Experience the breath-taking scenes of watching large flocks of Barnacle Geese and White-fronted Geese coming in to feed on the wetlands and fields.

Binoculars are strongly encouraged, as well as a scope if possible. Cameras are greatly encouraged!

The week includes breakfast and evening meals, lunch is not provided but we will make stops.
Drinks are excluded.
There may be some long days and some early starts.
Suitable for children, and can be adapted for those with disabilities.

Overview:

Day One: Travel from London St Pancras Station, we meet at the station and embark on the Eurostar to Rotterdam. We will then spend time settling into our hotel before an afternoon excursion to a local wetland before settling in for our evening meal together.

Day Two: On our first full day of birding, we visit Zeeland looking for waterbirds such as Slavonian Grebes, Divers and Mergansers. After lunch, we will look along the coasts and nearby pools looking for our primary targets; geese and ducks. Here we will be looking for Barnacle Geese, Pintail, Goldeneye, Eider and Bean Geese.

Day Three: Today we put the wonder in wonderful by visiting the Oostvardersplassen reserve renowned for its wildfowl and waders. Taking a route around the nature reserve itself, we will use the hides as well as access paths to observe geese such as White-fronted, Barnacle and Bean Geese, we will also be keeping eyes out for Smew, Gulls, Goldeneye as well as birds of prey such as Hen Harriers, Goshawk and Peregrine.

Day Four: We take a slight break from wildfowl to instead look for woodland species including Woodpeckers, Finches and Buntings. We begin our search at Dodoweg and nearby woodland areas to look for Crossbill, Black Woodpecker, Shrikes and Thrushes, after lunch we will look at nearby pools and woodlands for other species before making our way back to the hotel.

Day Five: Back on track with Geese, we will search the pools and wetland fields at Strijen and Freisland looking for large flocks of geese which can include delights such as Black Brant, Lesser White-fronted Geese and other rarities but are predominantly made up of Dark-bellied Brent Geese, White-fronted Geese, Barnacle Geese and also looking for ducks such as Scaup, Smew, and waders.

Day Six: On our final day, we visit a local pool before returning to Rotterdam Station for our return to St. Pancras.

Price per person:
£1,350

Max group size:
6

Upcoming dates:
➪ 27th February – 4th March 2023

Tour Leaders

What’s Included:
– Accommodation at  
– Breakfast and evening meals
– Expert guidance from an experience and knowledgeable guide
– Comfortable travel to and from all of our sites
– Entrance to all nature reserves and restricted areas
What’s Not Included:
– Drinks during evening meals
– Lunches
– Insurance and other items of a personal nature