Belgium may not be the very first country that comes to thoughts after you think of bird watching tours. But despite the fact that this charming little country has a lot stronger associations with its medieval history and its production of delicious chocolate, in addition, it has a fascinating array of avian life that makes bird watching tours to Belgium a great option.

Birds on the Belgium Coast

The coastal area of Belgium is possibly one of several finest places to spot the migratory birds that come right here in winter. The flat plains that border Holland, known as the Uitkerke Polders, coupled using the Zwin Nature Reserve, offer ideal circumstances for the 30,000 Pink-Footed Geese, at the same time because the Great White-Fronted Geese that come to winter here. Interestingly, the Zwin Nature Reserve when connected the North Sea with Bruges, and it was only when a storm broke through the Flemish coast in 1134 that the present tidal channel was formed. This tidal channel opened up a host of trading possibilities for Bruges and, consequently, the city flourished. Today it is actually unusable, however, due to the silting which has dammed up the waterway, however it continues to be a haven for birds, like Red-breasted Geese, Hen Harriers and Short-eared Owls in particular, and lots of stunning salt resistant flora at the same time.

Outdoors the wetland location, in the surrounding low-lying fields and meadows, sightings of Snow Buntings and Lapland Buntings both make an intriguing addition to bird watching tours.

Birding within the South

The southern a part of Belgium, the Ardennes, provides the birding enthusiast a lot more opportunities to obtain the binoculars out within the hopes of sighting some of the extra uncommon avian species. The spectacular countryside on the south contrasts substantially together with the much more industrial north, and those who pay a visit to are greeted with beautiful undulating hillsides, forests, and lush valleys which can be conducive to the habitation of quite a few species. Bird watching tours often take in a few of the lovely rivers and streams within the area, which includes the Ourthe and the Semois; right here birders may well expect to become graced by the presence of Raven, Black Storks and Dippers.

The Ardennes opens up a complete globe of fascinating nature watching possibilities, and the woodlands are house to Woodpeckers and also the elusive Eagle Owl that can often be sighted here. Ever heard the unique contact of the Grey-headed Woodpecker? In Hertogenwald visitors can be treated to an instance with the magical call before continuing on to Hautes Fagnes, an location of substantial open moorlands regularly interspersed with spruce forests. Birders can anticipate sightings of your Crested Tit, the Nutcracker and probably even the Black Grouse right here.

Bird watching tours in Belgium offer a lot of opportunities for the avid birdwatcher; they could also commit time exploring the excellent city of Bruges, a highlight on a trip to the nation.