The ruff is an extremely rare breeding bird in the Netherlands. There are at most a few pairs in our country. Most ruffs are migratory, but can be seen for a large part of the year. They mainly breed in Scandinavia. The males mostly overwinter in Southwest Europe, while the females migrate to Senegal and Mali.
The ruff is a medium-sized wader with a relatively long neck, small head, and a fairly short, slightly downward-curved bill. They stand on long legs that range in color from orange-red to yellow-green. In spring, you can recognize the dominant males by their black, white, or orange collars and long ear tufts. The females are smaller and much less conspicuously colored. Ruffs do not make much noise.
In May, the ruff is a common passerby in Lauwersmeer National Park. They often come in groups of dozens to hundreds. You can find them mainly in marshy grasslands and muddy shores where they search for insects, snails, and worms. A good location is the Jaap Deensgat. Or try your luck at the southern part of the Ezumakeeg, where ruffs are often seen near the road in May and June. The skirmishes between these males, to impress the females, are a beautiful and unforgettable sight.
