Are you a student studying abroad in the Netherlands? Feeling overwhelmed with the stress of this new experience? Need to step outside of your host city and explore Dutch wildlife? Then look no further than here! With An Exchange Student’s Guide to Amateur Birdwatching, just find a good viewing spot in a local park or woodland, and a pen or pencil to tick off these birds commonly spotted in the Netherlands, and you’ll soon find your worldly worries have melted far, far away. See if you can spot…
1 – The Common Kingfisher. With its plumage of brilliant blue and orange, and long beak for diving into water to catch food, if you’re near a river you’ll be able to spot one of these birds easily. Never mind that the Kingfisher is starting to inject microplastics from other rivers in Europe at an alarming rate (3). But recycling won’t actually make a difference.
2 – The Eurasian Collared Dove. A bird that is easily identified by its black collar around its neck, the dove is an international symbol of peace and unity. But don’t let this make you think about all of the conflicts going on in the world right now. And especially don’t think about how the university you’re studying at might be investing in military equipment, responsible for mass greenhouse gas emissions and habitat destruction (1, 2). Just don’t let it bother you.
3 – The Eurasian Coot. This bird can be easily identified by their small black bodies, white beak and piercing red eyes. Eurasian Coots are often found in large bodies of water, so if you’re birdwatching near a local lake or reservoir, you’re bound to see one! Unless, of course, we don’t reduce our reliance on AI. AI’s water usage estimated to reach 6.6 billion cubic metres by 2027, but one search won’t hurt. (4).
4 – The European Robin. With its iconic red chest this bird is an unmistakable symbol of winter and all things Christmas. If you spot this bird, take a moment to think about all of your happy memories in the festive season, of your family, your friends, all the warmth and laugher. And don’t let your mind go astray as you think about how once upon a time it would snow in December, but now scientists are saying snow in the UK could become a thing of the past all together. (5).
How many of these birds did you spot?
How much longer will you neglect the environment?
The four birds above represent four of the seventeen sustainability goals outlined by the United Nations. These are preserving life below water; peace, justice and strong institutions; responsible consumption and production and climate action. When studying abroad, do your part to protect your host country’s wildlife: recycle when possible, encourage responsible investment, consume consciously and remember the climate crisis.
1: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/2024/tu-delft/why-tu-delft-collaborates-with-the-defence-industry
2: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/jan/09/emission-from-war-military-gaza-ukraine-climate-change
3: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10163-x
4: https://www.forbes.com/sites/cindygordon/2024/02/25/ai-is-accelerating-the-loss-of-our-scarcest-natural-resource-water/
5: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55179603
