We’re constantly amazed here — not just with our eyes, but with our ears too! The variety of birds is unbelievable, and many of them we had never or only rarely seen before.
Life here is hard work, but honestly, being distracted by so many beautiful bird calls is a real pleasure. Our Merlin Bird App is working overtime! Let me share a few highlights:
- The Golden Oriole: I first noticed it because of its stunning song — it instantly reminded me of a childhood tune. Once you’ve really heard it, you start hearing it everywhere. This beautiful yellow-and-black songbird is rare in the Netherlands. We hear it in the bushes next to the old tobacco barn. Well… we hear it, but we never see it.
- Cirl Bunting: a rare bird in the Netherlands. I got curious when I heard a unique sound repeating itself over and over. It lives in hedgerows and thickets — and luckily, we have plenty of those!
- Red Kite: when you see it soaring, it’s definitely a wow moment! An impressive bird, and its forked tail makes it impossible to mistake for a buzzard. It really stands out, with its 1.60m wingspan.
- Hoopoe: I was half expecting it after hearing something new the day before, and then it actually perched nicely! Wooden utility poles are everywhere here, after all. What a beautiful bird to see!
- Nightingale: another songbird with a truly wonderful voice. It does occur in the Netherlands, but it’s not abundant. In folklore, the nightingale announces the arrival of spring — it’s the bird of May, and above all the bird of love, which has inspired poets and composers for centuries.
There are still so many more to mention… but for now, we’ll just keep listening.
Have a lovely day,
Marjolein
