The Netherlands summer 2017: Grebes, Oystercatchers, Tern

More from our summer in the Netherlands 2017, as we stayed about 3 weeks and had plenty of time to go for walks. Many days I walked along the water and I was really hoping to find a mother Grebe with chicks again, but the Waterweg, the busy waterway that runs from the city of Rotterdam west wards to sea was not be a safe place for them.

Great Crested Grebe (Fuut in Dutch)

August was not the right time for displays, but seeing the birds in breeding plumage made me happy.

juvenile

Taken at a great distance, but there she is, in a small creek: Mum with babies riding on her back 

These were a common sight along the Waterweg:  Oystercatchers (Scholekster)

As well as  Common Tern (Visdief)

Holland 2016 - 1

A trip to the Netherlands in July resulted in lots of pictures of birds - many juveniles - flowers, butterflies animals and scenery. It's hard to make a choice.
At first the shores of bigger waterways, rivers and canals.

Common Terns (Sterna hirundo, Visdiefjes) on the Waterweg in Maasluis had many chicks to feed

The Waterweg leads to the entrance of Europe: The port of Rotterdam

Adult and juvenile Oyster catcher (Haematopus ostralegus, Scholekster). They seem to have increased in numbers and become less shy. I saw one walking on the road and on top of a building, :-)

Blue Chicory flowers, related to Dandelion

What are they doing here??? (At Monsanto...) 

The Netherlands are strong in their water works. Here just a small example. The impressive bridge across the river IJssel in Kampen opens up every time a river barge passes by. Though many barges are low enough to go underneath.