Guides
Where and when can you see wild animals? Our guides give you the best places, the best months and how to watch without disturbing, country by country.
Go to: The Netherlands · Belgium · Germany · France · Spain · Extras
The Netherlands
Seals on the Wadden Islands
Every seal trip by island, from Texel to Schiermonnikoog.
Oyster picking in Zeeland
The rules, the best spots along the Oosterschelde and when to go.
Wildlife hides on the Veluwe
Every place to watch red deer and wild boar, free or guided.
White-tailed eagle watching
The largest bird of prey in the Netherlands: the best places and months, from the Oostvaardersplassen to the Biesbosch.
Goose watching
More than two million geese winter here. Where and when to see the largest flocks.
Seal spotting in Zeeland
Every shore viewpoint and seal-watching trip, from Schouwen to Breskens.
Seal spotting
Where and when to see seals in the Wadden Sea and Zeeland.
The red deer rut on the Veluwe
Where and when to hear the stags roar: the best places, times and tips.
Wildlife on the Veluwe
The Veluwe’s big six: which animals you can see, where and when.
The wolf in the Netherlands
Where it lives, how to recognise it and what to do if you meet one.
Buying game from a poulterer
Which game to buy, when it’s in season and what to ask.
Seasonal calendar for the Netherlands · All animals in the Netherlands
Belgium
The red deer rut in the Ardennes
Where and when to hear the stags roar in the Belgian Ardennes, and which forests are closed in autumn.
Wildlife in the High Fens
Blue moor frogs, basking adders and the rare black grouse on the raised bog, season by season.
Seals on the Belgian coast
Ostend, Nieuwpoort and the Zwin.
Horseback shrimp fishing
UNESCO heritage in Oostduinkerke.
Seasonal calendar for Belgium · All animals in Belgium
Germany
Crane watching in Germany
Hundreds of thousands rest here every autumn. The best places, from Diepholz to Rügen.
Wildlife in Berchtesgaden
Bearded vultures, chamois and marmots in the only national park in the German Alps.
Helgoland
Seal pups on the Düne and gannets on the cliffs.
Eifel National Park
Red deer, wildcats and the Wildnis-Trail.
Seasonal calendar for Germany · All animals in Germany
France
Vultures in the Gorges de la Jonte
Dozens of vultures over the gorges of the Causses, and with luck all four species.
Flamingos in the Camargue
The best places, the winter courtship displays and how to watch without disturbing.
Cranes at Lac du Der
Tens of thousands of cranes in Champagne.
Oysters in Cancale
The oyster market and beds of Brittany.
Seasonal calendar for France · All animals in France
Spain
Brown bears in Asturias
The best viewpoints in Somiedo, the best months and how to watch without disturbing.
Seeing the Iberian lynx
Where and when to see Europe’s rarest cat, in the Sierra de Andújar.
Vultures and birds in Monfragüe
Cinereous vultures, griffons and imperial eagles from viewpoints right by the road.
Whales and dolphins at Tarifa
Orcas, sperm whales and pilot whales.
Doñana
Flamingos, lynx and waterbirds.
Seasonal calendar for Spain · All animals in Spain
Extras
The holidays with game and fish
What is in season in December, and what to see in nature over the holidays.
Seasonal calendar
What to see and eat each month, from the rut and nesting season to mussel season.
Kitchen
Venison steak
Hot and fast, with a red wine and juniper sauce.
Roe deer stew
Slow-braised with red wine and mushrooms.
Wild boar stew
With dark beer, mustard and gingerbread.
