Experience nature outdoors!
Experiencing nature can be done in different ways. Some do it through watching nature series on TV or at the cinema, while others find their backyard beautiful enough. But as a forester, I can say that you only really get sucked into nature when you really experience it.
With your shoes in the mud or bare feet in the sand or grass. Feeling the wind and sun on your skin makes it real. It happens outside! On Ameland, nature is right around the corner. Just outside the villages you are soon in the middle of nature. There are many beautiful footpaths and routes on Ameland, but one of my favourite is the yellow walking route in the Lange Duinen Noord. A stop at the bird-watching hut is a must.
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Peering over the pond
Around the pond at Lange Duinen Noord, springtime is lovely. Birds make themselves heard again frequently. They play their most beautiful melodies to impress their partners. The reed belt around the lake changes from a brownish-grey edge to a fresh-green one during this period. There is so much to see and hear that it is definitely worth stopping there for a while. A prime spot to do so is the bird-watching hut by the lake next to the Finnegat trail.
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Crowds around the lake
The crowds around the lake increase more and more during the season. First some geese and ducks, later the number of bird species increases. In this respect, the birds really are comparable to visitors to Ameland. As soon as the conditions get better, the number also increases. So apparently Ameland is a top location!
In the beginning, the vegetation does not provide enough shelter and then the birds are even more visible. But once the greenery comes through, the birds seem to disappear. But nothing could be further from the truth. On the puddle, they slave away before taking their partners to the shelter of the greenery where they start working on their future. For there they do not tolerate prying eyes. Although some do it more conspicuously than others.
Strange appearance
Besides being visible, the sounds also betray the birds. The mysterious ‘humming’ of the bittern is certainly one of the most distinctive sounds. As late as the end of March, the first humming sounds can be heard, as if someone is blowing on an empty beer bottle. A handsome birder if you manage to spot the animal. Its plumage actually features a projection of a reed belt, yellow-brown with black and whitish stripes.
The bittern is heard more often than seen, and when it does show itself, it is an unusual sight. It seems to have lost its proportions. With a long sharp bill, a long thick neck, a rather large body and underneath a pair of long stilts, the animal has a size of about 75 cm, so it cannot be called a little one.
Sidenote: this trail follows the weather
The yellow walking route is currently easy to walk. But as is often the case on an island: after heavy rain, parts can get muddy or waterlogged. Something to keep in mind if you’re leaving the boots behind.
When dry, the trail leads you through an area buzzing with birds. Cormorants, spoonbills, reed buntings and bluethroats show themselves and sing their songs. You’ll notice the shift from wet dune valleys to open dunes and the Green Beach.
As the season moves on, irises, thistles and orchids bloom along the path. A colourful welcome for those who look closely. For birdwatchers and nature lovers, this area is a gem – especially when the elements play along.
Marjan Veenendaal, forest ranger Staatsbosbeheer Ameland, February 2024