NETHERLANDS

Day 1: Saturday 9th January            London/Amsterdam/Rijs
We make short early morning flights from local regional airports to Amsterdam from where, we will head north west by comfortable minibus(es), crossing the enormous Afsluitdijk enclosing the former Zuiderzee which is now a huge shallow lake called the Ijsselmeer. The dyke is again an excellent watch-point, not only for wintering wildfowl and sea-duck but also for grebes – five species can be seen here. We will then continue on the short distance to our first accommodation at the small village of Rijs.  Hotel Jans is very conveniently placed, provides comfortable rooms and excellent cuisine. It is directly adjacent to the Rijsterbos forest and very close to the edge of the Ijsellmeer enabling easy access to both the forest and the low-lying fields and dykes.

Day 2 - 5: Sunday 14th – Tuesday 16th January            North Friesland
From Rijs we will be taking daily excursions to enjoy the best offerings of North Holland. Returning back over the Afsluitdijk towards Den Helder, will give us a second opportunity to scan for sea-duck, divers and grebes. Further along this route we will be exploring open polder country which is exceptionally rich in birdlife. Here the sea is kept at bay by a huge dyke which is an excellent vantage point for sea-watching and scanning for waders. Flocks of White-fronted, Barnacle and Greylag Geese graze the low fields against a backdrop of windmills. On other days, a network of small roads running around the coast of Friesland provides the perfect means by which we can view more vast flocks of wild geese including White-fronted, Barnacle, Pink-footed, Brent plus the occasional, Tundra Bean, Red-breasted, and if we are very lucky, Lesser White-fronted Goose. We will also take a day-trip further north to Lauwersmeer where a vast reed-fringed lagoon provides ideal wintering habitat for wild swans, wildfowl and waders. This is also very good raptor country with the possibility of Rough-legged Buzzard, Goshawk, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin and the occasional White-tailed Eagle. 

Day 6 - 8: Wednesday 17th – Friday 19th January            Flevoland/Veluwe
We say goodbye to Friesland and head south to Flevoland where we spend the next two full days exploring the fabulously bird-rich reclaimed polders and dykes of this area. Water Rail, Bittern, Bearded and Willow Tits are present along with Marsh and Hen Harriers, Peregrine, Merlin, Rough-legged Buzzard, White-tailed Eagle and Goshawk . Amongst our destinations is one of Holland’s finest reserves, the Oostvaardersplassen, on the edge of the Ijsselmeeer, where huge lagoons are separated by equally huge reedbeds. This has also been a site for breeding White-tailed Eagle in the last few years and our chances of encountering this collosal raptor are high. We will also take a look over the heathland near to the hotel which regularly holds Great Grey Shrike. We spent three nights at the Hotel de Mallejan. Nestled in extensive pine forests with heathland nearby, the hotel has a traditional feel with a high standard of cuisine. We are within easy travelling distance of Flevoland and the world famous reserve of Oostvadersplassen.

Day 9: Saturday, 20th January            Amsterdam / London 
After breakfast we will make the most of our remaining time in the conifer and beech forests near our hotel with the hope of sighting Black Woodpecker, Crested Tit and Short-toed Treecreeper. After this it will be time to head back to Schiphol for the short hop back to the UK.