PRICE : XXXX $US for 8 people (see the price grid in our Detailed Informations page).
Tour duration : 8 days.
Tour date : January 2018.
Group size : 4-12 people with a "Tour Leader".
Tour Leader : Mathieu SIOL.
Arrival : Amsterdam.
Departure : Amsterdam.
Lodging : Hotels and lodges of "comfort" category. Hot water and electricity are available 24 hours a day.
Pace : Easy.
Possible extension : None.
Potential number of species : 100 - 150.
Photography : Good opportunities.
Included : all transportation, lodging in double rooms with private bathroom , all meals, multilingual tour leader, drinkable water.
Not included : International flight, travel insurance, visas, airport taxes, entrance fees for some sites, alcoholic beverages, tips, "single" occupation (for the price, please refer to the Detailed Informations page).
INFORMATIONS
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THE NETHERLANDS
Wintering waterfowl
The Netherlands are a small but attractive country of northern Europe and a recognized heaven for birds and particularly wintering waterfowl. Indeed every winter, it is more than 2 million geese of several species which come and spread along the coasts and polders of the country. The itinerary described here has been tailored so as to provide you with the best possible birding experience combined with very comfortable accommodations. This trip will give you the opportunity to observe many interesting species and far arctic breeders that are otherwise difficult to see.
It should be borne in mind that a large network of very active birdwatchers provide constant updates on the latest found rarities and we might slightly modify our schedule in order to twitch one of these vagrants. In recent years for example, species such as Pallas's Leaf-Warbler, Red-flanked Bluetail or Little Bunting have all been found during the winter months.
Days 1-2-3. The trip will start in Amsterdam, and we will soon be on our way to the mouth of the Zeeland river. This very important wetland hosts thousands of geese, ducks and shorebirds during the winter season. We will carefully scan the flocks of Greylag, Barnacle and Greater White-fronted Geese. We will also have a good chance of finding the rare Lesser White-fronted Goose. Along the Brouwersdam, we will see numerous species of diving ducks and Loons.
Days 4-5. Our next destination, the famous Flevoland polder, hosts two rare wintering raptors: the Rough-legged Buzzard and the massive White-tailed Eagle. We will also admire groups of Bewick's Swan and Whooper Swan, as well as the delicate Smew.
Day 6. Then time will come to drive to the frost pastures of Friesland in search of two rare geese: Red-breasted Goose and Pink-footed Goose.
Days 7-8. After scanning groups of geese and ducks for many hours, we will finish this trip in style along the shores of the Wadden Sea in one of the most fabulous birding sites in northern Europe, the famous Lauwersmeer. If chances serves us, a flock of tinkling Bohemian Waxwing might even put on an appearance.
