Birding in the Netherlands and Belgium

[scaup]

My husband and i are going on a small holiday to the Netherlands and Belgium, to visit family and take a barge ride.
We want to do some birding in the Amsterdam and Brugge area.
I have heard that you can see white-tailed eagles close to Amsterdam !

We are looking for tips and maybe a local bird guide to show us around for 1 day in the Netherlands and 1 day in Belgium ?
 :?:  
anyone been there to share info.

[inge]

Hi Scaup,

When you are in Amsterdam and you love birding, than you don't want to miss the Oostvaardersplassen. A marsh- and wetland reserve close to Amsterdam.
More info about the Oostvaardersplassen: http://www.birdsnetherlands.nl/ovp.htm

This is the place where the White-Tailed Eagle is breeding.

This year there is one young, it is almost on the wings. Take a look at the webcam of the nest:
http://www.birdsnetherlands.nl/webcamwhitetailedeagle.htm
You can go by yourself if you have a rental car, but you have to know the right places to find the birds.
Or you can hire a guide. http://www.birdsnetherlands.nl/


In Brugge, go to nature reserve het Zwin close by. This is a nature reserve in the dunes close to the sea. There is a bird park and a white stork breeding program.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zwin
There is also a nice butterfly centre.
http://www.vlindertuin-knokke.be/


I don't know if there are any local guides there.