Birding Hotspots

[StuartDH]

Where are the best places in the world to go birding? Either for the sheer volume of birds, rare species or a great variety of birds?

[balkantrek]

For the birds of prey enthusiast, the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains are hard to beat with, I believe, 37 species of birds prey having been recorded in the region making it probably the top raptor watching location in Europe.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by balkantrek

For the birds of prey enthusiast, the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains are hard to beat with, I believe, 37 species of birds prey having been recorded in the region making it probably the top raptor watching location in Europe.

Wow!37 sounds impressive, I get excited when I see a buzzard! I didn't even realise there were so many types of birds of prey in Europe - let alone could be spotted in one area . Sounds great if raptors are your thing .

[frostfire]

In Holland, Zeeland (province on the south coast) and the Waddeneilanden (the islands of the north coast of Holland and Germany) are really good for birdwatching. Both areas have loads of different types of waterfowl, waders, seabirds etc. In Zeeland there are also quite a few types of birds of prey, including ospreys and falcons.
If you don't mind getting a bit muddy and looking ridiculous, 'wadlopen' (wad walking) is a really good way to see the fascinating Wadden area. Guides take people out over the exposed sea bed of the Waddenzee in low tide to see the unique fauna and flora which the Wadden provides:

Wadloopcentrum Fryslân - Waddling
(English)

I did it last autumn with school and really enjoyed it, eventhough it ended up as one masive mudfight (well... we were schoolkids) it was one of the most fascinating landscapes I've been in.