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Fall is one of the most enjoyable times of the year for birdwatchers in the Netherlands. It is a long and gradual period, roughly spanning from the last two weeks of August until early November, during which new (scarce) species can be found every few weeks. Migration picks up again, temperatures start to drop, and birding becomes fun once more. Plenty of reasons to head outside!
From my travels abroad, I regularly post updates on my website, but of course, I spend most of my time at home in the Netherlands. And of course I go out shooting here too. While the species may not always be as exotic as those abroad, there’s still plenty to see in the Netherlands. I’m particularly interested in birds, but occasionally I encounter special mammals as well. I’ve already seen a wolf, wildcat, and European otter here—and once even an orca! Recently, I also bought a macro lens to explore the world of smaller creatures. So, I thought it would be fun to post a monthly update with the photographic highlights of that month. Let’s kick off with May!
The world knows only four species of eider. These ducks are found exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere and are specialized for life at sea. The Steller’s eider is an odd one out because it’s suspected to have originated from hybridization between the common eider and the long-tailed duck. I saw this species last year on the island of Saaremaa in Estonia. I’ve also seen the king eider multiple times, most beautifully on Spitsbergen in 2016. I even had the chance to admire this stunning duck in the Netherlands. The common eider is easily found in the right places in the Netherlands, and I see this species several times a year.
