PARLEVLIET J (2003) Breeding birds in The Netherlands in the 20th century. LIMOSA 76 (4): 141-156.

Changes in the Dutch avifauna are discussed by comparing results of the two breeding bird atlas projects (mid-1970s and late1990s) with literature sources for the early part of the 20th century. The number of bird species breeding regularly (annually or almost so) in The Netherlands increased from 150 to 190 between 1901 and 2000 (tab.3). Seven species disappeared (tab. 2). Two of these returned later in the century. Forty-seven new species established themselves as regularly breeding birds. The increase in species breeding regularly in The Netherlands started already in the later part of the 19th century. The increase accelerated after 1960. Of 62 regularly breeding birds the number of breeding pairs increased considerably, while of 47 such species the numbers decreased considerably. Thirty-three species bred irregularly in the 20th century (tab. 5). From 1901 to 1960 there were 11 such species; in the second period the number was 32. If the regularly breeding species and the irregular breeding species are taken together about 170 species of breeding birds occurred in the period between 1901 and 1960. This number increased to about 220 for the period 1960 to 2000, an increase of nearly 30%. Eighteen species were observed to breed once or twice in the 20th century (tab 6). Of the 246 bird species that were observed to breed at least once, 27 were non-native species introduced by man. Of these, nine established themselves as regularly breeding birds.
      Both the number of breeding species and the number of breeding pairs increased. Both are important criteria for the quality of the natural environment and it indicates that the quality of nature in The Netherlands improved. This is considered the result of the great and continued efforts delivered by the many organisations, which aim at protecting, restoring or developing healthy nature.

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