Wildlife spectacles in Belgium

4 spectacles through the year, ordered by when they peak. Open Belgium in the interactive calendar for the map and listening times.

• Nightjars churring on the Kalmthoutse HeideBelgium · Nocturnal · peak 1 Jun–10 JulThe dry, sustained churr of nightjars from the pine edges, rising and falling as the bird turns its head, broken by 'kwik' calls and wing-claps; woodlarks' song at dusk, natterjacks rasping from the fens; the hum of the port of Antwerp on the horizon.
• The Zwin: wader passage, ringing season and the stork colonyBelgium · Migration · peak 20 Aug–30 Sep and 15 Mar–31 JulBill-clattering of storks greeting at the nest; dunlin and redshank flocks over the salt marsh at the top of the tide; curlews; the sea behind the dunes; in autumn a steady trickle of migrating pipits and finches over the dike.
• Le brame: red deer rut in the Ardennes forestsBelgium · Rut · peak 15 Sep–5 OctStags roaring in the beech and spruce valleys of the Ardennes — long, hoarse groans answered across the ridges, antler clashes in the dark, boar grunting, tawny owls; valleys give long reverb.
• Oostkustpolders: pink-footed and white-fronted geese of the Flemish coastBelgium · Wintering waterfowl · peak 20 Nov–20 JanThe high, yelping chorus of thousands of pink-footed geese on the meadows and the roar when a flock lifts at a harrier; white-fronts' laughing calls; wigeon whistling; skylarks and lapwings in mild spells.