The air is busy. About 100,000 birds in the city are going to build nests and breed. We ask Amsterdammers to leave breeding birds alone and perhaps help them out. What can you do? Which special birds breed in our city?
The breeding season lasts until October 1. Most birds breed from mid-March through July. Some birds breed early, like the heron and the tawny owl. Other birds breed later, like the hobby that only starts at the end of May. Some birds may breed 2 or 3 times in a row.
Swifts return from Africa
Most birds make a new nest each year. Other birds return to the same nest. Site-faithful birds include the house sparrow and the swift. The swift is truly an urban bird. It needs just a small hole or gap in a wall or under the roof to breed. Every year, swifts fly from Africa to Amsterdam in April, about 6,000 kilometers. They stay for 3 months and then return.
Amsterdam keeps track of all permanent breeding sites for swifts, sparrows, and starlings. Nests that are not yet on the map can be reported.
Breeding Birds
Nests and eggs are protected throughout the breeding period, from the first twig until the last chick flies out. This is determined by the Environmental Act. A resident may not remove or disturb a nest, even if they want to cut down or prune a tree. Therefore, check carefully for a nest when you are pruning or doing construction. Please also leave a coots nest on your boat alone. And be careful with barbecuing near a nest.
Watch Your Pets
If you have a nest around your house and the chicks are about to fledge, pay extra attention to your cat. It is especially good if your cat wears a bell or collar. Dogs may not run loose in certain areas during the breeding season.
Do not take young birds from a nest, and do not pick them up if they have fallen. Often the parents wait nearby until you leave.
Want to Help the Birds?
If you have a garden or balcony, you can help the birds. For example, by hanging food balls and nest boxes, and providing water when its dry. Or plant a berry bush and create a messy corner in the garden with lots of leaves. Insects will come to that, which is good for the birds.
Many Birdwatchers
In Amsterdam, there are more and more bird lovers who care for the birds and take them in. The Bird Working Group Amsterdam is also very active. In the city parks, there are now more unusual birds to discover than before, such as the stork, the kingfisher, and the tawny owl. And everywhere we see the blue herons. And we have a truly Amsterdam bird, the large alexandrine parakeet, recognizable by its strong beak and red shoulder patch.
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Photo at the top: Alphons Nieuwenhuis