Kalmthoutse Heide Nature Reserve (Kalmthout Heath) Belgium
This is one of the best-known reserves in the part of north-east Belgium known as the Campine, a large area of heaths, plantations and woodlands with scattered marshes and lakes. Kalmthoutse lies in the west of this region, north of Antwerp on the Belgian-Dutch border.
Inland, mobile sand-dunes, heaths and pinewoods and small lakes make up the habitats. More than 100 bird species have been recorded breeding including Northern Hobby, European Nightjar, Long-eared Owl and Black Woodpecker. Western Honey-Buzzard, Wood Lark and Bluethroat also breed. In the wetter areas there are Black-necked Grebe, Spotted Crake and Black Tern and good numbers of duck pass through the area during passage periods. Hen Harrier is regular in winter. Black Grouse is a former breeder and Parrot Crossbill bred in 1995. The reserve has marked footpaths and an observation tower, access to part of the dune area is restricted. To reach the reserve leave Antwerp northwards on the E10 to Maria-ter-Heide and turn left for Kalmthout.
Birds
Birds you can see here include:
Black-necked Grebe, Canada Goose, Common Shelduck, Gadwall, Common Teal, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye, Smew, Western Honey-Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Osprey, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Merlin, Northern Hobby, Spotted Crake, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Black Tern, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, European Nightjar, Black Woodpecker, Wood Lark, Barn Swallow, Bluethroat, Common Redstart, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Crested Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Great Grey Shrike, Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer
Content and images originally posted by Steve
