Schiermonnikoog National Park

Birds

Schiermonnikoog National Park is one of the most important birdwatching destinations in the Netherlands. As part of the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park provides crucial breeding, resting, and feeding grounds for numerous bird species. Below are some of the most popular birds found in the park.

Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
This elegant white wader, with its distinctive spoon-shaped bill, is a highlight for birdwatchers. It forages in shallow waters, sweeping its bill from side to side to catch small fish and invertebrates.

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)
One of the many migratory geese that visit Schiermonnikoog, the barnacle goose arrives in large flocks from Arctic breeding grounds. Recognizable by its black and white plumage, it feeds on grasses and coastal vegetation.

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
This large sea duck is known for its striking appearance and soft down feathers. Common eiders breed along the coast, and their thick plumage helps them withstand the harsh North Sea environment.

Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
A striking wader with black-and-white plumage and an upturned bill, the pied avocet is a common sight in the park’s shallow wetlands. It feeds by sweeping its bill through the water to capture small invertebrates.

Red Knot (Calidris canutus)
A long-distance migratory bird, the red knot stops at Schiermonnikoog during its incredible journey between the Arctic and Africa. It is known for its changing plumage, turning reddish in summer and grayish in winter.

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)
Easily recognized by its black-and-white body, long red bill, and loud calls, the Eurasian oystercatcher is a prominent species along the park’s mudflats and beaches. It feeds primarily on shellfish and worms.

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)
With its large size, white body, and striking yellow head, the northern gannet is a spectacular seabird that can be seen diving into the North Sea at high speeds to catch fish.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Once a rare sight in the Netherlands, the great egret is now a regular visitor to Schiermonnikoog. This large white heron is an expert hunter, stalking fish and amphibians in shallow waters.

Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)
One of the smallest terns, this agile seabird nests on the sandy shores of Schiermonnikoog. It is known for its graceful flight and sharp dives into the water to catch small fish.

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
A striking bird of prey, the hen harrier is often seen gliding low over the dunes and grasslands in search of small mammals and birds. Males have a distinctive gray plumage, while females are brown with a characteristic white rump.

Schiermonnikoog National Park offers an exceptional environment for wildlife enthusiasts, whether they are observing seals basking on the sandbanks or spotting rare migratory birds in the wetlands.

Popular

Schiermonnikoog National Park, located on the smallest inhabited Wadden Island of the Netherlands, is a haven for diverse wildlife. This unique coastal ecosystem consists of beaches, dunes, salt marshes, mudflats, and freshwater ponds, making it an ideal habitat for various animal species. Below are some of the more popular species that inhabit this park.

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)
One of the most iconic marine mammals of the Wadden Sea, the harbor seal can often be spotted resting on the sandbanks at low tide. These seals have a distinctive rounded head and spotted coat, and they feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans in the shallow waters.

Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Larger than the harbor seal, the grey seal is another common sight around Schiermonnikoog. Recognizable by its elongated snout and large size, this species thrives in the North Sea and uses the sandbanks for breeding and molting.

European Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
A fascinating migratory fish, the European eel inhabits the park’s brackish waters and ditches. This critically endangered species undertakes an epic journey to the Sargasso Sea to spawn before returning to European waters.

Common Frog (Rana temporaria)
Thriving in the freshwater marshes and ditches of Schiermonnikoog, the common frog plays an important role in the local ecosystem. It is well adapted to the changing climate conditions of the island and is a key prey species for birds and mammals.

Common Toad (Bufo bufo)
Often found in damp areas, the common toad is another important amphibian in the park. With its dry, warty skin and slow-moving nature, it uses camouflage to avoid predators while feeding on insects, worms, and small invertebrates.

European Hare (Lepus europaeus)
The open grasslands and dunes of Schiermonnikoog provide an ideal habitat for the European hare. These fast-moving mammals are easily recognizable by their large ears and strong hind legs, which allow them to evade predators with remarkable speed.

West European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
A nocturnal mammal, the West European hedgehog is a frequent visitor to the island’s meadows and gardens. With its spiny coat, it is well protected from predators while foraging for insects, worms, and small vertebrates.

Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)
Once nearly extinct in the Netherlands, the Eurasian otter has made a comeback in the region. This semi-aquatic mammal thrives in the park’s wetlands and freshwater habitats, where it preys on fish, amphibians, and crustaceans.

Stoat (Mustela erminea)
The stoat is a small but fierce predator that roams the island’s dunes and grasslands. Easily recognized by its slender body and black-tipped tail, this carnivore preys on rodents, birds, and insects.

Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis)
Found in the dry dune areas, the sand lizard is a reptile that benefits from the park’s varied terrain. Males develop a striking green coloration during the breeding season, making them one of the more colorful reptile species in the region.

Birds

Schiermonnikoog National Park is one of the most important birdwatching destinations in the Netherlands. As part of the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park provides crucial breeding, resting, and feeding grounds for numerous bird species. Below are some of the most popular birds found in the park.

Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
This elegant white wader, with its distinctive spoon-shaped bill, is a highlight for birdwatchers. It forages in shallow waters, sweeping its bill from side to side to catch small fish and invertebrates.

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)
One of the many migratory geese that visit Schiermonnikoog, the barnacle goose arrives in large flocks from Arctic breeding grounds. Recognizable by its black and white plumage, it feeds on grasses and coastal vegetation.

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
This large sea duck is known for its striking appearance and soft down feathers. Common eiders breed along the coast, and their thick plumage helps them withstand the harsh North Sea environment.

Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
A striking wader with black-and-white plumage and an upturned bill, the pied avocet is a common sight in the park’s shallow wetlands. It feeds by sweeping its bill through the water to capture small invertebrates.

Red Knot (Calidris canutus)
A long-distance migratory bird, the red knot stops at Schiermonnikoog during its incredible journey between the Arctic and Africa. It is known for its changing plumage, turning reddish in summer and grayish in winter.

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)
Easily recognized by its black-and-white body, long red bill, and loud calls, the Eurasian oystercatcher is a prominent species along the park’s mudflats and beaches. It feeds primarily on shellfish and worms.

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)
With its large size, white body, and striking yellow head, the northern gannet is a spectacular seabird that can be seen diving into the North Sea at high speeds to catch fish.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Once a rare sight in the Netherlands, the great egret is now a regular visitor to Schiermonnikoog. This large white heron is an expert hunter, stalking fish and amphibians in shallow waters.

Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)
One of the smallest terns, this agile seabird nests on the sandy shores of Schiermonnikoog. It is known for its graceful flight and sharp dives into the water to catch small fish.

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
A striking bird of prey, the hen harrier is often seen gliding low over the dunes and grasslands in search of small mammals and birds. Males have a distinctive gray plumage, while females are brown with a characteristic white rump.

Schiermonnikoog National Park offers an exceptional environment for wildlife enthusiasts, whether they are observing seals basking on the sandbanks or spotting rare migratory birds in the wetlands.