The Netherlands

Spring in the Netherlands offers great birding in a variety of habitats including the coast, heaths, woodlands, polders (pastures) and lakes. Although The Netherlands are densely populated, they harbour a surprisingly rich bird-life. Areas such as Waddenzee, Lauwersmeer, Hoge Veluwe and Oostvaarders Plassen are famed for the sought-after species that can be found there. May is a time when many local birds have started to breed, while migrants are still winging their way north, so the overall list will be excellent. In addition to birding, we will make special visits to Keukenhof, considered by many the greatest spring garden in the world, and Kröller-Müller Museum, with its sculpture garden and Van Gogh collection, in a stunning setting at the edge of a national park.