De Alde Feanen National Park

Birds

De Alde Feanen National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with its vast reed beds, open water, and marshes attracting a rich variety of bird species. Many of these birds are year-round residents, while others migrate through the area. Here are some of the most notable bird species in the park:

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
One of the largest birds of prey in Europe, the white-tailed eagle has an impressive wingspan of up to 2.4 meters. It hunts fish and waterfowl and is often seen soaring above the park’s lakes.

Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
This elegant wading bird is easily recognizable by its long, spoon-shaped bill, which it uses to sift through shallow water for small fish and crustaceans.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)
A striking white heron, the great egret is a frequent visitor to the park’s wetlands. It hunts by standing motionless in shallow water before striking at fish with its sharp beak.

Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)
A migratory species, the black tern breeds in the park’s marshes during summer. It has a distinctive black body and gray wings and is often seen hovering over water in search of insects and small fish.

Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)
A secretive and well-camouflaged bird, the bittern hides among reed beds. Its deep, booming call is often heard before the bird itself is spotted.

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
This brightly colored bird, with its blue and orange plumage, is a favorite among birdwatchers. It perches near water, diving swiftly to catch fish with its sharp beak.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser)
A common sight in the park, greylag geese are large waterfowl that migrate in impressive V-shaped formations. They graze on wetland vegetation and are known for their loud, honking calls.

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
A bird of prey that hunts over reed beds and marshes, the marsh harrier has a graceful flight pattern and preys on small birds and mammals.

Bearded Reedling (Panurus biarmicus)
This small songbird is a characteristic species of the park’s reed beds. Males have a distinctive black mustache-like marking, and the species feeds mainly on insects and reed seeds.

Common Crane (Grus grus)
A tall and elegant bird, the common crane is known for its elaborate courtship dances and loud, trumpeting calls. It stops in the park during migration, resting and foraging in wetlands.

De Alde Feanen National Park provides a sanctuary for an incredible variety of wildlife, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and birdwatchers alike.

Popular

De Alde Feanen National Park, located in Friesland, Netherlands, is a stunning wetland area consisting of lakes, reedlands, and peat bogs. This diverse landscape provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including mammals, amphibians, and fish. Below are some of the more popular species found in this park:

Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)
A top predator in the park, the Eurasian otter thrives in the wetlands of De Alde Feanen. With its webbed feet and sleek body, this semi-aquatic mammal is an expert swimmer, hunting fish and amphibians in the park’s waterways.

European Polecat (Mustela putorius)
A nocturnal carnivore, the European polecat is often spotted near water, hunting small rodents, amphibians, and birds. It has a distinctive dark brown coat with lighter facial markings and plays an important role in controlling small mammal populations.

Western European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
This spiny mammal is commonly found in the park’s more forested areas. The hedgehog is nocturnal and feeds on insects, worms, and small amphibians. It is known for its defensive behavior of curling into a ball when threatened.

European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)
One of the larger mammals in the park, the European roe deer roams the woodlands and grasslands. It is easily recognized by its reddish-brown coat in summer and its small antlers. The deer are most active at dawn and dusk.

Common European Frog (Rana temporaria)
This amphibian thrives in the park’s marshy areas and is an important part of the ecosystem. It is known for its ability to survive cold temperatures by hibernating in mud during the winter.

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)
A non-venomous snake, the grass snake is often seen near water hunting frogs and fish. It has an olive-green body with a characteristic yellow or white collar behind its head. When threatened, it plays dead to deter predators.

Northern Pike (Esox lucius)
A key predator in the park’s waters, the northern pike is a large fish with an elongated body and sharp teeth. It is an ambush predator, preying on smaller fish and amphibians.

Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber)
Reintroduced to the Netherlands, the Eurasian beaver plays a vital role in shaping wetland environments. Its dam-building behavior creates important habitats for many other species.

European Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
This migratory fish spends part of its life in fresh water before traveling to the Sargasso Sea to spawn. Due to habitat loss and overfishing, the European eel population has declined, making conservation efforts crucial.

Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus)
Unlike rabbits, hares do not burrow and instead rely on speed to escape predators. Found in the park’s open meadows, brown hares are known for their powerful hind legs and impressive bursts of speed.

Birds

De Alde Feanen National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with its vast reed beds, open water, and marshes attracting a rich variety of bird species. Many of these birds are year-round residents, while others migrate through the area. Here are some of the most notable bird species in the park:

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
One of the largest birds of prey in Europe, the white-tailed eagle has an impressive wingspan of up to 2.4 meters. It hunts fish and waterfowl and is often seen soaring above the park’s lakes.

Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
This elegant wading bird is easily recognizable by its long, spoon-shaped bill, which it uses to sift through shallow water for small fish and crustaceans.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)
A striking white heron, the great egret is a frequent visitor to the park’s wetlands. It hunts by standing motionless in shallow water before striking at fish with its sharp beak.

Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)
A migratory species, the black tern breeds in the park’s marshes during summer. It has a distinctive black body and gray wings and is often seen hovering over water in search of insects and small fish.

Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)
A secretive and well-camouflaged bird, the bittern hides among reed beds. Its deep, booming call is often heard before the bird itself is spotted.

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
This brightly colored bird, with its blue and orange plumage, is a favorite among birdwatchers. It perches near water, diving swiftly to catch fish with its sharp beak.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser)
A common sight in the park, greylag geese are large waterfowl that migrate in impressive V-shaped formations. They graze on wetland vegetation and are known for their loud, honking calls.

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
A bird of prey that hunts over reed beds and marshes, the marsh harrier has a graceful flight pattern and preys on small birds and mammals.

Bearded Reedling (Panurus biarmicus)
This small songbird is a characteristic species of the park’s reed beds. Males have a distinctive black mustache-like marking, and the species feeds mainly on insects and reed seeds.

Common Crane (Grus grus)
A tall and elegant bird, the common crane is known for its elaborate courtship dances and loud, trumpeting calls. It stops in the park during migration, resting and foraging in wetlands.

De Alde Feanen National Park provides a sanctuary for an incredible variety of wildlife, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and birdwatchers alike.