Summer not only transforms the landscape but also the way animals are visible in nature. With longer days, higher temperatures, and a peak in insect life, this is the season when you have the best chance of spotting wildlife.
From butterflies in flowery verges to roe deer at the edge of the forest: Dutch nature is teeming with life in summer, often in moments and places where you least expect it. Moreover, this period sees the emergence of several special species that are rarely or not at all visible in other seasons.
Butterflies and rare moths: summer peak in insect life
Butterflies are among the most visible summer animals. As temperatures rise, species like the brimstone, peacock butterfly, and red admiral emerge en masse to search for nectar in flower-rich areas.
What is much less known: summer is also the peak period for many moths. Species like the garden tiger moth and silver Y moth are particularly active on warm nights and appear in large numbers around lights and flowers.
This explosion of insects forms the basis for many other animals that become more active in summer.
Dragonflies: hovering hunters above water
Dragonflies are true summer animals and are often seen above ponds, lakes, and marshlands. Species like the common darter and the blue hawker only appear as adult insects in the warmer months.
Their larvae live underwater for years, but as adults, they are only visible for a short time. Therefore, summer is the only time you can observe their fast, hovering hunting behavior.
Stag beetles and other summer beetles
One of the most remarkable summer appearances is the stag beetle, the largest beetle in the Netherlands. This species is primarily seen in old deciduous forests during warm summer evenings, where males search for sap flows and mates.
June bugs and other large beetle species also emerge from the ground or wood in summer. Outside this period, they live for years as hidden larvae in wood, sometimes deep within old trees or stumps.
Swallows and swifts: summer aerial hunters
Swallows and swifts are true summer birds in the Netherlands. They return from Africa in spring and depart again in late summer.
Swifts, in particular, are striking: they largely eat, drink, and sleep in the air and land almost exclusively to breed. Their presence is entirely dependent on the abundance of insects in summer.
Roe deer, foxes, and young animals
Roe deer and foxes are present year-round, but in summer, they are more frequently visible as young animals explore their surroundings. This leads to more movement at forest edges, open fields, and quiet nature reserves.
Especially in the early morning and evening, these animals are more easily observed than in other seasons.
Hares, rabbits, and summer behavior
Hares and rabbits are more active in open landscapes such as meadows, dunes, and fields during summer. Hares, in particular, exhibit striking behaviors during this period, such as boxing and chases, which are part of their breeding season.
Fireflies and other rare light-emitting insects
On warm, humid summer evenings, fireflies can be observed in some parts of the Netherlands. They use light signals to find mates and are among the rarest and most magical summer sightings.
Certain click beetles and other luminous or crepuscular insects are also more visible during this period.
Badgers and bats: active nocturnal animals
Badgers are present year-round, but in summer, they are more intensely active during their foraging trips at dusk.
Bats benefit from the insect peak and are therefore much more active and visible above water, forest edges, and open fields. Some species fly deep into the night on the hunt.
Seals: resting on summer sandbanks
Seals are present along the Dutch coast year-round, but in summer, they are often easier to spot when resting on sandbanks in the Wadden Sea and along the Zeeland coast.
Due to calm conditions and longer days, they are easier to observe from boat trips and viewpoints.
Special summer species you almost only see now
Besides the well-known animals, there are also species that are truly seasonal or only briefly visible in summer:
• Stag beetle – largest beetle in the Netherlands, only active on warm summer evenings in old deciduous forests.
• June bug – appears briefly in early summer and then lives for only a few weeks as an adult.
• Garden tiger moth – striking moth particularly active on warm summer nights.
• Blue hawker – large dragonfly that only becomes visible as an adult hunter in summer.
• Swift – only present in the Netherlands in summer and almost permanently in the air.
Why summer reveals so many animals
The combination of warmth, food, and reproduction leads to a peak in animal activity. Many insects reach their adult stage, making their predators more active as well.
Additionally, the breeding season causes animals to exhibit more visible behavior, such as foraging for young or territorial behavior.
As a result, nature is not only busier but also literally more visible than in other seasons.
Did you know...
- stag beetles can grow up to 8 centimeters and live underground for years before becoming visible?
- dragonflies often complete their adult life in just a few weeks?
- swifts almost never land outside the breeding season?
- bats can eat thousands of insects in one night?
Summer is therefore not only a visual season but also the moment when many hidden animals suddenly become visible in the Dutch landscape.
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