Bird watching in NP Lauwersmeer
See them fly on the border between fresh and salt
Special nature attracts special guests. And we especially mean the enormous variety of seabirds, shorebirds, meadow birds, water birds, marsh birds, scrub birds, forest birds and birds of prey. New species are added all the time. Come and spot them, for instance from one of the bird-watching huts or observation towers.
From sea eagles to reed warblers
The arrival of the white-tailed eagle is a great compliment to the nature of National Park Lauwersmeer. Literally, because this bird is huge. At the N361 towards Lauwersoog and at the Ezumakeeg there are cut-outs of a white-tailed eagle that give you an idea what a two-metre wingspan actually means. But much more flies and breeds here. The grassy areas are favoured by plant-eating waterbirds like the barnacle goose and wigeon. Meadow birds such as lapwing, redshank and ruff also nest here. In the water, diving ducks and waders look for food. In the reed beds, rare marsh birds like the reed warbler, warbler and bluethroat breed. And as the forest ages, more and more different species live there. This in turn attracts special birds of prey.
Around Lauwersmeer
Nice, all those birds, but where can you see them? For water birds and meadow birds, head to the Bantpolder. Chances are you will see a lapwing, godwit or oystercatcher walking along the sloping banks. In winter, the Bantpolder is inhabited by thousands of wintering geese. With all those grasslands, marshes, reed beds and water plains, the Kollumerwaard is popular with greylag geese and birds of prey such as buzzards, kestrels and harriers. You may also see an egret flying or staring silently into the water. From the Ezumakeeg you can look out for the greylag, the greylag bunting, the striped sandpiper and the white-tailed eagle. Or climb the observation tower in the Ballastplaat forest.
Read more about birdwatching on the Staatsbosbeheer website and on the National Park Lauwersmeer website. Or listen to the special Bird watching podcast about the Lauwersmeer area. While listening to the podcast you can take a nice walk through the area with a special map, maybe you will spot the birds they are talking about!
