Dwingelderveld National Park

Birds

Dwingelderveld National Park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with a wide variety of species thriving in its heathlands, forests, and wetlands. The park is particularly important for ground-nesting birds and migratory species.

Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
This large wader, known for its long, down-curved bill, is often found in the park’s wet grasslands and heathlands. Its distinctive call is a signature sound of the landscape.

European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)
A master of camouflage, the nightjar is a nocturnal bird that blends perfectly with the heathland. It feeds on moths and insects, using its wide mouth to catch prey in midair.

Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor)
A striking bird with a black eye mask and a hooked beak, the great grey shrike is known for impaling its prey on thorns or barbed wire to store for later consumption.

Common Crane (Grus grus)
One of the most iconic birds of the park, cranes are often seen during migration, stopping at Dwingelderveld’s wetlands. Their elegant display dances and trumpeting calls are a spectacular sight in spring.

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
This bird of prey glides low over the heathlands in search of small mammals and birds. Males have striking gray plumage, while females are brown with a distinctive white rump.

Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)
The largest woodpecker in Europe, this bird is easily recognized by its jet-black feathers and red crown. It creates large nesting holes in trees, which later become homes for other species.

Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
A fast-flying falcon that preys on dragonflies and small birds, the Eurasian hobby is often seen darting over the park’s open areas during summer.

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)
This colorful songbird is known for its striking blue throat patch. It thrives in the park’s wetland edges, where it sings its melodious song during the breeding season.

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
A small migratory bird that breeds in Dwingelderveld’s open landscapes, the wheatear is recognized by its black-and-white tail pattern and energetic foraging behavior.

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)
A common species of heathlands and grasslands, the meadow pipit is often seen performing its fluttering display flight. It serves as an important prey species for raptors in the park.

Dwingelderveld National Park’s rich biodiversity makes it a unique and important conservation area, providing a safe haven for many species of mammals, reptiles, and birds.

Popular

Dwingelderveld National Park, located in the Netherlands, is the largest wet heathland in Western Europe. This unique landscape is home to a variety of wildlife, including large grazing mammals, small mammals, and reptiles. The park’s diverse habitats, ranging from heathlands and forests to wetlands, provide a home for many fascinating species.

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
The largest land mammal in the Netherlands, red deer can be found in the forests surrounding the heathlands. These majestic animals are known for their impressive antlers, which males use during the rutting season to compete for mates.

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)
Smaller than the red deer, roe deer are commonly spotted in the park’s woodlands and open fields. They are agile and can quickly dart through dense vegetation when threatened.

European Badger (Meles meles)
This nocturnal mammal is known for its black-and-white striped face. Badgers live in complex burrow systems called setts and are mainly active at night, foraging for worms, insects, and small mammals.

European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
A common but often elusive species, hedgehogs are well adapted to the park’s heathlands and forests. They use their spines for protection and primarily feed on insects and small invertebrates.

Common European Adder (Vipera berus)
The only venomous snake in the Netherlands, the adder thrives in Dwingelderveld’s heathlands. It has a distinctive zigzag pattern along its back and is generally non-aggressive toward humans.

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)
A non-venomous snake that prefers the park’s wetter areas, the grass snake is an excellent swimmer and primarily preys on amphibians and small fish.

European Otter (Lutra lutra)
Once nearly extinct in the Netherlands, the otter has made a comeback in wetlands and streams within the park. This semi-aquatic mammal is known for its playful behavior and expert swimming skills.

Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
Occasionally seen in Dwingelderveld, wild boars are powerful animals that use their tusks to dig for roots, tubers, and insects. They play a key role in maintaining the park’s ecosystem by disturbing the soil.

Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
This small, tree-dwelling rodent is easily recognizable by its reddish fur and bushy tail. Red squirrels are often spotted in the park’s forests, where they feed on nuts, seeds, and fungi.

West European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
A vital part of the park’s ecosystem, these nocturnal insectivores help control insect populations. Their ability to roll into a spiny ball protects them from predators.

Birds

Dwingelderveld National Park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with a wide variety of species thriving in its heathlands, forests, and wetlands. The park is particularly important for ground-nesting birds and migratory species.

Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
This large wader, known for its long, down-curved bill, is often found in the park’s wet grasslands and heathlands. Its distinctive call is a signature sound of the landscape.

European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)
A master of camouflage, the nightjar is a nocturnal bird that blends perfectly with the heathland. It feeds on moths and insects, using its wide mouth to catch prey in midair.

Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor)
A striking bird with a black eye mask and a hooked beak, the great grey shrike is known for impaling its prey on thorns or barbed wire to store for later consumption.

Common Crane (Grus grus)
One of the most iconic birds of the park, cranes are often seen during migration, stopping at Dwingelderveld’s wetlands. Their elegant display dances and trumpeting calls are a spectacular sight in spring.

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
This bird of prey glides low over the heathlands in search of small mammals and birds. Males have striking gray plumage, while females are brown with a distinctive white rump.

Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)
The largest woodpecker in Europe, this bird is easily recognized by its jet-black feathers and red crown. It creates large nesting holes in trees, which later become homes for other species.

Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
A fast-flying falcon that preys on dragonflies and small birds, the Eurasian hobby is often seen darting over the park’s open areas during summer.

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)
This colorful songbird is known for its striking blue throat patch. It thrives in the park’s wetland edges, where it sings its melodious song during the breeding season.

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
A small migratory bird that breeds in Dwingelderveld’s open landscapes, the wheatear is recognized by its black-and-white tail pattern and energetic foraging behavior.

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)
A common species of heathlands and grasslands, the meadow pipit is often seen performing its fluttering display flight. It serves as an important prey species for raptors in the park.

Dwingelderveld National Park’s rich biodiversity makes it a unique and important conservation area, providing a safe haven for many species of mammals, reptiles, and birds.