Category Archives: Europe

New Dutch Bird Survey

by Amy Posted on 28 February 2007

Because of a lack of information on city birds in the Netherlands, bird survey organization SOVON plans to conduct a study on the birds that live in urban areas. The survey, known as MUS (Dutch word for Sparrow) will begin in spring 2007.

The Dutch partner of BirdLife International, Vogelbescherming, will conduct the survey in partnership with SOVON.

The groups plan to focus their study on sparrows and swallows, two types of birds that live primarily in urban environments.

Everyone is invited to participate. There will be three survey periods over the year. The first period will be between 1 and 30 April, with volunteers requested to count birds in the morning hours. The second survey period is 15 May until 15 June, again in the morning hours. During the third survey period, 15 June to 15 July, volunteers are asked to count birds in the evening.

Information on joining the survey, which is done without any paperwork (entirely online), can be found at www.sovon.nl (in Dutch).

Source: Een nieuw telproject voor stadsvogels: MUS

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White-tailed Eagles ‘Invading’ Holland

by Amy Posted on 22 February 2007

In the past weeks birdwatchers have noted White-tailed Eagles in the areas of Drenthe and Groningen in the Netherlands. The sightings have mostly occurred by bodies of water. Natuurmonumenten hopes that the recent sightings mean more breeding pairs can be found in Holland this season.

The White-tailed Eagle is the largest bird of prey in North Europe. The wingspan ranges from 230 to 265 centimeters. They typically live close to water and may cover distances of 30 to 40 kilometers per day in search of food. Above open water they hunt for food which includes fish, geese and ducks.

There is a good chance to see a White-tailed Eagle from the bird hide in the Frisian Veen, accessible from the Natuurmonumenten property Vennebroek on Hoofdweg in Paterswolde.

Source: ZEEARENDEN ONTDEKKEN DRENTS-GRONINGSE NATUURGEBIEDEN

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Dutch Bohemian Waxwing Survey

by Amy Posted on 16 February 2007

Last year there was a lot of talk in the Netherlands about a Bohemian Waxwing ‘invasion’. A survey conducted by the organization Waarneming.nl was a huge success as groups and individuals contributed to the survey in large numbers all over the country.

So far the number of Waxwings counted in the Netherlands this year has not been as great as last year. With fewer birds there is less talk and the annual survey is expected to have fewer participants.

In the last two weeks the number of Bohemian Waxwing sightings has increased throughout the country. The numbers are not considered an ‘invasion’ on the scale seen last year. Waxwing sightings in general have increased over the past five years but last year was remarkable with a huge number of sightings.

However with the increasing trend over the years Waarneming.nl will organize another survey, taking place 17-18 Feburary. Everyone is welcome to participate and report their Waxwing sightings on the website.

Source: Nationale pestvogeltelling

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Kingfisher Sightings In Holland

by Amy Posted on 14 February 2007

In January at least 400 people reported seeing a Kingfisher in the Netherlands. Reports came from all over the country, though fewer birds were sighted in the drier north central provinces, such as Drenthe.

January 2007 in the Netherlands was as one of the warmest on record. Successive gentle winters and minimal frost periods have led to an increase in the Kingfisher population in the Netherlands. In the 1990’s between 125 and 250 breeding pairs were thought to live in Holland. In recent years this has grown to more than 600 pairs.

Most Dutch Kingfishers choose to breed on the sandy grounds in eastern Noord Brabant, Limburg and vicinity, along dunes or riverbeds. However the birds have been spotted in more urban areas. Sightings in residential gardens have also been reported, with the Kingfishers showing interest in private goldfish ponds as hunting grounds!

Source: Zeker vierhonderd mensen spotten ijsvogel

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Rare Birds Stolen From Dutch Raptor Center

by Amy Posted on 10 February 2007

Last week six rare birds were stolen from the Stonehenge Wildlife raptor center in Schoonrewoerd, the Netherlands. The birds, five Palm-nut Vultures and one Black-chested Buzzard-eagle, were extremely valuable.

