HOLLAND
Winter and Summer tours

Holland is blessed with superb all-year-round birdwatching, and although only a short distance from Britain, its breeding and migratory birds include many that are rare in the UK. This year we are offering a choice of itineraries: our two tours in winter concentrate on the vast flocks of geese and other wildfowl which are present on the marshes and wetlands, together with an impressive array of wintering raptors. Our summer trip begins with the superb island of Texel which can be alive with migrant waders and terns, before moving on to the polders, lagoons and marshes of Flevoland which are teeming with Avocets, Spoonbills and Black Terns.

Winter Tours:
Wednesday 16th to Sunday 20th January, 2002
Wednesday 27th November to Sunday 1st December, 2002

Morning flight from London to Amsterdam and transfer to our comfortable hotel at Emmeloord. En route we may see flocks of White-fronted & Greylag Geese; Whooper & Bewick Swans are quite possible, and large rafts of duck could include Smew and Goosander as well as hordes of Pochard and Tufted Duck. On Day 2 we shall explore the superb reserve of Oostvaardersplassen, where the lagoons attract vast numbers of wildfowl, as well as elusive Great Bittern, Water Rail and Bearded Tit. Avocet, Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit may be present, whilst Hen & Marsh Harriers keep a sharp watch from above. In the fields there should be flocks of Golden Plovers, and hopefully Rough-legged Buzzards; coastal lagoons may hold Smew and Goosander. Overnights - Flevoland.

We visit Friesland, an excellent area for Barnacle & White-fronted Geese, and there should be a chance to see Brent & Bean Geese. Raptors could also feature well, with Hen & Marsh Harriers and maybe a Peregrine. Along the coast there are good areas for waders: Grey Plovers, Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers and perhaps Knot and Sanderling. Woodland areas, amongst them Hoge Veluwe, may reveal Willow & Crested Tits, Short-toed Treecreeper and Firecrest. Overnights - Flevoland.

Morning birding in Flevoland before returning to Amsterdam for the flight back to London.

Summer tour:
Wednesday 7th to Sunday 11th August, 2002

Our summer trip begins with the superb island of Texel which can be alive with migrant waders and terns, before moving on to the polders, lagoons and marshes of Flevoland which are teeming with Avocets, Spoonbills and Black Terns.

Depart London by scheduled flight to Amsterdam. On arrival we drive to Texel, the largest of the Friesian islands, watching for waders and terns en route. During our two-night stay on the superb birding island, we shall have a chance to enjoy its splendid wildlife; possible species include Black-necked Grebe, Spoonbill, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Short-eared Owl, Crested Lark and numerous migrant waders. Overnights - Texel.

On the morning of Day 3 we travel to Harderwijk in Flevoland. Here we shall explore areas of woodland, lagoons and marshes, looking for Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Goshawk, Avocet, Little Gull, Black Woodpecker, Bluethroat, Crested & Bearded Tits. There could be vast numbers of Black Terns, and good numbers of Little Stints, Wood Sandpipers and Curlew Sandpipers. Overnights - Flevoland.

After a morning‘s birdwatching in Flevoland, we transfer to Schiphol Airport for the return flight.

Leaders: Ralph & Brenda Todd

Maxmimum Group: 14 plus 2 Leaders

Cost: £685

Deposit: £100

Single Room Supp: £80

Includes: KLM tourist class scheduled return flight (London-Amsterdam-London), accommodation based on twin occupancy, all meals, ground transportation and services of Leaders.

Excludes: Travel insurance, drinks and items of a personal nature.

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