Birds of Vlaardingen: Lapwing, White Stork and Waterbirds

Vlaardingen sits on the north bank of the Nieuwe Maas, west of Rotterdam, where town parks and canals meet open polder grassland. The author logged 16 species here, mostly birds: waterbirds such as Mute Swan, Eurasian Coot, Mallard and Great Cormorant on lakes and canals, Northern Lapwing and White Stork in wet and open fields, and crows, magpies and pigeons in the urban parks. A couple of insects, including the Marmalade Hoverfly, turned up on sunny grassy patches. All sightings came over seven days in October. Activity was spread through the day, with morning and afternoon the busiest, and a few good records at dawn. Waterbirds were mostly seen early, while the field species appeared in mid-morning and late afternoon. This is a virtual guide written by someone who has watched wildlife here, not a tour. You get the author's notes for each species and can message the author with questions about timing and habitats. Sightings are never guaranteed.