b

Ottersaat

Island of Texel  >  Netherlands

This former dike breach is home for many breeding birds, but also attracts numerous migrants. It is located at the beginning of the Texel Bird Boulevard.

Added* by Klaas de Jong
Most recent update 27 July 2022

Description

In winter, the Ottersaat area is occupied by many species of ducks, like Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler and geese, mainly Brent Goose, but always keep a lookout for the White-bellied (ssp. hrota) and the Black (ssp. nigricans). They can play hard to catch, but a real treat if you find one. In spring, breeding birds like Common Tern, Avocet and Black-headed Gull take over the area. If you look closely, you may find a Ruddy Turnstone. It is a stone's throw from Dijkmanshuizen, described elsewhere on this website.

_________________________

Nederlands: Ottersaat is een voormalige dijkdoorbraak waar veel vogels broeden, maar de plek trekt ook veel trekvogels. Het is gelegen aan het begin van de Texelse Vogelboulevard. In de winter wordt het Ottersaat ingenomen door vele soorten eenden, zoals Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler en ganzen, voornamelijk Brent Goose, maar let ook altijd op de Witbuikrotgans (ssp. hrota) en de Zwarte Rotgans (ssp. nigricans). Ze kunnen moeilijk te vinden zijn, maar is een mooie beloning als je er een vindt. In het voorjaar nemen broedvogels als Common Tern, Avocet en Black-headed Gull het gebied over. Als je goed kijkt, vind je misschien een Ruddy Turnstone. Het gebied ligt op een steenworp afstand van Dijkmanshuizen, dat elders op deze website is beschreven.

Details

Access

You can reach the area via the IJsdijk from Oudeschild or via the Lancasterdijk, coming from the north. There are a few parking lots on the side of the road, making sure that you aren't hit by the (often speeding, be careful!) traffic along the dike.

_________________________

Nederlands: Je kunt het gebied bereiken via de IJsdijk vanuit Oudeschild of via de Lancasterdijk vanuit het noorden. Er zijn een paar parkeerplaatsen aan de kant van de weg. Let op voor het (vaak te hard rijdende) verkeer langs de dijk.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Mud flats , Agriculture

Conditions

Flat , Open landscape , No shadow , Wet

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Paved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Brent Goose
1. Brent Goose
(Branta bernicla)
Avocet
2. Avocet
(Recurvirostra avosetta)
Bar-tailed Godwit
3. Bar-tailed Godwit
(Limosa lapponica)
Common Tern
4. Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
Eurasian Spoonbill
5. Eurasian Spoonbill
(Platalea leucorodia)

Other birds you can see here

Show more birds Show less birds
Show more images Show less images

Comments & Tips

Local guide

Discover the birds of Texel with Klaas de Jong

Island of Texel  >  Netherlands

Texel is one of the best bird watching destinations in the Netherlands. Bird watchers from all over Europe come to this Wadden Sea island to watch birds. Rare birds and vagrants are often seen on Texel and interesting birds can be observed all year round.  Klaas de Jong - one of the most reputed bird guides in the Netherlands - lives on Texel and knows the island as no other. Klaas offers full day or half day birding tours. Klaas shows you countless bird species and always searches for the most recent rarities on the island.

Handy pick-up-service

One of the great services Klaas provides, is the pick-up-service. His minibus can pick you up at your hotel or at the ferry port. A very convenient service if you only have a day to explore the island. Directly from the ferry you you can start off and from there Klaas takes you to the best birding areas of the island.

For more information about Klaas' bird tours, times and prices visit his website.

Website Klaas de Jong
Give feedback
Rate this area