Large bird population in the port of Antwerp
The Flemish nature conservation association Natuurpunt and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have completed work on the Kuifeend-Binnenweilanden nature reserve and the Opstal valley in the port of Antwerp. In recent years, the flora and fauna have increased considerably here, in particular the number of breeding and migratory birds.
You wouldn't expect it at first glance, a fascinating strip of nature right next to the nerve centre of the Antwerp port railway station. The Antwerp-North marshalling yard of the SNCB, with its 96 tracks, is enjoying an economic boom. The mosaic of ponds, marshes and polders is a particularly suitable overwintering area and an important migration and breeding spot for many water birds and songbirds.
The Kuifeend nature reserve has been managed by Natuurpunt since 1972 and has been covered by the European Birds Directive since 1988. With the support of the WWF and local partners, Natuurpunt has dug up the soil in the area to keep it sufficiently swampy throughout the year. Buffer zones and dikes are intended to minimise disturbance. Solar pumps have also been installed. This equipment, powered by the sun, will pump water from a nearby stream when the level of the ponds drops too low due to high heat and evaporation in summer.
As a birdwatcher, you will know all about cormorants, teals and widgeons, for example. But are you also familiar with the bittern or with the ruddy turnstone ? Not to mention the rarest songbird in Europe, the aquatic warbler?
If you want to spot them, you know where to go.