On www.birdingplaces.eu you can find more than 5,000 bird watching areas in Europe, which have been described in detail by birders from all over Europe. And every day new areas are added. But what are the best places to visit? With the new Birdingplaces Top 100 pages you can tackle this problem. You can view the 100 most popular birdwatching areas in Europe, and you can also select by country. What do bird watchers think are the 100 most appealing birding areas in for example Spain, Germany, France, Sweden, the United Kingdom or The Netherlands?
Users of www.birdingplaces.eu can rate the birdwatching areas on the website if they have visited them. The ratings range from 1 to 5 stars. The more stars and the more often rated, the higher a bird watching area ranks. The Top 100 is dynamic and changes every day, because new ratings are immediately added to the list. Are you missing any of your favourite birding areas from the list or do you think an area deserves a higher listing? Look up the area on the map of Birdingplaces and rate the area yourself!
Europe’s Top 10
It’s interesting to see what kind of areas are the most popular. One thing immediately stands out: wetlands and bird migration hotspots rank high. These are the 10 areas bird watchers have rated the highest in Europe (as of 19-12-2022).
- Farne Islands: One of the most exciting seabird colonies in England with unrivalled views of seabirds, including 43,000 pairs of Puffins.
- S’Albufera de Mallorca: Magnificent birding spot on the Spanish island of Mallorca. One of the best places in Europe to see Moustached Warbler, Red-knobbed Coot and Marbled Teal.
- Falsterbo: This famous point on the southern tip of Sweden is one of the best places in Europe to see bird migration in september and october.
- Oostvaardersplassen: Huge and amazing Dutch wetland with reeds, water, marshes, rough grassy plains, large groups of red deer and wild horses and lots of birds.
- RSPB Minsmere: A superb mix of the richest lowland habitats in England, including reedbed, coastal lagoons, heathland and deciduous woodland. With excellent visitor facilities.
- De Slufter: Unique inland tidal salt marsh on the Dutch Wadden Sea island of Texel. It provides a safe haven for breeding or wintering birds and is high tide resting spot.
- Helgoland: German island that is famous for its seabird colonies and even more for the rarities that can show up here, especially songbirds. 430 bird species are recorded here.
- Réserve Ornithologique du Teich: Nature reserve of 120 hectares in France designed to welcome wild birds and allow them to be observed by the public. Crammed with great bird hides.
- EVOA: The Tagus Estuary Birdwatching Area in Portugal is one of the 10 most important wetlands in Europe, specially due to the thousands of migratory birds.
- Llanos de Cáceres: Large steppe area in Spain between the cities of Cáceres and Trujillo. Fantastic area where almost all of the spectacular steppe birds can be observed.
View the Top 100
Do you want to see the entire Top 100 of Europe? Then go to www.birdingplaces.eu, and click on ‘Birdingplaces Top 100’ in the menu. You can also select the Top 100 by country. Note: to view the top 100 lists you have to be logged in. Creating an account is free.
Add an area yourself
More than 5,000 bird watching areas are already described on www.birdingplaces.eu. With all the details you need to watch birds there. The website is made by and for birders and supported by Leica. Do you miss an area and know an undescribed gem? Add it! Just click on ‘Add a Birdingplace’ on the homepage and you can start.