At the Wildlife Sanctuary in Krommenie, now that the breeding season is in full swing, it is very busy. Every day unlucky birds are brought in and are lovingly cared for by the volunteers. Once in a while the birds are released en masse. That also happened yesterday in the dune area near Wijk aan Zee.
“It’s really great to see them enjoying their freedom,” volunteer Michelle van der Wal from Krommenie beams as she directs a dozen ducks towards the water. “We took very good care of them last Monday and if they end up in a nice place, that’s the icing on the cake.”
It’s for the Wildlife shelter Krommenie the busiest time of the year. There are now 700 animals in the shelter. A total of 6500 animals have already been brought in this year. In addition to birds, these are also hedgehogs and hares. “The aviaries are full,” says caretaker Nina Schouten. “When the birds have recovered, we release them as soon as possible so that we have some space again.”
Rings
To be able to follow the birds, they get a ring around their leg before they leave. The rings provide information about how old the birds get, where they migrate and how good the chances of survival are. “It’s great to contribute to scientific research as a volunteer,” says Tijs van den Berg. “And you’re working outside, that’s nice too.”
It is also time for heron Sjakie to move. His parents had made a nest near the highway near Alkmaar and he fell out there. “He was brought here and he is now ready for freedom. We have a ditch in his enclosure that is also connected to the large ditch, so that he can really hunt for fish himself.”
Sjakie is a heron with a mind of his own, he didn’t let himself be caught without a fight as can be seen in the video below