The Spectacled Eider that attracted a lot of attention on Texel last winter is back. Not in the Wadden Sea, but at Ecomare. The bird has been taxidermied and will be given a place in the museum's permanent collection.

From Wadden Sea to Ecomare

In early January 2025, the Spectacled Eider was spotted on the east side of Texel. That was remarkable: the species is native to the Arctic region and had not previously been seen in the Netherlands. Birdwatchers from home and abroad came to Texel specifically to view the duck. Later, it turned out the bird was severely weakened. On December 28, it was picked up by Ecomare, where it was cared for.

Back in the collection

After an initial recovery period, the Spectacled Eider moved to wildlife rescue center De Wulp in The Hague. Consideration was already being given to the return of the Spectacled Eider to the wild, until the animal suddenly stopped eating and developed a worm infection. Sadly, it died at the rescue center. Taxidermist Chris Walen taxidermied the bird. The Spectacled Eider is now back on Texel, in a display case at Ecomare. This way, the story of this rare vagrant remains visible to visitors.

Spectacled Eider Day at Ecomare

On July 23, Ecomare is organizing a special Spectacled Eider Day. You wil then learn more about the bird's rehabilitation, about Spectacled Eiders in the wild, and about the eiders that do belong in the Netherlands.

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