Just a warning to you all about the current state of legislation in the Netherlands. I'm not proud of it but I do think this needs to be made more public.
AOPA Netherlands - Hoger beroep Oostvaardersplassen
I did not find an English translation, unfortunately. Here's a loose translation:
2 pilots have been found guilty of disturbing wildlife in the court of law under the "Flora and Faunawet" (wildlife act). They were flying at approx. 1450 feet over the "Oostvaardersplassen", which is a nature reserve under Natura-2000. (Natura-2000 is the result of European legislation that requires the member states to identify important wildlife areas and protect these.) The aeronautical charts for this area identify a recommended minimum altitude of 1000 feet, while class A airspace (Schiphol TMA) starts at 1500 feet.
So the pilots were completely adhering to aviation laws and best practices. Something the judge admitted. Nevertheless, he found them guilty of breaching the Flora- and Faunawet, and fined each of them 250 euros. They now also have a penal record.
The judge admitted that this is a case of conflicting laws, particularly since the Flora and Faunawet does not have a vertical limit. But this was not a reason for getting these pilots acquitted. Instead, the judge called onto the government to resolve this conflict as soon as possible. Obviously AOPA, KNVvL and a host of other organizations will appeal this decision, as this can have major consequences, not just for GA but for CAT too. (ATC normally vectors planes inbound to Schiphol at 2000 feet over this same area.)
Here's a map of all Nature reserves under Natura-2000 by the way:
Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit - Natuurwetgeving - Gebieden