Beautiful Belgium | Bergelen

My go-to place for birding photography

As I embarked on my journey into bird photography, I attended a lecture by the inspirational Belgian nature and wildlife photographer, Tom Linster. While I was awed by his stunning images, one key takeaway resonated with me: know where to go when the time is right. This means having a nearby location you can quickly reach when the conditions for excellent wildlife photography align, allowing you to fully leverage those perfect moments.

For me, this is the provincial domain Bergelen. Just a short 10’ drive from home, it's my go-to spot on Saturday mornings early before the girls wake up, during my lunch break or in the evening after a long day behind my desk.

Spanning 54 hectares, Bergelen was created in the early seventies on an old sand extraction pit when the E403 motorway was constructed. It features 1 bird hide there and 2 lookout walls. The bird hide overlooks the pond where a variety of waterbirds can be found year-round.

Birds I love to watch there

1. Common Kingfisher
The first time I saw a Common Kingfisher in my life was in Bergelen. I had listened to its call many times on the Merlin birding app but never had any luck until that beautiful Autumn morning late September when I visited the newly created small pond in Bergelen. And there he was!
2. Great-crested Grebe
This species is incredibly rewarding to observe and photograph. The vibrant colors, behavioral nuances, and plumage changes from juvenile to adult make them fascinating subjects. Their slightly slower movements compared to smaller birds make them more manageable for beginner photographers.
3. Long-tailed Tit
Cuteness galore these ones. First of all their shape and look are peculiar and my daughters call them "snowballs with a tail". I like their chattering nature, how they appear and disappear in groups. They are not too shy and if you give it a bit of time they come very close for a photo.
4. Eurasian Coot
At first glance, Eurasian Coots may seem plain, but those legs and feet...fascinating! They offer great opportunies to experiment with black & white colors and making certain aspects of the bird stand out.
5. European Robin
European Robins are quite territorial, especially during the breeding season.I once heard someone on a podcast describing the European Robin being a "anti-social bastard" haha. I love their melodious song as they sing all year round and are easy to recognize and find. Being curious birds with a bold character, they are not shy and often follow me around, which make them perfect models for photography.