THE HAGUE—The capital city of the Netherlands (a.k.a. Holland) just off the coast of the North Sea has long been known as a centre of world justice. The small city in one of the smallest but proudest European countries boasts the third largest headquarters of the United Nations behind New York and Geneva. The Peace Palace hosts the World Court, while the International Tribunal on Yugoslavia has brought justice to war criminals including the infamous Slobodan Milosevic. Certainly The Hague is internationally important. But little did I know that the tiny city on the sea is also home for many interesting species of birds.
In addition to the numerous green expanses and overgrown parks for birds to call home, birdwatchers have the extra bonus of the proximity of the North Sea and the many canals that criss-cross the city, attracting sea- and fresh-water birds alike. The tram is not only one of the best ways to navigate the city, but is also a great way to see the dozens of Gray Herons which wade through and fish in the canals. These herons, used to the clatter of the trams and the passage of bicycles, barely bat an eye if you approach and watch them, unlike their Vermont cousins. Storks and herons are especially beloved to the people of the Hague, considering that it is not only the symbol of the city, but a bearer of good luck and glad tidings.
Walking along the dyke that abuts the Dutch parliament and the Mauritshuis Museum, where one can see Johannes Vermeer’s best known masterpieces, The View of Delft and Girl with a Pearl Earring, I saw a variety of water birds taking advantage of the summer sun. There were majestic Mute Swans swimming alongside Mallard Ducks as some Common Coots showed their little ones how to dive for food. All over the city, as you walk under the tree-covered passages, you can see Magpies (remember, “One sorrow, two mirth,” etc.) and tons of raucous European mini-crows, more professionally called Eurasian Jackdaws.
Walking along the dyke that abuts the Dutch parliament and the Mauritshuis Museum, where one can see Johannes Vermeer’s best known masterpieces, The View of Delft and Girl with a Pearl Earring, I saw a variety of water birds taking advantage of the summer sun. There were majestic Mute Swans swimming alongside Mallard Ducks as some Common Coots showed their little ones how to dive for food. All over the city, as you walk under the tree-covered passages, you can see Magpies (remember, “One sorrow, two mirth,” etc.) and tons of raucous European mini-crows, more professionally called Eurasian Jackdaws.
Because of the city’s nearness to the sea and the perennially-popular beach district of Scheveningen, there are also many gulls all over The Hague. The most common is the large and boisterous Herring Gull, which takes advantage of the excellent fish and, specifically, herring supply in the Netherlands.
If you venture further afield into the charming Dutch countryside, composed mainly of farms and sweeping fields of flowers and bulbs you can also expect to see a variety of birds. Little clusters of Canada Geese minding their babies mix with small flocks of white geese and Common Shelducks. Look closely and you might even see a lone Eurasian Spoonbill fishing in the canals, or at least a couple of windmills!
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of birdlife I saw whilst touring The Hague and her surrounding cities. So the next time you happen to be swinging up by the Netherlands, admittedly world-renowned for less-wholesome hobbies than bird-watching, remember to bring your binoculars and a European field guide. You never know what you might see along the canals of Holland!
Have any birding questions or queries? If so send me an e-mail at chickadee@att.net!
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