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Marais d'Harchies

Hainaut  >  Belgium

Birdrich reserve of about 550 hectares with ponds, marshes and open meadows. More than 260 bird species have been seen here.

Added* by François Van Driessche
Most recent update 1 December 2023

Description

Les Marais d'Harchies consists of four large ponds, marshes, 24 hectares of reed beds and meadows with pollard willow. The wetland was created when subsidence from mining began to fill with water from the 1920s. Between 1968 and 1971, the marshes were drained for a construction project that failed, and the area was subsequently purchased for protection. As a result, they were refilled with groundwater and rainwater. The area now consists of a patchwork of ponds, marses and open meadows which offer ideal conditions and quietness for breeding birds. At the observatories, you may see: Great Egret, Bewick's Swan, Bluethroat, Black-crowned Night Heron and Osprey.

Details

Access

Coming from Namur, Charleroi, Mons, take the 26th exit on the E42 highway "Dour, Pommeroeul". Follow signs Harchies, then CRIE d'HArchies boards. Coming from Tournai, Courtrai take the 27th exit on the E42 highway. Click on a P in the map to get directions to a parking place.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Reedbeds

Conditions

Flat , Wet

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Winter , Spring , Autumn , Autumn migration

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

The trail marked on the map is about 7 km and leads you to all the best places.

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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Comments & Tips

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