This Week in Wijnjewoude 2024

Week 46 The Netherlands National Bird (endangered) Junior farm minister Jean Rummenie is planning to set aside tens of millions of euros to save the black tailed godwit (limosa limosa), dubbed the Dutch national bird, whose number has been plummeting due to intensive farming methods, RTL news has reported. Rummenie, a minister on behalf of the pro-countryside BBB ( a citizen farmer political party), is currently working on a package of measures to shore up the godwit population, the broadcaster said. There are now just 25,000 breeding pairs in the country, compared with 120,000 in 1970. In August, the European Commission said the Netherlands is in breach of the European Bird Directive by failing to protect the godwit, putting it in danger of extinction. The Netherlands is of crucial importance for the survival of the bird as 80% of the black-tailed godwits in northwestern Europe come here to breed. The bird was even elected “national bird” of the Netherlands in 2015. Around the far...

Week 45 These are the latest Traffic fines  I wondered how they compare... Driving with your phone in your hand: €430 A phone holder will quickly pay for itself. Tailgating: from €380 , up to €900 (depending on distance and speed) Unnecessary driving on the left on a highway or motorway: €280 Incorrect overtaking (e.g. overtaking on the right): €310 Failure to give right of way: €310 Causing unnecessary noise (such as honking): €310 Ignore red cross: €280 Turning without indicating: €120 Ignoring overtaking ban (traffic sign): €310 Driving on a footpath: €190 Driving through a red light: €310 Stopping on the emergency lane or emergency lane without necessity: €310 Standing still on a footpath: €120 Blocking an intersection: €310 Leaving a vehicle in such a way that it could cause danger or nuisance: €190 Not wearing a seat belt: €190 Transporting children (under 12 years and shorter than 1.35 meters) without a child seat: €280 Want to know more about the rules? Check our car sea...