Kroon's Polders

Island of Vlieland > Netherlands

One of the best birding areas on Vlieland with a splendid bird hide and thousands of birds during high tide.

Added* by Hannah Driesse
Most recent update 16 March 2023

Description

The Kroon's Polders on the western part of the Wadden island of Vlieland have been constructed to prevent the island from breaking in two during a heavy storm. The four small polders are an important area for plants and birds. More than 60 bird species nest here, including Common Eider, Eurasian Spoonbill, Avocet and Great Cormorant. The polders are partially opened to the strong Wadden Sea tides and when the water rises all the wading birds flock togetter for shelter and feeding. A really good bird hide is located in the middle of the area. Please respect areas that are cordoned off or forbidden to enter.

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Nederlands: Om te voorkomen dat het eiland tijdens een zware storm in tweeën breekt, zijn op het westelijke deel van het Waddeneiland Vlieland de Kroon's Polders aangelegd. De vier kleine polders zijn een belangrijk gebied voor planten en vogels. Meer dan 60 vogelsoorten nestelen hier, waaronder Common Eider, Eurasian Spoonbill, Avocet en Great Cormorant. De polders staan gedeeltelijk open voor de sterke Waddenzee-getijden en als het water stijgt, komen alle wadvogels samen om te schuilen en te eten. Midden in het gebied ligt een geweldige vogelkijkhut die te bereiken is door soort gang met rieten afzettingen, waardoor de vogels niet worden verstoord en je ze prachtig van dichtbij kunt bekijken. Respecteer alstublieft gebieden die zijn afgezet of verboden toegang zijn.

Details

Access

Vlieland can be reached by ferry from Harlingen. Several boats leave per day and the crossing takes about an hour and a half (see link for ferry tickets below). On Vlieland, no cars are allowed, so you have to get here by bike or island bus. The bus brings you right to restaurant Posthuys at the beginning of the Kroonspolders. There is also a very nice bird hide fairly close to the Posthuys (1 km). The complete circular walk around the area as shown on the map is approximately 6 km.

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Nederlands: Op Vlieland zijn geen auto's toegestaan, dus je moet met de fiets of eilandbus komen naar deze westpunt van het eiland komen. De bus brengt je tot bij restaurant Posthuys aan het begin van de Kroon's Polders. Je kunt ook alleen van het Posthuys naar de mooie vogelkijkhut lopen (1 km). De complete rondwandeling om het gebied zoals afgebeeld op de kaart is ongeveer 6 km. Die wandeling brengt je ook bij een mooi hoog uitzichtpunt aan de zuidkant van de Kroon's Polders.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Dunes , Sea , Beach , Mud flats , Reedbeds , Wetland

Conditions

Sandy , Dry , Hilly , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Narrow trail , Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Links

4 days Vlieland from € 384 for 2 persons in Hotel De Veerman

Island of Vlieland > Netherlands

Hotelletje de Veerman is a household name among Dutch birdwatchers. The hotel is ideally and wonderfully quietly located on the edge of the village of Oost-Vlieland and on the Wadden Sea. At low tide birds are foraging right in front of the hotel. The hotel also borders the Westerse Veld. These meadows and grasslands on the Wadden Sea are a magnet for birds. Rarities and vagrants are regularly seen here. From the hotel you can walk there within a minute. The hotel's breakfast is famous. It is not only very tasty, but bird watchers have also been thought of. At breakfast you get a bag to take lunch with you. This way you can enjoy lunch on a bench in nature during the walks and optimally enjoy the birds and the Vlieland landscape.

Offer

4-day cycling package from € 384 for 2 persons including 3 nights with breakfast and 4 days of bicycle rental. Plus 20% discount on ferry tickets*. (Electric bicycle is possible with a supplement of € 15 per day). * Discount for ferry tickets does not apply during school holidays and public holidays. Ask for 'Birdingplaces offer' when booking.

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