IVN Bird Walk: Wintering Birds at the Bleeke Heide

In summer, many birds come to the Netherlands to breed. The cuckoo is a well-known example. Once summer really arrives, it has often already left again. Most summer visitors do stay in the Netherlands for longer. But when the days grow shorter and there is less food, they too fly south. Even so, there are plenty of birds to see in winter. You can also come across robins in the cold, sometimes even in the snow. This may be a robin from Scandinavia, spending the winter here. Many geese also come to the Netherlands from the north or east to overwinter here. Redwings and fieldfares are mainly seen during the darker months. Buzzards and kestrels can be found in the Netherlands all year round. Bleeke Heide used to be a wet, nutrient-poor heathland area with many pools. Because of the abundance of water and flooding, the area was difficult to use for agriculture. In the nineteenth century, the heathland was drained and planted with trees. Around 1900, the woodland was felled and the land was levelled for fields and meadows. In the 1990s, the province of Noord-Brabant designated Bleeke Heide as an area for geese and meadow birds. Some of the pools were excavated again. The spoil was used to restore the former differences in elevation. The area is now an important place for migratory birds in winter, including waders, ducks and geese. From the birdwatching viewpoint, there is a lovely view across the area.

Anyone who would like to learn more about birds and nature is welcome to join the walk. Registration for the walk is required and is possible up to and including the day of the walk. After registering, you will receive information about the meeting point.