Boardwalk to the white-tailed eagle bird hide in the Lepelaarplassen

CC BY-SA 4.0 • Photo by Dominicus Johannes Bergsma via Wikimedia Commons

White-tailed Eagle Nesting Sites

Q: Are there any admission fees or specific opening hours for visiting the White-tailed Eagle Nesting Sites?

There are no admission fees or specific opening hours for the reserve, as it is accessible year-round. Visitors can explore the well-maintained walking and cycling routes at their own pace without any cost.

Q: What equipment is recommended for spotting the white-tailed eagles at Lepelaarplassen?

Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars to get a better view, as the eagles tend to keep a low profile. You should also settle in at one of the observation huts scattered along the cycle paths, which offer panoramic views of the wetlands.

Q: What other wildlife can visitors expect to see besides the white-tailed eagles?

The area is home to a rich variety of waterfowl and marsh birds, including great egrets, spoonbills, and bitterns. Visitors may also encounter signs of beaver activity while exploring the mosaic of ponds, reed beds, and wet grasslands.

Q: How can visitors best observe the eagles without disturbing them?

Eagles keep a low profile, so visitors should use the observation huts along the cycle paths to watch them soar or perch in distant trees. This approach allows for panoramic views while maintaining a respectful distance from the nesting sites.

Q: What is the current status of the white-tailed eagle population in this reserve?

These majestic raptors have successfully nested in the reserve for several consecutive years, demonstrating a thriving ecosystem. Last year, two eaglets hatched, marking a significant success for the species' return to the Netherlands.

White-tailed eagle nesting in Dutch wetland reserve

#1 of 5 in Lepelaarplassen

Where: Lepelaarplassen, Flevoland
Directions: Directions

The Lepelaarplassen, a wetland reserve on the edge of Almere in Flevoland, is one of the places in the Netherlands where the white-tailed eagle has made a remarkable comeback. The reserve is part of the Nieuw Land National Park, a large area of reclaimed land, marshes and lake that was designated a national park in 2018 and includes the Oostvaardersplassen nearby. The eagles are the largest birds of prey in the country, with a wingspan of well over two metres, and seeing one over the reeds is an unforgettable experience.

The story of the bird in the Netherlands is one of loss and return. White-tailed eagles once bred in the country but disappeared by the early twentieth century, victims of hunting, habitat loss and pollution. In the 2000s, after many years of absence, they began to return, and the first pair nested in the Oostvaardersplassen in 2006, the first breeding in the country for about a century. Since then, the population has grown slowly, with pairs nesting in several wetland areas of Flevoland and elsewhere, and breeding in the Lepelaarplassen and the surrounding area is part of that recovery. The birds feed mainly on fish and waterfowl, which the wetlands provide in abundance.

Seeing them takes patience. The eagles are shy, and the nests themselves are protected and kept out of sight, so visitors should not expect to look into one, and must never approach or disturb a nesting site. The best approach is to bring binoculars or a telescope, choose one of the observation huts scattered along the cycle paths and wait quietly, scanning the sky and the distant trees. Early morning and the late afternoon are the best times, and winter, when the trees are bare and the birds are more visible, can also be good. Other wildlife may reward your waiting, including great egrets, spoonbills, bitterns and, if you are lucky, signs of beavers, which have returned to the area.

The reserve is open all year and free to enter, with walking and cycling routes that are flat and well maintained. The Spoonbill Path, the Markermeer Dike Route, the Kiss Bridge and the Pirate Island Bridge are among the other features of the area, so a day can include several short walks. Almere's shops and cafes are a short ride away. Weather can change quickly on the open land, so dress in layers.

The nesting sites suit birdwatchers, photographers and nature lovers who enjoy a patient, quiet day. Keep your distance from nests and follow signs, as the birds are protected by law.