Do you want to go bird watching? Dijksman of the Vogelbescherming has a number of tips. “To start with, binoculars and a good bird guide make it much easier.”
There are also various apps to help (novice) bird watchers. “My Bird Finder tells you where you can see which birds. Suppose you want to go for a walk in Wijk bij Duurstede, then you can see in that app where you can best go to spot birds. And if you would like to see a kingfisher, for example, then you can find in the app where you need to be.”
Prefer to stay close to home? “In My Bird Garden you can see which birds live near you and what you can do to make them happy. That can be very simple, such as setting up a water dish or planting a berry bush.”
Those who want to increase the chance of seeing many birds can join an excursion. “If you go with someone who knows a lot about birds, you will see that you learn a lot more. Good bird watchers hear a bird before they see it. They recognize all those sounds and know: I have to look there to see that green woodpecker . There are many excursions that are free.”
At the moment, bird watching will be a bit more difficult than in spring or autumn. Dijksman: “It is now a somewhat quieter period, birds are preparing for migration or are moulting. But there is always something to see. And in September, it’s great if you don’t see them.