Terschelling island wheatears helped by horses

This is a video of a male northern wheatear.

In the Netherlands, generally speaking, things are going badly for northern wheatears. Nesting pairs have declined about 90% since the 1970s. See also here.

Warden Joeri on Terschelling reports that his island is an exception to this.

Since the 1970s, wheatear nest numbers on Terschelling have nearly doubled. In 1942, there were at least 45 nesting couples; about 15% of the whole Netherlands.

A major factor in this good news seems to be horses grazing in the Terschelling dunes. This means more and more varied flowers; so, more insects on which wheatears feed. More open, sandy patches also means more rabbits. Northern wheatears nest in rabbit holes.

Terschelling nature in 2013: here.

Vlieland wheatears: here.

Grazing animals on Texel: here.

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