Due to the dry nature areas in Spain, among others, birds have moved on to the north. Rare birds such as the bee-eater and the black-winged stilt will be found in larger numbers than usual in the Netherlands this spring.
The birds spend the winter in Africa and after flying thousands of kilometers they arrive in southern Europe. There they breed in swamp areas. But because of the severe drought there, they find nature areas where there is hardly any water.
The southern Spanish Coto de Doñana is one of those areas. Normally it is a swamp area full of food, but now it is dry. So the birds fly on to the north. They do find nutrient-rich water in the Dutch swamp areas.
In recent weeks, for example, many rare birds have been seen in the Biesbosch, the Naardermeer and the Weerribben-Wieden. “You see stilts passing by everywhere in the Netherlands. And that is not normal,” Ronald Messemaker, forester of Natuurmonumenten in De Wieden, tells NU.nl. “A beautiful species, but it does say something about the situation in the south.”
More bee eaters and hops in our country
The bee-eater, a colorful bird that is not normally seen in the Netherlands, has also been frequently observed in recent weeks. It is a bird that lives on insects and due to the drought there are fewer in southern Europe.
Forest rangers from Natuurmonumenten have also seen more hoopoes and orpheus mockingbirds in recent weeks.
According to Messemaker, there are also more southern birds of prey flying above our country than usual. He cites the gray kite and the serpent eagle as examples.
If birds do not find a suitable nesting site, stress can arise.
Marsh birds are also spotted in places in the Netherlands where this is not common. Singing reed warblers have been heard in the Achterhoek, while this species is not normally found in the east of the country. According to Natuurmonumenten, they do not yet know their way around the Netherlands very well. The question is therefore whether they find a partner and can provide offspring.
Bird lovers are amazed, according to Messemaker. “Now you don’t have to travel to southern Europe to see certain species.” But the ranger is also concerned. “I also keep an eye on reality. When the breeding season comes and there is no suitable place, stress can arise in birds. I am concerned about that.”
Job van der Plicht is binnenlandverslaggever
Job volgt dossiers als droogte, de wolf in Nederland en de stikstofcrisis. Lees hier meer verhalen van Job.
2023-06-12 03:00:25
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