds

Met onze jubilerende vogelwerkgroep en @sovonvogels.bsky.social e.a. gaven we een boek uit. Zelf deed ik wat redactiewerk. Gisteren kreeg ik het eindelijk in handen. Ik wist al dat het heel leesbaar was, maar het is ook prachtig geworden! Hier te bestellen: sovon.ccvshop.nl/Gelderse-Poort

By now I've photographed enough purple sandpipers (paarse strandloper) that I focus more on capturing the scene and less on the bird. This one was foraging amidst heavy winds along the Texel coast, with spray kicking up all around it. #birds #BirdOfTheDay

On a particularly windy morning (code yellow!) this grey plover (zilverplevier) was foraging in the De Cocksdorp harbour of Texel. It took note of, but tolerated, my presence. Less fancy than its golden cousin, this is still a very impressive bird! #birds #vogels

One of the highlights of a brief Texel visit was a group of horned larks (strandleeuwerik) that I had the pleasure to watch for a while, early in the morning before the dog walkers showed up. This individual was closely studying a shrub, probably to look for seeds or insects. #birds #vogels

Yesterday's walk on the local fens was gorgeous and I was even rewarded with a sighting of a great grey shrike (klapekster) which has chosen to winter there this year - the first since I started going to this nature reserve many years ago. It was far away but unmistakable! #birds

Last month I saw a Caspian gull (Pontische meeuw) unsuccessfully chase a black-headed gull for food before being turned away from a landing spot by some cormorants. The bird was ringed in Poland in 2021 and has since apparently spent most of its life at an Oss industrial estate. #birds

Earlier this year I stumbled upon two hoopoes (hop) near what must have been a nest. I didn't share these at the time because this is still a very rare bird here that tends to attract too many photographers, and I also didn't return, to give them rest. Hopefully they had a successful year! #birds

Rainy day. (Turnstone (steenloper) on the coastline of Schiermonnikoog, earlier this month.) #birds

A short-toed treecreeper (boomkruiper) ascending a tree branch near Nijmegen. In the Netherlands, this is the "common" treecreeper, but in much of the rest of Europe it is rarer or not present at all. They have a different song and slightly different colouring. #birds

For many years now, a local tawny owl (bosuil) has loved to sit on the chimney of a house next to the forest when it's cold. Luckily its continuing the tradition this autumn. ☺️ #birds

Sorting through old photos from June I came across this funny/weird scene: a small willow warbler (fitis) was shadowing a substantially larger wood pipit (boompieper) carrying food towards its nest. Not sure if the warbler was hoping to steal the meal but it looked very suspicious! #birds

The winter thrushes are returning! Yesterday I saw nice flocks of redwings (koperwiek) and, in these photographs, fieldfares (kramsvogel) looking for food. We only get these birds in winter and they nicely fill the gap left by the departure of many breeding birds. #birds #vogels

The Cetti's warbler (Cetti's zanger) is heard far more often than it is seen, but this one was the most cooperative one I ever encountered. It sat in full view for over three minutes (!), mostly at ease with one leg pulled up, occasionally performing its famous call. #birds

Close-up of a red knot (kanoet) halfway through moulting to its winter plumage. Its belly is still orange, while its head is already turning grey. It was foraging at high tide on Schiermonnikoog. #birds

A dunlin (bonte strandloper) foraging for food, undeterred by the waves breaking on the shore of Schiermonnikoog. #birds

A dunlin (bonte strandloper) foraging for food, undeterred by the waves breaking on the shore of Schiermonnikoog. #birds

Stormy today, but with moments of great beauty.

That bar-tailed godwit (rosse grutto) from the previous post has been hanging around a little longer. Got some nice action shots when it was spooked by a dog. The bird was fine, it returned shortly after to a very successful feeding ground. #birds

This bar-tailed godwit (rosse grutto) was in the area over the weekend, foraging along the shore of a nearby lake, rather than along the coast, where it is usually found here. I took up position and eventually it wandered right up to me. Very nice to get such a good look! #birds