Nature

Geijsel's grassland

In early spring hundreds or even thousands of Black-tailed Godwits gather on a small piece of land which is locally famous under the name of Geijsel's grassland. The birds prepare for the breeding season. This patch of land is located East off the village of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel (close to Amsterdam). Every year, the landowner inundates his land to make it a safe haven for the birds who forage or find a place to spend the night there. On Saturday 25th March 2006 I spent the day there photographing the birds of this small wetland along the motorway.

A (Northern) Pintail (Anas acuta) resting

A Garganey (Anas querquedula) between a Common Teal (l) and Wigeon

Male Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)

A male Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) has just finished washing himself

This photograph can be downloaded as a wallpaper (on your PC).

A pair of Black-headed Gulls (Larus ridibundus) busy courting

A Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) stretches its wings

A pair of Common Teal (Anas crecca, male in the front, female in the background)

A group of resting Curlews, some of which have their beak hidden in their feathers

A pair of Black-tailed Godwits (Limosa limosa) prepares for the mating ritual

Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)