Five thousand kilometres by Sander Dreschler

Early May is a special time of year for many birdwatchers. The Dutch countryside comes to life and the distinctive calls of meadow birds can be heard everywhere. This photograph captures a group of black-tailed godwits as they settle in a nature reserve close to home. A typical Dutch scene, but behind this seemingly ordinary event lies an impressive story.

Before these birds arrive here, they have travelled some 5,000 kilometres from their wintering grounds in West Africa. After months away from home, they return to the Dutch polders and grasslands to breed. The Netherlands plays a unique role in this: a large proportion of the world’s black-tailed godwit population chooses our country as its breeding ground. This makes the black-tailed godwit not only our national bird, but also a symbol of the Dutch landscape.

What makes this photograph special is the dynamism of the group. The birds fly in a loose formation low over the water and the reeds, ready to alight. Their long beaks, streamlined silhouettes and warm orange breast plumage stand out beautifully against the natural hues of spring. The image captures a fleeting moment in a journey spanning thousands of kilometres.

For lovers of nature, birds and the Dutch countryside, this photograph tells a story of endurance, homecoming and a connection with the landscape. A reminder that some of the most remarkable visitors to our polders have undertaken one of the longest journeys in the bird world.