fens and heathland Kampina Netherlands 1216 pm 250718_1173

Fens and heathlands Kampina in the Netherlands in the summer with a little wind.
Countless insects are hovering above the water. Many kind of birds are everywhere and a gentle breeze makes for a pleasant day. Occasionally, I hear sounds from animals that I cannot quite identify. High up and far away, the background hum of aeroplanes. There is a peaceful tranquillity here that I am revelling in.

About the picture
In the foreground stand several trees with tall, straight trunks. The bark is rough and grey-brown in colour.
The trees have branches with green leaves, some of which extend out over the water.
Directly behind the trees lies a pond: the Zandbergsvennen in the Kampina. The water is still and reflects parts of the trees and the sky.
In front of you is the Zandbergsvennen. The bank consists of muddy ground with a few tufts of grass and a couple of fallen branches.
On the opposite side of the pond stands a dense row of shrubs and trees, blocking the view further back.
On the left is the microphone used to make the sound recordings.
The photo was taken from the edge of the wood, with the pond partially visible between the tree trunks.

Birds detected by Merlin Bird ID app ver 3.8.2.
Birds detected by BirdNET-Analyser (GUI ver. 2.4.0 Model ver. V2.4) sensitivity 1.09.
https://birdnet.cornell.edu/api/ ; (BirdNET_GLOBAL_6K_V2.4)I cannot guarantee results.
European Goldfinch #0:16 #1:24 #1:50 #2:10 #3:58 #4:10 #4:44 #4:48 #5:20 #6:02 #6:08 #6:22 #6:36 #6:42 #6:54 #7:10 #7:30 #7:50 #8:16 #8:28 #8:50 #9”08 #9”18 #9:28 #9:50
Little Grebe #4:20 #5:26 #9:54
Crested Tit #4:30 #4:39 #5:22 #5:38 #6:12 #6:34 #8:52 #9:00 #9:24 #9:36 #9:50
Common Linnet #9:14
Common Kingfisher #4:08 #7:36 #8:30
Eurasian Nuthatch #8:22
Great Spotted Woodpecker #8:22
Log-tailed Tit #0:24 #0:28 #0:58 #5:04 #5:44 #6:46 #7:16 #7:46
Short-toed Treecreeper #1:44 #1:58 #3:00 #6:10
Barn Swallow #1:25 #2:36 #3:00 #3:22
Western Yellow Wagtail #3:06
Mallard #0:02 #6:30
Great Spotted Woodpecker #8:22

More track recorded here / All tracks around here during the years
More tracks around here on the MAP
About the Kampina area;
De Kampina is a varied nature reserve with extensive heathland, pine forests and many fens and is now part of the new Van Gogh National Park nature reserve.
Centrally, the large Kampinase Heide is adorned by numerous fens such as the Belversven; more sheltered, in the north-east corner of the area, are the Huisvennen and these Zandbergsvennen, where we are now standing, which are particularly rich in dragonfly species. Over the heathland, the call of the curlew can be heard (but not now). The heath is here and there peaty and has special species like lavender heath. Extensive (planted) pine forests lie especially on the northern and eastern sides.

As you can see in the picture, the fens have dried out tremendously. This is due to the change in weather. It rains too little in the Netherlands. We used to have to do our best to drain all the water here. Now we have to do our best to retain the water in the ground. We are going to raise the water level in ditches and canals in the area. The land will have to become wetter which will make farmers grow other crops. Hopefully then this beautiful national park will start looking better again.

Date/time: July 17, 2025, 12:16 pm

Weather: 24 ºc, clouds 90 %, E 2-11 km/h, 1015 hPa, humidity 48%, visibility 35 km, dew point 13 ºc, cloud ceiling 6.5 km

Location; Zandbergsvennen, Kampina, Van Gogh Nationaal Park, Boxtel, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands (Holland), Europe. GPS 51.57401 5.27708

Gear chain: Sennheiser mkh30/50 MS with pointed W 256 º, in Rycote cyclone small, windjammer > Sound Devices 302 >Tascam dr-100 Mk2. Noise floor 37 dBA (whisper), Decoded Mid-side to STEREO.

Original 118 minutes MS-track 96/24 available for motivated pro's and artists.

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