Wadden Bird Festival raises €100k for conservation

Almost €24,000 was raised for bird conservation at this year's Wadden Bird Festival, which took place on the Dutch island of Texel over the weekend of 11-12 May.

The festival, which has been running since 2016, has now raised more than €100,000 for conservation projects since its inception. Each year it supports a specific project, with this year's focus being coastal breeding birds. Texel's tern colonies have been badly affected by avian influenza in recent summers.

One of the main features of the Wadden Bird Festival is the Texel Big Day. A record 16 teams competed this year, partaking in a 24-hour bird race, either on foot or by bike, around the island on Saturday 11th. No fewer than 186 species were seen by all competing teams during the day, with the winning team scoring an impressive 149 species. The team to raise the most funds was The Hopsters, contributing €5,356 to the cause. Some of the bird highlights observed included Great Spotted Cuckoo, Pallid Harrier and Red-footed Falcon.

The Wadden Bird Festival 2024 raised almost €24,000 for bird conservation (Wadden Bird Festival).

The festival, which caters for holidaymakers and nature lovers as well as experienced birders, had plenty to offer over the weekend. More than 20 birding excursions ran at bird-rich nature reserves across the island and members of the public were shown Texel's birds with the help of optics by volunteers at several viewpoints. There was also a range of lectures, nature activities and stands for people to explore at the Texel Birdfair. In total, between 2,500 and 3,000 people attended the festival.

Texel is a large island situated off the Dutch coast. It boasts a high diversity of habitats which in turn support a wide variety of breeding and migratory birds. These include special breeders such as Black-tailed Godwit and White-spotted Bluethroat, huge numbers of waders on the mudflats and a regular supply of exciting rarities. Read more about Texel in the May 2024 issue of Birdwatch magazine.

The Wadden Bird Festival will take place on 10-11 May 2025. All are welcome to visit the festival and take part in the Texel Big Day – though it is important to register for the race in advance.

Birders visiting Texel for the festival were able to enjoy a fantastic variety of birds during a weekend of great weather (Wadden Bird Festival).