The theft was discovered last Wednesday; the police were informed on Thursday. The culprits broke into the center by forcing a door. Cages were broken open to snatch the birds.

Stonehenge Wildlife has been open since July, but part of the complex is still under construction. According to the group, the thieves were experienced with the bird market. They did not take the most valuable birds from the complex; rather the stolen birds were not protected under Cites, an international agreement to reduce trade in certain threatened birds. They will be easier to resell.

Source: Zeldzame roofvogels gestolen

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Venice Wants Pigeons Out

by Amy Posted on 9 February 2007

Venice is getting serious about ridding St. Mark’s Square of pigeons. The stands selling pigeon food to tourists are gone. And anyone caught feeding pigeons on the square now faces a €500 fine.

A spokesperson from the city says that pigeon excrement is a hygienic catastrophe. Marble architectural fittings in the square are also damaged from repeated blasts of pigeon poop.

One of the most popular tourist activities in Venice has been posing with the pigeons in the square. But the problem has been known for a long time. Ten years ago a proposal was introduced to use birth control methods on the birds to reduce the population.

Source: Venetië is duiven moe

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Eurasian Sparrow-hawk Threatens Sparrows

by Amy Posted on 2 February 2007

The Eurasian Sparrow-hawk has settled in Amsterdam, and this has been bad news for House Sparrows. Ten years ago the sparrow population in Amsterdam was 40,000 birds. Today the number has fallen to around 5400, in large part due to the sparrow-hawks.

Eurasian Sparrow-hawks in Amsterdam find House Sparrows a tasty meal.

Researchers have been keeping track of the sparrow population in Amsterdam for the past two years. The hawks favor the sparrows over other similar birds, like Blue and Great Tits, because the sparrows tend to congregate in the same places over time and they tend to travel in groups. This makes them easier for the Sparrow-hawks to hunt.

Researchers recognized that one hawk could be responsible for up to 400 sparrow deaths in a season. Sparrow-hawks in turn are threatened by hawks in Dutch forests. Many have fled to the cities to feast on sparrows and avoid capture themselves.

The sparrow has been recognized as a threatened species in the Netherlands since 2004.

Source: Sperwer bedreigt huismus

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Meadow Birds Declining In Holland

by Amy Posted on 31 January 2007

The number of meadow birds in the Netherlands continues to decrease. Birds like Godwits and Lapwings are found less and less in the wet areas of Holland. Swans and geese, on the other hand, are doing very well.

The figures were published last week by Wetlands International. According to the foundation, the situation in the Netherlands is worrisome, but not as grave as in other parts of the world. The decline of meadow birds is occurring in more places, but a definitive cause is not known. Without knowing the cause of the decline, the group has difficulty proposing solutions.

It is possible that an increased use of pesticides has decimated the insect population enough to affect the bird population. Geese and swans live on grass and other vegetation, which thrives when pesticides are used.

Globally the numbers of water fowl are not as promising. The global waterfowl population has decreased 44% in the last five years. The situation is especially grim in Asia, where the number of protected areas is declining. Fowl numbers there have decreased by two-thirds.

Sources:
Weidevogels lijden, zwanen en ganzen profiteren
World’s waterbirds in decline, study warns

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Posted in Endangered, Europe, Netherlands | Leave a comment

Lost Hornbill Found In Belgium

by Amy Posted on 30 January 2007

An animal protection agency in Belgium has found a lost hornbill in the city of Deurne last weekend. Experts believe the bird was brought to Europe during storms which brought strong winds to the region earlier this month.

It is probable that an aviary was damaged during the storms and the bird was able to escape. Since it is illegal to keep this type of bird captive in Europe, tracing the original owner will be difficult if not impossible.

It is expected that the Dutch Hornbill Foundation will bring the bird back to a natural habitat. Hornbills typically live in Africa south of the Sahara and throughout Asia.

Source: Neushoornvogels de weg kwijt

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Posted in Europe, Offbeat | Leave a comment