Layover Birding in Amsterdam

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Happy 2020 Fellow Birders! It’s been a while since our last post but that doesn’t mean we’ve been idle. In fact, we just arrived back in the country after a month-long adventure to the Middle East—something which will occupy at least our next four or five posts. Before we get to the Levant, however, we want to share some birds on the way—in, you guessed it, Amsterdam!

Birding Amsterdam’s Vondelpark was the perfect way to kick off our Middle East adventure!

Our flights were set up so that we got an eight-hour layover in the Netherlands, and you can bet we took advantage of it. As soon as our plane landed, we raced through immigration and customs, caught a train to Amsterdam’s Central Station and then a trolley out to what looked like our best birding opportunity, Vondelpark. As we entered the enormous urban landscape, clouds and chilly temperatures greeted us, but no rain, so we were in birding business. As fast as you can say “Common Wood-Pigeon”, our Life Lists exploded.

Rose-ringed Parakeets? In Amsterdam? Hard to believe, but yes–in abundance!

Braden and I had done our due diligence by studying eBird lists for Amsterdam prior to the trip, but we were still blown away by how many of the birds actually appeared in front of us. They included the European versions of some of America’s common birds—Eurasian Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Gray Heron, and Eurasian Magpie—but soon we also saw the more specialized residents. The first was a big surprise: European Greenfinch. These were followed by Eurasian Blackbirds, Eurasian Jackdaws, Eurasian Jays, Carrion Crows, and a prized trio of tits: Great, Blue, and Long-tailed.

But you know me. At the top of my “To See” list was the Great Spotted Woodpecker, the only possible woodpecker in the vicinity. After an hour, we still hadn’t seen one when Braden suddenly swiveled and pointed. “Woodpecker!” Unfortunately, the bird was high-tailing it away from us, but we saw it land in a tree at the far side of the park. “After it!” I shouted and we raced across the park. The lighting was terrible, but the bird stayed just long enough for some decent looks. BOO-YAH!

This Great Cormorant was a real surprise in Vondelpark.

Our birding expedition wrapped up with a look at a Eurasian Wren, a Redwing, and some great quality time with European Robins—both Braden’s and my “Bird of the Day.” Then it was off to get warm and take a quick tour of the Van Gogh Museum. No offense to the great artist, but it seemed oddly anticlimactic after the living art we’d seen in the park.

Some great hang time made the European Robin our Bird of the Day. Look for them in movies filmed in Europe!

Take a look at our complete checklist here:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S62703700

14 thoughts on “Layover Birding in Amsterdam

  1. Roger Kohn

    I’m shivering just looking at that photo of you guys. What a superb use of a long layover. So glad you got to see the Great Spotted Woodpecker! You guys are the Woodpecker Whisperers, after all. Love the robin photo.

    How you guys had the energy to bird after so much flight time and time zone change is beyond me. I am impressed. And then a museum after that. Wow, do you each have a big red S on your chests?

    Love the link to your eBird checklist. Make that a regular feature, please!

    Van Gogh is offended. After all, he painted many crows in a wheat field, and yet you still diss him!

    https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/collection/s0149V1962

    Reply
    1. admin Post author

      Actually, the day didn’t seem that cold compared to Montana, but we were still ready to warm up after two hours of birding. I actually think the birding helped us NOT have jet lag when we got to Israel, so great use of time all-round. And, well, it’s hard to dis Van Gogh. His paintings are wonderful, but in this case the birds were better!

      Reply
  2. Marie Smith

    Wonderful to read about what you saw and accomplished in Amsterdam:)) I have been there for long layovers and after your photos of these birds–wish I thought of birding!!

    Reply
    1. admin Post author

      You’ll have plenty more opportunities, Marie! I’ll give you step-by-step instructions if you need them. Probably need about six hours minimum!

      Reply
  3. Penny Collard

    Enjoyed this so much… our fine feathered friends adore you too! Your perseverance is delightful👏👏💥💥1️⃣
    Love to you both !

    Reply
  4. Jean Woessner

    What a great idea when one has a long layover! I recognize so many of these birds, from our months spent living in Austria. We (fortunately) were able to see both winter birds AND migrating birds and the summer residents. Did the blackbirds sing for you?

    Reply
    1. admin Post author

      Ha! I don’t think they did. How awesome you got to spend time there AND pay attention to birds. When I think of all those years I wasted NOT being a birder, I cringe 🙂

      Reply

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