Zuid Kennemerland, North Holland

[goosey]

This afternoon I went to The Zuid Kennermerland National Park, I am lucky as it is only a 10 min bike ride – but take it from me it is not easy riding in hiking boots!
The NP is primarily sand dunes, broad beaches, inland dune forests, woods, lakes and even peat polder and rare flora and fauna which goes with these conditions. It runs down the North Sea coast from Ijmuiden in the north to Zandvoort in the south. There are deer, red squirrels, sand lizards and highland cattle, wild ponies and natterjack toads around.
I wanted to see if I could find the place I found last week where there were lots of Migrant Hawkers and common Dater dragonflies and see if there were any different species. There was nothing different and numbers were well down on last week so that was a bit disappointing. I didn’t want to wander too far as I was alone and I don’t know the area very well and its so easy to get side tracked looking at something and not paying attention.
I saw three Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a tree creeper and a flock of at least 20 Long Tailed Tits though which was great.
Last week I didn’t see any birds but I was with my daughter so we were chatting and may have scarred things away. There were quite a few butterflies, mainly specked wood and small coppers, but I also noticed Large White, Red Admirals and a few moths. I didn’t see any of the bigger wildlife but it was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.
This lovely area is right on our door step and I hardly know it - something I will definitely be changing. I use to live in Cumbria - in my view the most beautiful county in England and it wasn't until I moved away I realised how wonderful it was or appreciate it - shame on me!

[stirling]

Thanks for that goosey,very interesting reading.
best from mike.

[goosey]

Thanks Stirling.
It is interesting really how we view the area in close proximity to where we live and take it for granted. When I am back in Cumbria I will go miles to see something specific and walk miles just for the fun of it and to admire and take in the scenery. I am lucky really and have the best of both worlds and should take advantage of what is here.
People tend to think of Holland as being arable and flat and lots of water(which there is). It is surprising though how steep and hilly the landscape can be in the NP, it took me by surprise on my first visit. Where it is so sandy under foot it makes it quite hard going aswell.
Since becoming interested in wildlife and nature which was only about four years ago, I have spent most of my learning and observing time just in the garden. The garden is where my interest stems from, first the birds which came to feed, then planting to attract more birds then all the insects that just came along. Having somewhere to go makes a nice change.

[paul m]

Dune systems are one of the most productive habitats for insects - should see lots of bugs and beetles as well as dragonflies.

Also, as you note, dune systems are a bit like forests - easy to get lost in because after a while it all looks the same .. or very similar.

Enjoy it ... I imagine it changes a lot with the seasons - being an inland sort of person I only see dunes in the summer!

Originally Posted by goosey

This afternoon I went to The Zuid Kennermerland National Park, I am lucky as it is only a 10 min bike ride – but take it from me it is not easy riding in hiking boots!
The NP is primarily sand dunes, broad beaches, inland dune forests, woods, lakes and even peat polder and rare flora and fauna which goes with these conditions. It runs down the North Sea coast from Ijmuiden in the north to Zandvoort in the south. There are deer, red squirrels, sand lizards and highland cattle, wild ponies and natterjack toads around.
I wanted to see if I could find the place I found last week where there were lots of Migrant Hawkers and common Dater dragonflies and see if there were any different species. There was nothing different and numbers were well down on last week so that was a bit disappointing. I didn’t want to wander too far as I was alone and I don’t know the area very well and its so easy to get side tracked looking at something and not paying attention.
I saw three Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a tree creeper and a flock of at least 20 Long Tailed Tits though which was great.
Last week I didn’t see any birds but I was with my daughter so we were chatting and may have scarred things away. There were quite a few butterflies, mainly specked wood and small coppers, but I also noticed Large White, Red Admirals and a few moths. I didn’t see any of the bigger wildlife but it was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.
This lovely area is right on our door step and I hardly know it - something I will definitely be changing. I use to live in Cumbria - in my view the most beautiful county in England and it wasn't until I moved away I realised how wonderful it was or appreciate it - shame on me!

[Guy F]

Originally Posted by goosey

This afternoon I went to The Zuid Kennermerland National Park, I am lucky as it is only a 10 min bike ride – but take it from me it is not easy riding in hiking boots!
The NP is primarily sand dunes, broad beaches, inland dune forests, woods, lakes and even peat polder and rare flora and fauna which goes with these conditions. It runs down the North Sea coast from Ijmuiden in the north to Zandvoort in the south. There are deer, red squirrels, sand lizards and highland cattle, wild ponies and natterjack toads around.
I wanted to see if I could find the place I found last week where there were lots of Migrant Hawkers and common Dater dragonflies and see if there were any different species. There was nothing different and numbers were well down on last week so that was a bit disappointing. I didn’t want to wander too far as I was alone and I don’t know the area very well and its so easy to get side tracked looking at something and not paying attention.
I saw three Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a tree creeper and a flock of at least 20 Long Tailed Tits though which was great.
Last week I didn’t see any birds but I was with my daughter so we were chatting and may have scarred things away. There were quite a few butterflies, mainly specked wood and small coppers, but I also noticed Large White, Red Admirals and a few moths. I didn’t see any of the bigger wildlife but it was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.
This lovely area is right on our door step and I hardly know it - something I will definitely be changing. I use to live in Cumbria - in my view the most beautiful county in England and it wasn't until I moved away I realised how wonderful it was or appreciate it - shame on me!

Sounds like a very interesting habitat, there can't be many places in the UK which are similar.
You might be able to find some exotic damsel or dragonflies which we don't see in Britain, sounds like a very good habitat for them!
Guy