Bat and bird researchers active in Zeewolde neighborhoods this spring
Residents of Zeewolde Midden and Horsterveld may spot researchers surveying bats, swiftlets, and house sparrows from April to September. The findings will help protect these animals during home renovations, simplifying rules for locals.
| Key Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Research Period | April 1 – September 30, 2026 |
| Locations | Zeewolde Midden and Horsterveld neighborhoods (Zeewolde Zuid surveyed in 2025) |
| Animals Studied | Bats, swiftlets, house sparrows |
| Research Hours | 8:00 PM – 12:00 PM |
| Researcher Identification | Blue (Ecogroen) or yellow (Hunink Ecologie/Palustris) safety vests |
| Tools Used | Flashlights, binoculars, bat detectors, phones |
| Safety Contact | Police non-emergency line: 0900 8844 |
The municipality of Zeewolde is responsible for ensuring compliance with nature protection laws during urban development. This research helps balance construction activities with the preservation of protected species, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for residents.
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Read the full translated article below
Research into protected animals
Do you see someone with a flashlight near a wall or roof soon? They might be a researcher. From April 1 to the end of September, they will be investigating where bats, swiftlets, and house sparrows live in the Zeewolde Midden and Horsterveld neighborhoods. The researchers are mainly active early in the morning and at night. In Zeewolde Zuid, the same research was conducted in 2025.
Why is this research necessary?
The research shows where protected animals live. This helps us determine what measures are needed to protect these animals. This is necessary because construction work on homes, such as insulation or renovations, can disturb, scare away, or even kill these animals. That is prohibited.
With the results, we will create a Species Management Plan. This plan outlines how these animals will be protected. Residents can then carry out construction work on their homes according to the rules of this plan. As a result, additional ecological research or separate permits are often no longer required. For more information on nature-friendly insulation and renovation, visit the Natuurvriendelijk Isoleren page (Links to an external website).
How can you recognize the researchers?
The researchers:
- work between 8:00 PM and 12:00 PM
- wear blue safety vests from Ecogroen or yellow safety vests from Hunink Ecologie or Palustris
- shine flashlights on facades and into crevices, use binoculars to inspect roofs, and enter data on phones
- always stay on public roads and sidewalks
- carry a bat detector at night to capture bat sounds
- can identify themselves with a digital pass.
Do you not trust the situation? Then call the police at 0900 8844 (non-emergency). The researchers always report their work in advance to the police.
Would you like to know more?
For more information about the research, visit ecogroen.nl/voor-bewoners (Links to an external website).