Dunnocks in Netherlands
When the Dunnock (Prunella modularis) is present in Netherlands, when it nests, and which native Netherlands plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Netherlands
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–July
- Size
- 14 cm, 21 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect dunnocks in Netherlands
The Dunnock lives in Netherlands all year round. Mild, wet winters; hard frosts bring large movements of thrushes and finches.
Temperate maritime, flat and low-lying, with wind off the North Sea.
Nesting in Netherlands
In Netherlands the Dunnock usually nests April–July. Nest site: cup deep in hedges or shrubs. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days; chicks fledge after 11–12 days, and pairs raise 2–3 per year.
- The Dunnock does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Netherlands plants for dunnocks
Of the native plants we track for Netherlands, these 8 provide food the Dunnock uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Berries and nest sites in its tangles; moths for insect-eaters.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Feeding in the garden
Insects and small seeds picked from the ground.
- Best foods: Sunflower hearts, Suet pellets, Crushed peanuts.
- Feeders: Ground tray.
- Shuffles mouse-like under feeders; scatter food near shrub cover.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are dunnocks in Netherlands all year?
Yes — the Dunnock is resident in Netherlands all year.
When do dunnocks nest in Netherlands?
Typically April–July. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days, with 2–3 per year.
Which native plants help dunnocks in Netherlands?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Teasel, Common knapweed are native to Netherlands and provide food or cover the Dunnock uses.
Dunnocks in other countries
Other garden birds in Netherlands
Sources
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.