6x Bird watching in the Netherlands

Just above Giethoorn is Vogelhut de Auken, from where you have a beautiful view of the adjacent water. In the middle of it is an island where different birds fly off and on at a continuous pace. Not that keen on birds? No problem! The bird hide has a map explaining all the birds. Here you can spot ibises, special geese and even spoonbills.

The path to the bird hide is one kilometre long and here, too, you will find all kinds of animals. For instance, during my visit to Birdwatching Hut de Auken, I suddenly hear something skittering away in the grass next to the path. Looking closer, I see a small snake making its way through the bushes. The longer I follow it, the more snakes I see. Relaxed sunbathing on a branch. This completes the 'wildlife experience' in the head of Overijssel.

Bird observatory TIJ in Scheelhoek nature reserve on Goeree-Overflakkee, looks like a true work of art. The design of the building was inspired by an egg of the great tern.

From TIJ you have a view of the vast Haringvliet, the delta nature and the lock system. You can also see the bird nesting islands just below you. In the breeding season, you can spot the sandwich tern, common tern and black-headed gull from TIJ. The shallow water and mud is a year-round favourite spot for ducks, herons and food-seeking waders. The white-tailed eagle is a regular guest. In short, you'll feast your eyes.

P.S. You can also see this special bird observatory featured in our promotional video for the Honeyguide App!

You may know this bird hide from many an Instagram picture. De Kiekkaaste in Groningen's Dollard area is the perfect place for a great photo and for spotting all kinds of birds.

Also special: The Kiekkaaste is the only bird-watching hut outside the dike in the Netherlands. From the hut, you have a beautiful view of the Dollard's mudflats. A good place to see hundreds of dunlin or other birds foraging on the mud. Will you stick around after sunset? This is also an ideal spot for stargazing! Read more here.

At Ooltgensplaat in South Holland, you will find a true bird boulevard consisting of four bird-watching huts and a watchtower. Willow screens ensure that the birds in the area are not disturbed when you enter the huts. Bird watching here is bound to succeed.

Vogelboulevard Hellegat-Ventjager is located in the nature reserve of Hellegats and Ventjagersplaten. Here, open water and marsh alternate with stretches of forest. Due to the unique combination of freshwater and saltwater vegetation, you will find a special collection of birds here. Will you spot the bluethroat, black-headed gull, spoonbill and osprey here? Then climb up the watchtower, because from here you have a good chance of catching a glimpse of the white-tailed eagle.

The artistic Birdwatching Cabin Diving Duck can be found at the Marker Wadden, the newest piece of Flevoland consisting of raised silt. Due to the special composition of nature, many bird species have found their home here. How about the black-headed gull, the wagtail and the pied-billed plover? All birds you can spot here just like that.

Once in the bird hide, you are at eye level with all the swimming birds. A special perspective! So in addition to bird watching, you also have a direct view of the food chain in the water here which makes this outing extra special.

Fancy a walk that combines diving duck with lookout tower Steltloper on the Marker Wadden? Then hike the Bird's eye route of over 3 kilometres with starting point the Island Pavilion.

Do you like a bit of excitement while bird-watching? Diependal bird hide in Drenthe can only be reached via a narrow, underground tunnel. This way, you end up in the middle of the area without disturbing a single bird.

Once in the bird-watching cabin, you have a beautiful view over Diependal nature reserve: home to all kinds of bird species. Prick up your ears and look around in silence, bird watching takes time. But once you spot bird species like the Yellowhammer, Goldcrest or Bald Eagle, the wait will be more than rewarded.